Has it got lint or dirt in the screw holes?

Thanks for your interest!

I didn't see any, but cleaned it out anyway. Then we put oil on the screw threads, and it still acted the same. The funny part is that although the screw didn't turn real easy the first time I put the plate in (when I had the bobbin assembly finger positioned wrong), it did turn and go all the way in. The problem developed after removing the screw from that operation. The fact that every screw that I try now goes in the same distance indicates to me that something in the threads of the hole is hanging them up.

Is there something I can use that would be most effective in clearing out the threads?

Thanks!

Dayle

It sounds like the threads have been damaged, which my be a real head ache for you. Singer threading and screws are not something you can duplicate with any die tap I know of. I had to rethread a screw hole on a 319 once and it's not very fun. This is going to be something that you will need to remove periodically to clean so I really don't know what would be the best route. You may have to retap the screw and buy a new screw to fit the new threads you make. And it probably wouldn't match the other one in the plate, so that would be a bummer. But, do try other options before going this way.

Here is a black shortbed 301 for sale in Rhode Island, in case anyone is interested:

http://providence.craigslist.org/art/2812003771.html

I already have a black one or else I would be checking into it, myself.

Looks like a nice machine at a semi-reasonable price.
I finally got my hopping foot for FMQ and made up some practice sandwiches. How do most of you that FMQ with your 301's do it? With dropped feed dogs or with the stitch length at 0? I will probably try both but I'm curious what most of you do?

I'm sorry to say I haven't tried to FMQ with my 301 yet. I do have a hopping foot for it, but haven't had the time to try it out. I would experiment with the feed dogs up and down and several stitch length. Have fun.

You need to do both. Drop the feed dogs and put the stitch length bar all the way up (reverse setting actually).

I have to ask what a Singer LBOW is???

I only pop the FMQ foot on, release some of the tension on the presser foot and start sewing. When I dropped the feed dogs, I was too erratic. I may try again now that I've done a few quilts.

I've done MANY quilts via FMQ on my 301 as described above. LBOW is the two-toned, beige/ oyster white type of 301.