401a stitch width adjustment
 

Hey all. A few years ago I lent my 401a to my adult daughter. As anticipated she didn’t do much in the way of maintenance. I have it back and it’s blown out, oiled and greased. The problem is I can’t get a full left-right swing on a zig-zag stitch. It stitches about an 1/8” wide. This is on the B/L setting. Any ideas for the adjustment? All the parts move. Thanks!

My guess is that it still just needs more cleaning and oiling. When I got my 401a, it would not zigzag at all. If you will take the top off and watch as you push the needle bar back and forth, you'll see all the things that have to move freely for it to zig zag. Stuff in the "nose" has to move as well as several levers between the needle bar and the cam stack.

There are several threads here on cleaning and getting everything to move on a 401a. There was one by archaic arcane that was really good. Here is the thread from my journey with my 401a https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/401a-problem-t288873.html

It references several other threads that are really good. It sometimes just takes a while to get everything loosened up. The 401 has tight tolerances, so old dried up oil can stop it from moving correctly.

bkay

Thanks, bkay. I feel that I cleaned it well. But I’m going to hit it everyday because, like you said, things can free up on their own with time. I’ve seen archaic arcane just today for the first time. Saw one of her videos, but I’ll go back. Thanks for your link. I’ll take a look.
Seems like that paddle will swing the needle if I move it manually. When I get it to work properly I’ll post here. Otherwise, if you are reading this thread and I haven’t solved it, I’m officially still scratching my head ;’)

Bkay is right, you just need to get the pertinent parts freed up. In particular is the little(working from memory here so forgive the vagueness) part that moves within another part over in the left area. It may be moving, but not through its full range of motion. More oil, and manually moving the needle bar so that this little part moves 367 times will help free it up.

Cari

Good news! The culprit was the stitch width (red) lever. It moved like it was working, but it never adjusted the width, well, not 100%. So yesterday I oiled a little deeper and when I set it for BL, swung the red lever to 5, and manually moved the paddle as I hand-walked the wheel. Click. Something gave and slipped back into place and now it runs beautifully. Full range on the width. Patience young grasshopper :)

Yes, young grasshopper. :thumbup:

bkay