Does 301 go into 71??? No, it's not a math problem??
 

It should fit. Here's a link to the 71 cabinet and which machines fit into it. http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...ny/71_cab.html

It sounds like someone has messed with it though. There should be prior hinges that the 301 cradle hinges fit right into and screw in. If I were to guess it's almost like someone already took a buzz saw to it already, to enlarge the opening:<

Here are the photos of the cabinet. Dies it make sense to any of you?? The dark dots on the front cabinet panel are felt cushions. Thanks for your help!!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]350237[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]350238[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]350240[/ATTACH]

I am now thinking about putting my 201 in this cabinet and not doing any mods on the cabinet. Any other suggestions
??

I don't see why your 301 doesn't fit?

When the cradle is lifted higher than the front panel, they don't fit together. They meet at an apex (if that is the proper term for the tip of a triangle....as I remember it from high school geometry??) well above the level surface of the cabinet. I was initially thinking that by getting the cabinet hardware, that would fit in the front brackets (the free side) of the cradle. I am guessing that if I shave off about a quarter inch of the front part of the panel, between the two curved sides, that might work. Although, I hate to do that, as I would guess that was not how it was designed. I hope I am making sense.

Could you take a photo of how the machine sits in the cradle and hits the table wrong?

Here are two photos. Ther first one shows the machine with the panel flat. The second one shows how the panel and machine meet.[ATTACH=CONFIG]350317[/ATTACH]

I think I know what your problem is. It looks like your hardware cut out in the back, doesn't have a notch for the cradle. Here is a photo of a 301 table that is in poor condition, so I sold the cradle and am using the table now to hold stuff in the garage. See the notch? Otherwise your cradle will hit the back side of the table and not allow it to sit flush.

I just looked. It looks like it is cut out. The machine sits flush from the back but not on the front. I thought I saw on the ISMAC website that the 71 cabinet also fits a 201. I just dragged my 201 out...but it looks shorter that the 301. It doesn't look like it will fit either. Could each 71 cabinet have a particular insert based on the machine it was sold for??? I really appreciate your input. Thanks again.

Are you certain it's an original Singer table? If so, it should have a Singer serial # on it.

Where might I find the serial number on the cabinet?? I was just going by the photos on ISMAC. It looks like the 71, with the fluted front and it's blond wood.

It should be in the inside front of the cabinet, if it's a Singer cabinet. Either under the front fold out panel or on the inside front part of the cabinet.

I recently bought a sewing cabinet and had a nice gentleman who does carpentry work modify it to fit my 301A. I had the 301 cradle and he added 2 metal pieces at the front edge of the inside of the cut out on the table and lined them up to fit into the front of the cradle. When he finished it and brought it back to me I asked how much I owed him and he said nothing. Told him no that wasn't right and then he asked if I would hem some jeans for him. I love to barter so we both got something and were happy. Hope you can make it work-I love sewing with the machine in a cabinet.

Well, I guess that solves the mystery. I can't find anywhere a Singer mark or number. I made the initial asumption that it was a 71 cabinet, based on the ISMAC photo. Thanks so much for all of your help and input. I was a bit uneasy about making mods, but now I will go ahead with making the 301 fit. Thanks again!!

There are a lot of folks that know a lot about that kind of problem on this Yahoo Group:

[email protected]

You will need to join to be able to ask questions; but it is well worth it.

I have a 15-91 Singer in a cabinet #40. I got a 237 Singer and wanted to know if it would fit in the #40 cabinet. Asked the question and got an immediate response. (yes, it will).

Make certain the hinge pins are inserted into the cradle as far as they will go. You are only lacking a smidge of room for the machine to drop right into place.

Does your cabinet have the support arm that swings out on the left side...or at least the slot where it used to be if someone removed it? If so, I'm thinking it IS a Singer cabinet.

It does have that support arm. Although, I still haven't found anything inside the cabinet that says Singer or any other name.

I am going to head over to the yahoo list after this post. I took off the front panel and found a number stamped into the wood.
D544251
For whatever that means!!?!?!?

Yes, that's the serial number.

So, is it a serial number for a Singer cabinet?? If so, the questions remains....why can't I get my 301 to fit into it. I've double checked the screws on the hinge caps....they are tightened down are far as they can go.

Right. I don't know what to tell you :< It should fit. I would pose this question on the vintage Singer yahoo group and see if anyone there has epiphany.

It has to be a problem with your cabinet hinges or the way you have the cradle installed. Are the cabinet hinges freely moving or are they stiff? They should just flop around and be a PITA when trying to get a heavy machine reinstalled in a cabinet. If they are stiff give them a drop of sewing machine oil.
Remove the cradle completely and loosen the screws on the cradle until they are almost out the whole way, re-tighten them just enough to stay in place when you put the cradle back on the hinge pins. Once the hinge pins are inserted in the cradle there should be no excess hinge pin showing. Tighten the screws and see if it will close.

This cabinet does not have the two little brackets installed on the lift-up part of the lid. The brackets engage with those clip-looking things on the front of the 301's cradle and without the brackets, the cradle is useless. Those are the two little metal pieces that janiesews was talking about.

If that cabinet were being readied for a 301 at the factory, those little brackets would be applied to inside lip with two screws each.

I got the two little brackets that you mentioned, with the second ebay cradle order. I haven't been able to find anywhere exactly where and how they should attach. I am using my best guesstimate. I will pull the hinge pins apart again and reinstall them to see it that helps. Thanks again for all your help. Does anyone out there have a photo of what the front wood panel looks like with brackets on a 301 that fits the cabinet properly??? Thanks, M

I don't have this type of cabinet - I think you would have to modify the lip on yours in order to make the brackets work. I will try to dig out my 301 cabinet and take a couple of pictures and measurements for you.

I hope these pictures help. :)

Yes, pictures were very helpful, however the 2nd photo confuses me. It looks like the to the right of the bracket the board is tapered but on the 1st and 3rd photos, it looks flat. It appears that I need to remove the entire beveled edge (rip the board flush with the finished edge) and attach the brackets as you have indicated. I have attached a photo of the beveled edge of the board. What do you think? Thanks!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]351208[/ATTACH]

I *think* you may have to rip that lip off. (remember that saying? :D )

Maybe try putting the brackets on the lip first and see if that stands a chance? If I can take any more pictures for you, let me know - they're two different cabinets, so apart from the distance between the brackets and the relationship to the pins on the cradle, I'm not sure what to send you, but if you think of anything that will help, let me know. :)

Thanks. I agree. We will cut that lip off. It will take a few days to get my husband to get to his workbench. I will show you the finished result. Hopefully I will be sewing on 'Ugly Betty', my beautiful 301, in it's cabinet sometime soon!!!

Well, I finally have a vintage Singer in my 72 cabinet. It's not 'Ugly Betty', my beautiful 301 though!!! I just couldn't bring myself to modify the cabinet....so I changed out the hinge pins of my 201 and it fit almost perfectly. I am delighted that I have a machine in that cabinet. There is a space to the right of the machine that is open. I have seen in photos that there seems to be some kind of a metal plate that goes there. I can feel another ebay search coming on!! I will be on the lookout for that plate and the knee lever as well. Thank you again to everyone for your help and suggestions about this cabinet and machine. Happy Stitchin'