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-   For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts (https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/)
-   -   Questions about a newly acquired Singer 401A missing parts (https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/questions-about-newly-acquired-singer-401a-missing-parts-t148584.html)

miriam 09-05-2011 04:36 PM

some of those dealers will do anything to get their hands on the old machines and sell someone a brand new piece of junk. GGGGRRRRR your poor mom got took.

deplaylady 09-05-2011 05:57 PM


Originally Posted by miriam
To wind the bobbin you put a spool on the pin at the bottom right corner. Run that thread through the little thing next to it and up - there is a thing with a wheel - on the opposite side of the wheel is a spindle you can put the bobbin on it, run that thread through and push the rubber wheel against the balance wheel and you are good to wind the bobbin. You can release the clutch so the needle won't move. Just give the knob inside the balance wheel a turn and you are good to go. When you are done you can just put the wheel back where it was and the needle will go again. You can make the next bobbin while you are sewing. Just keep the balance wheel engaged as you wind it. I had no manual when I got the one out of the trash. It took a while for me to figure out all the stitch patterns. Be sure to read that part carefully in the manual.

Ohhh! Good hint! I forget these things.

miriam 09-05-2011 06:04 PM


Originally Posted by deplaylady

Originally Posted by miriam
To wind the bobbin you put a spool on the pin at the bottom right corner. Run that thread through the little thing next to it and up - there is a thing with a wheel - on the opposite side of the wheel is a spindle you can put the bobbin on it, run that thread through and push the rubber wheel against the balance wheel and you are good to wind the bobbin. You can release the clutch so the needle won't move. Just give the knob inside the balance wheel a turn and you are good to go. When you are done you can just put the wheel back where it was and the needle will go again. You can make the next bobbin while you are sewing. Just keep the balance wheel engaged as you wind it. I had no manual when I got the one out of the trash. It took a while for me to figure out all the stitch patterns. Be sure to read that part carefully in the manual.

Ohhh! Good hint! I forget these things.

what did you forget?

deplaylady 09-05-2011 06:53 PM


Originally Posted by miriam

Originally Posted by deplaylady

Originally Posted by miriam
To wind the bobbin you put a spool on the pin at the bottom right corner. Run that thread through the little thing next to it and up - there is a thing with a wheel - on the opposite side of the wheel is a spindle you can put the bobbin on it, run that thread through and push the rubber wheel against the balance wheel and you are good to wind the bobbin. You can release the clutch so the needle won't move. Just give the knob inside the balance wheel a turn and you are good to go. When you are done you can just put the wheel back where it was and the needle will go again. You can make the next bobbin while you are sewing. Just keep the balance wheel engaged as you wind it. I had no manual when I got the one out of the trash. It took a while for me to figure out all the stitch patterns. Be sure to read that part carefully in the manual.

Ohhh! Good hint! I forget these things.

what did you forget?

That I could wind the bobbin and sew at the same time! I need to set aside time with each machine to really get to know it. Oh well - after my garage sale is over - this weekend is finally the date - I'll have more time to play! And more room. And then on to eBay!

miriam 09-05-2011 07:07 PM

I would never have thought of winding the bobbins as I sew but the industrial machines do it. It is really nice though. You don't have to take time out. I love the 401 - you just slide it open and you can peek to see how much thread is left in there.

kayahr 09-06-2011 05:31 AM

My Mom's 401-A has additional cams. She still uses the machine. Love the fact that it cam with a quarter-inch foot. I thought about buying a walking foot for it.

miriam 09-06-2011 09:02 AM


Originally Posted by kayahr
My Mom's 401-A has additional cams. She still uses the machine. Love the fact that it cam with a quarter-inch foot. I thought about buying a walking foot for it.

I love the walking foot.


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