Singer 401G Bobbin Case
 

Hi.

I`ve recently acquired a Singer 401 vintage sewing machine in good condition. I have cleaned it, and everything seems to be working as it should. However there is an issue with the upper thread getting caught and stuck UNDER the bobbin case itself. The case is an original 172082. I have attached a couple of photos. The first image shows what is supposed to happen, and the second and third images shows what is currently happening.

Is this simply a matter of a worn case? The case seems to sit a little to "high" in the machine which is why the thread gets caught.

There's a Facebook group that specializes in Singer 401 machines. Perhaps someone there could help. The group is named "Singer 401 Slantomatic".

Be aware that your G was made in Germany. It could be different from USA singers/ Welcome aboard.

Welcome to QB.

I'm wondering if one of the following would help. The service manual isn't real clear, but may help. Archaic Arcane has a series of which I'm doing a couple.
https://sewingdude.wordpress.com/201...ervice-manual/
https://archaicarcane.com/excuse-me-...have-the-time/
https://archaicarcane.com/the-looses...-thread-nests/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT98wbDLVco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkl0xuD6C3E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7drU1gNKqo

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

Welcome to the QuiltingBoard! I'm not sure what you mean by the case sitting high. If the case isn't properly seated the race/hook won't be able to turn freely around it. I see in picture #2 the left thread is not clearing the curved piece to the left of the feed dogs. Assuming the case is properly seated, I would look to see if this piece is bent down a little? Or if there's a burr or something under it catching the thread and not letting it move through as in picture #1. Also check all surfaces of the bobbin case for burrs as well as the inside of the race/hook area. I have a 401 within reach and will check the bobbin area to see if something jumps out at me.

I checked my 401, the needle thread is caught by the hook then pulled around on the inside of the race and the outside of the case along the back left quadrant then is pulled up over the case about the middle of the left side of the case as it is released from the hook. I used the service manual at Central Michigan Supply to check and adjust timing on mine, which I would do on yours along with checking all the surfaces along with proper seating of the case. The case should have noticeable wiggle when seated.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/07...62061900659880

Check the thread clearance. You will find instructions for this adjustment at page 131 of the Service Manual.

It could be how the thread comes out of the bobbin. The direction. Good luck and let us know what you find.

Hi Mary. Welcome aboard.

I have a 401a. I found this video very helpful with thread problems. I had already cleaned the bobbin area when I found the video and I still got a lot of gunk out of it. The other thing is to make sure the bobbin case is seated properly.
bkay

I read the description in the video. This individual bought a used machine 5 years ago and never cleaned it. That means it hadn't been cleaned in over 5 years. It's a testament to just how good Singer machines are that the machine worked at all! One should at a minimum brush the lint out of the machine now and then. Start to finish, that's a process that takes 5 to 10 seconds. One should put a drop of oil in the hook race at every two bobbins.

Thank you!

There's one other point I would make and that is to never use sewing machine oil the way it is used in the video. The result of using sewing machine oil to clean the bobbin area as was shown, will be to over oil the entire area and make it a dust and lint magnet.

Use one or two drops of oil in all the oiling points and no more.

Brushing sewing machine oil all over the bobbin area of a machine is not the way to clean it. Singer recommended kerosene when a machine was gummed up because kerosene will dissolve old oil and then it evaporates. You can also use 99% alcohol which will do the same thing. Don't use 70% as that is 30% water which may rust a machine.

Klean Heat
 

I agree, I use Klean Heat in the bobbin area, and to clean the machine in general. It is odorless kerosene. I use q-tips with it. The Elna Grasshopper manual says to use a few drops of kerosene in the bobbin area to lubricate and clean, Fair warning though, don't let it soak into your clothes or thread, it will eat through, let it dry first before putting a bobbin in.

I'll have to keep Klean Heat in mind next time I look for odourless kerosene. Thanks for mentioning it!

No problem. I like to follow manufacturer's instructions, kerosene, sewing machine oil, and petroleum jelly. I just substitute odorless kerosene (branded Klean Heat) due to the smell. On one or two occasions I have used tri-flow but always follow it up with Klean Heat to clean it up and then follow that up with regular sewing machine oil.

I'm with you about following the manufacturer's instructions. Singer recommended kerosene to clean the inside of their machines, so that's what I use. I had forgotten that Elna recommended kerosene for their hook/bobbin assemblies. A point of interest is that the Grasshopper used a nylon (I believe it was nylon but it was certainly some type of plastic) hook pinion gear. So obviously Elna was not concerned that kerosene would damage the gear. And those gears have lasted from the mid-1940's until today.

I have no doubt that technological progress has resulted in more advanced lubricants and cleaning solutions than was available in the past, but that said, one of my Singers is a year or two shy of 100 years old, another is over 60 years old and the list goes on. All of them work like new machines. I also have a 55 year old Elna that works like new. I'm happy with using kerosene to clean and sewing machine oil to lubricate the gears and petroleum jelly in the motors.

One thing I'm absolutely certain of and that is using sewing machine oil to clean internal mechanisms is wrong. It will just attract lint and dirt which will gum up the works or even worse, allow abrasive grit to stick to moving parts.

I agree with you. Using sewing machine oil to clean is not what was recommended or anticipated. I've had to use dental tools to scrap dried *oil* off *gears* using kerosene, not to mention the dust and grime, and you can almost hear where the tingy noises come from when there is lack of lubrication or dust/lint built up. There is too much dust in the air, and lint by definition, and if you add a dog or cat to the mix (my dear kitties LOVE to get my attention by sitting right on top of the machines at times) with dander, then all you are doing is hastening the need for thorough cleaning. Hence once in a while I will use tri-flow and a hair dryer to get things moving followed up with kerosene to take all of it off, then sewing machine oil only as much as and where manufacturers recommended.

Nothing quite like having a feline helper. Every cat I've ever met was convinced that everything could be improved with some cat fur on it.