OH, your pictures make me long for my 401A . . . it has been in the shop. The needle began hitting the throat plate. I'm hoping to get it back this week to take on a Retreat. I bought it at an auction for $15, and had it completely serviced, using it joyfully for quite a long time. Then, it started giving me "thread-throw-up" on the back of my work, and I rushed it to my service guy, Gary Sink, Sink Sew 'n' Vac in Lebanon. Bad news is that he has a five-star reputation, and he's getting so busy! Cross your fingers for me that "she" comes home this week!

Sounds like the needle was in wrong or a messed up tension.

What did you mean by learning the hard way not to use sprays to clean it? My MIL just gave me her 401A in its cabinet. Used very little for the last 45 years, but never cleaned. I've been trying to get good information before I open to examine it. Hopefully, I won't have to pay a huge bill to get it serviced! She didn't know where the accessories are, so I could have to buy some.

I think the spray is a waste of time and way more messy than necessary. Clean out the lint. Go into the bobbin area after you have removed the bobbin race and thoroughly clean out all the lint and built up dried oil, drop a little oil on the moving parts or places that will rub. Clean lint off the bottom of the machine - drop a little drop of oil on the moving parts. Go up into the nose - clean out any lint or dried up oil. Cleaning dried up oil is not absolutely necessary - it just looks better - BUT you do have to worry about dried up oil in the moving parts. Tri-flow will penetrate and loosen it up. The zz slant machines have a pin the needle bar rides on - that will need lots of attention - the other pin it works off of is below the camstack and to the left - if you push on the needle you can see it. Those get caked up and the machine doesn't zig and zag. If you don't get it completely clean the patterns will not look right - the needle won't swing all the way left and all the way right or it will do slow motion. The cam stacks readers will need to be cleaned - PITB IMHO - takes time. Clean up all that moves and then re-oil. You will need to grease the gears. The first time I did it was a disaster - I sprayed WD40 all over the place then I used 3-in-1 oil on the whole thing - gumbo gumbo gumbo.

Sew-classic has lots of slant-o-matic accessories and good bobbins.

oh miriam - i loved your pics! good for you for restoring the one you found in the garbage!

i have a Singer Slant-o-Matic 503a (i have to say the whole thing just cuz i like it so much!) and i absolutely love my machine. Of course, after signing on to this board, i fell into the Land of Antique Singers and I bought 4 more. Now I have another Singer Slant-o-Match 503a for my 20yr old daughter, my grandma's 66 treadle with the cabinet all restored and pretty, a featherweight, a 15-91 (in cabinet) and another 66 (also in a cabinet). *sigh* sewing machines are so much fun.

oh, and i gave my mother's Pfaff 310 to my older daughter. so i'm "down" to "just" 5 machines in my vision right now and my Singer Slant-o-matic 503a is downstairs in its cabinet.

I love the Singer 503s but my Singer 403 is still my favorite - I wish it did stretch stitches - sigh. I had an Elna I dearly loved. The motor burned out and burned out and burned out - long story short - it is toast. Finally, 20 years later, I bought another one - it is not my favorite machine - this is not the same - it does not feel the same - it is a slightly different model, too. I've been ready to get it gone lately. I have a Phoenix that I am getting used to but it doesn't have the capacity to use a buttonholer or my nifty circle foot. The 403 doesn't do the circle foot - that leaves me back to the Elna that I don't love.

BTW my sister chews me out big time for having dirty sewing machines and gasp - posting a picture of it on the world wide web.... (401A I presume) You should have seen it when I got it... LOL Paint likes to flake off that one - I just leave it alone - maybe one day I will pretty it up. The inside was sprayed with WD40, Liquid Wrench was used, Kerosene, 3 in One oil - that baby is my experimental machine - I learned by trial and lots of errors what all NOT to use to unfreeze a stuck machine. If I can't be a good example, at least I can be a terrible warning. Go easy with cleaning... The 411G could use a bit more clean up, too but not so bad as that 401G - I always see more dirt, lint, dried up oil, finger prints AFTER I take a picture than before...

Don't forget to oil the slide pins for the throat plate too. I had a "Stuck" 401A recently that had that as the final outstanding problem. Seized in solid. We literally ended up pounding it out. (I suppose a more patient person might have waited a few more days, but it really didn't seem like it was going to go without a little abuse.)

You just wait a couple days for the Tri-Flow will work - if it doesn't work hit it again with the oil.

some of the 411 are named 411, and other 411M.What is the difference ? Minre is g, u supposed it was made in germany,but where does the other come from? i have also a wonderfull singer 431G Perfect mechanical, BUT MOTOR sEAMS CAPUT (so said the technician by singer); do uoi now if i can put her on a treaddle; Thanks for help.

M is Malaysia, isn't it? G for Germany, J for St Jean Quebec, in Canada, K for Kilbowie Scotland, A for Anderson, South Carolina, USA,....

I think you'd be hard pressed to treadle a 431, there are no holes for the hinges to mount. You might be best off taking the motor from the 411 and put it in the 431 then treadle the 411.

That said, it's worth checking the motor brushes on the 431 before holding the funeral on it. So many technicians don't properly service or even check the motors.

The 'M' is Monza, Italy.

Cathy

Ah!! Thank you!!
I couldn't find the list I referred to way back when.

I just bought a 411G and would like to see how the treadle belt is on the hand wheel.I looked at mine I have no belt grove and I cant see your hand wheel at all.I think maybe mine is one that came not fitted for the treadle. The machine works great for $20. I was hoping to set it up in a treadle just for the fun of it.

It looks pretty much the same as the 401G that Miriam posted a pic of here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post5795211

The balance wheel has a step in it - a spinning wheel belt may fit better than the leather belt. I had to shim mine out because the belt was sort of thick. I have heard of people filing a grove in there but I don't think it was intended to work that way. Someone found me on line and sent an email. We emailed back and forth until she got her's done - the spinning wheel belt worked great. I still need to go buy one so I haven't personally done it that way. I think I showed a picture of the rear channels but not with the belt in it. The belt goes through like you see in the front, over the balance wheel, then down through the channel in the back and down around the treadle wheel.

Singer 401G again
[ATTACH=CONFIG]406107[/ATTACH]

401A and a 411G rear - the 411G has that hole in the back for the belt to go through no hole in the 411A.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]406108[/ATTACH]

Here is someplace that sells the belts:
http://www.spinnerschoice.com/Spinni...s/default.html
Stretchy poly-cord drive bands for your spinning wheel are durable and easy to install. These flexible spinning wheel drive bands offer a stronger draw in than conventional cotton belts and will last and last. Choose from traditional clear or black or bring some color into you spinning with NEW shades of crystal lavender and crystal rose! Available in single drive ($7.00)or double drive ($14.00)or pre-fused for Louet S10, S17 and S51. ($9.95) All non-fused spinning wheel drive belts include easy to follow instructions.

I'm thinking she used a single but bought double just in case.

Hello!
I'm about to purchase a European 401 (not sure if it's the G or M). The lady is telling me it's still working (she said she used it last a couple of months ago last). I'm unable to check since she's located in the north of Italy, and I'm currently in the south. I also don't know a thing about sewing, this would be my 1st machine, and I'm very much looking forward to learning on it. Comparing the pictures she sent me with all your pictures, I have some doubts about its nose: the slot seems broken/way to large (see pictures). Since it comes with this cabinet, which I adore, if you think it's fixable, I'd rather have it repaired than losing the opportunity... What do you think?
Thank you all in advance for your advice. (I hope it's OK to post here, I figured this was the right place since the different 401 pictures are here too.)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]423530[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]423531[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]423532[/ATTACH]

What a great table!!
I don't think there's anything "wrong" with the nose, I think it's open. This part has to open to service the machine, it's just a hinged door.
Make sure the stitch selector moves freely. Many people will say the machine works fine, and if all they do is one stitch, they may never notice that the stitch selector is frozen up. The front one pushes in, then turns, and the back pulls toward you and then turns.

If the stitch selector is frozen up, it can be fixed with some time and elbow grease, but it becomes a bargaining point.
This is a discussion we had about that very problem on the American version of your machine.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t216956.html


A couple of things to note though.
1. Are there are 2 different machines in these photos? One has the brown panel behind the stitch selector, and one has the beige. This is very strange. Maybe it's just a trick of the light.

2. There's water staining on the floor (I think) Machines don't like really moist environments. It would be a good idea to check the machine over very carefully for signs that the moisture has bothered it. Again, not insurmountable, just something to look for.

Hi ArchaicArcane,

Great news about the nose. About the selector, I'll ask the lady, good point (good info too. I'm learning, I'm learning...).

1. You have sharp eyes! I don't think there are 2 different machines though. Looking at the thin horizontal logo panel on the lighter image, you can see the change of color. Also, the street reflections on the table mean it must be an opened garage door, suddenly filled w/ light...

2. Unfortunately, where I live must be even worse than a garage... 80% humidity pretty much all year long. Everything rusts :(

Thanks so much for answering so fast!

PS: Re: the table: YES :)

I'm really liking that table!!! I have one of those machines. SWEET!!!!!! The first one I got came out of the trash. It was a big mess. It took a long time but I did get it working. Hopefully you won't have all that much wrong if you can make the stitch selectors work. The nose just needs to snap shut. I have a little drawer unit like that for mine. It some how hooks to the machine and makes the bed longer. The machine is a winner in my book.

Thanks! I will move forward w/ the transaction then. From what I'm reading, the most delicate part now will be to have it packed securely for transportation... I hope a friend in Milan can get it for me directly, otherwise I'll need to call a package delivery company. I'll keep you all posted!!!

Ok, so after many ups (lady testing her machine again and making a hem without any pbs / confirming the "nose" closes / her husband unscrewing the table's legs for ease of transport / realizing she lives only 7km away from my friend in Milan) and downs (not able to contact my friend until yesterday night — while he's supposed to leave tomorrow morning to come & visit me / understanding there will most probably be no space left in his car for the 401 + table since he'll be traveling with his wife, 2 kids, and their 2 big dogs, lol / and... seeing a brand new classified ad on the web for "my" machine from the same lady yesterday afternoon)...

Only "ups" today:
- My friend went to the lady this morning & bought the 401
- He then bought... a car top carrier!

Can you believe it?! (I hardly can)
:o

I would love to see that car!!!!!!!!!! in my drive way... :D:D:D

I sure hope the clothes went in the in the top carrier... I'd hate to see the roof after a 401 rode all the way through Italy on it. ;) Congrats on the machine. It will clean up really well!

The 401 was in the trunk, well guarded -- as you can see ;)
They all arrived well. The sewing machine seemed already cleaned & oiled. Oh it's so nice. It has many accessories, and the original booklets (both for the machine + table). The table is even more beautiful than on the photographs.
I started training yesterday, no problems so far (again, I'm a complete newbie, so figuring out pretty quickly how to place the threads, testing different stitches & trying to control the speed was a big accomplishment for me, even with the user's manual).
One thing I noticed, is that the last thread holder/hook before the needle is broken off from the needle clamp. That's not too important, is it?
Anyway, here are some pictures!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]424495[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]424496[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]424501[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]424502[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]424505[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]424507[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]424508[/ATTACH]

Pics did not come up on my computer. I am so bummed out.

I learned another place that must have oil and Miriam must have missed it.... It is the spring that holds the bobbin in. I had one that must have had dried up oil. The spring did not seat the bobbin carrier quite right and the thread would not pass through quickly enough so made loops like the tension was off upstairs. I rebuilt the tension. Checked the bobbin tension then figured out that the spring was not seated all the way down. Oiled it and it has a lot better motion now and good stitches.

Thanks for the info about the bobbin spring.
Here are the pictures again (not the greatest quality...):

[ATTACH=CONFIG]424512[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]424513[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]424514[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]424515[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]424516[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]424517[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]424518[/ATTACH]

I can't see the attachments either, but plume, that table is to die for! And the machine is beautiful. The stars lined up for you and you got a dream machine! Congratulations!

Miriam, I am so glad I found your thread! I love the slantomatics too. I have a 401A. I have a couple of questions. Here goes:

1. If you don't use WD-40 or liquid wrench to clean inside the machine (cam stack area, etc.) what do you use? I HATE cleaning in there -- it's so hard.

2. For the past few days I've been dreaming of how I might get my 401 to chain stitch. (How lucky I am to find you right now!) Will the 411g bobbin race fit in a 401? Here's my idea: the Singer 600 series machines can chain stitch, and for this they have 3 accessories: 1. a chain stitch throat plate (with a little doo-hicky on the back), 2. a thread guide that clips onto the machine, and 3. a little bobbin case cover plate. These are readily available, I guess because of all the Touch and Sews that bit the dust leaving their attachments behind.

The 600 series uses a different bobbin, so that little plate probably won't fit. BUT, I found chain stitch instructions online for the 411G, and it doesn't use the little cover plate. The 600 series chain stitch throat plate should fit the 401, and I think the thread guide clip will fit. So, if I get a 411G bobbin race, a 600 series chain stitch throat plate and thread guide, will my 401A be able to chain stitch?

I've been obsessed with wanting to chain stitch lately. I would love to find a Singer 24 some day, or a Willcox & Gibbs chain stitcher. I have a Betsy Ross toy chain stitcher, but it can only do light duty work ;)

Thank you for this thread!
--Sheila

I can't see the attachments either, but plume, that table is to die for! And the machine is beautiful. The stars lined up for you and you got a dream machine! Congratulations!

Miriam, I am so glad I found your thread! I love the slantomatics too. I have a 401A. I have a couple of questions. Here goes:

1. If you don't use WD-40 or liquid wrench to clean inside the machine (cam stack area, etc.) what do you use? I HATE cleaning in there -- it's so hard.

2. For the past few days I've been dreaming of how I might get my 401 to chain stitch. (How lucky I am to find you right now!) Will the 411g bobbin race fit in a 401? Here's my idea: the Singer 600 series machines can chain stitch, and for this they have 3 accessories: 1. a chain stitch throat plate (with a little doo-hicky on the back), 2. a thread guide that clips onto the machine, and 3. a little bobbin case cover plate. These are readily available, I guess because of all the Touch and Sews that bit the dust leaving their attachments behind.

The 600 series uses a different bobbin, so that little plate probably won't fit. BUT, I found chain stitch instructions online for the 411G, and it doesn't use the little cover plate. The 600 series chain stitch throat plate should fit the 401, and I think the thread guide clip will fit. So, if I get a 411G bobbin race, a 600 series chain stitch throat plate and thread guide, will my 401A be able to chain stitch?

I've been obsessed with wanting to chain stitch lately. I would love to find a Singer 24 some day, or a Willcox & Gibbs chain stitcher. I have a Betsy Ross toy chain stitcher, but it can only do light duty work ;)

Thank you for this thread!
--Sheila

Sheluma, did we post at the same time or are the pictures still not appearing (I see them fine)?
Yes, the stars lined up!

I bet the accessories are in the drawer unit.
That table and machine are very, very nice.
You have some really wonderful friends.
I think you found the perfect home for the table and the machine looks like it was born there.

Tammi wants hers to chain stitch, too - I don't know if she got it to do it or not. A Singer 600 or 603 Touch and Sew are nice machines when the bobbin area works. If not just use it as a chain stitch and you should be good to go.

Plume, Yes, we posted at the same time. I see the pictures now. You really do have great friends. That will be a great machine for you to learn on, and to use forever. If you had gotten a crummy new machine, you might hate sewing because of the machine, and not even realize it was the machine and not you. The accessory case with the little drawers is special. Some of the American machines came with a good plastic box with fitted compartments, but I haven't seen anything as nice as yours.

Miriam, yes, I am still dealing with the previous owners gunk. I used WD-40 at first, but the fumes bother me. I got the machine working, and little by little just try to clean the rest (the non-contact parts) with oil now and then. I know tri-flow is the best, but I don't want to use teflon. I think regular clear sewing machine oil is non-toxic, but teflon isn't. My sewing area is in my kitchen, and I have pets, and I don't want to run the risk that they might ingest some. Do you think silicone might work for tough spots? Where do you pack the pantiliners or cosmetic pads? I just use rags to clean inside or paper towels on the outside.

Until I saw this thread I thought I might be able to get the 401 to chain stitch just with the special throat plate and thread guide. But then I saw your picture of the bobbin race and realized I'd need that too. The touch and sew uses that little bobbin cover plate, so I thought the bobbin race wasn't doing much during the chain stitch. But I guess that can't be. I don't think I could keep a machine like the touch and sew just for chain stitch (no room) and I know I can't replace my 401 with it. For a beautiful (and small) machine like the 24 or W&G I could find the room. Maybe someday I'll find an affordable 411 or 431.

Have a great day, Miriam, and a great evening, Plume!

The regular sewing oil has paraffin - sets up and you will be doing a lot of cleaning. Joe uses it around his cats.
I'm thinking the T-F I use is suppose to be food safe.

The only way I got a 401A chaining was to use the bobbin case and throat plate from the 411G. I don't think it can be done without fabbing up parts. I sold the 401As that came through the house and kept 1 431G and one 411G and a 503J.

TF can't be that toxic. I found one of the cats licking a machine that I'd just oiled. :shock: She's still here. I close the door now to the ,.. Ah,.. I'll just call it what it is... sewing shop.

ETA: Plume... it looks GREAT!! I think that guide is the least important one on the machine. As long as the thread doesn't catch and shred on that spot, you -may- need a little tighter tension. When I get home tonight.... or maybe tomorrow, I'll see if I can find you a part number and if it's still available. You're looking for the needle clamp.

Tammi! I didn't realize archaic arcane was you. Doh! Somehow I missed seeing your name in your siggie, though I did read through all your machines! (drool)

Thanks for the info on the chain stitching. I thought that the CS throat plate from the 411G is the same as the Touch and Sew. No? Even if it is, I suppose the 411G bobbin case is about as hard to find as the 411G itself. I've read that the 431G can also chain stitch, but again you need the throat plate, which is probably a bugger to find. Do you have one for your 431G? That would be my dream machine because it has a free arm.

I did find a manual for the "431 Convertable" -- do you know where that was made? (There's no letter suffix on it.) It mentions nothing about chain stitching. Why would they make a 431 that could not chain stitch when the 431G can do it? Maybe the manual is just an oddity, but it's the only 431 download on the Singer site. Actually there was another download (both labelled 431), but only one worked.

About teflon -- when heated to high temps (about 500°F, I think) teflon produces a vapor that kills birds. It's not good for other living things either, but they don't drop dead from it. (Kinda like the canary in the coal mine phenomenon.) It happens when teflon pans burn on the stove or are overheated in the oven. Since most people don't have birds they don't know it's happening. I don't have birds -- I have cats, but my theory is that teflon is just bad, period. I might be paranoid and phobic but I can't help it. A related problem is that toxic PFOA is produced in the making of teflon. It's in all of our bodies, and it's not good. Here is some info from WebMD and the Washington Post:
http://www.webmd.com/news/20060127/e...n-chemical-ban
and
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...012502041.html
In spite of this, if I had a workshop or a separate room I think I would use it.

No worries!! It's really easy to miss it in all the clutter down there. :)

In fact, I need to do a little house cleaning, I purged a few of them, traded for something uh,.. not vintage, but equally cool I'll post about later. I was so excited, I've had about 6 hours sleep in 2 days. Hopefully this is coherent, and not alphabet soup I'm typing. I think I'll forgo driving today.

The plate on the 411G has the finger under the CS plate going in the opposite direction. The T&S plate doesn't physically fit. Correct, the plate and the bobbincase both are harder to find than gilded hen's teeth.

The 431G chain stitches. It's an amazing machine. Everything the 401 is, plus the Open arm and the CS. If you can get your hands on a working one for under $200, you're doing well. I had to price one of the 2 I had here this week (one of the machines I traded) and couldn't find one on a finished eBay auction for under $200 on the first page of hits,... and a serviced one went for over $400 and as high as $550 before shipping.

Be warned though, for some reason -both- of the 431Gs I picked up had to be timed to sew 100% correctly. And one of the gals on the Singer Slant yahoo group said hers goes out of time, which I can't understand given how the "underbits" are designed. I think there's something else up there.

I believe that the bobbin case could be fabricated though. It's basically the case for the 401(500, and I Think some of the T&S machines) with an extra "finger" on it to lift the thread into the CS mechanism. It's just flat metal bent into shape then expoxied into place (it looks like epoxy on the original 411G/ 431G case)

I don't think many of the manuals designated a G or whatever. The 431 is typically a G, from what I understand, I don't know if they were made anywhere other than Germany (what the G stands for) I typically read "The German 431". That's the manual that came with my 431G. I've seen that there are some manuals (the online ones) floating around that don't have the CS information in them. Sort of like how some of the 221 manuals don't have certain information in them. Perhaps an oversight that lead to a revision later?

I was being a little facetious about the Teflon. I know it's a nasty substance, hence why I close the door to the "shop". I seem to remember this is why you never heat an empty teflon pan on the stove.

We often say about most of our animals, "If I hadn't gotten them, natural selection would have". They're sweet, but of the 5 we've had in recent years, 3 of them missed the "brains" line up at the factory. The one that licks machines also likes to sit with her head in the throat of an operating SM and babble at me. Yes, I stop when she tries to jockey into that position. Stunned me the first time. I yelled "DANGER!!" but that didn't stop her long term..

So funny! Certain cats who love attention do funny things. If you're looking at something they want you to look at them instead, so they put themselves in the way. "Oh, you want to read that book? I'll sit on it." "You want to cut that fabric? I'll sit on that, too." Your cat: "You want to sew? I'll put my head next to the needle"

I just found my T&S attachment box. I bought it for the SS plate and foot for my 401. (I bought my 401 in a thrift and it had no accessories.) The CS finger attaches to the plate on the right side, between the 4 and 5 seam guide marks.

Thanks for the warning about the timing issues. I could really only afford one if I find it in a thrift or craigslist. Half the thrill is in the hunt and find, so that's okay. Do you happen to have the part numbers for the 411 bobbin case and CS throat plate? My plan now is to try to find them on ebay germany or ebay uk, or italy, etc. Maybe I'll get lucky. I've heard of people having the machines shipped from Europe, but the shipping must cost hundreds!

I hope you've gotten some sleep, or will soon.

--Sheila