bkay

Are you saying to flip it so that the little nubs face out? Or are you saying just to turn it 180 degrees and put the same side back in?

I currently have the little round button like nubs toward the inside. The flatter rectangular ones are to the outside.

bkay

Rocsew

The round nubs go to the outside, and then getting the rotation right is a matter of trial and error.

bkay

Thanks, that should be easy to solve then.

Thanks again,

bkay

tuckyquilter

I have two Singer 401A that are in original condition. BOTH have a chrome screw in this location, fill the entire screw head slot. and are flush with the Chrome wheels. One was my mother's, the other from a quilter, both of whom were the original owners. I guessing someone replaced the screw.

Rocsew

I think I see a source of confusion in this thread: in the first pic it looks like there's a screw set deep in the knob, but the hole is actually empty and we're seeing the washer behind it. If you look at the pic in post #9, you can see bkay does have the correct screw.

aztec

if i may, im new to the world of sewing and older sewing machines as well, however, in my experience with mechanical assemblies from engines to firearms, id try cleanng the threads both male and female side then placing a dab of clear nail polish on to the threads, tighten and let set for a few hours. good luck

bkay

Thanks, aztec. Reversing the washer seems to have solved the problem. I sewed a little bit on Wednesday and the screw didn't fall out. I also filled a bobbin successfully. So, hopefully the problem is solved.

I'll remember that trick. Thanks for posting it.

bkay

Mickey2

For the loose screw; after I posted I came to think of the type of thread-tape plumbers use, a soft very thin plastic, a couple of turn on the threads of the screw with it and it will hold the screw in place and it still comes out as easily.

bkay

Hypothetically speaking, though, the nail polish is clear. If you let it dry before you screw it in, it might take up enough slack to hold. AND, you can always use acetone to remove the polish if it doesn't work. The screw on my mom's 15-91 light won't hold. I'm going to try it there when I finally get the cabinet re-done.

A bonus is that the nail polish is not white like plumbers' tape. Of course, if the nail polish doesn't work, then white plumbers tape is better than a floppy light. Thanks for that one, too.

bkay

Mickey2

A bit of plumbers tape shouldn't show, it doesn't have to be water tight, just a bit tighter. I was thinking just a bit at the end of the screw. What ever works is fine though. Acetone can easily be used on the chrome if it needs to be remove.