OurWorkbench

I was just lightly wiping down a Kenmore that had some tape residue on it with some TR3 and with just a little extra elbow grease the residue came of fine.

Just a tidbit, that took me by surprise with this series (including the 301), is the use of two cords. One for power on the top AND the foot control under the bed. Seems like there was one machine that would work either with the controller and power into the same plug or with the the two-plug setup, but I don't remember which machine it was. Seems like there was another machine that wouldn't work if the power and controllers were on the same plug. I could have dreamed that. too

I think it is the 403 that needs the Zig-Zag cam for it to ZZ. I'm thinking that sew-classic has those, too.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

maryrose67

Here's the manual for your 403A http://www.singerco.com/support/inst...manuals/search/instruction-manuals/search
You will need it so you will know where to oil and grease. You're going to need some grease for the gears. I used some Singer lube that I had on hand, but someone here can tell you what other types you can use.
Yes, you will need the zig-zag cam to ZZ. Lucky me, I have three of these machines,(don't ask me how that happened ) and one of them came with a full set of cams.
Janey, the 403 I'm working on has two cords, one power and one for the foot pedal. My other machines are in storage, so I can't check them and I don't know if the 403's were also made with double cords. I have a Singer 301A that uses the double cord with one plug, but I've heard that some of that model were made to use two cords.

bkay

I'm not sure, but someone told me that you could use any of the black top hat cams with that model. The white ones only work on the Touch and Sews. I haven't tried it yet, though.
bkay

PAKate

That's exactly the same machine that I used in Home Ec too. My mother bought me that machine way back when and I still treasure her. Very dependable machine.

Jeanette Frantz

I would suggest that you lubricate the machine before you run it, or try to run it. I know you'll probably want to clean it up a little inside, but you don't want to run a "dry" machine. Mine, when my son bought it, was dry as a bone. You can always clean the "excess" oil off the machine later, if it needs to be cleaned. By the way, the 403A is a great machine. It seems to have plenty of power, and while it may not handle 8-12 layers of denim, but it really wasn't intended for that.
Jeanette

Jeanette Frantz

I should have included this in my earlier post, but did not. Watch the auction sites, e-bay (their prices are usually high) but I've purchased two sets of the Top Hat Cams off of e-bay for $9.99, including shipping. So, if you watch the auction sites, you can usually get a good deal on the cams. Like I said, though, don't get in a big hurry -- if you watch the sites, you can find them, but I would urge you to shop around -- $4.99 for each cam is just too high! Good luck on your search. Jeanette

BonnieI

Hi
I just bought one of these at The Salvation Army complete with everything about 5 weeks ago. I love it! I prefer it because it sews through bindings without needing a walking foot. I think that you will love it. It also doesn't eat up material at the start of seams. Congrats on your new machine!!

Cari-in-Oly

Janey,
Some 301s have the spot to plug in the controller separately, some don't. I *think* all the 400/500 series machines have it. But it doesn't matter, they will all work with the dual cord plug if that's what you have. Over the years, working on a 221, 201, 301s, 401s, 404, and a 500, I would grab whatever cord set was handy which is usually the dual cord plug and it always worked.

Cari

Jeanette Frantz

Clevermom3kids, just in case you haven't located the manual for the Singer 403-A, you can download the manual, free, from the Singer website, support services, or I think the manual may be available on the Victorian Sweatshop website. If you don't locate one that way, please get in touch with me -- send me a pm and I'll give you further directions. Jeanette P.S. Enjoy that 403-A, it's a great machine!

DonnaMiller

sew-classic.com will have everything you need. They ship quickly.
Donna