Orson

Again, thanks. I already have a copy of the service manual, so I'm not totally in the dark. Thanks also for the tips on what to use and where not to apply it. I'd hate to remove any paint. Our current plan is to watch the video tutorials and then set them up side-by-side to get both running at the same time, or almost at the same time. I'm thinking that a second pair of eyes wouldn't be a bad thing in this case.

I've noticed that the feed dogs on the first machine don't seem to travel as well as they should, i.e., a long stitch doesn't seem to be as long as it should be, and tiny stitches are almost piled on top of each other. Any tips for addressing that, or is that something that could work itself out with proper cleaning and lubrication?

tessagin

I have a 401A and have taken it apart for a good "spa treatment' including the cam stack. The different references are great for cleaning. My friend was given one that sat in a barn for years in its cabinet. Her husband removed the machine and between the three of us we got it cleaned and running like a new machine. husband had some grease solvent to remove the hardened grease. After ordering a couple replacement parts it now sews and sounds no louder than a sleepy kitten. She still uses it and I believe more than her new one. The cabinet itself was not salvageable but the hardware was including the lift for the machine and the knee pedal. He just made a new cabinet for her out of an old executive size desk. Stunning. Cost total was maybe $100. It was a labor of love and to think it was one of their granddaughters who saw it. they were about to tear the barn down.

Orson

Yesterday morning I posted on Facebook about the two 401As I had acquired and about my plans to refurbish them. I had an appointment yesterday afternoon, and took a route to it that, while not out of my way, is one I don't use as often as others. While on that street I was stuck behind a very slow moving vehicle, and that gave me the opportunity to glance around a bit more than I usually do. I saw something very familiar looking in someone's trash bin and made a note to check it out on my return trip.

I went to my appointment, then ran some errands. On my way back from my errands a friend messaged me, saying she had the same machine in her attic that she'd seen in my Facebook post, and it was mine if I wanted it. Well, duh! Of course I wanted it! I didn't really expect it to be a 401A, though, since people who aren't familiar with sewing machines often can't tell them apart from one another. To my utter delight it was definitely a 401A. I now have 3 of these lined up on my dining room table, and I'm just waiting for my TriFlow and contact cleaner to arrive from Amazon.

Oh, that thing I saw in the trash bin? It was exactly what I thought it was: a vintage Singer sewing bench. It needs a little TLC, but I've already got the fabric picked out for reupholstering it. I've even got a buyer lined up for one of the machines, if we get them cleaned up and running well. I'm kind of over the moon about this turn of events.

SusieQOH

I'm so mad! I got rid of my Mom's 401 in a beautiful maple cabinet. Why? Because I didn't know anything about vintage machines. It was around the time I got my Bernina. Every time I hear of or see one I could kick myself.

Orson

I'm learning that these are much more prevalent than I had imagined. At least three of my other friends have the same machine. There are plenty out there, just waiting for the right homes.