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My Singer 401A needs help

I have a Singer 401A. All of a sudden, the lever that moves the needle position left and right (as in zig-zag) moves the needle just a teeny bit, the lever moves freely, but not the what-ever-the-vertical-metal piece-that-holds-the-needle. I removed the top of the case to look inside, but I don't have a clue about what to do. Several years ago the same thing happened, and a wonderful eBayer emailed me and told me that the adjustment was simple, and sent detailed instructions, which I followed, and it worked perfectly until now. Of course, that email was on a computer of mine that died, and I can't retrieve it. Boy is that frustrating! Does anyone here know the answer to my dilemna? I hate to take it to a repairman, they are few and far between and I've been told my machine will be gone at least a month.

Reply to
123joan
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Does the machine zig zag as normal on the widest width?

Reply to
Ron Anderson

I'm sure Ron will jump in here with very good information, but in the meantime, go to Ron's site and take a look at the jpeg he put up of my machine:

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that screw, *just* inside the case where the stitch-width lever passes inside? Check to see if the screw is loose. If it is, put the lever in the "3" position, and tighten the screw. Now, check to see if that fixes the problem. Ron, anything else?

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

There is a wonderful group on Yahoo that is great with these machines. They helped me get my 503J 'unstuck' and working like a trooper. snipped-for-privacy@yahoogroups.com There are lots of people with the 401 there.

Reply to
weareallrelated

I asked a question and will not comment further until it is answered.

Reply to
Ron Anderson

Reply to
123joan

Reply to
123joan

Oops, I'm sorry,BEI Design, I got mixed up. I realize now that it wasn't you writing about your machine, it was the quoted text of my own dilemma. I'll learn this, promise.

Reply to
123joan

Reply to
123joan

OK. It is a lubrication issue. Follow this link and I placed an arrow at the place that is the problem.

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you will need to do is place a drop or 2 of good oil in the hole there red dot in the photo. The with the zig zag set to widest turn it over by hand and lightly press your finger against that spot so it will make its full swings. Keep doing this until it does the full zig zag all by itself. Then I bet the needle position lever works as it is supposed to.

Reply to
Ron Anderson

The full URL is:

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will have to "Join This Group". HTH,

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

When was the last time the machine was oiled?=20

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

Oh My Gosh it is FIXED I am ecstatic! I put two drops of oil in the hole as you directed. I gently pressed, and it was reluctant, and I didn't want to force it. It kept going to the left, then back to center, over and over, and then all of a sudden it is perfect! I am thrilled. Thank you so much. If you lived here I'd take you out to dinner. I cannot wait to tell my husband. And my daughters. Thank you so much for taking the time to get me through this issue. Now I don't have to drive 50 miles to leave my wonderful machine with a stranger for a month.

Thanks to all of you who stepped > OK. It is a lubrication issue.

Reply to
123joan

Don't worry! We all make these errors to start with. It can be a bit confusing until you get it sorted.

The 401 is not a machine I own, but it's rapidly going up my 'one day...' list!

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Reply to
123joan

You are very fortunate! I bought mine brand new in 1960, and it's still my workhorse machine for all *real* sewing. I now own three of them. Plus a new Singer XL5000 embroidery machine. ;-)

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

I have the machine my father bought my mum in about 1958, after my brother was born. Well, bits of it! It's the Frankensinger on my site, cobbled together out of various machine parts after an accident with a ship!

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Yep -- our Ron is a gem!!

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

How special!!! =20

I have a 401 as well, they are a JOY to sew on.

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Reply to
IMS

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