A new/old machine for me.

Here is what I found this AM when I passed by the small Singer shop in the next town over. I stopped in to see about Featherweight parts, and asked if he had any used Older Singer machines. He had a bunch of really nice older machines. One of them was a Singer Model 404 Slant Needle straight stitch machine. Built 1958. When I sat down in front of it and started to sew on some scrap cloth he had available, I new that this machine was one that had my name on it. That is providing that my name was Singer. That aside, this machine is so sweet, that I had to take it home. The price with 5 bobbins and a pkg of new Singer needles, $79. The machine looks like it has been used very little. Virtually no dings or scratches. It had been serviced and was crying to me, to go for a ride home in my truck, with me. So I took it out to the truck, and noticed the quizicle on my wife's face as I approached the truck. Thankfully, she is an understanding person, and willing to indulge my excesses. Now I have to build a folding card table to house it, like the ones that the Singer company used to sell. So here this bad girl is. Gear Driven and raring to go. If you have any input about this beautiful machine, feel free to let me know what you could. I did spend the first part of the day, downloading a 60 page manual and parts list. I am a happy camper. John

The Machine:

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John
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Congratulations on the new-to-you machine! I am convinced that sometimes fate plays a very large part in these things. I have a 99K that is simply wonderful, and it just "happened" one day when I was in a local quilt shop. A man in his 70's came in with the machine, and wanted to leave the machine there to be sold to a quilter. It seems that his wife had died, and had no relatives to use it, so the man wanted it to go to someone who loved quilting like his wife had loved it. The shop owner declined to accept it, so I followed him out of the shop, told him I was interested, and asked what price he wanted for the machine. Rather than tell me a price, he wanted to know how many quilts I had made and what kind. So we chatted a bit, and he asked me where my car was so he could put it in for me. He refused to take any money, saying that he knew I would take care of the machine his dear wife had loved and used so many years. Tears came to my eyes, and to his, too, and I think of him every time I get that wonderful old machine out to use.

Reply to
Mary

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Taria

Reply to
Taria

Congratulations on your VERY nice Singer 404; it's in wonderful condition. As you know it's a straight-stitch only shank shank machine.

They are wonderful, strong stitchers. It does have the funny 'elevator' throat plate that you raise up to free motion with instead of lowering or covering the feed.

The only other you will have a problem is with is finding a walking foot for it. Since it is a slant, and it also has the narrow feed (as opposed to the zig zag models such as the 401 which has the wider feed teeth), it's impossible to find a walking foot that 'matches' the feed teeth on the 404 machines. Believe me I know as I've been collecting machines for over 10 years, have three 404s, and this has been a repeating topic of discussion on all of the Yahoo Singer or vintage sewing machine groups!.

Enjoy your new machine!

-Irene

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IMS

Irene, You seem to be the go to person on these machines. I would like to pick up a couple of other feet for this machine. Not a walking foot as I knew they were hens teeth. Maybe a zipper foot, bias foot other things like that. Not that I will use any but the standard foot. But it is nice to have an assortment of things to play with. The question is, where is the best place to buy these sorts of things? If you don't mind giving up the names of supply sources of hard to find items like

404 accessories and parts. John
Reply to
John

Very pretty! It looks to be in better shape than the 401A that I scored a few years ago. My husband did get it running in perfect order though, and it is a very sweet machine. I hope that your new baby is as wonderful for you.

Rita

Reply to
Rita L. in MA

Reply to
Bobbie Sews More

Not Irene but here is a picture of what the original box and a couple attachments look like: Ebay #200535431626 Taria

Irene, You seem to be the go to person on these machines. I would like to pick up a couple of other feet for this machine. Not a walking foot as I knew they were hens teeth. Maybe a zipper foot, bias foot other things like that. Not that I will use any but the standard foot. But it is nice to have an assortment of things to play with. The question is, where is the best place to buy these sorts of things? If you don't mind giving up the names of supply sources of hard to find items like

404 accessories and parts. John
Reply to
Taria

John,

Slant shank feet are still available new; you can google for them. Here's one:

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Being cursed with OCD, I like to have 'original' accessories whenever possible. There are a few on-line suppliers of vintage SM accessories but most ask outrageous prices. The most reliable place to find this stuff is eBay; there are a couple of 404 attachment boxes listed now... although I've also found sets at yard sales, thrift shops, etc.

The 400 and 500 slant series are great machines. They are all gear-driven (no belts) and really have a nice feel to them.

-Irene

Reply to
IMS

I think my favorite is the 403. Not as fancy as the 401 but you can still use the cams. Kind of the underdog. I like the feel of the 400's better than the 500's myself. I am with you on the original accessories. The hunt is half the fun. Heck, if there were some of those 'pickers' around I bet they could find a boxed set of attachments in my shed! : ) I don't think folks realize just how nice those old SS machines sew. They are really cool. Taria

Reply to
Taria

Oh! Mary!! How wonderfully SWEET of him!! I also have tears . Nana

Reply to
Nana.Wilson

Congrats John!! I guess the chest is on hold

Nana

Reply to
Nana.Wilson

Yes. I have been online all day looking for presser feet. I have found a zig-zag attachment, Zipper foot, Ruffler attachment, Seam Guide, Gathering foot, Hemmer foot. I think I am going to make a table for it like the old folding leg card table types with the machine cutout, that Singer used to sell for this, and other models. I am also tired and broke, and I am going to bed and dream about Singer stuff. Nite All John

Reply to
John

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Roberta

Very nice machine, John. Just picked up a Singer 99 - minus case but in a small table - for a whopping $35 a couple of weeks ago. In VERY nice condition as well. Have to download the manual for that one. But....unless you are in a hurry, there is a shop in the Quakertown (PA) farmers market that has old parts/feet stashed in every nook & cranny. DH picked up a box of feet for my FW there a couple of years ago for $5 for the entire BOX! If you are not in a hurry, I probably have to be out there in the next couple of weeks and would be happy to see if she has what you might be looking for if you give me a list of part numbers and what you're looking to pay for them. Feel free to contact me off list if you'd like at blackwell _ kim @ hotmail . com (remove spaces) and we'll see about working something out if you're interested.

Kim in NJ

Reply to
AuntK

Thank you for the offer. I have found a couple of items and when I get them, I will know if they are going to be what I need. I really don't think that I will use this machine much. It was just that I could not help myself when I saw the price. It needed a good home, and I can use a machine that is gear driven for those heavy sewing requirements on the bags that I have been doing. I will let you know if I can think of anything you might be able to find. John

Reply to
John

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