problem with special stitch dial on Singer 401A

I'm cleaning up a Singer 401A for my daughter's friend. Straight stitching is working fine. Now I'm trying to get the special stitches to work. The dial to select special stitches just won't move. I push in the outer dial but the metal selector on the left won't move; I pull out the inner dial but the selector on the right won't move. Can anyone shed some light? Thanks!

Reply to
brawdy
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The dials should move fairly easily, it probably needs cleaning and lubricating. Do you have the manual, which shows all the spots to apply oil and gear lubricant?

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

You need to push in on the A-J dial to a setting first, for example, F, then pull out on the inner dial. (Do you have the manual?)

-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

A common problem with machines that have been sitting for any length of time. If you take the top off and push on the dials you will see where they work in the machine. There are 2 posts with slots and an outer slide. Try regular oil on the posts first, you may have to let it sit overnight. If that does not work you can try a small amount of penetrating oil use just a tiny bit as not to get it all through the machine, again let it sit. If that does not work the only thing left is to pry them loose. I will warn you that this can cause damage if you are not real careful, I hold my breath each time I have to do it. Be sure the dial is pushed to free the lock before you pry. Good luck

Reply to
Ron Anderson

I don't have the complete manual, just a few pages I found on the net. Luckily it includes the oiling points, so will give it a go. Thanks all.

R> A common problem with machines that have been sitting for any length of

Reply to
brawdy

I gave you exact instructions you need nothing more

Reply to
Ron Anderson

Ron, your instructions were right on the money, just keep in mind, many of us work better with a *visual* guide, too. ;-) I know whenever I replace something (disk drive, memory, CD ROM) on one of my computers, I like it a whole lot better if the instructions include some graphics. Maybe that's just me (and "brawdy") though.

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

Me too! I love Lego instructions - all pix and no words! ;)

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Beverly, I agree, however the user manual does not go under the hood so to speak as the 401 has oil ports in the top cover. I do not have one handy but if you want to pop the top on one of yours and email me a photo I will mark it up and post it on a web site and put the link here.

Reply to
Ron Anderson

I never lube mine without "popping the cover". And I pretty much disassemble the bobbin area, and scrub out all the gizzards, too. I'll try to get a pic of the 401a sans top cover e-mailed to you later today. JPG Ok?

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

All is well! Thanks Ron... your instructions worked perfectly. (And yes, I like pictures too. )

brawdy

BEI Design wrote:

Reply to
brawdy

JPG fine

Reply to
Ron Anderson

Ok, several pictures are on the way. Let me know when you put them on your site?

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

Beverly and all who want to see. The photo is up on the site. I have put a red arrow on the oil points that I was talking about earlier, I also put a red dot on other oil points that should be oiled while your in there.

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Reply to
Ron Anderson

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

Thanks! That's a very good, clear guide for oiling our favorites!

Reply to
Pogonip

I sent Ron pics of the open left side, the bobbin area, and the bottom, too. Maybe if we asked nicely, he'll show us a few of the hidden places in those locations? Pretty please, with cream and sugar???

Beverly

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

Oh Geez, OK here you go.

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Reply to
Ron Anderson

I just thought of one more spot that is not in the photo's.\If you look down from the top and move the stitch length control there is a slide block that needs oil regularly, this is a most often overlooked place

Reply to
Ron Anderson

Thanks Ron, you're a Prince! Do you like how nice and *clean* my machine is? Course it gets a major cleaning-oiling-lubing every couple of projects or so, and has for 45+ years.

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

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