Sewing Newbie Question

The 401s are absolutely a joy to sew on and easy to maintain. I think you will find that the 401 will change your mind about enjoying sewing.

Basically the gears need gear lubricant, and the other moving parts need sewing machine oil. (Singer Lubricant and Sewing Machine Oil are both available at JoAnne Fabrics and Walmart). =20

And, of course, thread/lint/dust need to be cleaned out from all areas.

I have several machines of the same vintage (401s, 403, 404s, 503s) which all have the same bobbin/hook assembly, and they will not tolerate lint wads in the bobbin area...they start to choke up thread! :-) =20

To get to the gears, take off the top cover (2 screws), the bottom cover (1 screw/knob), and the handwheel (small screw inside the clutch wheel). You'll see the gears easily (and when you take off the handwheel, you'll see the main gear that comes up from the motor).

While you've got the covers off, clean out any dust, lint, threads, etc.

Clean out all old (blackened) gear lubricant, and apply new.

Then, put a drop of sewing machine oil on all the other moving parts (do not put oil on the gears). Open the side cover (needle bar area) and put a drop of oil on the moving parts there as well.

Put all the covers back on....that's really all there is to it.

You're lucky to find a 401 in good condition!!

How about joining one of the Yahoo! Groups for Singer sewing machines? One is SINGERS, and another group is VINTAGESINGERS. =20

------------------------ Adult: A person who has stopped growing at both ends and is now growing = in the middle.

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You have bought the best sewing machine ever made, IMHO. :-)

I have two 401As, I would be happy to scan the pages which describe cleaning and lubricating it, and send them to you.

Or, there is presently a manual offered on eBay:

NAYY, but I have bought several sewing-related items there.

-- Beverly

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How about finding someone nearby who does know how to sew and getting some tuition? There are many happy hours of sewing to be had once you have mastered it.

Mavis

Thanks to everyone for your advice :) I didn't even think about the manual providing the information, as it doesn't with the Brother sewing machine I own. I haven't received the machine yet (being shipped from CA) but it does come with the original manual.

IMS thank you very much for the detailed, step-by-step, tutorial, its exactly what I was looking for. I also plan to join one of the Yahoogroups recommended.

Can't help with the machine (both my singers are much older models), but I'm sure you will find it a joy to use and a great deal better than the all singing, all dancing lightweight new one! Brother are very good at shoehorning way too many 'toys' into a cheapie frame, which then doesn't stand up to the wear and tear. Their TOTL machines are supposed to be better...

For basic sewing and techniques you don't yet understand, this group is the best place! Have you looked at my web site yet? There is basic sewing info there, and a glossary of sewing terms which you might find useful. I sell nothing through the web site, it's just for information.

I don't sew much. I'm more of a collector; but, my limited experience advice to you is to start very simply with something like pillowcases, plain hemmed curtains, and the like. You can even hem a large piece of fabric for a bed sheet. Be sure to have a good seam ripper on hand to use if your seams aren't straight.

Oh no! That money could've gotten you a wonderful used machine.

If it wasn't true, folks here would not have been recommending it for years. :(

Yay! This is an absolutely wonderful machine.

Aside from the machine's instruction manual which will give you cleaning and oiling pointers, there was a book published a few years ago called "The Sewing Machine Guide," by John Giordano (ISBN

1-56158-220-4). You could probably find it at your local library. I like this book because it has a chapter on maintenance and cleaning that's written for a beginner, without talking "down" to them.

Of course there's a lot of general information on the web too.

LUCKY YOU!!!!!!! You have a cream puff of a machine, you lucky dog, you. (NO, I'm not jealous. I have a Singer 500 in almost like-new condition -- one small part of it is busted but it doesn't stop me from doing anything.)

And somewhere on the net there is at least one web page on helps for working on your own machine, and someone sells a book somewhere (Ebay?)

Have they shipped it yet? Do they know how to pack it properly?

Here are some links you could send them to tell them how to pack the machine well.

Here's hoping your machine stays intact on its trip. I have had my share of machines that came damaged, and it is devastating!