Just picked up a 401A at a Good Will. $ 19.99 @ 75% off. Got it for $5.00 Didn't have a power cord or pedal control. $ 34.00 on Amazon. A real treasure, machine is in great working condition. Great video, thanks.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

3 ай бұрын

That’s the way it’s done my friend. Score!!! I’ve bought many of those at goodwill. Line them up, I’ll buy them. 😎👍

Very informative. This video is going to be so much help whenever I dig out my collection of old frozen machines. Thank you so much!

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome.

Your videos are just so informative and amusing at the same time ! I agree with you about the 401 being best engineered machine ever !

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for that. I appreciate your input.

6:06 mine has tiny chips as well

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

9 ай бұрын

👍😎

Hey Randy, I’m looking around for an answer so I’m asking you as well. Can I use a 501A motor in a 401A machine?

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

4 ай бұрын

I don’t know why not. I believe they are interchangeable.

Built like tanks. Do you prefer the 401 to the 500a? If so, why? Always a pleasure chatting with you. Ron

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

2 жыл бұрын

I give the edge in my preference to the 401 based on my approach as a repair and service person instead of a user. Mechanically, they are almost identical. The only real difference functionally is the 500a has the thread assist on the take up assembly that was introduced to supposedly solve the problems with sewing knit fabrics, polyester, and etc. That just poses an additional challenge to a newbie in the threading instructions. So, when I sell or service one, I have to be sure the customer understands that process and threads it properly. Not a big deal. Then there’s the pop-up spool pins. Certainly a clever development by the big brain designers at Singer to try and keep the spool pins from breaking in transit and in use. The special designed L shaped pop up pins have the added spring and the cut out spool pad that worked magnificently at first, but now it’s a half century later and they’re becoming problematic. I always make sure that my customers who have a 500a are aware of the auxiliary spool pin that goes in the hole in the lid when it’s closed. That way, they can use all the varieties of sizes of thread spools that are in use now, that weren’t on the scene in the late fifties. Then there’s the lid itself. Quite often the lid has popped off and becomes misplaced, and the second or third owner doesn’t even know it existed in the first place. No big deal really in the bigger scheme of things, just an annoyance to yours truly. I love when I get a 500a that has been cared for and cherished by its original owner, has everything intact, has all the books and accessories, and is now on the market for sale. That’s when I can really get excited about a 500a. So, all things considered, if you set the two machines side by side, and they’ve both been well cared for, it’s a tough call as to which one I would prefer. Truth is, I would try to buy them both. Win-win, for me and my customers.

Randy, I've made adjustments to the tension and bobbin thread gap but I still have problems with the thread breaking because it gets caught between the bobbin case and the race of the hook instead of sliding over the top of the bobbin. Any suggestions on what the issue might be? Any help would be appreciated.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

4 ай бұрын

Check for rough spots under the edge of the bobbin case. You’ll see them where the underneath groove begins and where the hang up is occurring. Smooth and polish those areas so the thread won’t hang up there.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

4 ай бұрын

I’ll address this again in a video that’s up next.

@Dan-pd8qo

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for information, I'll give that a try and hope that it is the issue. Your videos and fantastic. Thanks for sharing. @@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

4 ай бұрын

@@Dan-pd8qo 😎👍🏼

Randy - I have a 401a that seems to be somehow seized when I attempt to sew in normal fashion. It has what appears to be normal motor sounds when I release the tension to make a bobbin But it won't sew/move forward properly unless I help to spin the large outer disc in the same direction... I have a video I can share, if you can help me...

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

Жыл бұрын

It simply needs to be lubricated properly. If it hasn’t been dropped or there’s no thread wrapped around any mechanism, that’s about all it can be. 😎

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

Жыл бұрын

If it’s been sitting unused for a long time: with the machine unthread and the presser foot raised: 1)disengage the hand wheel clutch, as if you’re winding the bobbin. 2) without putting the bobbin winder on the hand wheel, run the motor until it reaches PEAK RPM’s 3) don’t stop running the motor until it’s really screaming at a high pitch and running really fast. 4) engage the clutch by tightening the inner knob. 5) run the machine and observe the speed. 6) if it’s not running fast, the machine isn’t properly lubricated. 😎

Randy please help me! My Singer 401A won’t stay threaded. The thread keeps snapping. I’ve troubleshot all I can. It seems to be threaded correctly and I’m pretty sure the tension and everything is right but I just don’t know. I didn’t have any issues with it before.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

Жыл бұрын

Make sure your needle is inserted correctly. Flat side to the back and long groove to the front.

@Peppermint1

9 ай бұрын

The very tip of the shuttle hook was slightly bent on mine - pass finger nail on it. Needle deflects on thick materials due to slant design, hits hook tip, bends it. May try strengthen the tip but metal is brittle. There's a video on this

Do you know what LED bulb this model series singer takes?

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

6 ай бұрын

The package on mine says “Push in- Bayonet-L. E. D-19/32 3.5 watt. It has a part number: 2PCW-LED 😎👍🏼

Do you happen to have a video that covers the timing on the zigzag stitch? I’m finding it’s still in the fabric when it’s wanting to start a zigzag.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

11 ай бұрын

The pinion gear on the top shaft has two set screws that will allow it to be rotated slightly. It’s called setting the pendulum timing. If you turn the hand wheel until those two screws are visible, and move that gear slightly, it will affect the timing of the needle bar swing. I don’t think I have a comprehensive video covering that. I can make one soon if I can find the time.

@rhondamercado7527

11 ай бұрын

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 yay, you’ve given me something to start with, I’ll look in to that. Thank you.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

11 ай бұрын

@@rhondamercado7527 👍🏼😎

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

11 ай бұрын

Rhonda, Sorry I gave you the instructions for a different machine. I was looking at the wrong thumbnail pic. Oops. I made a video for you just now. Video 310. Hope it helps. Randy

@rhondamercado7527

11 ай бұрын

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 omg thanks…..going to watch now.

Hello, I have a 401a and have had it since High School Its been giving me problems lately. it seems like its catching in the bobbin area like the tension in the bobbin is too tight and it balls the yarn up on the back or breaks the string I took it for a tune up and just got it out of the shop its still doing it What am I doing wrong?? what can i adjust to make it sew right im so frustrated

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

Жыл бұрын

I wish I was there to look at it. It would take about two seconds to fix. Did the sewing machine shop have the word “vacuum” in its title? As in, Joes sew and vac? The screwdriver wielding person probably doesn’t know any more about that machine than you do. His grandpa retired and left him to “manage the decline” of a successful business. But then, I digress. I’ve made countless videos addressing these issues. Even specifically on the 401 Singer. If you’re not using an oversized thread, I would suspect burrs on the bobbin case or an incorrect thread gap settling. It could be many different things, but then, that’s why I’ve made multiple videos for you to help fix it yourself. The 401 is an awesome machine, it’s going to be something simple that was probably overlooked by your vacuum repair person. 😎

my 401a wont spin my bobbin at the bottom and keeps getting top thread stuck and caught up do you have a solution

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

Жыл бұрын

Make sure you raise your presser foot before you thread your machine. Take care to place the thread in front of the guide on the tension assembly and be sure that it goes between the discs. Before beginning to sew, always lower your presser foot and pull on your upper thread to insure that it has seated properly in the tension assembly. Put your upper tension on 4. I have made a video that covers this, if you can find it.

@shirleywatson4640

7 ай бұрын

​@@randyyoursewingmachineman995410:33

Hello. Just recently purchased a 401A. Cleaned and oiled it before I started it. The machine moves freely when I manually turn the hand wheel. When I press the foot pedal, it’s sluggish and the motor started smoking. Any suggestions? I know you had a video about just letting the machine run. Just making sure it’s the same case with the 401A. Thank you for your time.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

2 ай бұрын

Yes. If someone oiled that upper motor area excessively, you will have to run it as I explained in the video. Run it with the bobbin winder clutch released until it reaches its highest speed. The oil smoke will diminish at the end. 😎👍

@alcas7864

2 ай бұрын

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Thank you. I will try it and report back.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

2 ай бұрын

@@alcas7864 👍🏼

@alcas7864

2 ай бұрын

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 it worked!!! I’ll be honest, I was a bit nervous while it was smoking but I knew I had to trust the method . Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Greatly appreciate it.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

2 ай бұрын

@@alcas7864 if it sits for an extended period of time, always bring it up to speed before beginning your sewing project. It will really extend the life of the motor and machine. Good job. 😎👍🏼

Do you have an amazon link for bobbins please?

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

Жыл бұрын

Just search “Singer 66 class bobbins for sale”, numerous sellers are out there. I do business with sewingpartsonline.com and they do a good job.

Hello, I'm not sure if this is still an active post.... but Im going to give it a shot. I picked up one of these machines. It seems to run quietly and smoothe and it has a nice stitch. My problem is, I want it to sew faster. My mom has one just like this and her machine goes really fast. What do you think will speed it up? thanks for any help you can provide. It is driving me crazy trying to figure it out. Also, I am using the power foot from my moms machine. Her machine goes fast. Mine doesn't.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

4 ай бұрын

Disengage your hand wheel clutch and run the motor at a high speed for FIVE FULL MINUTES. Let it get to the point where it sounds like a fighter jet taking off. Then, tighten the hand wheel clutch and with the machine unthreaded and with the presser bar lever raised, run the machine and see if the speed of the machine is faster. If it’s still sluggish, the machine has some oiling points that need oil. Oil every metal mechanism that slides, rotates, pivots, or hinges. Good luck. 😎👍

@zillbilly

4 ай бұрын

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 ty.. im doing it now. Is it normal for it to smoke ?

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

4 ай бұрын

@@zillbilly if someone over oiled the motor, yes, that’s going to be expected. Just keep running it until it gets up to speed. What you’re experiencing is so common that I made a video on it.

@zillbilly

4 ай бұрын

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 ok great! Ty. I oiled it last night. I probably over did it. I'll look for your video too. Ty .. I appreciate your advice ♡

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

4 ай бұрын

@@zillbilly if you ran it and it didn’t come up to full speed, you stopped too soon. Run it until it comes up to speed. I’m assuming that you didn’t dump a huge amount of oil on the motor shaft at the right rear of the machine on top. If you really over did it, the motor may need professional help. Good luck with that. You’re most likely to hear, “ You don’t want that old thing, just buy a new one”. That’s what I would call tragically misinformed advice from an intelligence deficient individual (or a charlatan). Run it longer.

I’m repairing and servicing a 401a for a friend. The red lever doesn’t work correctly. I don’t see any videos on KZread on how to adjust the red lever. Is there any way to repair or adjust it? I agree that this is a great machine! I have one also. I love my 301 and my featherweight too. The mechanics on the 401 is amazing though.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

11 ай бұрын

When you say it doesn’t work correctly, I’m guessing that you mean it won’t set the needle position properly, or it won’t effect the width properly. If the pattern selector isn’t on A-K-1, Then the needle position won’t work properly. If the pattern selector isn’t set properly on B-L- (2 and up) then your zig zag width won’t set properly. Providing you haven’t “adjusted” anything yet, it should be a simple matter of getting the patterns selected correctly.

@apiecemaker1163

11 ай бұрын

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 no I haven’t adjusted anything yet as I didn’t want to mess anything up. I will look at the selection knobs tomorrow when I get it back out and see if that’s the problem. If I remember correctly, when it was on center, the needle was to the right. To center it, it had to be put on 5. Hope that makes sense. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

11 ай бұрын

@@apiecemaker1163 unless the pattern selector is “dead on” A-K-3, it won’t be in the center position. A-K-1 is left needle position A-K-3 is center needle position A-K-5 is right needle position Lubricate the pattern selector assembly so that it moves freely into position. Sometimes it moves better when the red width dial is all the way to the left, or to the right.

@apiecemaker1163

11 ай бұрын

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 that is very helpful information. Thank you. I will go back to it tomorrow and will let you know what I discover. Have a great weekend.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

11 ай бұрын

@@apiecemaker1163 👍🏼😎

So... What is it that makes it better than, say, a 158.1525? I have a couple 401s, like them a lot; I was just hoping you could quantify that statement.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

2 жыл бұрын

Personal preference really. Kind of like my truck is a Nissan and not a Ford. Don’t dislike Fords, just prefer my NV 3500.

@theprojectproject01

2 жыл бұрын

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Yep, I understand completely. The 1525 is remarkably precise and super useful. But it's not nearly as easy to service as a 401.

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

2 жыл бұрын

@@theprojectproject01 👍🏼

I need my 401 refresh ended it’s become sluggish

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954

Жыл бұрын

Just don’t oil the motor and you’ll be fine. Put a drop on anything that slides, pivots, or rotates. 👍🏼