How to install the needle bar and check timing on a Singer 301: Singer Restoration Series Part 18

This video shows you how reinstall the needle bar and tension pin releasing lever on a Singer 301. I will also show you how to set the height of the needle bar, check the timing of the hook and provide a resource to adjust the timing of the hook if needed.
This is the link to the video that shows you how to remove the needle bar on a Singer 301:
• How to remove the tens...
Check out this video from Andy Tube if you need to adjust the timing of the hook: • How to Check and Set t...
Follow along as I disassemble and restore a Singer 301. In this series I will show you how to remove parts, clean, troubleshoot and then reassemble the 301. Here is the link to the full playlist:
• Full Singer 301 Restor...
Learn more about Sewing Machine Rehab at: www.sewingmachinerehab.com
Look below for links to most of the products you will need:
Grease wick for your 301 motor: sewingmachinerehab.com/shop/o...
Oil wicks for Singer 301: sewingmachinerehab.com/shop/o...
The Singer Featherweight Shop sells some supplies you need for your 301: singer-featherweight.com/?aff=57
List of supplies and links:
Various sized flat head screw drivers such as...
Chapman screwdrivers Kit No. 9600: amzn.to/47R4n7N
Craftsman Ratcheting Offset Screwdriver: amzn.to/3Ehii9o
Penetrating oil, I love Aerokroil by Kano: amzn.to/3R1a25h
Lily White Sewing Machine Oil: amzn.to/3Ej1O0F
Sew-Retro Sewing Machine Grease: singer-featherweight.com/prod...
91% Isopropyl Alcohol: amzn.to/45tO7rv
Zymol Cleaner Wax: amzn.to/3P05c5o
Krud Kutter: amzn.to/3Ek2inh
Krud Kutter - The Must for Rust: amzn.to/3R2lKfR
Regular Cotton Swabs: amzn.to/3YW22nS
Pointy Cotton Swabs: amzn.to/3ECINXn
Old cotton t-shirts cut into pieces or other rags
Blue shop towels: amzn.to/45yO2D6
Sandwich bags (to keep parts together)
New Bed cushions for your 301: singer-featherweight.com/prod...
New bobbin winding tire: singer-featherweight.com/prod...
New 301 Drip Pad: singer-featherweight.com/prod...
New LED lightbulb for your 301: singer-featherweight.com/prod...
New motor brushes for your 301: singer-featherweight.com/prod...
New electronic style foot control (foot control only for machines with separate power cord): amzn.to/3r2S9IB
New power cord: amzn.to/3EuNK4q
New electronic style foot control (for 301’s without separate foot control plug): amzn.to/45tsNCH
Feeler gauge for setting feed dog height and presser foot height: amzn.to/3YZJbbq
Thread tension meter: singer-featherweight.com/prod...
Tweezers: amzn.to/45Os7r7
Several small artist paint brushes and a 1" chip brush (you can buy on Amazon but they are cheaper at stores like Walmart and Harbor Freight)
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
**As an Featherweight Shop Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[@billminckler6550]

Just did this Thursday night. My apologies in advance for gushing… YOU’RE BRILLIANT! Even as an engineer, I never could have done this without YOUR guidance and technique! 👏❤👏

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi! Thank you! So glad you are finding the videos helpful, it means I accomplished what I set out to do. Good luck with your restoration, sounds like it is going well!

[@SteveSwafford]

I found this very helpful in reassembling a machine I hadn't taken apart. Well done!

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Thank you!

[@meganmills6545]

Very nice job - and I agree, AndyTube vids are very good. He and Bob were my two go-tos, but now I have you too. All three of you are excellent!

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Thank you, that is very humbling. I am so glad to be able to share what I know.

[@vickisims5988]

How did you learn to work on these vintage machines? I’m just starting to get into this but struggle because I need the basic foundation and then build on that. I’m doing a complete overhaul of my grandmothers singer 127 treadle machine. I have it totally taken apart. Also, I’m getting a 301 that I want to work on as well. I worry sometimes if I will be able to get it put back together and running properly. You do great work

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi Vicki! How exciting for you! I worried about putting my first machine back together too, (it was a Singer 404) take lots of pictures as you go and you will get it back together. I learned using lots of resources; particularly old service manuals and lots of KZbin. I still have a lot of models of vintage machines that I haven't touched and can't wait to take apart one day. Once you work on one or two it is less intimidating and if you are willing to make mistakes, you will learn. Don't invest a fortune in a machine that you are learning on, find a bargain so you if you have a big oops you can just chalk it up to the cost of learning. Finally, and probably most important, find places you can ask for help if you get stuck, this community is so kind and willing to share their knowledge. Welcome and you can do it!

[@vickisims5988]

Thank you for the advice. My grandmas treadle machine is my first one. It was such in bad shape. She had spray painted it so there was no way i could salvage the original decals, have to repaint and new decals. Started sandblasting the metal frame of the treadle. Taking my time and lots of pictures.

[@mayfly552]

Help! I've been following your brilliant series (thank you for all the close up shots

[@SewingMachineRehab]

Hi! Did you get them in? They are so tiny, I usually can put the tip of my finger on them and spin them in. Putting the machine up on its nose when doing this makes the job a whole lot easier! Hope that helps if you are still stuck at this point.

[@mayfly552]

@@SewingMachineRehab Thanks for the reply. Your video shows really good detail about how to make this work . . . unfortunately the tiny screws on my machine appeared to be stripped or something and just wouldn't grab the needlebar. I resorted to using some Loctite Threadlocker (i.e., screw glue) and the screws seem to hold the guides in place. It may be that with use this glue won't hold. At that point I think I'll have to resort to buying replacement parts /grrf. Thanks a bunch for this whole series. Amazing stuff!