Singer 401A - Repair & Maintenance - Part 1

Follow along as I repair, clean and maintain our new Singer 401A machine!
This is part 1 of the series in which I diagnose and fix a problem left over from a botched repair job in this machine's past. In part 2, I will attempt to clean, oil, and grease the all of the mechanisms in the machine. Enjoy!
#sewingmachine #vintage #singersewingmachine
Check out our other channels as well:
EndWrench Rookie:
/ @endwrenchrookie
RichSoul Creative:
/ @richsoulcreative

[@sewjostudio]

I am picking up this model machine today and really enjoyed your video. This was the machine my mother sewed clothes for me and my 4 sisters. My grand niece has been using it now and I wanted one for my non-profit sewing studio. My parents gave me a Bernina 830 Record for my college graduation present and it was put into use when I retired from federal service about 4 years ago. I now have 3 more 830 Records and 2 930 Records for the studio but I can't wait to add the 401A to my stable of machines. Thank you for sharing your skill and wisdom. I love it when I learn new things. I replaced a blown capacitor in one of my 930s. I was a branch chief for Information Technology-Hardware and Network and retired. I don't want anything to do with computers now. I just want to play with all mechanical machines.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much for the comments. That is great that you are getting a new machine. I am sure you will love it! Super jealous of your Bernina Record machines. Those are on our wish list for sure. Lol...Me having skill and wisdom may be a stretch, though I appreciate the sentiment :) After a career in tech I don't blame you for wanting to relax with some good old mechanical machines. So much fun. Thanks for watching!

[@trudygard50]

You are the best! the 401A from the basement of my daughter in law and the same thing was wrong with the machine! Can't thank you enough. Have yet to try it but got that fixed. :)

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Oh that is great! I am glad to have helped, if at all :) Good work. I am sure you will love your machine. Thanks for watching!

[@yolandapuerta2339]

Muchas gracias señor.. tengo una maquina así .. la boy a limpiar .. para usarla .. dios lo bendiga hoy y siempre🙏

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Muy bien! Muchas gracias Yolanda!

[@user-lm9zb6iu5s]

Theses machines are a work horse I have 4 of them 401g made in Germany in the early 50’s 1 of them I used daily for my business making curtains for 20 yrs in North Wales uk. The other 2 were working spares, the 4th I never used as it was jammed solid filthy thick with grease and in a singer cabinet in the house Now newly retired I enquired about a service for them and was quoted £65(82.48 dollars) per machine, so after watching you on KZbin I’ve taken a wk and serviced them myself even moved the selector as 1 machine would not go into the A as it was in the wrong position as yours was Thank you so much throughly enjoyed watching and I’ve saved a fortune

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Wow! That's awesome! Thank you so much for the positive feedback. I am really glad that you were able to tackle your machine maintenance on your own. It is really empowering to make things work with your own hands. Thanks for watching and following along!

[@jenglenn6985]

Oh my gosh I loved your reaction when you got that piece back on! I could feel the excitement, haha. Glad I found this video since I just picked up mine at a thrift store and am eager to learn. Thanks!!

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed the video :) Good luck with your new thrift store gem. I am sure you will love it . Thanks for watching and following along!

[@shelliecarlson7015]

I picked my 401A at a thrift store too. I was on my way to pick up a 306W and stopped. I debated with myself and my wife. She ended up just telling me to get it if I wanted. Glad I did. Pretty nice machine.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Nice! It is amazing the treasures that one can find at a thrift store. I am sure you will enjoy your 401a for many years to come. I know my wife and I will enjoy ours. What an incredible piece of equipment. Thanks for watching and following along!

[@allanfifield8256]

Both my stitch selectors did not work. I oiled and then WD 40 all the appropriate metal surfaces. Gently rocked the outside knobs with my hand and used a screw drive to gently leverage inside parts to move a bear fraction. First the metal selector began a bit on one side and then the other side. Both now slide freely up and down The secret is gentle patience. 15 minutes at time and then walk away for hours. The vibrations that you can not see are allowing the oil - WD40 mixture to slowly infiltrate the jammed surfaces. This should be true with any other frozen metal surfaces. These are gem machines when restored.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Agreed. These are wonderful machines that are a ball to use. We just finished up a donation quilt top pieced together entirely on this machine. Timeless for sure :) Thanks for watching!

[@steviedriver2234]

I found this same Singer not long ago and iI am a new sewer. I went on KZbin to find out what i had. Came across your page and it has been soooooo helpful, THANK YOU!! I do have a question, my machine did not come with a bobbin. What size or type of bobbin does it need? Again thank you for your videos!

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That is great! I am sure that you will love your new machine. Thank you for the positive feedback :) The 401a takes a standard 66 series bobbin. You can buy them online in a pack of ten for pretty cheap. Many machines use this style. Thanks for watching!

[@steviedriver2234]

@@NeverTooMany2023 Thank you!

[@kogabear1]

These are a great machine. I use one as my daily sewer. Mine was a thrift store rescue also that needed a lot of TLC. It took a bunch of internal cleaning and oiling.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That's great! Yes, these are awesome machines :) That is cool that you use a thrift store gem as your daily machine. Thanks for watching!

[@e.keesey]

It was fun to watch it pop in. Watching you maneuver was kinda like putting a diaper on a baby monkey! Well done.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That's funny :) Thank you so much. Thanks for watching!

[@bonniedeaton7349]

Thank You so much! I am learning learning learning! I dont have one of those machines but knowledge is Good!

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! I am also learning learning learning! This is my first time diving into one of these machines and I love the adventure. Thanks for watching!

[@julianachandler2975]

Definitely “nifty”! Love it. Great job ❤

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! Thank you for watching!

[@gergemall]

Beautiful machine. Thank you for sharing

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much! Thanks for watching!

[@Cass_772]

Hey good job!!

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much!

[@copperhousefarm4794]

Can you tell us what is the name of the cleaning products. Thanks Great job. You can buy the manuals or download a pdf file.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Sure. I cleaned the machine body with a mild kitchen degreaser. It came from our local dollar store and it is called Oxygen Orange. You can order used manuals from ebay. You can download a free manual online. Just google Singer "401a manual" click on "ismacs.net" and click pdf download. Thanks for watching!

[@stanleyblackwell2066]

Lver needs to be on 3 then pull inner knob all the way down to K then that will allow you to select I and J ots like a combination lock

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Awesome. Thanks!

[@truecynic1270]

I would happily appreciate it if you would consider one of your informative videos to cover the Singer Model 500J. Thank you!!!!

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you so much for the request! I have not yet acquired a Singer 500. I have however picked up a Singer 503 but have not rounded up a foot pedal, power cord, and cams for it. I will be doing a video on it as soon as I get the parts gathered. The only difference between the 500 and the 503 is the built in cam stack (like the 401 in this video). Thanks for watching!

[@truecynic1270]

@@NeverTooMany2023 Thank you so much!! I'll keep watching the excellent and informative videos you produce until then!!

[@JesusisKing222]

What was that cleaner you used on the outside of the machine? Mine has the same grime and oil spread it around nicely😂

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Great question. On machines of this era I just use a very light kitchen degreaser that I picked up at the dollar store. Thank you for watching!

[@allanfifield8256]

409 works for me.

[@slowsmooth3440]

Do you know, can you please tell me what LED bulb I can use in a 400 series machine?

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thanks for the question. We have had luck with the AlphaSew brand of LED bulbs. We picked up a few at our local Singer shop. I don't see them on Amazon, but here is a link to a bulb that states as compatible with Singer machines: a.co/d/0yQVs6I You may find that you need to file the points down a bit to make them fit in your old machine. At least we did in ours. Sometimes the electrodes stick out just a little too far and it makes the bulb really tight and hard to install. Just take a fine file or emery board and take the top off of the nodes until it snuggly fits into your socket. Hope this helps. Good luck!

[@JesusisKing222]

I found the bulbs on the featherweight shop website fit without any struggle or adjustment!

[@ronalddevine9587]

These machines as well as the 500 series were designed and built to be used FREQUENTLY, and to last nearly forever. That bent indicator would never happen on the 500a. It is cast in one piece. But that's for another video!

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Agreed! They are remarkable in their build quality and precision. I haven't come across a 500a yet but I did just pick up a 503. I am waiting on a power cord and foot controller for it, then I will get to play with it as well. Can't wait! Thanks for watching!

[@ronalddevine9587]

@@NeverTooMany2023 The most comfortable foot pedal for me is Kenmore 6813, or 6816. You won't be able to use the cord, but the size and shape of it is excellent. The performance is equal to or better than Singer.

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Ok, thanks for the heads up! I will check those out. :)

[@rosemarietoscano8237]

Help! The top spool pins broke off during shipment to me. They only stick up about 1/8”. I cannot grab from the top. How can I remove what’s left to replace them?

[@NeverTooMany2023]

I think those are just either glued in or just pressed into place. If you haven't got enough sticking out to grab with a small pair of pliers, then you might try screwing in a small wood screw into the center of them and once you get a good grip on them you can work them out. If they don't come out after that you should be able to dig the rest of the plastic out with a pick until you have enough clearance to insert a new pin. Hope this helps. Good luck!

[@allanfifield8256]

Needle nose plyers may do the trick. Patience may be needed.

[@karenward3542]

My question is how do the size run with the machine needles for different types of projects

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thanks for the question. I am not sure about all of the ins and outs of needle sizes. I just use the smallest needle that I can get away with on any given project so that I make a smaller hole. I only usually try to use a heavy duty needle if I am making a bag or sewing canvas. Thanks for watching!

[@rhondamercado7527]

I recently bought the tires for the specific 401 a machine but when I got them they seemed a tad bit smaller than the one I removed from the machine. Is there an adjustment that can be made so that the tire works correctly?

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Thank you for the question. I am not aware of any adjustment for the bobbin tire assembly. I believe I remember having to kind of hold a little extra pressure on ours when winding a bobbin to get it to feed properly. If your new tire is a bit smaller then hopefully you can do the same to get it to contact better. It is unlike other machines that use a locking mechanism to hold the bobbin in place. Hope this helps and good luck! Thanks for watching!

[@JesusisKing222]

I have found that they come in different inner/outer diameters. The best I’ve found are from the featherweight shop.

[@madvelila]

How is front to back axle needle position adjusted on this machine?

[@NeverTooMany2023]

I am not aware of a front to back needle bar adjustment. You can loosen the needle bar screw and adjust the height of the needle bar and even twist it if it is clocked wrong, but both the needle bar and the presser foot bar run parallel through the body in tight bushing holes that offer no adjustment. If your needle bar is not running straight it might be bent? Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@madvelila]

@@NeverTooMany2023 I have tried those things and did not find solution for my problem, which is needle that scratches to hook. Maby I disassemble everything and assemble again.🤔

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Oh ok, I see better now...Ya, your needle shouldn't be making contact with your hook. A bent needle or a needle not properly seated in place might cause this. otherwise, if you already took it apart, make sure you reassembled properly. Make sure the hook assembly is mounted all the way into position and not wobbling. Otherwise, I would say you might have a timing issue. does it still make a stitch but makes a grinding noise, or does it not even stitch? If your timing is off, your needle could be staying in the path of the hook for too long and allowing it to make contact. The needle should only be in the path of the hook for long enough for the very tip of the hook to run through the skarf (indent in needle) and hook the thread. Hope this helps.

[@madvelila]

@@NeverTooMany2023 it is making a stitch. The touch is just a slight scratch and not so audiable when sewing. I can only hear it without fabric. But about the bushings that the needlebar travels in; the upper bushing is connected to eccentric housing and also rhe housing can be adjusted little bit vertically. I think it is som how possible to adjust it so that my needle is not scratching the hook.

[@madvelila]

@@NeverTooMany2023 I have tried with multipple needles

[@redmonkeyTracyk]

Sorry I use speak and spell anyway I'm only missing one piece for my 401A and that's the specialty foot

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That is great. I am sure you will find one :) Thanks for watching!

[@redmonkeyTracyk]

the cabinet and the machine were most likely going to end up at the dump and I do think I have the original cabinet for the 401a with the hidden compartment on the left side just a darker stain I also have a couple of other machines a new home janome I think it's a 4 66 and the other machine that started it all I can't even think of the name right now it's pretty heavy duty though there's videos about the singer Restoration on my cheesy channel if you go there you can check it out I guess

[@NeverTooMany2023]

That is all cool. You have a channel? Thats great. I will check it out for sure :)@@redmonkeyTracyk

[@gergemall]

Never force a mechanical part. I see what you mean

[@NeverTooMany2023]

Sound advice. Thanks!

[@user-lm9zb6iu5s]

Theses machines are a work horse I have 4 of them 401g made in Germany in the early 50’s 1 of them I used daily for my business making curtains for 20 yrs in North Wales uk. The other 2 were working spares, the 4th I never used as it was jammed solid filthy thick with grease and in a singer cabinet in the house Now newly retired I enquired about a service for them and was quoted £65(82.48 dollars) per machine, so after watching you on KZbin I’ve taken a wk and serviced them myself even moved the selector as 1 machine would not go into the A as it was in the wrong position as yours was Thank you so much throughly enjoyed watching and I’ve saved a fortune

[@NeverTooMany2023]

:)

[@user-lm9zb6iu5s]

Theses machines are a work horse I have 4 of them 401g made in Germany in the early 50’s 1 of them I used daily for my business making curtains for 20 yrs in North Wales uk. The other 2 were working spares, the 4th I never used as it was jammed solid filthy thick with grease and in a singer cabinet in the house Now newly retired I enquired about a service for them and was quoted £65(82.48 dollars) per machine, so after watching you on KZbin I’ve taken a wk and serviced them myself even moved the selector as 1 machine would not go into the A as it was in the wrong position as yours was Thank you so much throughly enjoyed watching and I’ve saved a fortune

[@NeverTooMany2023]

:)

[@user-lm9zb6iu5s]

Theses machines are a work horse I have 4 of them 401g made in Germany in the early 50’s 1 of them I used daily for my business making curtains for 20 yrs in North Wales uk. The other 2 were working spares, the 4th I never used as it was jammed solid filthy thick with grease and in a singer cabinet in the house Now newly retired I enquired about a service for them and was quoted £65(82.48 dollars) per machine, so after watching you on KZbin I’ve taken a wk and serviced them myself even moved the selector as 1 machine would not go into the A as it was in the wrong position as yours was Thank you so much throughly enjoyed watching and I’ve saved a fortune

[@NeverTooMany2023]

:)