PURCHASING SERIES #36: Can You Buy a Singer Featherweight For Less? Yes! Get a Singer 301 Instead!

[@SewingMachineRehab]

So true, love my 301’s! I agree about buying the machines when they are available, even if you already have a few (or 20). That one is going to be a beauty!

[@gergemall]

Understood, so informative. Love the machines

[@PibbleMom297]

I was lucky enough to be with a friend a year or so ago when she went to see a late model Bernina for sale. The owner was a lovely woman who couldn't sew anymore and was selling her Bernina's (she had two of them). While we where there I peeked around the corner of the basement and was delighted to see a black 301 sitting there. When I asked about it, the owner said it had been her primary machine prior to buying her Bernina's. I asked if it was for sale and obtained it for $50, including some accessories, instruction book and the bottom assembly for setting into a table if I wished.! The finish shows some normal wear because she'd had it for many years, but it's still glossy with a deep shine. It's in prime mechanical condition because she had it serviced yearly. It sews like a dream and simply purrs. My friend was thrilled because she ended up with TWO almost new Berninas (and a custom table) for $500, and I had an exquisite 301for $50. I'm more of a Kenmore fan than Singers, but I do know Singer's quality. Besides, if I want a small travel machine, I'll take my cute little Kenmore 158-1040 zigzag. Almost as light as the FW, has several variations of zig-zag stitches, is powerful for it's size and is a convertible!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks for sharing SG. I am a fan of all of those machines you mentioned. FYI, on that little Kenmore, it is a strong little worker, but do take care when adjusting the selector dial on top of the machine as those are plastic (aged plastic) and can break when pushed.

[@virginiagirl977]

Mocha cream? I have a 1954 301A longbed that was my mom's. I learned to sew on it, so I'm emotionally attached. It's fast! You can raise and lower the feed dogs, too. The buttonholer attachment made the most beautiful buttonholes. My machine has the foot pedal and outlet cord on the same plug. I wish the long beds had come with cabinets, but apparently they didn't. A few years ago I took it apart and cleaned it, replaced the rubbery bits and felt drip pad, and put it back together. It's missing the screw in the knurled knob that sits in the handwheel. And I'm not sure I have the tension quite right. Thanks for this and coming videos on this wonderful machine!

[@heatherscott3008]

She looks delightful! Looking forward to seeing her after her overhaul. I have a 221 I bought for a low price and love it. Had I not lucked out I would definitely consider the 301!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

That is awesome!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Great find Heather. While 221 Featherweights are not rare, getting a good deal on one sure is. They seldomly sell for low prices. You are quite lucky!

[@heatherscott3008]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage Bought her off Kijiji in Calgary with the original bobbin case intact! She just needed the timing adjusted because of missed stitches. I presume that is why she was so much cheaper than other sellers. It was a nice Saturday afternoon experience to play with the timing and now she sews like a dream. Love your channel. Nice to see I am not the only vintage sewing machine nerd around! Keep up the good work. I always look forward to your videos.

[@crowznest438]

I would hurt myself trying to keep a curbside vintage sewing machine out of the rain.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You and me both Jeanne.

[@sarag1158]

I actually have. Threw my back out carrying home a vintage Pfaff 262 in a table

[@ggazzara1115]

Thanks for the bobbin case heads up tip! Your videos are always very informative. Thanks for posting!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You bet!

[@gergemall]

Thank you, I’m learning so much from you.

[@anthonyiron4635]

When you said the 301 did not sew properly I first thought of the shuttle race assembly not being in the notch. The 301 that my mother gave me had the same problem. She claimed it stopped sewing properly and she would end up with bird's nests. Now it sews like a dream. I had a two wire power cord with an electronic foot pedal and there are no issues working with the 301 as you said it would. The 301 is a great machine. Too bad yours is missing the hood for the light. And you are right on about the original bobbin. I enjoy your videos.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks for sharing Anthony.

[@chascatt]

For the wear strip across the top... if that was my machine I might have taped something across to keep the bulb light from shining in my face. Like a homemade light shield

[@Idaho-Idaho]

I have two 301A machines and yes, I verified that the bobbin casing was installed with both of them. Paid $40 for each machine (both came with a cabinet). Love these machines.

[@lizzyhazel4085]

Oh gosh! The finger being out of place, by the bobbin case, is the reason the previous owner couldn't get the 301 to sew. I've seen it before. Unfortunate for them. I love my two 301s. Terrific video. Thanks.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Good point!

[@ronalddevine9587]

This brings to mind my latest machine. I was out walking and noticed what looked like a Kenmore cabinet, sitting amongst several 80 gallon trash bags. I went over to look, opened up the lid, and looked and behold a Singer 15-91. The house was and still is no longer lived in so I now am working on it. BTW, how is the Kenmore 158-1941?

[@kathyaldrich761]

You are right about the Singer 301 being a great stitcher for quilters, etc. I have a beige one from 1952 that sews so smoothly great stitches. I put it into a trapazoid cabinet temporarily to test out the ease of use and setup.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hi Kathy. FYI, that trapazoid cabinet is an unusual find. I have never come across one so just know it can be quite valuable.

[@kathyaldrich761]

Thank you! I appreciate your reply!

[@kathyaldrich761]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage I found this cabinet on Marketplace a state away from me. I have never seen one in my city, and I don't know if it is they seem to be more back East then here in the NW in my opinion.

[@creativelychristen9955]

Thanks for great video. I purchased a bobbin case and a few bobbins (came as a set) from Amaz.... crossed my fingers and it works. For my 301A, black.

[@creativelychristen9955]

Took a chance since it was cheaper.

[@chrystalhenthorne8209]

I have one also...looking forward to seeing you work on it. Thanks for all the good videos!!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@robinmeadows4758]

Thanks for reminding people about the bobbin cases. I found my 1952 beige 301in a cabinet at Goodwill and waited for "senior" day as was priced above my budget for its condition (machine filthy, iffy cord, missing bobbin case and light lens). Paid $56 (had been marked over 100 til I pointed out what was "wrong" with it). Original bobbin case cost me $85, cord & glass lens $15. $156 + time to clean and service myself, not bad.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I agree Robin. Not bad for one of the nicest home sewing machines ever made!!! If cared for, it will outlast any new machine you could buy in spite of it already being close to 75 years old!! Thanks for sharing!

[@lizzyhazel4085]

Is that a black side bobbin case? Oh, I love that so much!!!!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

No, but it may be the lighting giving you that impression.

[@iggyreilly2463]

I found two of these: LBOW in very good condition at a thrift store for $9.99 and a black one in pristine condition (looks like it has never been used) in the Art Deco cabinet for $50, iirc. These are faster and more powerful than the FW and are only a few pounds heavier while being full-size. A bargain!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

A bargain indeed! You hit the jackpot with those two.

[@susangreen8252]

I love my 301's. Those washers may be for the bed of the machine. Since you're missing a bolt, they may have removed the washers.

[@cathyhamilton5131]

Interesting--my 301A was missing that same bolt on back of the folding extension.

[@terryjanisch905]

Looking forward to restoring the best machine Singer ever made.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Go for it!

[@marcellafisher8317]

I have a featherweight and a 301 I sew on the 301!!

[@susangopher]

I like the mocha myself. I have my mom's featherweight so this was informative for me. The motor on this is under the bell shaped housing on the back? Looks like a pain if the motor needs servicing! Amazing what people just give away on the curb- I got my second 15-91 in a cabinet off the curb last week from a house three doors down. My first one cost under 25 bucks I think 😁

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Well, actually, accessing the motor on 301s, 400, 500, and 600 Series Singers is very simple compared with the earlier "Potted" style beltless motors that Singer had used before in the 15-91, 201, and a few other models. While the quality/durability of each of these motor types was superb, servicing the motors such as these on the 301's is MUCH easier in terms of access to the motor and I believe this was intentional because Singer employed service people in the field back then and they would have been a great source of how the Singer engineers could improve service time by making the motor easier to access. Here is a link to one of the videos I made showing how the motor on these can be removed with very little fuss. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipqYhniLhKmijbM

[@davidanddavidstrading]

Still waiting to find a black 301...

[@ronalddaub9740]

Let me guess. They put on a new ck spring but it didn't need it . I understand.. see things like that all the time.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I have the same guess that you do Ronald!

[@justletterripakapattydavid7136]

The tape might be to keep foot from slipping on the pedal.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Oh yes, that is quite possible. Just to be sure, I always inspect the foot controllers and will do so for this one as well.

[@tuphdc8779]

Not related but do you happen to know when White Model 445s were made? I just got one and can't find any info

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

If yours is the Free Arm model I'm thinking of, it would have been made sometime in the late 70's to early 80's. It likely falls into what I describe in my videos as the "Hybrid Vintage Category". If you search my videos under the word "Hybrid", you will see videos such as this that might help further explain the pros of a machine such as the the White 445. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoXQnYtur9egorc

[@ggazzara1115]

What are your thoughts on the Singer 503A Slant-O-Matic Rocketeer?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Ah, very similar to the Singer 403 with a few functional changes and all new body styling. The mechanicals are largely the same as the 400 Series Slant-O-Matics. The 500 Series (including the 503) are some of the last of Singer's great heirloom quality sewing machines are were top of the line when new. Here is a video I made for the 503 when I worked on one that belonged to a client. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f53UhKyJqq5jfq8