My grandmother saved up to purchase the 401a. She passed it on to my Mom who eventually gave it to me. I have all the accessories that originally came with it. It was the first all metal sewing machine made. It works great! In the video he comments on it being noisy but if it's on a solid surface or in a cabinet like mine, it's much quieter. Twice I have taken it in to a shop to have it serviced properly. Both times when I retrieved it I was told it was the best machine ever made and don't ever get rid of it.
I begged my grandma to let me buy her 401a when she decided to sell it and I ended up having to get it at auction, it needed some work, sat for about 6 years or so because I didn’t know what kind of work it really did need, just got it back from having it completely serviced. This thing is amazing.
I bought my 401 on June 15, a little over a month ago, from a man who inherited it from his mother, so basically a one-owner machine. Bought the whole works, including the table and accessories box, for $35. It’s a great machine. After I cleaned and oiled it, I used it to bind and quilt a memory quilt I made for my Mom. It did a great job.
I'm sure you have realized this, but your videos will be used for decades. What you cover in your demonstrations will continue to be used by owners, collectors, or prospective buyers for....as long as there is a platform to show them or buy them. Every time I watch a video of yours, I want the machine LOL You will most likely become a John Facenda; only the voice of industrial sewing machines and related projects. That is incredibly impressive. - Rich and Sarah
I know this is an old video from 2016 but just had to share my late mother had this machine when new in I believe in 1964 and by the 80's wore out parts that were not expected to wear out, that's just how much she sewed on hers. My late father kept it in good running order by tuning it up when necessary. It for years was set in a cutout of a hollow core door set on an unfinished desk for a sewing table with a twin lamp fluorescent drafting lamp and would spend hours sewing on it. I even sewed a little with it myself back in the day. It was replaced with a Prisma 990 by Husqvarna/Viking that she got as an almost not used trade in, in the late 80's. I have that machine now, by the way. Twas nice seeing this machine again, thanks!
For me, this is a very informative video about a machine I know very little. Thanks for teaching me... your comment about weight, mass, vibration, and noise never occurred to me, but that makes so much sense, about increased noise with aluminum-based machines.
The noise comment makes no sense at all. It is in fact quite a heavy machine. The reason that it's not as quiet as the classic Singers is because mechanically it is massively more complex. Take the top cover off and you will see what I mean.
The 401a is considered to be one of the finest machines ever made by Singer! It's on par with the legendary 201. I'm lucky enough to own one and I wouldn't trade it for any of the plastic junk that's so commonplace today. I sew everything on it and a curious fact that I found is that it has no problems sewing knits. The 500a which came later is known to have serious problems with skipped stitches when sewing knitted fabrics. But you know what............... I couldn't pass up buying the Rocketeer (500a) because it's one of the most beautiful and unique designs in Singer's long history.
You are a true fan of Singer, that is clear. I agree that the 401A is a fantastic machine and one that I recommend for friends and family. I have had a few 201's and they are everything they say they are. I also have a special place in my heart for the 319, it hits a sweet spot somewhere between the 201 and the 401A.
I just bought, and am anxiously awaiting delivery of, a 500A. Had one I bought at an estate sale and foolishly sold it a few years back and loved it. That didn't run, it purred. Should have my head examined! Thinking about buying a 401, too. I have 5 'modern' sewing machines now, and all but one (my heavy duty/high speed) Singer 5532), will soon be listed on Craig's list. Don't be fooled: some advancements aren't advancements at all!
Enjoyed this video, thank you. I have this machine. It was put on curb because it wouldn't sew. Inside was gunked up from old oil. Easy to fix, now sews like a charm.
I would recommend unplugging from the wall, removing the top cover - 2 screws - and inspecting the black wire that goes to the light bulb. This wire can touch the machine metal body and cause electrocution. The wire has two small black connecting caps that may come loose with time - this will cause the wire to touch the metal body of the machine. Inspect both caps, make sure each is tight on the wire and no wire is exposed near the caps. The wire is also secured with a small black metal bracket that may come loose over time - this will cause the wire to rub against a top metal gear which will cause again the cable to come in touch with the metal body of the machine.
if I had to pick between my 201-2 and this machine I would be so torn! But hands down I love these to Singers the most, and wouldn't trade them for any top of the line bernina, janome, anything out there today. I would take one of those free, however :)
Just made a Craigslist offer for a 401A, for $30 (the asking price). To the seller, it's just an old thing that "Nana" had that she's trying to get rid of. To me, it will hopefully be a nice addition to my collection, and will honor Nana in a way that her own grand daughter can't.
Could you post a video on troubleshooting common problems or with this machine. I just inherited one from my grandmother and keep running into small issues here and there that take me forever to figure out.
I need another sewing machine like I need another hole in my head, but I have a chance to buy a 401a and I'm running out of excuses to put it off. Wondering if it would fit into a Singer Model 42 cabinet which originally had a short bed 301 in it.
Hi , I just got a 401a and I just love the way it sounds! It doesn't have any spool pins though, can you tell me if I have to get a specific kind of spool pin? Where can I find these? thanks so much! I love all your videos :) You are very easy to understand and informative!
I really want to learn and achieve some skill at sewing and I remember this model from home economics I just scored one it needs a foot pedal and a belt I don't even know where to go to get these but that's where hopefully Google will help thanks for the share liked and subscribed
In good condition, these are excellent machines, better than most you can buy today and look at what they cost. You could buy that machine for $75, use it for a year and sell it for $75. What else can you do that with?
No, this is what is commonly referred to as a domestic machine. Intended for use in the home rather than a factory or industrial setting. Here is an industrial. ruclips.net/video/sBavkfataiM/видео.html
Yes, I do sell them. I am sold out right now. You can follow me on Ebay so that you can see any machines I put up for sale. www.ebay.com/usr/alexanderdyer Thank you for the interest.
Two of the bottom shafts are cast iron and not steel. So you are wrong there. Also there are many other cast iron parts inside too. So you are wrong again. It is not possible to make all mechanical parts of steel which is much stronger.
![Eminem - Fuel (feat. JID) [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/t5H_CewqpKA/mqdefault.jpg)
My grandmother saved up to purchase the 401a. She passed it on to my Mom who eventually gave it to me. I have all the accessories that originally came with it. It was the first all metal sewing machine made. It works great! In the video he comments on it being noisy but if it's on a solid surface or in a cabinet like mine, it's much quieter. Twice I have taken it in to a shop to have it serviced properly. Both times when I retrieved it I was told it was the best machine ever made and don't ever get rid of it.
💠💲💪🙏
I begged my grandma to let me buy her 401a when she decided to sell it and I ended up having to get it at auction, it needed some work, sat for about 6 years or so because I didn’t know what kind of work it really did need, just got it back from having it completely serviced. This thing is amazing.
Inherited mom's 401 Slant-O-Matic! We just now finally got it working and it has the same feel and smell I remember. Cool machine!
Very cool!
I bought my 401 on June 15, a little over a month ago, from a man who inherited it from his mother, so basically a one-owner machine. Bought the whole works, including the table and accessories box, for $35. It’s a great machine. After I cleaned and oiled it, I used it to bind and quilt a memory quilt I made for my Mom. It did a great job.
I'm sure you have realized this, but your videos will be used for decades. What you cover in your demonstrations will continue to be used by owners, collectors, or prospective buyers for....as long as there is a platform to show them or buy them. Every time I watch a video of yours, I want the machine LOL You will most likely become a John Facenda; only the voice of industrial sewing machines and related projects. That is incredibly impressive. - Rich and Sarah
I know this is an old video from 2016 but just had to share my late mother had this machine when new in I believe in 1964 and by the 80's wore out parts that were not expected to wear out, that's just how much she sewed on hers. My late father kept it in good running order by tuning it up when necessary.
It for years was set in a cutout of a hollow core door set on an unfinished desk for a sewing table with a twin lamp fluorescent drafting lamp and would spend hours sewing on it. I even sewed a little with it myself back in the day. It was replaced with a Prisma 990 by Husqvarna/Viking that she got as an almost not used trade in, in the late 80's. I have that machine now, by the way.
Twas nice seeing this machine again, thanks!
Many Singer sewing machines have served generations of the same family. Thank you for sharing.
They were manufactured between 1956 and 1960... It may have been purchased as a "used" machine.
I inherited this from my Godmother more than twenty years ago. It still runs like a dream.
I got one at an estate sale a few months ago. I ❤️ it. Haven’t seen in about 30 yrs so I can’t wait to get back to it. I 💕 my 401 A
That will be fun.
For me, this is a very informative video about a machine I know very little. Thanks for teaching me... your comment about weight, mass, vibration, and noise never occurred to me, but that makes so much sense, about increased noise with aluminum-based machines.
The noise comment makes no sense at all. It is in fact quite a heavy machine. The reason that it's not as quiet as the classic Singers is because mechanically it is massively more complex. Take the top cover off and you will see what I mean.
Nice machines... Still have my 401. I use it for quilting. One of the straightest stitches ive found other than an old Singer
The 401a is considered to be one of the finest machines ever made by Singer! It's on par with the legendary 201. I'm lucky enough to own one and I wouldn't trade it for any of the plastic junk that's
so commonplace today. I sew everything on it and a curious fact that I found is that it has no problems sewing knits. The 500a which came later is known to have serious problems with skipped stitches when sewing knitted fabrics. But you know what............... I couldn't pass up buying the Rocketeer (500a) because it's one of the most beautiful and unique designs in Singer's long history.
You are a true fan of Singer, that is clear. I agree that the 401A is a fantastic machine and one that I recommend for friends and family. I have had a few 201's and they are everything they say they are. I also have a special place in my heart for the 319, it hits a sweet spot somewhere between the 201 and the 401A.
I just bought, and am anxiously awaiting delivery of, a 500A. Had one I bought at an estate sale and foolishly sold it a few years back and loved it. That didn't run, it purred. Should have my head examined! Thinking about buying a 401, too. I have 5 'modern' sewing machines now, and all but one (my heavy duty/high speed) Singer 5532), will soon be listed on Craig's list. Don't be fooled: some advancements aren't advancements at all!
Thanks, i bought this machine a few years ago
Enjoyed this video, thank you. I have this machine. It was put on curb because it wouldn't sew. Inside was gunked up from old oil. Easy to fix, now sews like a charm.
That is cool. Good find, nice work, great machine.
I would recommend unplugging from the wall, removing the top cover - 2 screws - and inspecting the black wire that goes to the light bulb. This wire can touch the machine metal body and cause electrocution. The wire has two small black connecting caps that may come loose with time - this will cause the wire to touch the metal body of the machine. Inspect both caps, make sure each is tight on the wire and no wire is exposed near the caps. The wire is also secured with a small black metal bracket that may come loose over time - this will cause the wire to rub against a top metal gear which will cause again the cable to come in touch with the metal body of the machine.
Death by electricity (electrocution). I bet you are great at parties.👁
That was only an issue with the early production models… Later that problem was resolved.
Later, Singer replaced those "black wire nuts" with safer nylon caps which prevented this issue..
I have the Singer 431G; the 'G' shows it was mfgd in Germany. It is something else! Thank you so much for this video.
A nice showing of one of my fave domestic machines!
Thank you. You have very good taste in domestic sewing machines.
if I had to pick between my 201-2 and this machine I would be so torn! But hands down I love these to Singers the most, and wouldn't trade them for any top of the line bernina, janome, anything out there today. I would take one of those free, however :)
Thank you for profiling this amazing piece of engineering! I have 2 of these beauties! 'Hi' from snowy downtown Montréal!
✋😄
Nice example of stitch patterns on the internal cams...
Just made a Craigslist offer for a 401A, for $30 (the asking price). To the seller, it's just an old thing that "Nana" had that she's trying to get rid of. To me, it will hopefully be a nice addition to my collection, and will honor Nana in a way that her own grand daughter can't.
Cool.
Baby's like..."I could play that too if I could reach the keys."
two singers. I have the 401a, 201-2, 128, 500, and a non functioning touch and throw.
Could you post a video on troubleshooting common problems or with this machine. I just inherited one from my grandmother and keep running into small issues here and there that take me forever to figure out.
ruclips.net/video/dVprkJXNma0/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/D3QuCF6zATg/видео.html
I need another sewing machine like I need another hole in my head, but I have a chance to buy a 401a and I'm running out of excuses to put it off. Wondering if it would fit into a Singer Model 42 cabinet which originally had a short bed 301 in it.
Thanks for the super helpful video!!
I'm glad you found it helpful.
Hi , I just got a 401a and I just love the way it sounds! It doesn't have any spool pins though, can you tell me if I have to get a specific kind of spool pin? Where can I find these? thanks so much! I love all your videos :) You are very easy to understand and informative!
Try searching eBay and see if you get some satisfaction there.
I really want to learn and achieve some skill at sewing and I remember this model from home economics I just scored one it needs a foot pedal and a belt I don't even know where to go to get these but that's where hopefully Google will help thanks for the share liked and subscribed
I tend to get stuff like that on eBay.
😯uau sensacional essa máquina show
Subscribed. In your opinion, is this model desirable in a table for $75?
Thanks for the content.
Keep up the good work.
בס'ד
In good condition, these are excellent machines, better than most you can buy today and look at what they cost. You could buy that machine for $75, use it for a year and sell it for $75. What else can you do that with?
Would it be considered on par with industrial machine?
No, this is what is commonly referred to as a domestic machine. Intended for use in the home rather than a factory or industrial setting. Here is an industrial. ruclips.net/video/sBavkfataiM/видео.html
Thanks
can you use a hand crank on this machine?
If it fits.
Regardless of the 'why,' it is a noisy machine. Probably not the thing to use at 5:00 on a Saturday morning if you have downstairs neighbors.
Meh. What is unimportant to me may be important to you. That is Ok.
@@AlexanderDyer Exactly so.
Si può avere una traduzione in italiano per la macchina da cucire 401
I want this machine too!!! Do you sell them?
Yes, I do sell them. I am sold out right now. You can follow me on Ebay so that you can see any machines I put up for sale. www.ebay.com/usr/alexanderdyer Thank you for the interest.
Good
If anyone knows how to adjust needle position in front to back axle on this machine, please let me know❤
How to remove base
One simple large nut that unscrews..
I could kick myself for not keeping my mom's 401A after she died in 1994, but I didn't sew back then. :-(
Don't be too hard on yourself. It is not an uncommon situation. Give yourself forgiveness.😀
Anyone that feels the need to show themselves drinking coffee which has nothing to do with the topic of their video... I'm going to pass
It was just a prop intended to inject a little humanity and interest to the overall video. I have hundreds of videos that feature no coffee.
Two of the bottom shafts are cast iron and not steel. So you are wrong there. Also there are many other cast iron parts inside too. So you are wrong again. It is not possible to make all mechanical parts of steel which is much stronger.
Of course you are right but you have as much tact as a sharp jab to the face. Thank you for pointing out my misstatements. Did you enjoy the video?