Do not feel guilty. When those machines were new, many ladies were new starters too. It is great that you have taken the machine off of a dusty shelf and made it happy. Your machine will become one with you as all good tools must. Occasionally you will have cross words but you will make up again and sew with extra pride. Happy sewing.
Found one at ~€45. I've been spending most of the afternoon cleaning. Also had all accessories. I've got two 201's. They're my favorites. Especially my treadle configured one, it's so silent.
Found a 431G on Gumtree for $150 and decided to buy it after watching your video. In fantastic condition with all the accessories. Only second owner and she had used it very little. Going to give it a good clean and service but seems to be working fine. Thanks for the videos!
It's amazing, how versatile these old machines are. I'm eyeing both a 401A and a 431G as a possible replacement for my broken computerized machine. I don't really need all those 'bells and whistles' modern machines have and I would like to be able, to take care of it's maintenances myself. I just wish, you had shown the accessories a little closer. The sellers of these old machines usually don't know anything about them, so you got to be able, to identify stuff just from pictures. Gotta do some googling, I guess 😉
Greetings James and congratulations on your Unicorn! I found this extremely interesting! And a wonderful case to top it all off! I am looking forward to seeing more of your wonderful Singer 431 G Convertible! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for a great summary of the 431G features. I was curious about how it differed from the 401. The storage in the bed is wonderful! Hope you and your unicorn have many fun sewing adventures together! 🦄
The internal cams are metal. The top hat cams are the black bakeolite or melamine whichever you prefer. I have not seen anyone make those in metal, but I have also not seen one fail. I would imagine as time moves on, the 3D printed versions will become possible on metal.
Hello James. Great machine. I always look for machines with a built in accessory tray. You might be interested in my current project. I'm transferring the built in needle threader from a Touch & Sew to my Singer 500a. Looked like an easy project, just drill and tap one hole for the mounting screw (6-32). The machines look Identical but the touch&sew has a bump out to accept the mounting screw. This slight difference results in the mounting screw hitting the side of the needle bar on the 500a. Do you have any thoughts on what to do?. I really hate threading those slant needles by hand.
Hello, where the needle plate is, is it easy to get replacement screws/split pins, please? The previous owner butchered mine and now the needle plate is very loose. Thank you.
I know of two ways. One is to get a screw and and hacksaw and make a new one (I have only see that this is possible on forums). Alternative, I believe that the pins from the later series fit.
The best answer is, not quite as you might expect. The base is similar to the 411G except that the extension table is like the 301 long bed. The extension table comes off with two screws which is simple enough. The problem is that there are no hinge pins in the back. This is the same reason that the 301 has a hanger for the machine. If you either create a hanger or use a 301, you might have success. I would create a distinct hanger for it from a few bits of wood and then it will drop into a table. You might find a Kenmore table works slightly more easily.
What an awesome looking machine, may I ask roughly one of those sweeties run at (price.) If not mistaken the Singer's 700's uses the same plates perhaps others too. Boy you just can't beat some of those vintage machines.
The 700 uses a same style of plate, but the holes are in a slightly different location. If you are good with a drill press, it may be possible to get them to fit this machine. The chain stitch plate is unlikely to work. These machines certainly run in the many hundreds of dollars but they are worth all of it.
It is a tought machine, but it is designed more for garment making than heavy duty. It will sew most of that one off, but if you want to sew heavy duty constantly, then I would go with a class 15 machine such as Singer 15, Necchi BU.
ruclips.net/video/zHPzBQTpGCY/видео.html -- Regardez ce video. Cela explique (malheureusement en Anglais) le ronds noirs ('pattern cams' en Anglais) et les motifs.
So, i recently got a 401A. I had to clean it uo, bit ot is awesome. I almost feel guilty having such a niice machine, having never really sewn.
Do not feel guilty. When those machines were new, many ladies were new starters too. It is great that you have taken the machine off of a dusty shelf and made it happy. Your machine will become one with you as all good tools must. Occasionally you will have cross words but you will make up again and sew with extra pride. Happy sewing.
Found one at ~€45. I've been spending most of the afternoon cleaning. Also had all accessories. I've got two 201's. They're my favorites. Especially my treadle configured one, it's so silent.
Found a 431G on Gumtree for $150 and decided to buy it after watching your video. In fantastic condition with all the accessories. Only second owner and she had used it very little. Going to give it a good clean and service but seems to be working fine. Thanks for the videos!
A unicorn it is Congratulation The best
I have 2 it . I love it💖
Quieres venderla una para mi?
I am Iranian . Please write English💖👍⚘
It's amazing, how versatile these old machines are. I'm eyeing both a 401A and a 431G as a possible replacement for my broken computerized machine. I don't really need all those 'bells and whistles' modern machines have and I would like to be able, to take care of it's maintenances myself.
I just wish, you had shown the accessories a little closer. The sellers of these old machines usually don't know anything about them, so you got to be able, to identify stuff just from pictures.
Gotta do some googling, I guess 😉
Greetings James and congratulations on your Unicorn! I found this extremely interesting! And a wonderful case to top it all off! I am looking forward to seeing more of your wonderful Singer 431 G Convertible! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for a great summary of the 431G features. I was curious about how it differed from the 401. The storage in the bed is wonderful! Hope you and your unicorn have many fun sewing adventures together! 🦄
Thanks for sharing greetings from South Africa
Greetings to you from Canada.
@@jamesrogers991 I am on the East Coast and found my unicorn too.
Oh my!! Congratulations! I love it😍 thanks for all the details
Are the cams metal? If it only gad the face mounted bobbin winder/hand whell. I guess nothing is perfect.
The internal cams are metal. The top hat cams are the black bakeolite or melamine whichever you prefer. I have not seen anyone make those in metal, but I have also not seen one fail. I would imagine as time moves on, the 3D printed versions will become possible on metal.
I had my eye on one on eBay for weeks! Glad you got one.
Hi James, Still looking forward to seeing your Unicorn videos.
GOSTARIA DE TER UMA IGUAL É MUITO LINDA,MEUS PARABÉNS.
Hello James. Great machine. I always look for machines with a built in accessory tray. You might be interested in my current project. I'm transferring the built in needle threader from a Touch & Sew to my Singer 500a. Looked like an easy project, just drill and tap one hole for the mounting screw (6-32). The machines look Identical but the touch&sew has a bump out to accept the mounting screw. This slight difference results in the mounting screw hitting the side of the needle bar on the 500a. Do you have any thoughts on what to do?. I really hate threading those slant needles by hand.
Hello, where the needle plate is, is it easy to get replacement screws/split pins, please? The previous owner butchered mine and now the needle plate is very loose. Thank you.
I know of two ways. One is to get a screw and and hacksaw and make a new one (I have only see that this is possible on forums). Alternative, I believe that the pins from the later series fit.
I have exactly the same problem. How did you do ? Do you have a screw model to advice ? Thank you !
I found that Singer Touch and Sew fixings work. You just have to get them shortened. My repair chappy did this and they worked a treat
It is said one can do chain stitch on this machine with one of the needle plates.
Hi James. Is it possible for this model to be mounted in a Singer table? Thank you.
All the best.
The best answer is, not quite as you might expect. The base is similar to the 411G except that the extension table is like the 301 long bed. The extension table comes off with two screws which is simple enough. The problem is that there are no hinge pins in the back. This is the same reason that the 301 has a hanger for the machine. If you either create a hanger or use a 301, you might have success. I would create a distinct hanger for it from a few bits of wood and then it will drop into a table. You might find a Kenmore table works slightly more easily.
What an awesome looking machine, may I ask roughly one of those sweeties run at (price.) If not mistaken the Singer's 700's uses the same plates perhaps others too. Boy you just can't beat some of those vintage machines.
The 700 uses a same style of plate, but the holes are in a slightly different location. If you are good with a drill press, it may be possible to get them to fit this machine. The chain stitch plate is unlikely to work. These machines certainly run in the many hundreds of dollars but they are worth all of it.
@@jamesrogers991 thanks looks like you're going to enjoy it
Hi! Could you tel me if this machine is slant shank?
It is a slant shank!
Would this machine do well sewing cushions for a boat, as well as sail covers and Bimini covers? Thank you
It is a tought machine, but it is designed more for garment making than heavy duty. It will sew most of that one off, but if you want to sew heavy duty constantly, then I would go with a class 15 machine such as Singer 15, Necchi BU.
You swapped out the motor with a 401. Do you know if it can be swapped out with a 403 motor?
I believe that they are exactly the same. At worst, the worm gear can be removed by loosening the grub screw at the base.
Bonjour, j'ai moi aussi dans une bernina des ronds noirs en plastique, mais je n'ai jamais si à quoi ça sert 🥴 pouvez vous m'eclairer svp. Merci 🙏
ruclips.net/video/zHPzBQTpGCY/видео.html -- Regardez ce video. Cela explique (malheureusement en Anglais) le ronds noirs ('pattern cams' en Anglais) et les motifs.
@@jamesrogers991 merci beaucoup, j'irai voir cela. Tres belle journée 🌻