1958? Singer Slant-O-Matic 401 for sale

[whirlykenmore78]

Hello!

We are moving and I (Katie here) would like to NOT move this wonderful piece of furniture/sewing machine that has been in my family it's entire life. It's very heavy and we don't really have a good place for it. I believe I have all the pieces for it and even some spare items, including the manual booklet. I have pictures for you as well.
It "hides" in the desk until you are ready to use it, and has a knee pedal on the right side that is the pedal to sew and control speed. It folds up as well when you don't want to use it. Chair included.

Please make an offer, we would prefer to have it out of our way by December 7th.

excuse the background mess, we are packing.

Thank you,

Katie Sunflower & Nick WK78

 

[appnut]

That's the exact model my mom had!!!  Her cabinet was a much darker wood. 

 

[beekeyknee]

That looks like a pretty nice machine. I have one just like it that belonged to my Grandmother. A machine of that age will usually need a major cleaning, disassembling, reassembling and adjustment unless someone has taken very good care of it.

I got a service manual and some parts off of eBay a couple of years ago and gave mine a complete restore. I never did get it adjusted quite right, so yesterday I got the service manual out again and got up close and personal with that machine. I didn't just go completely by the manual. I really dug in and started to learn what makes it tick. Made a few of my own adjustments and now it's working right.

It's a worth while project but it can really try your patience until you learn it. I saw a can of 3 in 1 Oil in one of those pictures. That's a no-no. Only sewing machine oil, like Tri-flow oil or Zoom-Spout oil should be used. It's a good machine if someone wants to take it on.

Singer 401A Sewing Machine

Here are some pictures of my recently restored Singer 401A. I obtained a service manual and bought some Tri-flow grease and oil from Jenny at Sew-Classics.com and went to work. It took several days and a lot of work, but it was worth it. This thing sews like nobodys business. It will sew through...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[norgeway]

Singers Top Of The Line!

In 58, My Mother bought the straight stitch 301 in 58, and I still have it, it was the tol straight stitch machine, both are absolutely leagues ahead of whats sold today....these will run smoothly and quietly..virtually forever!

 

[d-jones]

After reading Brian's thread and some of the comments made about these machines, then using my parents 301, I figured I needed a 401 for myself, so I bought one in Pennsylvania while I was there last month. Now that it's had a good cleaning and oiling it looks and works great. These are excellent machines and built to last several lifetimes. Are you really sure you want to sell this one?

 

[tolivac]

Make space for that machine and take it with you!BETTER than new machines!!!

 

[beekeyknee]

Katie,

If the bulk and weight of that machine is the only thing bothering you, you can easily detach the machine from the cabinet. There are two hinges with set screws on the back of the machine where it flips down into the cabinet. Loosen the set screws and the machine comes loose from the cabinet. The foot control snaps out too. All that's left is the piece of furniture.

Packing a sewing machine for transport has to be carefully done. If you have it shipped or take it with you in your car, you should remove the three plastic spool pins and felts and put them in a plastic bag. Remove the needle and cords and twist in the needle clamp thumb screw, draw the needle driving arm up into the machine as far as it will go, take off the presser foot, put it in the accessory box or in the bag with the spool pins, wrap up the arm, face plate end and finally the whole machine with bubble wrap, taping each section as you go. By the time you're done it will look like a giant ball of bubble wrap and tape. Then put it in a heavy cardboard box with plenty of styrofoam peanuts before shipping. If you want to be extra careful you can double box it. You'll need to do this if it's going to be moved any distance at all or it will probably be damaged.

The only way I wouldn't do this is if I were just taking it across the street, for example. Even then you would want to lower the machine into the cabinet, take off the power cord and have two strong people carry it to it's new location. These machines are just too easily damaged to move them very far inside the cabinet.

Brian

p.s. I just saw Nicks post. Since you're staying in the same town you could pull the machine out of the cabinet and put it in your car. But you must be sure it doesn't turn over. Those spool pins break too easily. If you're determined to get rid of it and it has to be shipped away, you should pack it as mentioned above. And shipping the cabinet will be costly if it's very far. [this post was last edited: 11/17/2014-05:14]

 

[whirlykenmore78]

thank you

Thanks everyone, It still works great, I have used it as my primary machine up until about a year ago. I am sure it can use a cleaning, but I'll find a spot for it in my hobby room somewhere.

Thank you for your stories and feedback.

Katie Sunflower & WK78