The Sewing Place

Advice on a 401

TomDrew

Advice on a 401
« on: March 02, 2021, 18:14:20 PM »
Hello Lovely Sewing People!

I've been bumbling around in the internet and came across a Singer 401 very near to me. It is currently in a treadle cabinet, but doesn't appear to be setup for treadle as the handwheel appears to be the one for the electric one (and it had a plug etc).

I don't think I'm bothered by having a cabinet as it will take up too much room at the moment. But what are people's views of the 401? I've asked about accessories and cams etc and am awaiting a response.

Thanks for your input.

T

In the stable: "Belle" - 1958 Singer 201k mk2 || "Guinea Pig" - 1902 Singer 128k || "Raf" - 1941 Singer 15k || "Naomi" - 2020 Janome 5024

Efemera

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2021, 19:37:50 PM »
It’s a slant shank machine so will need slant shank attachments.... nice looking machine but not as nice as a Rocketeer (501)
This might be if interest.
https://www.oldsewingear.com/blog/which-is-better-singer-401-vs-500-rocketeer

Lilian

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2021, 20:01:01 PM »
It’s a slant shank machine so will need slant shank attachments.... nice looking machine but not as nice as a Rocketeer (501)
This might be if interest.
https://www.oldsewingear.com/blog/which-is-better-singer-401-vs-500-rocketeer

I didn't know much about slant-o-matic machines.  If I read that info correctly the 401 is the better machine  :)
Willing but not always able :)

TomDrew

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2021, 20:04:09 PM »
Thanks @Efemera that's some interesting reading. I've heard people say it's a bit of an ugly duckling compared to the rocketeer, though I've also heard about the rocketeer having a few weak points in terms of hinges etc (which this article eludes to). I know it's hard to comment on cost when it comes to machines as it really depends on the machine etc etc. But what would we be looking at? I'm finding pricing on vintage Singers a bit odd - lots of the forums price them lower and more reasonably but there are lots out there for silly money. I get you always get people trying to sell things for silly money but there appears to be people buying them for lots too!
In the stable: "Belle" - 1958 Singer 201k mk2 || "Guinea Pig" - 1902 Singer 128k || "Raf" - 1941 Singer 15k || "Naomi" - 2020 Janome 5024

SkoutSews

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2021, 22:43:14 PM »
I learned to sew on my mum's 401g so I like them, so much so that I managed to buy one on ebay a couple of years ago. I was very lucky and got it for a sensible price compared to the others I'd seen. I'm fond of the ugly duckling looks!

They're good machines and in their day were marketed as the best sewing machine ever built. Although fast, well-engineered and powerful, they are not as user-friendly as modern machines.

If you use the search function on this site you'll find several 401 discussions as others are keen on them too.

KayK

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2021, 11:15:04 AM »
I had a 401G which I stupidly sold about a year ago.  It was a fantastic machine, fast, solidly made and a beautiful stitcher.  It isn't particularly user friendly, but when you do get used to it, its marvellous!.  It did the best satin stitch of any machine I have ever had (and boy, have I had a lot!)
I have learnt by my mistakes: Sewing machines now are Bernina 720, Bernina 1008, Bernina 801 from 1981, Brother overlocker, ancient but works well

HooliganHeart

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2021, 15:33:53 PM »
The 401 is one machine i use on a regular basis and can't complain about the machine overall and much prefer the construction of the 400 series over the 500's.
Easy to maintain, parts readily available including extra cams (the base set is more than enough in my opinion), feet are no problem to obtain.
Probably one of the last well built machines from Singer  :thumbsup:
My 401 sits in a 106 yr old treadle base as i prefer the extra table space for a daily.

TomDrew

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2021, 18:21:16 PM »
Thank you everyone for your responses it sounds like it might be a goer I'll have a further think. I think my biggest reservation is the slant aspect. My worry is for thicker stuff like canvas or some nylon webbing it seems like a bad idea to be attacking it from an angle. Am I wrong only reservation?
In the stable: "Belle" - 1958 Singer 201k mk2 || "Guinea Pig" - 1902 Singer 128k || "Raf" - 1941 Singer 15k || "Naomi" - 2020 Janome 5024

Barcoded

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2021, 20:05:00 PM »
I think I read somewhere that the slant, was supposed to beneficial. I have the 503A
I think I have joined the 201 club

TomDrew

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #9 on: March 10, 2021, 20:47:25 PM »
@Barcoded I can see that it has the advantage that you can see the needle clearer but I would have thought, much like drilling something at an angle, you increase the risk of snapping needles, but I could easily be wrong.  :thinking:
In the stable: "Belle" - 1958 Singer 201k mk2 || "Guinea Pig" - 1902 Singer 128k || "Raf" - 1941 Singer 15k || "Naomi" - 2020 Janome 5024

KayK

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2021, 12:49:00 PM »
I have repaired horse rugs on mine, which also involves sewing through layers of webbing, and it coped absolutely fine - I sometimes have to give the 'hand wheel' a bit of a shove, but I have never had had a problem with it being slant shank, or  had broken needles.  The only downside was not being able to lift the foot any higher than I would have liked.
I have learnt by my mistakes: Sewing machines now are Bernina 720, Bernina 1008, Bernina 801 from 1981, Brother overlocker, ancient but works well

SkoutSews

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2021, 14:54:05 PM »
I've not used mine for anything really heavy duty, so can't comment.

Like @KayK I do find it sometimes needs help, a gentle encouraging push on the flywheel, to get started. My mother's machine was the same and I was told it was due to the direct drive, but I'm not sure if that's the case. Never had a broken needle.

TomDrew

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2021, 17:16:30 PM »
Well thanks @SkoutSews & @KayK that puts my mind to rest on that. I'll see what happens and will let you know! Currently fettling the 201k and I'm currently unsure how to source the correct oil and needle coolant for 'The Beast'. So possibly need to out getting a 401 on the back burner for a bit.... Famous last words!!!
In the stable: "Belle" - 1958 Singer 201k mk2 || "Guinea Pig" - 1902 Singer 128k || "Raf" - 1941 Singer 15k || "Naomi" - 2020 Janome 5024

HooliganHeart

Re: Advice on a 401
« Reply #13 on: March 16, 2021, 12:27:29 PM »
I had the same reservations for thicker fabric when i first bought my 401, but I've since used it for heavy canvas bags, etc. and can report...no broken needles, etc. Didn't expect to like the machine as much as i do when i first got it