Mitch's mom

That is a much sought after Trapezoid cabinet made only for the Singer 301. There is no way on earth I'd get rid of the cabinet.

kwendt

No No! I'd KEEP the cabinet. But singer site says that I can drop in my 66-16 or a 201 (if I get it) into that same cabinet. I could take the BIG sis FW (the 301) to classes with me! That's what I meant! Gosh no! Keep the cabinet!

Mitch's mom

Oh! I almost had a stroke thinking you were going to get rid of the cabinet. Once you get the 301 cleaned, polished and running smooth, I don't think you will worry too much about getting a 66 or a 201. They are great machines, don't take me wrong, the 301 is just better suited to all areas of quilting.

kwendt

Thanks for that recommendation. THATS the kinda info I've been looking for.

I've since found out by doing some research on the Singer site, and in Vintagesingers.com that THAT cabinet has a special release button or latch somewhere underneath. It was manufactured so that you could simply depress that button, and 'click' the 301 would detach from the special plate/cabinet. Voila! Away to class you go! I LOVE IT! It's made to sort of snap in and snap out! (supposedly.. anybody ever test this feature?). I'll need to find a case for it.

Anybody know of a case that will fit it well? I don't care for the old grass matt covered one. And as I understand it, all the 301 cases were that smelly grass matt stuff.

OBTW... will all the slant 'shank'? feet fit it? Like what was it.. the touch and sews feet?

OH the fun! (um, and I like the simplicity of the quilt in your avatar... !)

kwendt

Sorry MMom... I also forgot to say that I've GOT a working 66-16 in the 40 cabinet already. It was my gram's machine. It's interesting that both machines would 'fit' into the both beds. I have to refinish the 40 cabinet... the top varnish has been compromised by tape.

When we moved to south florida. Some bright idiot (er not me) used clear packing tape and WOUND IT AROUND the cabinet to keep the top from flying open or the front drawer from tipping out, etc. Grr... EX EX BF! When I took the tape off, it lifted whole sections of the varnish down to the wood.

I think Billy's got a tutorial on refinishing the cabinets. I'm waiting on it...

quiltsRfun

[quote=kwendt]Is that why it's EX EX BF? - LOL - Might do it for me.

thepolyparrot

On most 301's fitted into a cabinet, there is a cradle clamp that grabs the bottom of the machine and fits onto the hinge pins of the cabinet. There are two little metal brackets inside the front lip of the cabinet that catch this cradle and hold it in place. To take the machine out, you just push a lever down and lift on the handle of the machine at the same time and you have a portable machine.


The 301 will take most of the slant shank attachments made for the 401, 403, 404, 500, 503, and for the early 600 series Touch & Sew.

It will need an even feed foot that has been modified to fit the 301, but an ordinary $3 plastic hopping foot works just fine for free-motion quilting.

It will take the buttonholer for slant shank (usually found in the maroon case or the pink "Jetson's" case) and the rectangular feed dog cover.

I would buy it in a heartbeat, especially in that trapezoid cabinet! Have fun with it! :)

pegstar

I just bought a 301 & it arrived today....It sews like a dream
perfectly balanced stitch...but....The bobbin winder won't work
the machine doesn't look like it was used much...but the
bobbin doesn't move to wind....I loosened the locking knob
as you are told to...pressed the winder up as shown in the
book....but just won't turn...sometimes...it will turn a couple
of times...but then no more.....does anyone know if maybe
that little rubber tire on the bobbin winder might need to be
changed...I've seen where you can buy them on E-Bay.

Peg

kwendt

Gosh!!! I'm so anxious and excited, but I have to be patient and hope for the best. The person will not be back in town until the 31st.... They know I'm interested, but.... well... until it's in my car..... <smile>

thepolyparrot

Peg, is it possible that there is oil on the handwheel where the rubber ring turns against it? Try cleaning that part of the handwheel and the rubber ring and see if that helps.

Also, there is a little tiny hole where you need to put a drop of oil so that the pin spins freely.

The rubber ring may indeed need replacing, but try these two things first. If you have any other old Singers around, chances are that they've got the same rubber ring - see if that one makes the 301's bobbin winder work correctly. :)

Have fun!