irishrose

My 301 arrived noisier than I liked. Lots of oil took care of that. When I started to sew for real, she had a slight intermittent growl. More oil and using took care of that. I did tear her down yesterday and clean 50 years worth of lint from her insides. Now she purrs quietly. I checked the grease spots, but they are full. It was supposed to have been serviced before shipping. Apparently, just greasing is servicing with this seller.

Download an instruction manual if yours doesn't have one. I put the bobbin back together wrong, but the manual from a vintage machine site corrected me. There isn't much to the machine. If the motor is good, you can service it yourself.

I paid $55 with $21 shipping for a tan 301A, so your $69 isn't terrible, but it's always nice to negotiate a better price if you can.

I'd pitch the case. I've heard all of those fiberboard cases smell. You can clean the smell from the machine. The only felt pieces that might smell were under the spool holder for the bobbin and one on the bottom. Those can be relaced easiily.

jlm5419

I got my 301 at a yard sale. It was in a cabinet, and I paid $20. Still, I consider it to be worth far more than that. Like the others have said, it's a wonderful machine that should last a very long time.

kclausing

what is the throat depth on the singer 301?

jlm5419

About 6 inches

irishrose

AnnieRose is 7 1/4 inches from the needle to the inside curve of the pillar. 7 3/4 from the needle to the pillar at the front and back.

jlm5419

I measured near the top, inside the arm.

Jerudy

If a 301 is the big sister to a featherweight, then where does a singer "99" fit in the family? I have bought a singer 99 at an estate sale, it is larger than featherweight, but still portable and smaller than the 301.

jlm5419

Yes, it is portable, and a great little machine. However, it is HEAVY. More than double the weight of the featherweight.

dunster

The 221 weighs just over 11 pounds.
The 301 weighs just under 17 pounds
The 99 weighs just over 24 pounds (more than twice the 221)

featherweight

I have both Featherweights and 301's. I actuallay prefer the 301 as they are a little heavier and sew like a dream. They also have the feed dog drop for FMQ. Don't get me wrong, I love my Featherweight but the 301 is my choice for piecing...