301 discussion thread
#71
Great idea!
#72
Nice Pictures!
The 185 is a nice little machine, but I like the 301A better. My 185J is nestled in the Singer Model 49 cabinet here under my computer monitor. I don’t ever use it. I may end up making it into a hand crank like I did the 185K that I had (and sold), and putting a 99 into this cabinet.
Although the 301A is also a straight stitch machine like the 185 and 99, it’s just much more versatile in my opinion. It’s a very good straight stitch machine, portable or cabinet-mount with the flick of a lever, and is a great little FMQ machine. I just haven’t figured out how to make a hand crank out of a 301A yet.
CD in Oklahoma
Although the 301A is also a straight stitch machine like the 185 and 99, it’s just much more versatile in my opinion. It’s a very good straight stitch machine, portable or cabinet-mount with the flick of a lever, and is a great little FMQ machine. I just haven’t figured out how to make a hand crank out of a 301A yet.
CD in Oklahoma
Hi Ho! Have a great Stitching Week...
#73
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Thanks much for sharing the nice pictures of your machines. Loved the 185, it's such a cute color and didn't know it had a 'hand crank' option. What is the weight of the 185? Very pretty LBOW 301 . with pic of your wife's quilting..
Hi Ho! Have a great Stitching Week...
Hi Ho! Have a great Stitching Week...
#74
I recieved the machine today, Wow, the seller was VERY misleading so I guess I have to learn to service/take apart, put back together etc. Oh well what's another project lol. Hopefully I can refurbish this old gal
#75
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
#77
I have 3!!! http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...n-t167672.html
Love them. I've refurbished all of them and have had to retime them, redo the tensions etc. and it's so simple on this machine. They are wonderful machines because you don't need to be a scientist to fix them.
They FMQ just as well as my modern machines, if not better. And yes, they are stronger machines and I've been told FMQ isn't such a good idea on FW as the motors don't handle the constant running well.
Love them. I've refurbished all of them and have had to retime them, redo the tensions etc. and it's so simple on this machine. They are wonderful machines because you don't need to be a scientist to fix them.
They FMQ just as well as my modern machines, if not better. And yes, they are stronger machines and I've been told FMQ isn't such a good idea on FW as the motors don't handle the constant running well.
#78
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
raedar63,
you do it a little at a time. Untangle the thread wrapped around and under the bobbin case... brush out lint and stray threads. Clean up the dirt outside the machine so when you turn it every what way to oil it up you don't get dirt all over yourself. Once you get the bobbin area cleaned and working with either a cleaned up bobbin case or a new one then work on the tension. Just go around the machine until you've cleaned it all and oil it. Some times I have a machine setting around for a while until I'm comfortable after doing a bit of research... then I dig into it. I have a 319 I've been researching - I'm feeling like I can handle it but I haven't got much time and daylight. Do you know there are some similarities between the 301 and the 319? Not at all identical but I can see the engineering... get some rust cleaner at the automotive store or where ever and soak that bobbin case. Maybe you can polish out any pits. You can buy new bobbin cases if all else fails.
you do it a little at a time. Untangle the thread wrapped around and under the bobbin case... brush out lint and stray threads. Clean up the dirt outside the machine so when you turn it every what way to oil it up you don't get dirt all over yourself. Once you get the bobbin area cleaned and working with either a cleaned up bobbin case or a new one then work on the tension. Just go around the machine until you've cleaned it all and oil it. Some times I have a machine setting around for a while until I'm comfortable after doing a bit of research... then I dig into it. I have a 319 I've been researching - I'm feeling like I can handle it but I haven't got much time and daylight. Do you know there are some similarities between the 301 and the 319? Not at all identical but I can see the engineering... get some rust cleaner at the automotive store or where ever and soak that bobbin case. Maybe you can polish out any pits. You can buy new bobbin cases if all else fails.
Last edited by miriam; 11-29-2011 at 03:48 PM.
#79
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
Typically, the thread has wound itself around the rotating hook assembly and can be so stuck you may have to remove the whole assembly. No biggie as I've done this many times. There are two screws you'd need to remove to pull out the assembly. Don't strip the screws or loose them. You can remove the thread and put it back in.
#80
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: the mountains
Posts: 73
I love 301's and certainly prefer them to Featherweights, ie., easier to thread due to slant needle. They are awesome machines, best I've ever used for freemotion! I have several expensive computerized marvels too, but keep going to my 301's. As a Quilter it's pretty much all you ever really need. Large harp space, drop feed dogs, free motion feet are inexpensive, best machine to carry to classes (don't need to worry about joustling your mother board), and you'll probably just be straight stitching anway. Just observe the other gals in class having "issues" with their machines while you're just sewing away! No learning curve, so simple and hassle free. Maintainence is pretty much: change needle, clean out fuzzies and oil.....this, you can do yourself.
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