Welcome to NeverTooMany! This is a channel devoted to our love for sewing machines, sewing projects, and tool/product reviews. Our hope is to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to pick up a sewing machine and start making!
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Hey I have the same motor as your antique sewing machine, those connectors are called Chicago connectors and Believe it or not that pedal is a singer, mine came with a singer 66 “red eye” in a bentwood case and as far as I know that was a heavy duty pedal and the connectors were so if you would like to upgrade to a home one the transition would be posible and you could switch form one pedal to the other according to your likes
That's great. Thanks for the info! Ya, never seen that type of connector or pedal before. Good to know they are actually made for a sewing machine :) Thanks again and thanks for watching!
Congrats on finding this beauty! I grew up with a similar machine (Mom’s), but I think it was straight-shank. It was straight-stitch only and was a great machine. When my parents lived in Pennsylvania, Dad bought the Singer for Mom on some sort of payment plan. Dad paid all the bills in those days & gave Mom $15/week for groceries. Mom actually knew nothing about their budget! Apparently, Dad was not too good about making the agreed-upon payments after my folks moved to California in 1955. Someone from Singer came to the new house and repossessed the machine! Mom was NOT happy. Dad bailed the machine out of jail for Mom. When she was pregnant with me later, (1958), Mom used the Singer to sew her maternity clothes-smock tops with bows at the neck, for example.
Wow, that is a wild story. Thanks for sharing :) It is amazing to me what kind of memories a sewing machine can stir up in folks. Pretty special. Thanks for watching!
I can't even imagine in this day and age of a Repo guy coming to get the sewing machine! Kind of shows how important a machine like this was to families. Thanks for sharing your story.
Oh, I wish I could have stopped you from that bobbin case issue. It is better to take the whole hook out from under the machine. Hooks are expensive. (I guess you found that out.) anyway, thanks for sharing. I just did an unboxing on my channel of a 301 @sewterie. I love the machine. She sews beautifully. It is great to have all the extras because of the slant foot. Other feet from other machines won't fit on there. I hope you get her working. I am sure you will enjoy it very much. From what I know about them, they sew about 1600 stitches a minute. Nothing shabby about that. Nice to see your machines always. Stay well.
Lol...Ya, the gib hook was varnished stuck pretty good. I could have saved it by removing the whole assembly and unscrewing it from the back. Next time :) I found a used bobbin assembly on Ebay for a reasonable price. Thanks for the advice. Good luck on your videos as well. Thanks for watching!
This video is right on time! Two weeks ago I was fortunate enough to get a 301 in a cabinet from Goodwill for $19.99. I’ve been cleaning it to the best of my ability, but I got so many great tips from this video! Thank you for what you do!
I just bought one today for 25$. The booklet is half missing. Looks like a mouse was chewing the bottom, but the machine came with a bunch of accessories and I have no idea how to use them. I started a quilt using my mothers 1960s sears and roebuck sewing machine years ago after my brother passed. I wasn’t in the headspace to finish, but I might just using this new machine. Great video. New sub
Thank you so much! I am glad that you enjoyed the video. Thank you for your feedback and also for the sub :) Wow, great find for 25 dollars! I just love using the treadle machines. I am sure you will get great use out of yours. Glad to hear you are getting back into quilting. Best of luck and many stitches to your future!
Thank you so much! That is great that you have your mom's machine :) I agree, such an awesome unit that is super fun to use. Glad you enjoyed the content. Thanks for sharing and thank you for watching!
Yes and the case to the 401A is actually a bent wood case; it's just the bend is in the opposite direction compared to the older bentwood cases, Also the wood is covered. As a kid back in the 60s, I noticed singer tried to give the interior of the case a plasticized look by have white speckling uniformly applied to the wood. The case design while novel and interesting actually sucked, unlike the rest of the machine.
💞💞 Love sewing machines ... only have 2 vintage though at the moment.. finally getting back into sewing.. luv it.. this is my find for free give away a couple of years .. ago had to get the spool holder replaced was made of plastic.. but all other parts are solid. made in Japan.. it says. Simpson's. Fooling around with it.. just wish i could find a manual for it.. for extra tips....wish I could post a pic of it !!
Press sideways on the needle bar on the 750 when changing the upper plastic wheels for stitch and width, it does make it easier since your not fighting the needle bar return spring.. My 631 had a flush button on the needle bar cover to make changes to the setting easy. In the UK I have two 760G machines one has an internal worm drive for the motor the other is an internal belt drive. I have had to make a few interesting fixes for plastic parts splitting on the under bed bobbin winder cam and the stitch selector plastic part on a splined shaft. My 760g machines are different under the top cover, I was surprised I guess made in Germany would be the reason The interesting thing about my three machines they can be converted to do Chain Stitch. All the best
WOW, what a find! I just bought one of these with a cabinet and all it's accessories at an estate sale this weekend and it doesn't sound nearly as smooth as this. I just gave it to my local shop for servicing and am so excited to get it back and start making things! Love the 400 series. I snagged a 404 straight stitch machine for $60 two years ago and it's been great for quilting. This one will really broaden what I can create, since it can finish seams.
That's great! I am sure all she needed was a little cleaning and lubrication. You will love using this machine for sure. It is a lot fun :) Thanks for watching!
Watching your channel makes my nerdy heart happy. I love your scientific terminology, “doodads,” too. In HS Home Ec class in the 1970s, we sewed with very sturdy Viking machines. I don’t know if they had zigzag, but I only used them for straight stitching back in the day.
I learned to sew as a little girl on my Mom’s Pfaff 230. In 1987 she traded it in for a new Pfaff Creative 14?? Top of the line latest technology computerized machine. It’s no longer around because of outdated technology. I have a Pfaff Tiptronic 1171 that’s been my go to for the last 35 years. I sure would like to have another Pfaff 230 though. One day…. I’m enjoying your videos & love seeing all the machine you’re collecting.
The Pfaff 230 will forever be one of my favorite machines. If you ever get the chance to get another one I would jump at the opportunity. How lucky to have learned to sew, as a child, on such an awesome and powerful machine. We recently picked up a Tiptronic from a thrift store as well. It is really nice to use and super well built. Thanks again for watching!
I watched all 3 videos of your videos. My Dressmaker machine has had the needle stuck in the left position since I got it & makes sewing challenging. I got the screwdriver and oil today and went to work, hey, the needle now lives in the center position where I like it. The person I got it from told me it had been serviced recently, I discovered it had not. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, it’s appreciated very much.
That's great. Good work on your machine. They just usually need a little love and attention to be brought back to life. Thanks for watching our content. We appreciate it :)
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, I’m enjoying learning what to look for. I just purchased a Singer Touch & Sew Model 629. It has plastic gears but was working beautifully and then… the bobbin case stopped turning & my fun was over. I’m considering donating it back to the thrift shop. Or should I have a technician look at and/or fix the bobbin case? I’d like your opinion. Again, thank you
That is no good. Sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your machine. I love all machines and believe they all have a home and a future, but then again, I really enjoy tearing them down and figuring out the issues with them. If you are able to get a free and / or cheap quote on the needed repairs, then I would try that. It could be something simple or something catastrophic. If you have to spend more than about 50 dollars to get it fixed, then it is a parts machine in my opinion. Touch & Sew machines work as well as anything out there if well maintained and properly tuned. If it doesn't work out for you, don't worry...there are plenty of awesome machines out there with your name on them :) Good luck!
@@NeverTooMany2023 thank you for your knowledge & expertise. I have to travel to another town for sewing machine service & they start at more than $50 so back to the thrift shop you go! You’re right there are really nice machines out there =) and I’ll be looking.
I have a Dressmaker Deluxe machine model #SAM-3B, from the 1960’s. It has a Dynamic 1.0 amp motor. I bought it from the original owners daughter who couldn’t give an exact year but remembers it was the 1960’s when it came home. It was made in Japan and from what I’ve read it’s a Singer knock off.
Thank you for the question. If you are referring to the blue stool in the first room, it is actually a drum throne. I got it online at The Guitar Center. Here is the link: www.guitarcenter.com/ROC-N-SOC/Original-Saddle-Drum-Throne-Blue-1500000149937.gc
I buy 750s for cheap at the second hand shops. They're usually in a basement-musty cabinet. The cabinet drawers are usually stuffed with other items, like stitch cams, slant-particular attachments/presser feet,scissors, etc. I pull parts and the motors out of them for other slant needle bar Singer projects. Like the host said, 750's were a disposable machine design. I burn the cabinets in my backyard barrel. GOOD VIDEO for the uninitiated. Good Video.
Thank you so much! That is a great idea. There are plenty of great parts on the 750s that will work elsewhere, including other 750s :) Ya, there is nothing better than getting an old machine in a cabinet that is full of doo-dads. Thanks for the input and thanks for watching!
Lol... Ya, it just kinda happens :) I think at last count we have 65. There are just soooo many different models out there that need a home. It would be irresponsible of us to leave them out in the "wild" :) Thanks for watching and happy hunting!
OK… deep breath… I’m imagining running my sharp needle through PAPER… PAPER NONETHELESS! Now I’m stepping back and attempting to open my mind some more… What in the name of all things Singer and holy!?! 😂😅😂
Thank you so much! Ya, we are very lucky to live near so many great thrift stores. We live in the Treasure Valley of south west Idaho, outside of Boise. Thanks for watching!
I am picking up this model machine today and really enjoyed your video. This was the machine my mother sewed clothes for me and my 4 sisters. My grand niece has been using it now and I wanted one for my non-profit sewing studio. My parents gave me a Bernina 830 Record for my college graduation present and it was put into use when I retired from federal service about 4 years ago. I now have 3 more 830 Records and 2 930 Records for the studio but I can't wait to add the 401A to my stable of machines. Thank you for sharing your skill and wisdom. I love it when I learn new things. I replaced a blown capacitor in one of my 930s. I was a branch chief for Information Technology-Hardware and Network and retired. I don't want anything to do with computers now. I just want to play with all mechanical machines.
Thank you so much for the comments. That is great that you are getting a new machine. I am sure you will love it! Super jealous of your Bernina Record machines. Those are on our wish list for sure. Lol...Me having skill and wisdom may be a stretch, though I appreciate the sentiment :) After a career in tech I don't blame you for wanting to relax with some good old mechanical machines. So much fun. Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much! For sure I will be restoring the 750. Actually, both of these machines were handed down to us from Grandmothers from different sides of our family. The 750 is really clean and has little use on it. It will come around pretty nicely. I will need to pull it apart, replace the drive belt, replace all of the plastic gears on the bottom, give it a good cleaning, reassemble, and re-time. I am sure it will work well for many years to come :) Thanks for watching!
Ditto!! I just love the wind-in-place bobbin feature. It is the easiest bobbin winder that I have used :) So many people love their Touch & Sew machines. I just love them all. Thanks for watching!
That is great! I am sure you will LOVE your new machine. This is definitely my go-to vintage machine for quilting and piecing. Enjoy! Thanks for watching.
@@NeverTooMany2023 actually I'm hoping it will be able to handle some upholstery tasks, and repairing horse blankets. My Pfaff Tippmatic just feels too light.
It sure is! Thank you so much for handing it down to us. We are honored to have Grandma's machine. We got her all serviced up and just finished sewing her first donation quilt :)
Absolutely agree with everything you said about the 201 - it's just a beast. LOVE mine. Your collection is a lot like my own - and I'm honestly a bit jealous of your Lark - What a gem! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much! Ya the 201 is simple perfection :) That is great that you have a similar collection. So much fun. The Lark is too cute for its own good...Lol. Thanks for watching!
