OldSewinGear
  • Blog
    • Blog Index
    • Site Map
  • Singer
    • Slant Needle >
      • 301
      • 401 / 403 / 404
      • 500 / 503
      • 601 / 603 /604
    • Class 15 Machines
    • Class 66 Machines
    • Featherweight
    • Swing Needle
    • Toy Machines
    • Accessories >
      • Buttonholer
      • Discs & Cams
  • Others
    • Pfaff
    • Elna
    • Necchi
    • Japan Class 15
  • Resources
    • FAQ
    • Links
    • Cheat Sheets
    • Shipping & Packaging
  • Contact
    • About Us

Do I need Special Discs for my 401 or 500?

12/7/2014

15 Comments

 
This is a very good question, and one I hear often from 401, 500, and 600 owners.

This simple answer?

It depends on how creative you want or need to be. 

As shown on the flip-top chart, the 401 has an impressive array of built-in stitch patterns with almost infinite range of length and width variations.
Picture
Singer 401 built-in stitch chart
Picture
Singer 401A built-in cam-stack.
If you look at the 401's built-in cam stack each cam represents a different stitch pattern.  And when you factor in that the 401 can "combine" two cams to create additional stitch patterns, it's pretty awesome what the 401 can do without Special Discs.

But if you want to get the maximum creative use out of your 401, you will definitely want a set of Special Discs. 

Why?


Picture
Special Disc patterns from 500A manual.
The original accessories kit for the 401 included 5 Special Discs (numbered 1-5) for stitches that are not built-in.   These 5 discs can be combined with the built in Primary stitches to produce additional patterns, such as scalloped zigzag. 

However, Singer produced a total of 24 Special Discs for the Slant-o-Matic and 600-series Touch & Sew family, which means there are 19 additional discs available. 

Some of these additional Special Discs are patterns which are not built-in, while others are duplications of stitches built into the 401.  However, even duplicates can add to the range of stitches the 401 can produce.
"If it's already built-in, why would I want the Special Disc too?
The answer lies in the distinction between "Primary" patterns and "Combination" patterns.

"Primary" patterns use a single cam in the cam-stack to produce the stitch.  This means that the stitch pattern is  unchanged regardless of width and length settings.  In other words, a scalloped stitch simply gets wider or narrower but still looks the same. In the sample shown here, the width of Special Disc #12 has been set progressively wider.
Picture
Special Disc #12 at widths 2, 3, 4, 5 (Primary)
On the other hand, "Combination" patterns use two cams in the stack to produce the stitch pattern.  Which means that a change in stitch width affects the movement of both cams, which can greatly affect the overall appearance of the stitch.  Note in the sample shown here how the appearance of stitch setting DP changes when the width is set progressively wider.  The zigzag blocks get narrower as the offset gets wider.   
Picture
Built in stitch DP at widths 2, 3, 4 (Combination)
While this does add some variety to the built-in stitches, it also means you are somewhat limited when using built-in stitch patterns if you want the pattern wider or narrower.   The 401 and 500 have seven built-in "Primary patterns.  They're shown on the top row of the chart (see photo above) inside the flip-up lid. 
 
Which is where Special Discs come in.  Special Discs are considered "Primary" patterns, so they look the same regardless of width.  Clearly an advantage in some situations.

Another advantage of using a Special Disc is that two-needle stitching only works with "Primary" patterns, because the left-hand stitch selector has to be set on "A."  So if you like the look of a "combination" stitch but want that stitch in double-needle, you'll need to use a Special Disc. 

Built-in Primary patterns can also be combined with certain Special Discs to produce additional stitch patterns. 

The final advantage of Special Discs is that they are just plain easy to use.  Pick a pattern, pop it in, and away you go.  No messing with dials or charts. 

So, DO you need a complete set of Special Discs for your 401, 500, or 600 sewing machine?  

Bottom line, it's up to you.  The choice is yours. 
 
Happy Sewing!
Barbara

OldSewinGear...dedicated to helping you get the most our of your old sewing gear.

For additional information about Special Discs see the articles:
How to Use a Singer Special Disc
Disc-o-mania!  Special Discs & Fashion Discs
15 Comments
Kim
12/7/2014 09:45:56 pm

Great blog post Barbara! So to make sure I'm understanding, if I use the built-in zigzag on my 401, I can't control the stitch width, but if I buy the zero cam zigzag, I can? This is a great post, thank you!

Reply
OldSewinGear
12/7/2014 11:22:44 pm

Kim,
To clarify, you CAN vary the width on zigzag and the other Primary stitch patterns--any stitch on the top row of the chart inside the flip-up lid It's the Combination stitches (bottom row on the chart) that change pattern when you vary the width.
Hope this helps!
Barbara

Reply
OldSewinGear
12/7/2014 11:33:59 pm

I've revised the text of the article to (hopefully) make that clearer. Thanks!

Reply
Kim
12/8/2014 01:34:24 am

Thanks for clarifying Barbara! I finally understand!

Tonya
10/25/2015 09:45:27 pm

Hi I have a 401A and I am looking for accessory kit for it. It didnt come with any accessories. So I was wondering can I use other accessories for like the 500 series and the 600 series? Or what all accessories from Singer can I purchase that will work on the 401A? Also where is the best place to order the accessory kits? And will any of the 700 series singer sewing machine accessories work on my 401a. I guess what I am asking can you give me a list of all singer models where the accessories will work on my 401A. Thank you if you can help me out.

Reply
OldSewinGear
10/31/2015 09:27:02 am

Tonya,
I don't have an exhaustive list, but here are several models that are compatible: 403,411, 431, 500, 503, 600, 603, 626.
There are other 600-series machines that use black top-hat cams, but some have a thicker center ring and require a slight modification to work in the 401. There's an explanation of the difference in the article "Which Disc is Which?" http://www.oldsewingear.com/blog/which-disc-is-which

Presser feet from the 700-series may work on the 401, but the Flexi-Stitch discs and needle plates do not.

I hope this helps!
Barbara

Reply
Sarah Bradberry link
2/2/2016 01:32:08 pm

When I couldn't find them online, your post inspired me to collect the fashion discs for my Singer 401 and stitch out all the variations. I found out that each disc or primary stitch gives you 2-8 additional usable stitches so the machine has a lot more stitches than it looks. I made my stith-outs into a pdf so other people can download them and save themselves the insanity of stitching all those variations :-) (it's a free download, no signup or anything).

Reply
Dave
4/5/2016 07:31:57 am

Reply
Bonny
9/10/2016 05:04:43 pm

Hi Sarah,
Where could I find a link to your pdf?
TIA

Reply
Rachel
9/24/2016 01:06:25 pm

Can you please post a link to your pdf with the stitches? Thank you for sharing!

Reply
DANIELA
10/11/2021 02:35:31 pm

SARAH BRADBERRY: You offer the patterns in pdf but you don't share the link? Blah, blah, blah.

Reply
Kathy
3/21/2022 10:02:10 pm

Simply click on her name and it takes you right to her website and the free download. You don’t need to be rude.

Mary
12/18/2017 05:51:39 am

Thanks for explaining this! I recently acquired a 401, and I do have the manual and the complete set of discs. Even with my experience with Slant-o-Matics, I have found the 401 stitch selection baffling. Ingenious - yes - but not simple. It finally made sense the way you explained it. I'll keep working on the 401, and hopefully I'll begin to bond with it.

Reply
Deb McC link
5/13/2020 01:49:25 pm

Hello Barb,
Thank you so much for this site. I refer to it frequently.
Deb

Reply
Alan Stephenson
12/2/2021 04:57:49 am

Good Afternoon Barbara - Wonder if you would be kind enough to help. I have just purchased the 401g and am having a terrible time with the patterning. I just can't get to grips with the combination of stitch size, length, combination of letters etc etc, going crazy. Is there a chart of pattern combinations, stitch sizes etc, my old [dare I mention him] Husqvarna Viking 21e has a brilliant little card that gives all settings in the blink of any eye. Please, please help save my sanity, there is an empty shelf available in my spare room that is begging for an unloved sewing machine's company, please don't let it happen - after all, the 401g does look and sound astounding!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    News, Reviews, 
    & How-To's

    See "Article Index" for list of past articles by title. 

    See "Frequently Asked Questions" for quick answers to common questions.  

    Check out "Cheat Sheets" to download printable reference sheets.

    See "Resources" for links to useful websites and forums. 

    Contact Us

    Questions, comments
    ​or suggestions? 
    Contact us!  

    Categories

    All
    15-125
    15 91
    192 Spartan
    201
    221 Featherweight
    301
    328
    401
    403
    411
    500
    503
    600
    603
    626
    99
    Adjustment/repair
    Appraisal & Pricing
    Attachments
    Bobbin
    Centennial
    Checklist
    Dating
    Greist
    Historical Info
    How To
    Japanese
    Miscellaneous
    Model Comparisons
    Reviews
    Shipping
    Singer
    Slant Needle
    Tips & Tricks
    Toyota
    Toys
    Treadle
    Video


    Archives

    June 2020
    April 2020
    August 2019
    March 2018
    October 2015
    August 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012


    About Us

    OldSewinGear is the collaborative effort of retired repairman Gary and daughter Barbara.  We love old sewing gear and enjoy sharing what we've learned in our vintage sewing machine adventures.  We are located in Roseburg, Oregon. 


    RSS Feed

© 2019 OldSewinGear
  • Blog
    • Blog Index
    • Site Map
  • Singer
    • Slant Needle >
      • 301
      • 401 / 403 / 404
      • 500 / 503
      • 601 / 603 /604
    • Class 15 Machines
    • Class 66 Machines
    • Featherweight
    • Swing Needle
    • Toy Machines
    • Accessories >
      • Buttonholer
      • Discs & Cams
  • Others
    • Pfaff
    • Elna
    • Necchi
    • Japan Class 15
  • Resources
    • FAQ
    • Links
    • Cheat Sheets
    • Shipping & Packaging
  • Contact
    • About Us