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How to use a Singer Special Disc

5/15/2013

23 Comments

 
PictureSinger Special Disc #16
Ever wondered how to use a  Singer Special Disc? 

It's actually pretty simple! 

First, select the stitch pattern you want to use.  There are 24 discs available for the Slant-o-Matic and early Touch & Sew machines.  They are numbered 0-23, with 0 being standard zigzag and 23 being basting stitch.

Next, open the lid on the top of your machine:

Check to see if there is already a disc in the machine:
Picture
500 disc compartment WITH disc
Picture
500 disc compartment WITHOUT disc
PictureSinger 401 stitch selector knob.
If there is already a disc in the machine, you will need to remove it before inserting the disc of your choice.

To remove or insert a disc you may need to adjust the knob or lever settings on your machine.

If you have a 401, 411, 500, or 600 model, make sure the stitch selector is NOT on "Special."

Picture
Singer 600 stitch selector levers
Picture
Singer 500 stitch selector knob
Picture403 stitch width lever
If your machine is a 403, 503, or 603 model, set the stitch width lever to "S" or "STR".

Grasp the raised center portion of the disc firmly and pull straight up. There's no special trick to this. As my dad always says, "Pull hard and it'll come easy."

Now you're ready to insert your chosen disc. Line up the holes in the disc with the two posts in the disc compartment.

Press disc firmly into place. There should be a slight click when it's fully seated.

Let's look at it in motion:
Picture
Next, readjust knobs & levers for Special Disc sewing.

For 401, 411, and 500 machines, set large center knob at "B" on the left and "Special" on the right. For 600 machines, set the upper stitch selector lever at "Special" and the lower stitch selector lever at "B". Then set stitch width lever to desired width.

For 403, 403, and 503 machines, set stitch width lever to desired width.

Finally, adjust the stitch length lever to desired density. Special Disc patterns typically look best when sewn at the shortest stitch length possible.

That's it! You're ready to sew. It's really that easy.

Happy Sewing!
Barbara

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

If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend getting a copy of the instruction manual for your machine. Singer offers free downloads of most manuals on their website: htty://www.singerco.com/accessories/instruction-manuals

23 Comments
Cheryl Wilson
7/14/2013 01:24:32 am

Thanks. I have had my machine a long time but haven't tried the cams. I don't do much sewing but am fascinated by this machine. Now retired I am ready to learn more about it. Your instructions are great!

Reply
OldSewinGear
7/14/2013 03:33:27 am

Thanks for your kind comments!
Have fun experimenting with your Special Discs.
Congratulations on retiring...enjoy!

Reply
Marianne
2/26/2014 02:42:47 pm

Hi, I have a 600e and I also have a box of cams for the 603. They are tophats too. Can I use these in my machine? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'd hate to break it!

Reply
OldSewinGear
2/27/2014 11:47:26 am

Yes, absolutely you can use the 603 cams in your 600. Any Special Discs labeled for 401, 403, 500, 503, or 600-series Touch & Sew model will work in your 600.
Happy Sewing!
Barbara

Reply
Richard Beman link
8/20/2014 03:51:39 pm

The number 23 cam will only work on the # 640 Golden Touch and Sew
machine. That model has a "split" needle-bar which allows it to do a exceptionally long basting stitch.. The reason I am mentioning this is that I have seen several "E-bay" sellers state that the #23 cam can be used on the #401-500 etc...Wrong... Happy Sewing !!!

Reply
Susan
11/27/2014 11:04:47 pm

Thank you for this info Richard! Will the 503 Special do a basting stitch?

Reply
Richard Beman link
7/25/2018 09:34:44 am

The only Singer machines that can use the "#23 Basting cam" are the "Touch and Sew" models 640 and 645. Later Singer machines that had "speed basting" were the Futura, Creative Touch and the Touchtronic machines.. If you attempt to use the # 23 cam in any other slant-needle Singer machine, the needle will strike the needle plate and break, possibly damaging your machine.

ellenj
11/25/2014 04:31:58 pm

can you teach me how to use the stitch pattern disc of my singer sewing machine model 2430. I tried several times but it does not reveal the correct stitch pattern.

Reply
Doris McCarty
8/3/2016 03:21:11 pm

Did you ever resolve this problem? I am having the same problem.

Reply
den
1/27/2015 10:49:00 pm

manuel très bien rendu à l'imprimante merci

Reply
Doris McCarty
8/3/2016 02:30:11 pm

Can you tell me what I'm doing wrong? I can't get my cams to stitch the correct pattern. I have Singer 338. Thank you for any help.

Reply
OldSewinGear
8/7/2016 09:19:20 am

Doris, I don't have any firsthand knowledge of the Singer 338, but here are some basic trouble-shooting tips:
1. Check the instruction manual to be sure you're using the correct settings (I'm sure you've already done this, but just in case...). If you don't have the manual for your machine you can download one for free from SingerCo.com
2. Remove the top of the machine and observe what happens when you sew. There is a lever/arm that should follow the outside of the cam as it turns. This lever move the needle bar from side to side to create the stitch pattern. If this isn't happening there is probably something frozen or disconnected.
3. Lubricate every moving part in the mechanism. Any place that metal touches metal.
4. Look for disconnected springs.

Hope this helps. If you can't get to the bottom of it, find a local "old-time" repairman and have them take a look.

Barbara

Reply
MIna
11/22/2016 01:36:25 pm

Hi there,
Do you know if the cam of a Singer 328 can work on a Singer 338? I'm not sure if the flat cams are interchangeable and I am having a hard time finding info.

Reply
Monica
8/28/2017 12:33:18 pm

Hi, I have a slantomatic 500 and need discs and foot, any suggestions?

Reply
Joanne
10/19/2018 11:54:36 pm

I find many slantomatic 400 500 600 discs and feet on ebay. You just watch for who has the best prices.

Reply
Donald McClelland
12/11/2018 10:04:50 am

Im so glad i found your website on 401a Singer sewing machines. I have found i think almost every part for my mothers machine. I tried using the cam following the BS settings and mine keeps popping up for some reason. Any advice you may have on this? Thanks a million.

Reply
OldSewinGear
12/17/2018 03:53:18 pm

Donald,
The only time I've had issues with the cam un-seating is when I've tried to use a "later" top hat cam. If the center ring is fat and short then it won't seat firmly. The correct cam has a skinny/taller center ring and snaps quite firmly into place.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have further questions.
Barbara

Reply
Lisa
6/21/2020 01:24:16 am

I am so glad I found your blog! It has been very helpful. I have a Singer 401a and have checked that I am using the proper top hat cams. The cams snap down into place with some force but are extremely hard to remove. Would you know what might be causing this problem? Thanks.

Reply
Holly Given
12/15/2021 11:23:01 pm

Make sure it's not on "S" when you put in cam, put back on "S" when ready to sew. When changing to new cam take off of "S" and change cam. I also put stitch width selector on zero when I move selector off of "S", maybe this will help?

Reply
Toni Simonetti
6/30/2020 06:08:27 pm

I keep breaking needles using cam #22 and the overcast foot. Help!

Reply
Sue Ballentine
9/19/2020 05:04:44 pm

I just got my 401a and I think something is wrong. I tried to change stitches and put cams in and all I am getting is a straight stitch. No change in pattern. What could I be doing wrong? The machine was frozen when I got it and my husband greased and oiled it. Please help and Thank you!

Reply
Holly Given
12/15/2021 11:15:49 pm

Open the door on the end of the machine. Push on the plunger bar, it makes the needle bar swing side to side. If it's not oiled it gets stuck and won't swing. You also can unscrew the top of the machine cover and oil the pillars ( when you push and pull on knob/selectors the followers should ride up and down on pillars stopping in slots once you release the knob. Oil the pillar and select each slot up and down, making sure it moves freely. May have to wait a day for oil to sink in. If really stuck, warm with hair dryer.. When using cam. I put selector knob on "B",put other selector on anything but "S" and stitch width to Zero. Then click in cam, put on "S" and stitch width to 3. Stitch length on 20 and experiment with that freely. Hope this helps

Reply
Addie F link
11/27/2020 08:43:50 pm

Thiss is great

Reply



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