Vintage Kenmore Sewing Machine?

[SeanB13]

I just picked-up this Kenmore at a Yard Sale for $5.00, I think it's early to mid 1970's.​

It seems to run just fine, but it could use some oil and a tune-up.​

After that, I'm hoping it will run as solid as it looks and feels, it's a tank.​

Does anyone have any experience with this make, model and year, if so, good or bad, what do you think about them?​

Doing a little more research I found that it has all-metal gears and cam stacks, and the model number 158.19470 indicates that it was manufactured by Jaguar/Maruzen.​

 

[Shylaah]

It looks to be in really great shape. Did it come with an instruction manuel?

If not, they are available on CD from an ebay seller and you should have one to know what all and where all to maintenance it. If it's running and it's sewing, then you got a heck of deal and a machine that will out workhorse by a mile any low to mid priced machine on the market today.

I had a little JCPenney Swing and Sew portable that I inherited that I ran a million miles of curtain ruffles through. Just couldn't even slow 'er down. I passed it on when I got my new Bernina and I've always regretted it.......

Shylaah

 

[Darth Mule]

I used to own one just like this in my younger, dumber years. I say that because I threw it out after I broke feed arm off and found it would have to be fabricated to be replaced. I miss that machine.

It is a good one. Drop the cash to get it serviced and it should last you awhile. Great deal for $5 bucks.

 

[Cosmic Ash]

i would eventually invest in getting a newer one if you decide to sew alot but if you got it for 5 bucks and its usable thats awesome haha

 

[SeanB13]

Did it come with an instruction manuel?

Fortunately, yea it did. It also came with the original box of goodies, I'm not exactly sure what all of it is for though. ​

i would eventually invest in getting a newer one if you decide to sew alot

Beyond the obvious potential of it breaking because of its age, what other problems am I going to run into that would facilitate the need to get a new one, if I'm going to do alot of sewing?​

 

[Cosmic Ash]

wow it has the book and box of toys too?? haha thats awesome but gesides the possibilty of age wearing it down probably just i dont think the older ones and do the stitch styles newer ones can do you have any experiance sewing?

 

[Shylaah]

Wow!, SeanB13, that's some good goodies. I think you made out like a fat rat!! This is a great little machine for general sewing. In my experience, 99% of the sewing you do is just straight stitching, with the zigzaging of the seam allowance of a ravely fabric now and then. Unless you're into fancy, smancy embroidery and all that jazz, then get an embroidery machine! An all metal, all mechanical machine is going to give you great service and no finicky electronics going haywire on ya!!

I can identify some of the parts, but unless they were bought seperately or are after market parts, they should be listed in the owners manuel, which you're way lucky you got!!

The ?Foot, looks like some kind of specialty foot, I can't determine what. Maybe if you could get a pic of it at a different angle. It might be an Invisible Zipper foot since it is made to slide--it's for doing something on either side of the needle....could also be a cording foot.....??

What ever is in the bag and the flat plastic thing, if you could get pics of those also at different angles.....and I assume you know what the screwdrivers and bobbins are...... If not, just send me the machine!!!:lol

Shylaah

 

[tk5378]

My wife has the same machine...her's is more yellow in color though. It's pretty stout and with a heavy duty needle we've sewed some pretty righteous leather pieces on it. It's a good basic sew-er...the buttonhole foot is somewhat problem-matic and confusing to use, but the zig-zag and straight foot are pretty easy to use.

 

[SeanB13]

The ?Foot, looks like some kind of specialty foot, I can't determine what. Maybe if you could get a pic of it at a different angle. It might be an Invisible Zipper foot since it is made to slide--it's for doing something on either side of the needle....could also be a cording foot.....?? What ever is in the bag and the flat plastic thing, if you could get pics of those also at different angles.....

A: Zipper Foot(s)​

B: Darning Plate​

C: Threader (plastic bag)​

and I assume you know what the screwdrivers and bobbins are...... If not, just send me the machine!!!

Sure, I can send it to you, but considering how much the darn things weighs, you're looking at around $1,500.00 for S/H costs! ​

But seriously, thanks for your help, Shylaah, I appreciate it.​

do you have any experiance sewing?

No, not very much, I've been teaching myself for only about the past year and a half or so. I have really enjoyed it though.​

It's pretty stout and with a heavy duty needle we've sewed some pretty righteous leather pieces on it.

That's good to hear, that's what I was hoping for. It does seem like a pretty solid machine. Thanks for the feed-back, tk5378.​

 

[Darth Mule]

No time to type a proper response now, but I will after the weekend. I will say that you got a good deal and this is much better than many of the newer machines on the market today. Lionheart is way off on that one (no offense). I've been sewing for 15 years, and manage a costume shop and would take this over most of the newer models commonly available for less than $500.00.

 

[SeanB13]

A friendly reminder ''bump'' for Darth Mule.​

 

[Darth Mule]

Ah yes. I was going to chime in on some of the bits and pieces, but it looks like most of it has been covered by Shylah. The buttonhole stuff is indeed that. The slider foot has a place in the back where you can put the button, and it will tell the foot how far to go forward and back. It makes the buttonhole action pretty much automatic.

wow it has the book and box of toys too?? haha thats awesome but gesides the possibilty of age wearing it down probably just i dont think the older ones and do the stitch styles newer ones can do you have any experiance sewing?

I wouldn't worry too much about age wearing it down unless rust has invaded the guts. With proper care and maintenence, this machine will outlast any Wal-Mart machine. Seriously, you will have to drop $500.00 or more to get something better. New or used. Its these private owner and yard sale deals that you really want to look for when machine shopping.

As far as the stitch styles go, this machine will do everything you need it to and then some. The buttonhole action I previously described really makes this a great find. You'll have to find a copy of the manual to see how to work it, but in this day of being able to find anything on the internet, that shouldn't be a problem.

Take it in for a service and let the technician look at it and let you know of any issues. It will cost you around $80.00 to get a good service and cleaning, but that's still cheaper than what you would have paid for a crappy plastic Brother from Wally World.

 

[SeanB13]

Thanks, Chris.​

I wanted to thank everyone for their input, especially Shylaah for going the extra mile, I really appreciate it. ​

 

[mykindofscum]

"It also came with the original box of goodies, I'm not exactly sure what all of it is for though. "

in other words, you have a bunch of .....

Haha...just kidding... the product of not much sleep the last few days.

Congratulations on a good score and the smart sense to post here for help. I got a sewing machine in the last few weeks too and am looking forward to working on some garters/webbing for stormtrooper armor straps, along with some robes for other projects.

By the way, check at local sewing stores, especially if you have a Jo-An Fabric and Crafts, for sewing classes. They're usually relatively cheap, run multiple sessions/times of the day to fit many peoples' schedules, and very helpful.