RESCUE SERIES #11: IT'S ALIVE! Kenmore Free Arm Wakes Up & the Straigtht Stitch Movement Now Works!!

[@garysanbornsr]

I would like to see a complete over hall on my 158.13180 I believe I only need this on the top part of this great old Kenmore. If you can do this I can also watch on TV. Thank you for all you do for theses old vintage machines.

[@garysanbornsr]

I'm sorry, I got to say that my Kenmore is apart and I took out the 3 screws on the silver grey aluminum rectangular part and springs popped out and I can't get it back together. I'm not sure but I may have to find out how to finish this project. Thank you again for all you do on this wonderful site.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

That would be cool!

[@gergemall]

Another rescue ❤ . So many moving parts. Very helpful.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@oliveenowen2659]

Thank you . Do you teach how to service machines.

[@stephanblack4558]

I bought an old 1950's Brother for $40. set in a cabinet, when I turned is on it was whining and it was going clunk, clunk, clunk so I oiled it all up and now it runs like a dream. Thank you.

[@eyeonart6865]

Watching this because I found a Montgomery wards Signature URR 240 totally siezed up.

[@johnwakefield8170]

Thanks for all the info, I managed to rescue our old Jenome that was really seized with grease. I first used a degreaser and then cleaned it out well with rags and, tooth picks in the gear grooves, then lubed it well and it now runs like it is new. Sewing machine store wanted to charge me $200 to fix it, but I got it running really well with about two hours work.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

That's great to hear. What Degreaser did you go with?

[@joannakauffman735]

I got my machine running again too. Umm because I stored it in the hot attic. Never again. Cleaned and greased like you said. Question, I think I got oil on the belt. Because I can get it to move by hand but now the wheel just spins. Could the gear be stripped? Motor sounds great.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Its HIGHLY unlikely that a machine gear is stripped as they are steel! But oil on a belt would definitely cause the symptoms you describe. You can try using 99 % rubbing alcohol on the pulley to clean it but if the belt is really saturated, you may need to remove it to clean it. Dishwashing detergent would be the most gentle way to clean off the oil. Then again, if your belts are original, you might want to replace them even if they are still in good shape simply because you have the old ones removed already. See my recent videos on how to remove/replace belts on these models. As long as the pulley is clean, the belt is clean, AND the belt tension is correct, you should not have any slippage.

[@ronalddevine9587]

Great surgery Dr Steve. I think a few more reconstructive surgeries and the patient will be able to leave the hospital!!!! I am so glad you have the perseverance to save this machine.

[@fofokinha70]

You are very careful and patient looking for all the connections between all the parts. You help me to be more attentive in that regards. It surprised me that you didn't wipe the old grease before or after spraying the penetrating oils. That is the first thing I do. Thank you for your videos!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Yes Miriam, it would normally be best to wipe off old oil or sewing lubricant buildup. In the case of this sad example, a prior owner had used super thick axel grease (Never use this in a sewing machine). It is so thick and hard, the penetrants are one way to attempt to loosen it. As we head back into warm weather, I'm going to make another attempt at saving it.

[@sewterie]

I have a 1970's Kenmore 158. Love it.

[@lauraroosenmaallen4364]

Thank you so much for your encouragement! I am working on the same machine, completely frozen, just like yours. Up until now I have only rehabbed straight stitch machines, so this is a totally different beast for me. My girlie is now moving her linkages, but not her needle yet. I’m not sure if the finger you released today moves up and down yet. You have kept me going !

[@anthonyrermac9500]

Can you help me my kenmore 15919412 doesn’t stitch properly it gets stuck very often any tips?

[@TwilightMyst]

Yayyyyyy she’s running.

[@lonieschollaert9962]

I have a similar machine with the cam stack. Can you oil the stack? Mine only makes one of the specialty stitches.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Yes, Lonie, you can oil the cam stack which could possibly help. I've noted in working with this model in the past that it's often the linkages that run the cams that get stuck and cause issues. The more features a machine has, the more there is to overhaul.

[@baire702]

She purrrrrrs Like a happy kitty!

[@IngridRollema]

Also -- the zig zag bar on my Kenmore tends to stick after I've let it sit for a few weeks. I oil it each time and manually move it back and forth before attempting to switch the dials to run it on zig zag.

[@MildredGlutz]

Wonderful!!! Makes me happy and almost brings a tear to hear that motor purring and see those parts moving again.

[@JannatJannat56]

Where is the next video of this machine

[@denisestilling2810]

Recently found your KZbin videos and appreciate your patience and knowledge!!! You genuinely love sewing machines. Major victory.....so exciting! I recently purchased a Kenmore that has an amazing electronic decorative stitching and lettering feature (SensorSew 70 model 19501)...but it's ceased up or frozen. I am inspired by you....the machine doesn't appear to have old oil on the shafts and linkages....so I oiled where indicated in an online owners manual... More than one drop! Still following your lead in this year old video series... I opened up the machine ( not much lint) ... and oiled linkages and metal pieces, staying away from rubber belts and the electronic panel and connectors. But still stuck.. Barely can turn the hand wheel ....am hoping to PM with you for some advice in trying to restore this 💎. The clutch for bobbin winding does allow for ease in turning the wheel. Also, plugged it in to check if the electronic panel still works.. Seems functional--can enter stitch types, and increase/decrease stitch length and width..but did not /cannot run as main drive shaft is frozen. I will try summer sun to see if that helps. Looking forward to a reply...also left this message on your latest series and an earlier video in this series.

[@stevenarmstrong7575]

On my thrift store Kenmore its the cam follower that is stuck. I can put it in zig zag and move the needle bar side to side with my finger but the follower stays put. I have a working Kenmore to compare it to but I still can't find the pinch point.

[@DanceswithDustBunnies]

By the way, you don't unscrew the presser foot clamp; just use the little lever/handle, that's what it's there for.

[@jenniferwilliams3655]

So glad I found your videos! I'm currently struggling with my first vintage machine, Kenmore 1813. After cleaning all dust, debris, and lint, etc, I went on oiling. I didn't use WD-40 first because I was advised it is not good for machines, even though I was never going to use it as a lubricant. I hope to one day get my machine to sew as fast as the machine on this video. I think my next move is to replace the belts, or at least the bottom one. Seeing you get this machine going gives me hope.

[@ingridmatthews6627]

Fascinating. ITS ALLLLLIVVVE!

[@susanmazzanti5643]

Great deal. You got it moving. Zigzag can come later. I demonstrated sewing machines for Sears when the first computerized machines came out. They were very good machines and I had one of the older types that I gave to a grandchild. Sears made things worth keeping back then so yes this is worth working to save.

[@kayshakespear7979]

Yay, admire your patience. I have this model like this machine and it is a great machine.😄

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

It sure is a great machine Kay. I believe it was Sear's answer to the Bernina Free Arm models and many folks feel it is the equal to if not superior to the Bernina in terms of quality.

[@suzannemiller993]

My super high bar has a quick release... love this series!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks for sharing that Suzanne. You are right in that most of the Super High Shank Kenmore models allow for quick release of the sewing feet. Mine was super gummed up which is why I needed to use the screwdriver. I will review the release function when I (hopefully) make a video in the future when the machine is ready!!

[@maryjeanfrazer6250]

The throat plate needs to be changed for straight stitch, also.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Yes, if someone were sewing delicates, it would greatly help things to have the straight stitch plate which is actually an insert. That was a clever idea so the sewer did not have to remove the entire plate each time they were switching the feet/attachments.

[@jojosewist8921]

Great series, my super high shank Kenmore is 158.1941.2. Cant wait untill you get to settting the presser bar height. I cannot figure out why the adapter that allows the use of low shank snap on feet wont work on my machine. Looks like yours is a center needle/foot position machine.( as is mine). I understand there are right position, and left position machines also. I wonder why? What was the reason for 3 different home position machines?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I believe that the reason for this was competition amongst sewing machine makers that drove the need for feedback from consumers. Some may have done this for helping sewers get 1/4 in seem stitching. Also, in every fashion era, new fashion trends and fabrics often inspired these types of features or innovations. For example, the huge popularity of knits in the 1970s drove machine makers to introduce "Stretch Stitches"

[@sharondavidson7072]

Yay! It runs.I now know my machine was older than this one because it had a slower stitch kind of like the old machines.

[@IngridRollema]

Hooray! She's running again! :-)

[@chrystalhenthorne8209]

Whoo hoo! Opportunity starts with opp...Oil, patience and persistent

[@maryjeanfrazer6250]

Don't touch that screw!! The little lever is what releases the foot, and you don't have to use a screwdriver. Also, my 1976 model of that machine bunches up the fabric when I use the zigzag foot with a straight stitch. I guess that's why it has a quick change foot.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Yes, great that you caught that Mary. I was using the screwdriver to get the lever to move (they had greased this area too for some odd reason). But yes, the lever is how you normally attach and release the sewing feet. Thanks for reminding us!

[@anastasiajensen9899]

I’ve been following this adventure. I have the exact same machine. Mine is in beautiful condition However it’s started chirping recently. I have limited instructions with it just a manual that actually doesn’t match the exact looks of this one. But it has several cause it was a garage sale find. I had no idea it was a lottery winner. But I’d love to get it running smooth again. Which oil do you suggest I use ? Assuming that’s the problem, I can quite tell where the noise is coming from I just know the dogs think I have a bird in my hands.

[@jojosewist8921]

Was it your belt, on a car a loose belt sqeeks and kinda chirps

[@yiayia1071]

Patience..is a sewing machine virtue. Keep up the effort.

[@ronalddevine9587]

How far have you gotten with this superb machine? I bought one on ebay a few years ago and it is by far the best zigzag sewing machine I own.

[@baire702]

Zig-zag? remove the needle or straight stitch foot. 😀 been there, done that.🙀