Kenmore model 158.17033 (1973-74 model)
 

I have the 158.17560 -- I bought it in 1972 or 1973!!! Mine has the 1.2 amp motor. It's a very HEAVY machine --- but that's good. It means the parts are all metal. To me, that makes it a winner. Your's is an earlier number and I believe it would be as good as this one. This one has gone 10000000s of miles and has been NO problem! My GF bought one right after me because she liked mine so well. It had an A after the model #......it wasn't the same! Seems from about that point on they used plastic in the mechanisms and it was a piece of junk!!!! For $80. WITH the cabinet, it's a steal in my book. Oh -- even though I bought one with all the bells and whistles, I still pull the Kenmore out to sew heavy stuff like denim and vinyl. It's a real workhorse.

I hope this helped!

dee

I don't think you can go wrong with this. I have the 1803, which is very similar to the 1703 and it's my favorite all-around sewing machine in the house. I loved it so much that I bought an 1802 to have as a back up! :D

I've quilted king-size quilts on my 1803 (though it's much, much, MUCH easier to do on a Singer 15-91) and I've made a lot of clothing on it. It has a variety of stretch stitches for sewing knits and a lot of utility and decorative stitches. The collection of attachments for this machine is HUGE and includes a monogrammer, buttonholer, chain-stitch and a LOT of different feet.

I would buy this even if it doesn't run - as good a machine as this is, $80 is a bargain. Spend another $120-200 and for $300, you have one of the best sewing machines in the world. Heavy as a tank and smooth as a Cadillac. :) And the cabinets for this model will likely have a LOT of storage - when you buy the top of the line machine, you don't usually put it into the "economy" cabinet, right? :)

Go test drive it!

If you look on e-Bay, the prices for this age/type of a Kenmore machine are really getting high...I know, I've been looking! Grab it! Good machines!

Thanks for info, I did go and pick up this machine. Just needs one new belt.

I picked up a 1814 at a garage sale for $5.00 with a walnut cabinet. Works great and weights a ton.

Mary

Terrific! I think you'll be happy that you did! :)

There are two Kenmore groups on yahoogroups.com - vintagekenmoressew and OldKenmoreSewingMachines - tons of info in the archives of these groups and I think Jenny of sew-classic.com is actually one of the owners on the second group. Really nice, helpful people and pleasant groups. :)

I have one I bought new in 1974 or 75. Still works great and sews over anything. I use it when sewing heavy layers and I'm just starting to try to FMQ with it since it has a larger throat than my Brother. The only problem I've found is mine has a super high shank and finding presser feet is expensive.

A friend of mine was given this model. I serviced it for her tonight but she's needing a manual for it. Do you know where a manual can be found for this? If anyone could copy theirs we'd be willing to pay for it. We've looked online and they aren't anywhere around, not even on ebay. It's model 158.17033

This month I strated using mom's 1720, she like it over her 401 by far, I have to say it's 10 x's the machine a 401 is.

far above any other home machine I have, and I have almost all the common singers..

a local junk store has a 158 series for 25, case is yellowing but the inside and machine still look new, I would buy it. But am working on getting below the 20 count by winter ...

not sure what size motor it has, but in takes the standard type motor even though it is inside,,,

Anyone have a copy of the manual for this machine? A friend of mine needs one.

The only manual I found was at http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/ins...158-17032.aspx
It is not free though.

Mary

I have a 17033 purchased in 1975 for $249.99. It was my first machine and I loved it so much that when the reverse tab broke right off (maybe about 1990), I just put it in the closet and kept it. I bought another Kenmore but was never quite as happy. I dug the 17033 out a few months ago and had it looked at by a repair guy so it has been cleaned and oiled but he couldn't fix the reverse. I am certain that I have the manual somewhere but my sewing room became somewhat disorganized (to put it mildly) when I took up knitting about 8 years ago so finding the manual may take some time. I will look harder and let you know if/when I find it. I would be happy to copy it and send it to you.

Thank you Sparklin! We found a manual for it on ebay. It took awhile to find one, but eventually one went on sale. Now if you don't find yours... ;) let me know and we can copy ours!

I just purchased a Kenmore 158-17033 at a tag sale today for $10 in it's cabinet with the original instruction manual but no stitch cams or accessories/attachments. I had found a 158-19801 model Kenmore at a Goodwill earlier in January, but it was too expensive to repair so I let repair shop keep it for parts, but I DID keep the original manual, the attachments box, the fashion cams, and the embroidery attachment w/alphabet cams that were never even opened. After doing some research, I've been able to confirm that the attachments/accessories for these two model machines are interchangable, so, I'm really looking forward to using this machine. Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure the repair guy I took the 19801 model to was scamming me and I fell for it, not knowing what a valuable find I had made...but at least I have a new home for the accessories...so all's well that ends well.

I'm a bit of a fanatic when it comes to vintage machines. I have a Singer 15-91 w/all original parts/manual/cabinet ($37+$87 repair), a Japanese Made Commodore Deluxe Precision/Singer Class 15 clone ($15+$30 repairs), a Necchi BU Mira made in Italy w/it's original cabinet, manual, accessories and cams ($25), Singer models 534&543 ($25 for both), Singer 5528 ($50/my daughter's machine), Brother 3034D and 2340CV sergers ($350/D and $425/CV), Singer Merrittlock 14U44 Serger ($30), Janome Sewist 521 ($40)....The only ones I purchased brand new were the 2 brother sergers...the rest are all thrift store finds. I also have a White Rotary 77- 56885 ($10) machine but it's in really rough shape w/no manual or cabinet and the wiring is shot, but it does have the original attachments. I guess the good thing about White machines is that they were so popular, they're very easy to find if you keep an eye out for them, and they're really durable/heavy duty too!!

Kenmore 158.1703
 

I recently found a 1703 and a really nice cabinet on our local Trash and Treasure site for $20.00! It runs but I think it just needs a clean up and service. I really like it, even though i am partial to Bernina. I have two Berninas another older Kenmore and the one I just purchased. It came with all the parts and accessories, instruction book and every receipt for service, mostly just tune ups. I'm looking forward to getting to work with it. Next purchase is a featherweight, I hope.

Welcome aboard Bonnesaum! Sounds like you'll fit right in.
Rodney

I have a kemore model 158.17033, I do not have the manual. I am looking for someone that might have the manual and could just tell me how to make a buttonholes on this model.

Please and Thanks.
Traci

Melissa25125 did your machine come with the manuel? If it did could you please tell me how I make buttonholes on this model.

Thank You
Traci