what model of machine is this, are they a good machine?
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 859
The number on the motor is just the motor model # and they are most all the same. The machine is on the front just below the bed. It's on a metal plate and probably begins with a 158.XXXX They are usually wonderful machines. A few are left homing, and i would avail those because it is very hard to find feet to fit it.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Happily @ Southwest Florida
Posts: 999
I had one like this, uses cams for fancy stitches. I had two small boys at the time and didn't like the way it sewed denim, and I know now that I didn't take as good care of it as I should have and didn't know enough to change the needles when I should have so my dissatisfaction was probably user error. Mine was in a cabinet and the legs came off very easy if you took the time to flip the cabinet and slide them off, so it wasn't a problem to move it if we moved. I gave it to my daughter-in-law, thought I was done with sewing...lol...and till I figured out quilting was a whole different experience, that was true. Sounds like a bargain to me if it works.
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,669
I had one just exactly like it, even to the color. I loved it, but had the opportunity to pass it along to a mission group helping native women start businesses, so I reluctantly let it go. It was and I hope still is, a Doozie. froggyintexas
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New England
Posts: 865
It is an early Kenmore, and they are very good machines. I know it dates prior to the 1980's because that's when I bought my first one (the model number on mine starts with 158.xxxx.) This one will have a model number less than that---maybe in the 140's ? I agree that the door at the top is probably for inserting cams to make stitches other than a straight stitch. The Kenmores in the 158. series have the knobs for fancy stitches right on the front of the machine. If you post your question on the "antique/vintage machines" forum, I'm sure you'll find experts who know much more about this machine. I say definitely go and see/ try it!
#17
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New England
Posts: 865
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 169
It is a Kenmore 158.1654. I just got one free from a woman at church moving into a nursing home. I bought a new belt from Sew-Classic, 20 cams for $10 on eBay, and am putting it in a case out of the cabinet. It is a sturdy workhorse. You have to see if it runs. If it runs, it is a solid machine. You can find the manual online for free.
#20
I have the same machine. It is a Kenmore. My son got it for a $. To bring it home I was on a plane, and had to pay $30 since it weighed over 50 lbs. (This was about 10 years ago). I use the machine to put bindings on quilts, it is really good for that. There are cams that will give you different designes too and I picked them up off ebay for $5. Great machine. It was made in Japan about 65 and heavy duty for the Kenmore line. I did get a users manual from Sears for the machine too.
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