I walked right past it....hubby is the one that nudged me and pointed her out. It was sitting there, enclosed in the cabinet that was covered with various nic nacs and "junk" for sale. We cleared the top of the cabinet, pulled her up, and there she was...this beautiful "looks like new" Kenmore! Any ideas of when she was born? She's model #158 840 Serial #005210

Lots of feet with her, but her cams are missing...paid a whopping $15 for her...

Haven't named her yet....any suggestions? :)

I can't answer your question about the age, but here's a link to a manual and parts. Maybe you can find out more from there. http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/owne...y=Kenmore+1500

The machine is beautiful!

Thanks Katie!! I'm printing off the manual right now! :)

Doesn't look like there are many parts available for her...~sigh~

There may be some online places for parts. Is there any in particular you think it needs? I can look at my links and see if any mention your model number.

You can also check locally for a repair person. I've got a great one near me. Very experienced and reasonable.

Here are a couple of links for parts:

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/getModel!retrieve.pd?modelNumber=158840&pathTaken=partSear ch

http://www.a1sewingmachine.com/partslist.html

Hope they are helpful! :)

I'm going to guess late 50's. My friend has one that is almost exactly the same. White used to make Kenmores up until about 1956 and then they found a Japanese company to make them...I think this may be one of those models.

She's a beauty, very classic. Looks like a Bobbie to me, no idea why.

And she works ? :mrgreen: SCORE :thumbup:

Ah yes! And she's as quiet as my Janome! I'm jazzed!!

http://www.sewingmachineparts.net/pricelist.html
This guy in Dunlop, Il. has lots of old machine parts if you need some.

Couldn't find the year. The listing only went up to the 158 5-- series and that was mid 60's

She looks like a Esther to me--a real work horse. We had a neighbor when I was growing up named that, she was a nice lady but worked from morning till night.

Saw a similar one yesterday at Goodwill, they wanted $90.00
It had a 1959 year sales receipt in the cabinet.

Good find!

Super buy for $15. Looks like a Lizzy to me!

Wow she is a beaut! Lucky you that she sings so quiletly.

She is a beauty. I'm glad she got a good home.

:) Thanks RR...I emailed Guy Baker, more because he had Boye needles on his list than for the machine motor...and he called me within half an hour!
Told me not to order a motor yet, see if I can get this one to burn up first! Said it wouldn't catch fire or anything, but suspects that it's just dust or oil that's burning, and he didn't want to see me spend money to buy and ship a motor if I didn't need to....
He didn't have my needles in stock tho... :(
The man will be getting my business from now on! :)

Great find! :thumbup:

According to Needlebar, the machine was made between 1958 and 1962, in Japan by a company named Maruzen who became Jaguar, for Sears. :)

I have a little trouble navigating Needlebar sometimes, but if I poke around enough, the information is usually there! :)

wow, what a find, cool thanks for sharing

Yes lots of good info on the Needlebar!! I am heading up the research for the Japanese 15 and the JA and JC numbers and trying to be able to date the machines for the NB right now.

The years of your machine can go from 1957 to 1980 and I can tell you for a fact that is a Jaguar built machine. The styling cues are there for it. And it looks like it was one of the "Transition Machines" that was being manufactured when the company was swapping owners.

My machine that I have is a Model 43 and its a 1963 model and the Sears logo is completely different than yours. I would be willing to guess by the logo it is some where in the 67-69 range on the year. Unfortunately Sears records do not go past the 158.500's so it is hard to date but you can use the Sears Catalogs to date it.

I will have the complete set of catalogs on my laptop in a few months dating from the mid teens to 2000. The local University is scanning them from microfiche to PDF and I am getting a complete set of the catalogs since I live in that library doing research on the Japanese industrial revolution of the sewing machine.

The NeedleBar has a machine just like it in the PL but it does not have much information about it.

Remember the Japanese machines research is really in its infancy and it could take several years before we can come close to knowing who what and where about the machines that they built.

But if I was you start looking at the sears catalogs between 66-69 and you might find it.

Billy

Oh something I forgot to add to my post. The main thing about your machine that makes me think its that late is the fact it is set up like the White sewing machines and Jaguar badged them for White also. And it is set up to run a twin needle, the bobbin winder is like the 1320's and the knob positions are a preview of the 1970's Kenmores.

The needles should be the standard 15x1 so it should not be hard to find at all. and you can still get parts like the bobbins (class 15) an the cases at your local Sears.

Billy

Thanks so much Billy! The Needlebar PL is where I found the info that I posted...so that info is not correct? I'd love to find out the date...if you find it will you let me know? I just like to be able to be accurate when I share information about my machines!

The machine is starting to show problems that she didn't "disclose" yesterday...she's developed a squeak at the clutch/belt...but the motor is doing fine.

Hope we can find the cause of the squeak and fix it...the machine sews a really nice tight stitch! Had to rip one out...took awhile!

The needles I was looking for were for that Singer 9W that I love so much! :)

Aw man I want a 9w so bad I can taste it!! I had one in my paws and when I drove the hundred or so miles one way to get it the lady sold it before I got there. I had talked to her hubby and he was a State Trooper and had to leave on a call and didnt tell her. :(

But I would settle for a W&W 9 too..............actually I want both LOL!!!!

I have a New Home Model A that dates to the early 1870's I picked up a few months ago in the cabinet for $10 and it has a slew of needles in the drawers but only a few fit the machine, and they are all rusted. The guy I bought it from had it in his back yard on the patio for a month or two. :roll: So if I had one you probably would not want it they have turned scaley and have rusted together.

The information that I quoted came off of the NB in the PL under Kenmore and click on the photo of my Pearl Iris machine that has "additional info added" and you will see the dates there.

As far as the "Squeak" is it a metal to metal squeak or is it more like a belt squeak? There should be a port with a ball check right at the bushing at the handwheel just put a drop or two of oil on the ball check and push it with a screw driver to make it go into the port. Why they did things like that I dont know but Jaguar was famous about doing things like that.

Billy

Billy

Billy....if you were here I'd give you the biggest ol' hug! That took care of the squeak! :D We never saw that tiny little valve!

The motor still smells hot, but I still think it's dust burning out of it...I've run it enough today tho that I think if it was going to burn up that it would have by now....maybe not...guess it's a "wait and see" sorta thing!

As for the 9W...if I ever decide to part with it, I'll make sure that you know about it first! :)

Glad I could help, at least I good for something huh?!?

The motor might have a little hole for a drop of oil on the bushing in the rear and one on the front. One drop is all you need only if you have the little holes. Mine has a red mark on them to let you know they are there. I never oiled mine but it has only a few miles if any on it.

Billy

I have several REAL work horses. My favorites are Alice and Ashley. 1800 lbs each and will give you the very best they can. I hope you like their names.

Billy, in my book, you're priceless! ;) Man that knows sewing machines and quilts? :lol:

Pam...I kinda like the name "Alice"...course, I like all of the names suggested...was going to name the machine "Peggy" after my DSIL, but thought better of it when I imagined asking my qubby to "oil Peggy up" or "Can you look at Peggy? I think something might be wrong..." :lol: :lol:

I dont think I would go that far. :lol: :lol: :lol:

But I am glad I was able to help get you going. I can tell you from experience those machines like yours are very well made and they are work horses!!! And it looks to be in wonderful condition!!

Its lucky to have someone like you to take care of it.

Billy

I was thinking as I was reading this of "Jag" because as soon as the the kinks are dealt with it'll run purr-fectly, like the car. And the color of it is so rich looking, at least to me.

(Sorry, it's not much of a girlie name. I had thought of "Toots", as in short for Tootsie.)

Agreed. I believe Billy is our 'go to' machine person and I applaud his willlingness to be so helpful and informative. I have his user name in my notepad.
I looked and do not have anything that would work on your new adoption. I am thinking she might like being named "Hazel".
As always, best of luck.

Very nice looking machine. Billy is a true treasure to all you Ladies that collect the old machines.
Good for you for finding such a nice looking old Machine.