Can anyone give me suggestions for my Kenmore 117-959
 

I have a Kenmore 117-959, serial number 519329. The machine runs very well, and it and the cabinet are in great shape. It was a one-owner machine, complete with guarantee, manual, and accessories. I found it at an estate sale.

However, the pressure foot will not go down. It's a strange thing and has me baffled. What am I doing wrong?

Help!

In your second picture the presser foot shaft raise/lower lever is in the "up" position. Lower it. If it will not rotate to the down position then the presser foot shaft is stuck with gummed up oil.
Your best bet would be to remove the face plate, and clean and free up everything then oil the moving parts with sewing machine oil.

Joe

The lever will go down, and I really don't know how to explain this, but there's like no resistance. It just goes down and the foot doesn't. Almost like it's not attached. I'm going to play with it some more tomorrow and see if I missed something today. I really wish I was more mechanically inclined! Thank you!

Yeah, I'd bet the shaft is stuck in the up position then.

Joe

have you tried some heat?

No. Good idea....that will be next. Thought I had it this morning, but not quite. I did get another little gizmo moving, though, so it's a start. Thank you!

Take that face plate off and just have a look. You won't damage anything by looking and you'll probably see what the problem is and will know where to go from there. Trust Joe; he knows whereof he speaks!

It's a beautiful machine, by the way. So clean and nice.

Thanks, Joe! I didn't have a chance to play with my machine until today. I took the face plate off and brought it to a friend's house along with my little bag of tools (including heat gun, Miriam). I told my friend's hubby you said to tap it with a hammer and he looked a bit dubious. Guess he figured I'd lose it when he started hammering. Anyhow, it is now moving as nice as can be. I had to play with the tension, and there is a bit of a problem with the needle not being centered over the hole, but I will work on that in the morning.
Can't wait to be able to use this machine.
One down, several to go. These silly machines are like puppies......so cute that you have to bring them home.
Thanks again!