Kenmore 158-904
 

My SIL got this machine and I am trying to get it going. It's a lovely lavender lady, flatbed in a cabinet. It came with the standard foot and nothing else. No manual, no accessories, no cams, NADA. Fortunately, it takes class 15 bobbins, which I have lots of, and low shank feet. Can anyone tell me where to find a free manual? Sears does not have it on their website. Here's a picture with it out of the cabinet but not cleaned up yet.

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The holy grail of Kenmore's! You are so blessed! No idea other than the Sears site for manuals. And you do need a manual with that machine. Nothing all that intuitive. No disks? Bummer. Someone posted on Victorian sweatshop somewhere about what disks go with what Kenmore.

I have a set of cams for a Kenmore 158.903 (which I love). that I would be willing to part with if you are interested. My machine looks just like yours but I can't be sure if these cams will work on yours. Maybe someone on the board knows. I also have the original manual (50 pages) for the 198.903 (not for sale as I really use it quite often) so I can possibly help you out with any problems you may have with threading, bobbin winding, stitching, etc.
If you really need a manual and can't locate one, let me know and I will try to scan mine and send you a copy of it. I also have a Sears buttonhole set that came with my machine (that I never use).

I had this sewing machine and it sews beautifully. Unfortunately I donated everything to a charity store. The cams that go to it are a light liliac. Hope you find the manual because it is a beauty. I just could not keep all my machines.

It has cleaned up nicely and is running well. I even found the box of attachments in my SILs workshop! Now I am just getting it adjusted to sew perfect.

Where the bobbin winds, I took the lid off so I would have more room to work. Later I placed it back on before donating it. It just made it east to thread the bobbin. So happy for you. It sews really nice and I used a walking foot on it with no trouble at all.

A snazzy looking machine. Kenmores are wonderful. So happy for you!

That's a Kenmore 90 and you can buy the printed manual here:
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Manuals/Kenmore_Manuals/Kenmore_90_Instruction_Manual.htm

http://www.tias.com/173/PictPage/3923560703.html buy the PDF
http://www.kenmoremanuals.com/Kenmor...158_Models.htm pdf $9.99. Scroll down to find 90.

Or just Google and a manual may pop up for a Model 90. I got that Model 90 from this very board, :-)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...t247496-2.html

and 158.905 is also a Model 90

Pic of the cams & original manual & accessories here:
http://crazyoldhippiechick.blogspot....el-158902.html
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Hi, I picked up a 158.904 Kenmore like yours at an estate sale two blocks from my house about a month ago. It is in a decent-shape, large size cabinet and came complete with manual, cams, buttonholer, attachments, and even a circular decorator by Kenmore. It is the pretty cream and lavender shown in your photo, but mine has a couple of scratches on it and is missing the decorative lavender center disks glued to the center of the stitch length dial and the reverse button. Otherwise, it is in good shape. If I can figure out how to post a .pdf of the manual, I will.

Mine may be a little different from yours in that it is definitely a high shank, class 15 machine. I am having a bit of a problem adjusting the tension, so it probably needs a more extensive cleaning to get the tension correct.

I had thought about giving it to a good friend's married daughter who is a novice sewer but appears eager to learn. This may be too much machine for her due to operational complexity concerns expressed earlier and I have a bunch of easier to use machines one of which I may consider giving her. I would appreciate anyone's thoughts on that point.