Hello ... Old woman in comfortable shoes
 

Wellsir .... I've had this sears kenmore sewing machine sitting in my attic for over 30 years ... I have no idea how long it was sitting before then. It is not my machine ... a room mate left it back in the 80's. I know absolutely nothing about sewing or sewing machines.

I find that this is a vintage machine ... 158.1200 ... it was completely frozen ... I found out how to oil it and freed it up ... but now I am having trouble with the bobbin winder mechanism ... the spindle is frozen. I tried oiling it, but looks like I'm going to have to figure out how to take it apart to clean and oil it.

I'm sure as I go along to get it running again I'm going to be seeing issues with it that have to be corrected. I'm hoping I will be able to find someone on this forum that can help me get this machine running again. I have several things I would like to be able to mend with this machine. I'm guessing the vintage machine forum is the best place to look for help.

Thanks for reading my post.

Sounds like you have the passion to get this gal up and running again. I am sure there are some very knowledgeable folks on this forum that can lend a hand. Sorry, I am not more helpful.

I don't know anything about Kenmore machines so I am no help there. My suggestion is to cross post your question on the Victorian Sweat Shop forum. Between the two websites, I bet you will get the help you are looking for. I have found some helpful folks on that forum too.

https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/

Shari

Thank you for the posts ... I will check out the link.

A good way to get stuck things unstuck is kerosene and patience. Oil the spindle with kerosene and let it sit over night then try to get it to move at all. Once it moves work it back and forth, kerosene it again and repeat. It may take a couple of days.

I was able to get the winder spindle to turn again. I kept applying sewing oil and let it sit for a few days still applying the oil everyday. Then I took two vise grips and kept working it back and forth until it started moving freely ... I had to remove the mechanism from the machine to do it. But it's free now ... next step is to thread the machine ... install the bobbin and see how it sews.

If you happen to be on Facebook, there are sites devoted to just Kenmore machines, as well as vintage sewing machines and Japanese-made machines.

Your machine was very well made, so she worth the effort to get her going. I have my first Kenmore from 1979, and she's wonderful!

When I found out I had a vintage machine and read how well they work I just had to get it going again. No matter what. I've never used one before and am looking forward to learn ... Is it possible to get a link to that site on FB?

Welcome, I'm glad you got it moving and are interested in getting it back to doing what it was meant to do.

I don't do Facebook, but I have had heard good things about a couple of groups. I believe the one for Kenmore machines that you want is https://www.facebook.com/groups/680558488716580
There is another one for Vintage Sewing Machines (non-Singer) https://www.facebook.com/groups/821555271188096 that I have heard good things about and has a lot of manuals.

Thank you ... I will definitely check those out.