khuxford

Ok, confidence is building! I found a local bike store that sells Tri-Flow so will get some today, soak her down and report back!

miriam

Keep the White

Carol34446

Keep them both, they don't take that much room. Get them both sewing and then if you have to decide down the road after using them then you will know you made the best choice. If I had room I would throw my hat in too, but I have 7 machines (3 in beg cabinets) and two surgers and we live in 1100 SF mobile home and in FL you can't keep things like that outside, they would rust like crazy as we are only a few miles from Gulf and salt air is hard on things.

Pat M.

I have the brown Kenmore, it sews great.

khuxford

I can't get the needle bar freed up on this kenmore.

any ideas? Here is the side of the machine. I removed the screw above the thread up and down thingee and I removed the presser foot up and down lever.

Does this screw and thread tension (?) assembly need to be removed or do I just need to apply some muscle to remove this plate that is facing the camera?

Thanks so much for help to date and any ideas.

regards from the flood area of northern Colorado where it is raining hard out there again today

khuxford

Got it! There was a screw on the inside of the machine

Sideways

I vote that u keep both, get the White serviced and use it and pack the Kenmore away. It was your husbands grandmothers. Once you give it away you won't be able to get it back. There may be a family member someday who loves to sew and who would be thrilled to have grandmas or great grandmas machine.

kitsykeel

Hi Joe,
A neighbor just gave me her mother's Kenmore 117-552. I ordered and received a friction wheel to replace the worn one on the machine. Any advice on how to get the old one off? I don't want to damage anything as I can be a bit heavy handed when fixing things. Thanks in advance for your expertise.

[QUOTE=J Miller;6278802]You've had them both for a while and they didn't take up much space. They are family. I'd keep them both.

The Kenmore can't be torn open to oil, there is no top or bottom covers. Perhaps an inspection plate on the back side, I'm not sure. At any rate just squirt Tri-Flow oil in every hole and let it soak. The same with the needle bar area and the underside. She'll free up. I have a Kenmore just like that one only in brown, a 117-812. It is one of the best straight stitch machines I have.
Oh, two things; the Kenmore turns opposite of the norm - away from you or clockwise, and the friction drive gear will be flat spotted from sitting against the hand wheel for so long. You'll need a new one before you use it.