Mornigstar

My hubby bought himself an older Kenmore last year but really hasn't used it much. This week the group I started at our church had a chance to buy a Kenmore for $30. but when used it didn't pass to keep it. I felt sorry that I
was sick and couldn't be the one to test it. Seems it only would work with a certain white thread .

foufymaus

That's really strange that it would work with a certain thread. Right now i'm looking for a cabinet that would fit my 86 Stylist. For now, i'm also working on repairing it's case. The handle was hanging on with only one bolt that wasn't original.

Scott'sGarden

This is an old thread so I may not have any luck, but from what I am reading here I have stumbled on a real find. I was given a 117.840 with cams, feet, in a beautiful cabinet, and it doesn't look like it's ever been used. The only thing I didn't get was the manual. Could anyone help me? I haven't seen since 7th grade home ec. 1976 so I don't remember much and those machines were not nearly as sophisticated.

Cari-in-Oly

Yep you got a great one. Head on over to - http://www.victoriansweatshop.com/?forum=501752
several people on the VSS forum have the GK made Kenmores and you'll get lots of help. It's my favorite forum for sewing machines.
Also, if you're on FB the group Vintage Sewing Machines(Non-Singer) has more manuals than any other group I've seen.

Cari

Brass Head

They all look like class 15 Japanese machines. Delightfully kookie styles, oddball names, parts and accessories are easy, and they are wonderful machines, will run forever with minimal fuss. A warning, though, they proliferate in my experience like rabbits, especially those Morses for some reason. Maybe Kenmores are more genteel. You've hit upon a wonderful hobby. Enjoy!

Cari-in-Oly

Brass Head, the first machine, the zig zagger, is a Gritzner/Keyser(German) made Kenmore. Though almost all vintage Kenmore machines are fantastic, these 117.xxx machines are among the best.

Cari

leonf

[ATTACH=CONFIG]586149[/ATTACH]loved the White G/K I had.

Brass Head

Thanks. I'll study up. Aside from keeping an eye out for a resurrectable Pfaff 30 or 130 cheap (futile, I suspect) I haven't looked into German stuff much. I cant see the needle-plate end in the pic; does it have a class 15 lineage? It looks like some of the 50's Japanese machines (Morse 4100ish, maybe). Did someone say what year it might be?

The aesthetics of sewing machines, and their relationship to nationality are fascinating. There's nothing more American, for example, than a pink Japanese zig-zagger or a seafoam green one, both in colors derived from Fender who bought their paint from (American) auto makers and threw caution to the winds when it came time to paint the Stratocasters in particular. I have (ironies proliferating) a 70's Made in Japan Strat in the same shade as my Atlas zzer. The abounding knobs on the Japanese machines are unmistakably automotive, and so on.

It's fun to be with people who know this stuff. 'Til now, it's just been me, Google, and my battered toolboxes.

OurWorkbench

Welcome,
It looks like you can get a manual at http://www.tias.com/173/PictPage/3924142143.html
You might also check on some of the other Gritzner machines like the 117.84 such as White 651 and Pfaff 239
A few other specific links about these machines can be found at:
Kenmore 117.841... New Machine! AKA I got myself in trouble again.
http://www.victoriansweatshop.com/po...kayser-7942055
http://www.victoriansweatshop.com/po...more-s-8161687

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.