J Miller

For those like me who is keeping a list of who made sewing machines and accessories for Sears I've added another manufacturer.

On GW there is a Commander badged 15 clone. The Sears model number is 153-271. I blew up the bottom view pic and right across the bottom of the bed is RICCAR.

So I have listed the 153 series Sears machines is Riccar. Subject to change though as more info is gathered.

20 = Greist
117 = White Sewing Machine Co.

119 = Unknown

120 = New Process Division of Chrysler Corp.

148 = Soryu ( Japan )

153 = Riccar

158 = Maruzen / Jaguar

340 = Necchi

385 = Janome

516 = Gritzner Kaiser (W. Germany)


Joe

Cogito

Not knowing a thing about Kenmores, which maufacturers would be the sought after ones....White, I assume but others? Which ones should be avoided! Thanks for this list. Very interesting.

J Miller

The Commander series is not a Kenmore machine, just another named series sold by Sears.

Personally I avoid the 120 series and anything made by any one with plastic gears. The plastic gear thing is personal preference, the 120 series is not well designed or executed based on the one I have.

I've had the best results with the 117 and 158 series of machines so far.

Joe

KenmoreRulesAll

Some of the 117 models are Gritzner-Kayser.
There are the 877, 159, and 585 prefixes as well. (Probably more but can't think of them right now.)

I have a 120.49 and it sews beautifully. 1.5 amp motor and looks cool, too. In fact, I'm going to get it out right now and run some fabric through it.

J Miller

I will add those prefixes to my list, thanks.

What do you do for needles for the 120-49? I've been unable to find many at all.

Joe

xxxxxxxxxx

I posted a pic of a 3/4 coral pink Kenmore VS machine is a 159.110 sn 10584 stamped on the bed JA-47

if you want a pic. I'll take a better shot of it .

J Miller

10X,

That' a cute little machine. The chart I got from the Yahoo Japanese group lists the JA-47 number as Sears. That doesn't help much because Sears never made anything. But now I've seen a 159-series machine. Cool.

Joe

jlhmnj

Ismacs article on Sears machines mostly pre manufacturer codes but does describe a few of the coded models:

http://ismacs.net/sears/sears.html

Older article so some info may be outdated but cutting edge in its time.



Joe,

I think the 120 series uses the CC1221, Free Rotary, or Boye 2-1/2 needle. Tough find and $$$. Also called 40F1 or 38Y1. You can also grind 15x1's to size and there's info on the net about doing so if interested. I see some recommend 206x13 as a replacement but there are repeated warnings not to do so. No personal experience with this machine and am just repeating what I read.

Jon

Cogito

Gosh sometimes my brain is so slow. Didn't think about needles. So are a lot of the Kenmores challenged with hard to find needles?

J Miller

You are correct. That series of Kenmores use the Kenmore #49, Boye 2½, and those you mentioned.
I did find some from forum member Grant15clone last year, but other wise I'm using the DCx1F as a substitute.
But the arch on that machine is so small, I almost can't thread it or get the needles in.

Joe