KenmoreGal2

I acquired Mom's Kenmore 117.841 (ca. 1958) this spring. I recently discovered where those wonderful all metal gears are located. Today I opened the gear box up and found a lump of brown grease and some more grease on the gears. I cleaned the gears and figured I'd run out and buy some Tri Flow grease. Well, turns out I can't get it locally. I went to WalMart, Lowes, Home Depot, 2 bike shops, 1 car parts place, JoAnn's and finally my local sewing machine store which is a hike. The sewing machine store didn't carry any grease but they said their guy only uses white lithium and I should get it at Home Depot. I did but I didn't use it because it seems I'd read bad stuff about it. At the last minute I remembered one more small car parts place and called them. They sold me NAPA Sil-Glyde with silicone. It's non melting, non freezing, non gumming and clear.

Should I use either of them? Are either a good substitute for Tri Flow? Should I order the Tri Flow and use one of these for one time? I don't know what to do!! I'm in the middle of a project and can't sew until I get my machine lubed up.

Thank you sewing machine gurus!!

J Miller

The grease you took out is not usually replaced. As the machine gets warm it softens and is thrown off the gears, but then some runs back onto the gears. If you didn't throw it away you can usually reuse it. If not then the lithium grease will be OK. I suspect the NAPA grease would be OK too.

I don't think I've ever replaced any grease from a bobbin drive gear box.

Joe

Candace

Why don't you just buy Triflow grease online from Sew Classic?.

KenmoreGal2

Seriously? There's a whole thread on my Vintage Kenmore group about replacing the grease. They lead me to believe it must be done once a year at least. I was very worried.

BTW-my grease is original from 1958. My Dad didn't know the gear box existed and they never had the machine serviced. Just kept it oiled.

KenmoreGal2

Because I wanted it today. I'm in the middle of a project. I was under the impression it was really bad that my grease was so old and that if I continued to sew with it I may damage the gears.

Candace

Old grease is well, old. There may be crud, lint and dirt in it. All of which can damage gears. Any old grease is best removed and replaced with new. Personally I only use Triflow so won't guess about the efficacy of other products not made for sewing machines.

KenmoreGal2

Thanks anyway. I would have preferred to find Triflow but didn't.

J Miller

KenmoreGal2,

Well, I don't know about replacing it every year. I have several owners manuals for machines with that type of gear box and not one of them says to replace the grease on a regular schedule.

Miriam has a saying that you shouldn't let your machines know you are in a hurry. So order the Tri-Flow grease from Sew-Classic, and you'll have it when next you need it.

You can always fill the pocket with one of the greases you have and use it till the T-F arrives.

Joe

Candace

Good advice.

KenmoreGal2

Hi Joe,

My first thought was to do as you suggested. From what I've read the Tri Flow is really the best. So you think it's ok to put in the NAPA stuff now and then when I need more grease (when will that be???) I'll use the Tri Flow. I spent a good amount of time cleaning the gears today and hate to mess them up again with an inferior product.

I thought I'd read that the white lithium can crack and dry out and make a mess which needs to be cleaned so I'm leery about using it. But I'd love to hear from others with more experience.

Thanks again!

Joan