Ellietow

I posted on 7/23/2012 about my Kenmore - "Old Kenmore - broken gear" (I bought her in 1979! I bought her because even back then, folks were saying that Singer was using more plastic parts). My sister-in-law in another state brought it to two repair shops, and they quoted about $400 in repairs would be needed - uh, not! I couldn't bear to junk it though, and brought it home to Texas. I recently found a repair shop nearby - and they fixed it for $56! The handwheel is still a little stiff, but I've been sewing on it - made a self-mitered baby blanket, pieced a quilt top, and made 2 fleece jackets with it! (There's a 30 day warranty on the repair work).

I discovered that it's missing a rear thread guide. Any thoughts on if it's a necessary piece? Does anyone have a Kenmore machine for parts, that could sell me one? ( I assume you can just "pop it in place"? )

Btw, I put my original post in the "Main" section, but from reading folks' replies, I discovered this forum - "For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts" ... and got really interested in vintage machines - as a result, I purchased a Singer 301a and 221 in 2012! (but it's stopping there - already don't have room!)

Here is my beautiful Kenmore:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]450323[/ATTACH] many happy memories with this machine
[ATTACH=CONFIG]450324[/ATTACH] see the missing thread guide on the right, on the back of the machine? There are supposed to be two of them, one for each spool holder

miriam

can you rig up a safety pin or an eye from a fish hook?

Rodney

I'd start hitting the thrifts looking for a parts machine. There's probably more than one model of Kenmore using that style of thread guide.
Rodney

foufymaus

Big Paper clip, a hammer to flatten, then glue?

MaggieLou

Try this link. They have parts for old Kenmores. I just googled Kenmore sewing machine parts.

http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/ken...utm_creative=e

mlmack

You might look up the full model number at searspartsdirect.com, as they sometimes have parts available for the older machines. At the very least, you might get a part number that you can search for.

CookyIN

I'm sewing on my Mom's 1974 Kenmore and absolutely love it. You can't beat the old all-metal machines IMHO. I'm keeping my eyes open for the same model to buy it for parts -- just in case. The good news is, for whatever reason, Kennies are usually priced quite reasonably.

Ellietow

Thanks for your suggestions - I appreciate them! I just emailed sewingpartsonline.com to see if they had the part - I couldn't find it on the Sear's site.

caroloto

Just put your machine model # in the search and yours should come up this it the link I saved for my model.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part...Mod=3851249180

miriam

I can't find manuals there at all - maybe it is just me - All I find is schematics.