Goodbye old friend...
 

I guess it is the end of the line for my Kenmore 158 that my (late) mom bought new back in the 60's. I have been using it ever since.

It quit working, I suspected the brushes. Had to take the motor apart to get to them, they were completely disintegrating and the housing they sit on was broken as well, probably from the effort to get the motor apart. So no repair possible, it needs a whole new motor.

I have another Kenmore head that fits into my cabinet, but it is not the same as using my mom's machine. I guess I will keep it on the off chance that I can find another motor for free. (Can't convince DH to spend money on it if I have a head that works - he is just not sentimental like me.)

If you join the vintage Kenmore group, I bet someone on there would have a donor machine with the same color motor housing that they'd sell you for a reasonable price.

Tell your DH, if you aren't happy, he won't be happy and you are getting your machine fixed. Sentimentality has nothing to do with it. :)

Joe

That is the same model that I learned to sew on! It was my mother's also. I don't know whatever happened to it but at the beginning of the year I went on a quest to find one just like it. I found one in a table at the Goodwill for $9.00!! Mine didn't come with a manual or accessories so I am (half heartedly) looking for these. I'll find them someday! Sorry about the loss of your machine. Maybe Candace has the right idea???

We saw a nice Kenmore at the thrift store for 19.99...can't believe it was not taken while we were there. Some one will get a good deal.

the other head is also a 158 but with different numbers after, wiring is different. They don't even take the same belt. I guess they made a lot of 158 models.

ptquilts,

There are many many 158- versions. Some have internal motors and some external motors. The external motors can be easily replaced and so can the internal ones. Try you LSMG and see what he has.

Joe

Is it an internal motor or external? There are some pretty nice 158s out there - I really like some of the disks and how they work.

It is down under the machine, I was able to get it off after I took the head off. Not sure if that makes it internal or external.

if it is down under it would probably be internal. If you had another motor could you get one in?

yes, it is just a few screws.

Life is far too short to deprive yourself of something that gave you so much pleasure. Get your machine repaired please.

can you show a pic of the machine and the motor?

I have put it away for now. The motor is a model 1290.

Did you do a search, on this site? They have motors, for some of the models. http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/ken...FUeRPAodemIAAw

If nothing else there are places that can rebuild a motor for you. Check the wires too. I think Bennett made a tutorial for rebuilding a motor. Sometimes just changing the brushes will help - I have a very stuck sewing machine somewhere in my shop - might have a Kenmore motor - I'm not sure what it is. http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...l-t168912.html You can always ask questions.

They actually do not list my machine, which is a 158-902.

I'm sorry to hear about your machine. Did you try looking on eBay? When I'm looking for a specific item I do a search on eBay and afterwards I save the search. It gives you the option to have eBay email you automatically when an item you want is listed. It works beautifully that way, you don't have look every day, just wait for an email to let you know when they have a new listing for your item.

I am terribly attached to some of my machines. I am looking at one as I write. They have their own sound and character. If you love the machine, get it fixed. The hell with what it may cost!!!!! They truly have personalities and a replacement will not do at all. Everything is fixable, it just takes time, effort, and of course money but who cares.

I agree. I went clinical when I lost my Elna... LOL

Dan,
I agree too. To many good machines are destroyed because someone just didn't want to spend the time, effort or money to fix them. I've rescued a bunch of them. Now I've gotten attached to them.

Joe

How about letting your husband know you would like the new motor as a birthday or christmas gift?

My sentiments exactly, Joe.

Joe, I've seen machines at GW with nothing wrong but they needed lint cleaned out - LOTS of it. I've seen machines sold because a needle broke and lodged somewhere. http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem...temID=11516908
take a look at the pictures up close...

Yeah, that poor 201 is a mess.
Face plate is missing
Major thread tangle
Needle jammed in the bobbin hook
And who knows what else

I've bought more GW machines marked "for parts and repair" that just needed cleaning or a cord set than I have good solid machines. I kind of like the challenge of refurbing them back to life.

Joe

Me too - but I like it better when they say they are parts machines than when they seem to think they are gold plated.

Yeah I agree. It's a lot easier to fix a "parts" machine than it is to part out a "good" machine. At least for me.

Joe

I've started keeping a note card for each machine and what I've done to it...One poor Kenmore has been a donor, but not anything that can't be quickly replaced.

I wish I had done that - I have a Singer 500 that has kept 10 or 20 machines alive so far - just little things most of the time.

So far, only a clutch washer and a light bulb...and maybe its foot control peddle.