I do read them but some are so long it's hard to find just what you are looking for even with doing the search. I was just saying a sticky with only manual sites listed without someone going there and asking for such and such manual. More a sticky just for reference.

For example: I know I have a Pfaff 260 that has the 2 wires 1 for knee and the other a foot control with the plug for the electric wire and having problems getting it to run. It either acts like it going to work after I move the hand wheel and takes off super fast then I go to run it again and nothing. I saw where someone else hd gotten one like this, was having the same sort of problem, gosh it was way in the sticky but I couldn't find the answers if they figured it out. Or I ended up missing the post that figured out how to fix it??? I'm ready to totally give up on this Pfaff 260 and I have had it several years and even took it to the local old sewing machine viking guy who even sold Pfaff in the past. He couldn't figure it out either. It's such a clean machine too and I have I believe all that came with it. Yet I know I'll go back and reread the sticky...lol to see if I can find what I might need and missed again!

Hi i know this is an old post but would anyone know if this kenmore sewing machine would be able to sew through leather or harder materials? and how heavy duty it is ?

It's a domestic machine. You might (with the right needle) be able to sew some leather or canvas but a steady diet of heavier materials will likely break your machine at some point. I can guarantee it will struggle with multiple layers of heavier material like where one seam meets another. Most domestic machines do. I'm not going to say all-someone will prove me wrong. ;) Pretty much all domestic sewing machines are designed to handle a wide range of material but keep in mind a jack of all trades is usually a master of none. If you need to sew upholstery, heavy canvas or leather on a regular basis you're far better off looking for a used industrial that's designed for those materials.
Rodney

An old domestic machine will likely sew about anything that you can get under the needle. The motor may or may not be strong enough - you may have to hand turn it. You may have to increase pressure foot tension. Some times even with the right neede, the needle will pull the leather up when it comes up unless you have enough pressure to hold the material you are using down. Some do not have a strong enough spring. The machines with bigger hand wheels work the best IMHO - but then I've tried it...

My mom just gave me this sewing machine, I was able to load the bobbin, and place the thread it all the correct places. But, I'm new at this, I tried to stitch a piece of fabric and I just got a huge knit from the bottom; with only a few stitches catching on top of the fabric :(

i know now this is an old thread, any advice I'm open to it!!

I belong to a Kenmore group and the spreadsheet says this model was made in Taiwan and was sold by Sears from 1983-1987. Price at those times ranged from 159.99 to 225.99. Should be a good one.

If you are getting gobs underneath, then rethread the entire machine, including the bobbin. Something may not have caught right. This usually will solve those problems, and it may happen again. Also, make sure the bobbin area is clean and free of lint.

What Ann31039 says, and make sure someone has not been playing with the top tension knob. I'd change out the needle too. Just yesterday I brought home a Kenmore 158.1227 that seems to have been used a day or less, even the foot pedal looks untouched. After a thorough oiling (hmm, there is a plastic gear in there...), it would not pick up the bobbin thread, rethreaded several times, still wouldn't pick up. I pulled the needle out and laid it on the table, then noticed it did not lay flat. No needle hits on any of the parts, so someone probably pulled hard on the fabric taking it out, or bent the needle taking it out of one of those Kenmore needle packs. A new needle and we're in business! New or old, with every machine I've sewn on, I reach behind the presser foot and hold onto both threads when I start sewing, it prevents the nests and tangles.

Very good piece of advice and one that doesn't seem to be taught anymore. So many of the new machines you don't have to do this so it's becoming a forgotten thing.

Cari