Kenmore 117.740
 

Just bought a Kenmore 117.740 in cabinet at a thrift store for $7! It works but there is an issue with the zigzag gears. That's ok because even though I will get it fixed eventually, I got it for straight stitching. It came with all the tools, feet, bobbins and even never opened packages of needles but no manual. I need to find a threading diagram for it. I found information on oiling it and while there are manuals to purchase I can't afford to do that right now. I will hopefully be getting photos of it up soon. If anyone could help with the threading (and winding the bobbin) I would greatly appreciate it.

Maybe send Charlee a message- she is really good with the Vintage machines :)

Here is a photo of it. Dh and I did some fiddling with it last night. There are a few issues with it but we are pretty sure a good cleaning and oiling will help. Would love any information from anyone who works on vintage machines so we can get to work on it. He said if we get this restored I can keep looking for vintage machines and he would work on them for me!
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There is a Vintage Kenmore yahoo group you might want to join. You can ask your questions on there. They may even have a manual you can download free.
I belong to other vintage machine groups and have learned so much from them.
Judy

That looks like a pretty straight forward threading pattern. Have you tried threading it? As far as the ZZ goes, drip some oil on the gears and turn the wheel by hand. I recently bought a Universal from the 50s and thought the ZZ was frozen - no, there was an extra lever that needed to be moved to initate the ZZ mechanism. Now if I can get someone to put on a new cord, I'll be as happy as you are. I bought Hoppe's gun oil to use to free up mine before I found the lever. I've heard Koil is good, too.

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litttle kenmore, lookin for info on it?
 

Cost me $10 for this dust collector but cute. Has a cover/case but no foot pedal or manual

I have a 1957 Kenmore that looks a lot like yours, only my model # is much lower. You have 2 thread spool spindles so you may beable to use double needle. The thread goes from spindle to thread guide, then wind thread around tension (round) guide. Thread through take up lever right to left, then to needle (front to back). There may be a thread guide just above the needle. The metal door may be the opening for decorative stitching cams and the white wheel below the metal door is for adjustments for straight, zigzag and which side of the cam you want to stitch. There are 2 sides to each cam. For bobbin winding, put thread spool on spindle (on machine base below wheel), thread through thread guide (behind feeddog lever), front (bottom) to back (top). Start thread on bobbin, then put bobbin on holder in front of wheel. Push bobbin holder against wheel. There is a wheel in the middle of your machine wheel where the belt is, turn it towards you to loosen and this lets the bobbin wind without the machine sewing. Tighten again before trying to sew. Go on-line to Sears (if you haven't already) and look up your machine model. They may have your manual in their parts inventory. Hope this helps.

Thank you Rose Ann! I got it threaded with your help! I haven't really tried using it... dh wants to give it a good cleaning and we have ordered another belt. This is my first vintage machine and (it's probably awful to say but) I am happy just looking at it right now! Dh seems interesting in restoring it so I hope it is just the beginning of a "together" hobby.

I would get some Triflow oil. It broke loose a 15 clone that was frozen up. We just put a drop on any place that remotely might move. I kept trying to turn the hand wheel while DIL dropped the oil. It didn't take long. If you push the needle bar into the machine by hand you will see a place it goes in the machine - it may be a bit gummed up with dried on oil. Shoot it with some Triflow. I was kind of skeptical about it before I got some. Worth every penny.