Kenmore 158.17540
 

I just bought this machine at a thrift store today, the stitch length is real short and the stitch knob, or the one I think is the stitch length knob does not change the stitch at all. I hadn't oiled it yet, it runs real good. Has anyone had this problem or has this machine? I really need a manual. I will try the Sears web site. Do any of you have a suggestion on where to find a manual?

I'm not sure what your machine is like. I do know that I've had to spend a LOT of time oiling the inside works of most 158s I've run across. You will have to oil anything that might remotely move. Some times the oil just dries out and sticks the machine up like glue.

Thanks Miriam, I am going to put the oil to her and see what happens.

Besides oiling everything that looks like it should move, take the top off and look down behind the knobs on the inside.
Kenmores have very complex controls and without a manual it's often difficult to get them to work correctly.
Make sure when the stitch length knob is turned, it does move the linkage inside the machine. We had a Kenmore here not long ago that had a roll pin missing in the stitch control assembly.

I have machines that are close to yours model number wise, but I can't say for sure how yours works. Even one model apart will have differences to the controls.

A manual is mandatory for these Kenmores in my opinion. Sears "should" have one for your model.

Joe

I got it all oiled up, it runs real quiet. There is a knob on the back above the motor, it has a + and - on it, I am just wondering what that is for. The only thing is it has the shortest stitch length. I will take the top back off and move the stitch dial and see if I can tell anything. I don't know what I am looking for but I will see. Thanks Joe.

The + and - knob is your stretch balance. If you're doing an overlock or stretch stitch, and it's not touching, you can kind of accordian the stitch with that knob. Do a forward/backward stitch, and turn the knob one way and see what it does. Then turn it the other way and see what it does. for most stitches, it will stay right in the middle.

The short stitch length could just be something gummed-up. I did have an old White with a broken part on the inside. That machine not only had no control of the stitch length, but there was no back-stitch either. So, if you've got a back-stitch, you're probably just gummed-up.

I did oil some more around in the top where the stitch regulator is, it is making a bigger stitch now. I will check with Sears parts and see if I can get a manual. Thanks. Sandy

It isn't just the dial - the linkage can gum up worse than anything.

Oil can take a while to penetrate and dissolve the old gunk. Maybe try adding a little kerosene to thin it out?
Another thing that may speed things up is to use automatic transmission fluid. I'm not going to suggest that you use it routinely (we already had a discussion about that in another thread :D ) but the extra detergent properties may help in this case to dissolve old varnished oil and get things unstuck.

Thanks to all of you. I will try all the suggestions.

I use Tri-Flow oil on gummed up machines. I find it works very well. It has a solvent in it that dissolves old gummed up oil. And it works very good as a routine lubricant as well.

Joe

Also check the presser foot knob on top of the machine, it may not be set right. Might need to push it down a little so the fabric makes contact with the feed dogs, those should be in the up position.

It could also be broken - I just had to replace one I was working on - it was stuck about half way.

San-sing, congratulations on your find! Recently I found a Kenmore 158.19412 at an estate sale, and it looked like a loved machine. The tension was slightly off, but it preformed nice and quiet. I took it in for cleaning and oiling. The tension is now fine. The technician was very impressed,saying it was a very good buy. Since there are so many oiling points, I asked how often it should be oiled. Once a year will do it. Go easy on oiling...a small drop at each point will do it.

Google Kenmore 158 series. A bunch of websites will pop up. I did a little digging around with the model number and found mine was made in 1977. A manual came with my machine, but you can download your manual as a PDF. Good luck and enjoy!

anybody got a white flip up for a white feather weight I am looking for one let me know

In my Not So Humble Opinion oiling a sewing machine that is used once a year is like changing the oil in your car every 100,000 miles. It needs more oiling than that.
Remember, sewing machines do not have bearings, the shafts run in polished bores. Metal to metal. The only thing between the shaft and the bore is a microscopic layer of oil. And it won't last a year if you use the machine any amount at all.

I oil mine every 4 to 8 hours of use depending on what I'm doing with it.

Remember this is just my NSHO.

Joe

Joe

Joe, I agree. A machine won't die if it has extra oil but it will die if the friction from lack of oil or dried up oil wears out parts. Case in point. We have a friend who used to be a regional manager for Sears auto services. He had an old Honda. He would have one of his stores change out the oil every week - just checking on the store... Well that Honda had 900,000+ miles on it when he gave it away. He claims it was the maintenance since it died about as soon as somebody quit changing out the oil. So do the maintenance.

That is the clue to longevity of mechanical devices. Service and lubrication. I've found the machines that are coated with oil residue are usually quiet and smooth running when finally cleaned and reoiled. Those that are vintage and sanitary usually are cranky and need a lot of work to get running properly again.

Joe

Definitely agree. Oiling frequently also flushes out old oil, and thus prevents the buildup of old gummed-up oil/varnish.
Oil generously and often. Too much oil won't hurt a thing, but insufficient oil most certainly can cause problems.

Someone once asked how they'd know if/when they oiled their machine too much. I responded that when the oil drained out the bottom and dripped on their feet they'd oiled it too much. Nobody was impressed with my humor.
You can wipe most excess oil off, but insufficient oil is ...... well, not enough.

Joe

I try to limit how much oil Wilbur puts on a machine... It doesn't really hurt but it is very messy...

san-sing
make sure the needle bar lifter is up with no pressure on it to change the stitch length. See if this works.

Good Luck
suzy

Thanks, I will try that. With the dial on 4 which is highest it will go, it makes a stitch length about where the 2 should be. That is an improvement, it was just sewing in one spot, then it started to move a little more, so I'm hoping to get it where it needs to be. Sandy

there is a Old Kenmore group on Yahoo you might be interested in.

Did you by chance pick this up in Carroll, IA at the New Hope Thrift Shop as I met a young lady looking at a Kenmore the other day and it didn't have a manual either? Not knowing what model it was makes it difficult to find a manual for her. I'm just going from memory of what I can remember about the machine. We couldn't get the bobbin winder to wind but then not knowing much about the machine, we may needed to do something else to it to get it to wind. The 158 as well as the 1703 and 1803 looked similar to it.............if that's possible.

Thanks.

I got the machine at the Veterans Thrift Store in Fairfield, AL. I hadn't tried to wind a bobbin yet. I found a manual on line but all together with postage, it would cost more than I paid for the machine. I have a friend at church that has 2 Kenmores, she is going to check to see if either one is this same model. If not, I may order the manual I found.

can you post a picture of your SM? sometimes a picture is better than a model#

I can only email pictures, I don't know how to post them here. Sandy

Where in Fairfield is "veterans" thrift? Email me your pic and I will post it in here for you. [email protected]

psychonurse, I sent you a PM. Thanks

[ATTACH=CONFIG]482136[/ATTACH]here is your machine sandy

Thank you for posting it for me.