Kenmores and Bugs
 

I lucked into a couple nice looking Kenmores this week for 5.00 each and now WHO was that saying they didn't LIKE bugs??? Miriam? Was that you? heehee! I grabbed a Franklin with scarab decals for $15 at the salvage station.
The clear coat is a mess, but the decals are nice looking and everything on the machine moves. It looks like it was meant to treadleand there was a piece of finished wood still attached to the front. I wonder if there's a way to convert it to a handcrank?

The Kenmores are a 95 and a 1760. The 95 I lucked into at a yard sale and it wasn't actually IN the sale. I asked about machines and ended up with this one in a decent case with cams and feet and actual manuals. It has a bad belt and wiring and a couple knobs are jammed up. The owner didn't want to bother getting it serviced.

The 1760 model was at the salvage shop too with no controller or cords and a missing hook and bobbin case. I like that it has a cool removable bed conversion to free arm and when I sorted through my bins at home I found I have a cord set and the bobbin parts I need. I might even have a BIG box of cams to fit it that I had picked up awhile back for a couple bucks. I'm not really sure what other accessories to watch for with this machine and I can't find a manual on-line. Does anyone else own this machine?

Not a very good bug shot. Here's a better one!

In the world of soccer SCOOOOOOORRRRRREEEE. Good job on asking about machines.

You scored big time! Any one of those machines is a prize but I LOVE that Franklin! That pattern is one of my favorites. I like it far better than Singer's Sphinx pattern.

Can you do me a huge favor? Can you post pictures of each of your Kenmores along with mugshots of the cams for each machine in "The Cam Thread"? Every little bit will help build a reference for those of us who are hunting for the correct cams for their machines.
Thanks,
Rodney

What a haul! The Franklin's in amazing condition and the Kenmores are both phenomenal machines. I have a 1503 that is very similar to the 95. The 1503 is one of my favorite machines. I don't have the 1760 but I have the 1913, a model that is a slightly higher end version of yours. It looks like a super-high shank. Take a good look at the presser feet, measure their height, then go on the prowl for the matching accessories. The 1913 is my favorite Kenmore convertible.

Any one of those machines would have been a great, great find -- but all 3? Do machines come in 3s? What is up with that? Congratulations, those are amazing machines.

Christy seems to have the Pied Piper effect on vintage sewing machines! Nice, Christy!

What an amazing collection! I am partial to the vintage Kenmores because parts are fairly available and they are very sturdy and reliable. I also have the scarab machine, but haven't cleaned it to try yet. Good finds!

Thanks guys! I've had some really great finds lately. I've never seen this scarab pattern before and I think it's pretty cool. It's a nice bonus that the parts move well on the machine.

Rodney I will definitely photograph the cams and ad them to the thread. :thumbup:

Be VERY careful cleaning the scarab decals. Follow Glenn's directions to the max.

I have a Franklin with the Scarab decals in a parlor Cabinet. It's basically a Singer 27 copy. Singer shuttles and bobbins will fit it.
Mine is a very good sewing machine.

Both Kenmores can be cleaned and oiled and brought back to life. They'll use the same cord sets, bobbins and other things. Accessories for both are common on ShopGW.

Joe