Look what I picked up today...
 

Some of you may know I was looking for a vintage/retro sewing machine that could do more than just a straight stitch. As luck would have it, I found this beauty for $35 bucks, only 1/2 hr drive away. Thankfully, some of you were kind enough to tell me to wait on some of the others I was eyeing up due to price, and quality. Otherwise, I would've missed this deal. This Kenmore came with a box of cams, another box of attachments, extra feet, needles, cabinet and chair. I think I'll finally be able to stop hunting machines for awhile, and start looking for more attachments!

...as a side note, I know there are a bunch of cams you can get for the Kenmores. This is a 158.1703 model. Will any Kenmore cams fit? Thanks :)


http://images.craigslist.org/00o0o_c...9v_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/01212_h...qq_600x450.jpg

the cams will be the same for all 158.xxxxx machines. I have a 158-1833 machine.

Does yours chainstitch? - if it does the plate under the presser foot will have a removable part that has the feed dog openings.

Ok. I see a bunch of cams for sale, and there's a number of them that I'm missing. I think it would be cool to have the entire set. Is this one of the models that can do the monogramming as well?

This is a picture of the plate under the presser foot. I think this is what you were referring to....

[ATTACH=CONFIG]458619[/ATTACH]

That needle plate is reversible for either straight stitch or zig zag sewing. There is a separate chain stitch needle plate that comes in a little kit.

I have a small little black one that is in one of the kits. It has the two long slots for feed dogs, and two small holes each one in front of the slot, but on opposite sides. I hope that makes sense...if not, I can take a pic.

There is also a large plate that has a small little cog in the middle. Does anyone know what that's for? There is also a plastic needle threader. I'm curious how that thing actually works, lol.

Just to make it easy, I am posting pics. I also found this strange foot. I have no idea what it's for?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]458630[/ATTACH]



[ATTACH=CONFIG]458632[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]458631[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]458633[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]458634[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]458635[/ATTACH]

That plate with the cog works with the buttonholer, the second item is part of the chain stitch attachment - it goes where the bobbin case would go.

If you look for a monogrammer - you need the one with the smaller opening.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps28d1fc44.jpg

the other one fits an open arm machine. Yours will come with the monogrammer in one box with other stuff, and the cams for it seperatly.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psd916e6b7.jpg

this is mine - one of my favorites

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps942fc9f4.jpg

I have an extra box with the bottonholer and chainstitch attachment. I already found a home for the extra set of cams I had. I still have the extra monogrammer that does not fit my machine if anyone wants it.

This came with a buttonholer and a two plates of attachments for it. Will your extra monogrammer fit my machine?

Do the orange and green cams also fit this model? I only have the gray colored ones like you do (I saw other colors on eBay).

My machine looks just like yours! Only, mine doesn't have a base, it has a cabinet. What does the "feed" button do? Does it drop the feed dogs?

Cathy, you are so knowledgeable about all these attachments, I really am blessed to have run into you!

Those 2 parts comprise the chain stitch attachment. The needle plate goes in where the straight/zig zag needle plate is, and the other part goes where the bobbin normally goes.

Thank you for letting me know Mark! I can't wait to try this machine out. :)

Don't you just love it when you get a deal like that with all the bells and whistles? Congrats!

the other color cams are the same - just different colors for older machines. If you have a full box of cams, taht is all the different patterns available. Not all machines will take all the cams, some are both forward and reverse stitching (verigator -Kenmore's name for flexi or stretch stitches) some of the cams have two levels, and then you need a machine with two guides.

Your machine takes the smaller opening monogrammer, the same as mine. The machine is kind of neat - there is a lever under the throat plate that drives the mechanism for both the monogrammer and buttonholer. Most machines use something that hooks over the needle bar to drive the monogrammer or buttonholer. The thoart plate with the cam is what drives the buttonholer.

With the four box set of attachments, I just had to get me one of these Kenmore machines. I did quite a bit of research to make sure I got the right one - one that took all the cams and had the chain stitch attachment.

I am very impressed with everything this machine will do! I have the user manual, and there is a bunch of stuff in there with different stitches and such. When I get some free time, I'll have to read through it so I can discover all of the possibilities.

Not sure if anyone knows the answer to this, but why do the cams not go in order? I have cams starting at number 4, and have 5, then skips to 7-12, then 18 and 19. Then....I have some double ones, starting with #22-28, 30, 36, 43. Do the missing numbers fit my machine, assuming they're the gray ones? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but if I don't ask, I'd probably end up with something that doesn't fit. :(

That's a nice machine. Such a deal. Congrats. Now I need to look for this kenmore 158 for those different stitches I may need.

hmmm. You caught the SMA too. (Sewing machine addiction).

LOL....yep, I did. However, I can say with certainty I'm done buying for a while. I told my husband that I really want a hand crank yet, but I'd love to get that for next Christmas. Don't get me wrong, if I find a steal, I'm going to go for it, but I'm done actively seeking for now. I have attachments to catch up on....and with that, I'll probably end up annoying Macybaby to the point of her somehow blocking me, LOL.

Vic, if you do get the chance to find this machine, I think you'll really like it! It sews nicely, and it really does a lot of stuff. With your luck, you'll probably end up finding one by the end of the day. :D

Don't mean to be a butinski, but not all 158 series Kenmores take the same cams. I have at least two machines that take different cams, and both are 158-xxxxxx machines.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]458644[/ATTACH]
Kenmore 158-15000 takes small top hat cams.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]458646[/ATTACH]
Kenmore 158-17560 takes larger flat cams. Can be green, light blue, beige, or orange in color.

I'm not positive but I think there is one more different cams for the 158-xxxxxxxx Kenmores.

Rach L,

I though I saw an owners manual in your pics. If I did, pick it up and read it. Kenmores are excellent machines, but you need to follow the control settings exactly to get it right.

Joe

Joe,

You are right, I do have the manual. I read through the parts about cams, but it didn't mention anything about getting different cams, or a certain size, etc. It just said that the machine came with several cams, that I can change the designs by using the "stretch" function, and/or using the double needle. I guess I just assumed that since there were missing numbers in my series, I'd be able to find them to complete the set....but we all know what happens when you "ass"U"me".

There is a lot of functionality with this machine for sure. I just think it would make it extra special if I had the whole shebang. ;)

Thank you for letting me know that there are different cams though! I would have messed that one up for sure!

My 158.1802 came with single cams 4, 5, and 7-19, and double cams 22-36. Those are the numbers listed in the manual as well.

I wonder what happened to 1, 2, 3, 6, etc.?

Rach L

From what I've seen most of the Kenmores came with the basic set of cams which had the most common numbers, then there was the big sets with I think 30 cams you could buy to get the rest of them. There is some 60 different numbers on the large top hat cams that I have. Even with those I don't have them all.

Oh, and here is the third different Kenmore cam and a correction.
The Kenmore 158-17560 does not use the flat cam, it uses the large top hat cams. The pic I posted above show them.

The Kenmore 158-523 and it's group use the large flat cams:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]458657[/ATTACH]

Joe

Oh, wow! I guess let the SMAD begin....

Who knew there would be so many more do-dads for one machine? I love it! I'm feeling really lucky to have found this deal!

Thanks for all the info!

You're welcome.

The Kenmore I use the most is a 158-17570. For it I've got the button holer(s), many cams, monogrammer, chain stitch attachments, various and assundry feet, and ummm, I'm not sure what else. I use it more for overcasting raw edges than anything else. It does a super job on most fabrics but 7 layers of denim gives it the willies.

Joe

Nice. I likee, a LOT!:D

SEVEN LAYERS? I'm impressed that it handles 5! I guess I've got my work cut out for me finding all these extras. I have the 158-1703.

When you found your attachments, did you chance it, or did you search specifically for your model?

Thank you Sunflowerzz! :)

Rach L,

We traded into the 158-17570 and the 158-17560 last year from another QB member. The 158-17560 has been rehomed since then. Both had nearly a full set of attachments, the rest came from the LSMG and from shopgoodwill.com .

Yeah, 7 layers of denim was a bit much. I think it would do 7 flat layers, but there were two folds in the mess and that is what gave it the problems. One of these days I'll come up with an industrial for cheap then I'll hammer that denim with ease ..... maybe.

Joe

Joe is correct about the different cams- My mom's Kenmore takes double thick cams, mine takes the single thick cams. Hers is at a camp in the Adirondacks for summer use so I don't know the model #, and mine is out in the car and it's too darn cold to go get it! If you look at Joe's great pictures you'll see the difference in the green cam thickness in the ones in the center row.

Thanks for clarifying Monroe! I appreciate it. I'll make sure that if I do ever end up buying more cams, I'll have to be certain they fit my model. Although, I will note, that my machine's cams are both single and double thick. This is so confusing!

Actually my Mom's uses both thicknesses of the top hat or high hat cams. Mine only uses the single thickness ones. I'm looking at a Kenmore tomorrow to possibly use for replacement parts for one of mine. Not sure of the model #. It might have attachments I don't need that could fit yours. That's one of the nice things about Kenmores- lots of attachments and parts still readily available.

Hey, if that's the case, I'll take you up on that offer! Thanks! :D

Congrats on your great find!

Does anyone have an opinion about Kenmore 1120 and 1217 machines? I'm not interested in any with plastic gears.

I have a box of cams with a button holer
Karen
[email protected]

I also have one of those Kenmore 1703-but paid a bit more $75 in cabinet, it also needed a new belt, but it's worth every penny I paid. It is a workhorse, and sews so nice.

This is a great deal! Congratulations... Even though I don't have room in my house, this would have been tough to resist!

There are some lower numbered cams that don't belong to your set because they were for older machines that didn't have any built-in stitches. For example, there's a cam for blind hems & multi-step zigzag.

Kenmore cams- 158-1756
 

The Kenmore turned out to be a 158-1756 with the just same basic set of sage green cams shown in Joe's picture. I think you already have those. The reverse lever is broken off deep inside- it's silver painted plastic! Got it anyway as I needed the cover plates and feet. On 1 of my Kenmores someone had overtightened the bobbin coverplate screws too much and the tapered screw hole had worn through. I use these for my sister's church sewing group. Tough, solid metal (except for that reverse switch), practical, and not intimidating for older folks with computer fears.

Shes' a beauty...