Does anyone have a Kenmore 1980 Convertible? If so, have you have problems with the feeddogs?

This machine was my mothers...and she obviously had problems since the screws holding the plate down had been stripped...the feeddogs move back and forth, and they drop slightly, but don't clear the plate, making it so that they only wiggle the fabric back and forth instead of moving it through the machine.

Any clues? We got the plate off last night, and now have to buy new screws to hold it down again, but can't see anything that would prevent the dogs from dropping to cycle....

I'd love to be able to use this machine!

I don't have that sewing machine, I hope you get it figured out soon!


Craftybear

Well Charlee this is technically past the vintage machine cut off date but for you I am going to include this because it is a 1977 model. And thats kinda old if you think about it, and I like Kenmores!!!

I need the model number off of the machine because I might could get my paws on the service manual.

Let me know and I am moving this thread to the VSMS so it will be easier for us to find!!

Billy

Thanks Billy!

The model number is 158.19800

It's a cool machine, and I already have the cams for this one! ;)

I have never had any problem with the feed dogs, hope you get it figured out.

I've seen some comments when I tried to google the machine's problem last night...evidently this is a common problem for this machine... :(

A quick fix would be to shim the plate that covers the feed dogs and raise it a tad.

But let me look up a service manual for you.

Billy

My Mother had a Kenmore 1980 that was passed to me and I in turn passed to my oldest daughter. It is a workhorse but she has recently been having trouble with the stitching (uneven, thread bunching underneath, and even making wierd noises.)
I realize that the machine weighs a ton but it has been a great tool and if it can be fixed, that would be fantastic.
Any ideas?
Thanx so much, mcstutts

Ooooooooo....my daughter (born 9/22/77) would not like to see this.....:-D :wink:

Welcome to the forum!!:D Hang out with us for awhile and you will soon learn how to fix your machine. This site is wonderful.

I ran across this, 2 years after your posting. You've probably already solved your problem or have gotten rid of the machine by now, but I have a Kenmore 1980 sewing machine. I absolutely love it! Although it has a lot of age on it now and knocked off the table at least once, it still runs. It does have some issues, but expected with age and the abuse it has received. I've never had problems with the feeddogs. I would assume the problem is beyond setting the pressure, located under the lid. I would like to find another Kenmore 1980 machine that I can use for parts, so if anyone knows where I can get one, please email me.

Actually Sabrena, since the machine was my mother's, who has passed, I am not willing to part with it. I still have not gotten it repaired, but am planning to soon. :) So it sits, unused but still loved, waiting for repair.

Hi Charlee,
I was looking at my Kenmore 158.1247 and I can see how the dogs can stick in the up position. Mine rides on a square roller and seems as if gravity returns it to the down position. Could be different from yours though.

Good Luck
Jon

Thanks Jon! The spousal unit doesn't want to tackle it, and I don't do anything more than the really simple stuff, so it waits to go to a OSMG that I can trust (when I find one! :D )