Saw a thrift shop machine...can't get it out of my head. Y'all are contagious.
 

I think I have to go back and buy it, but I'm not 100% sure why I'm so drawn to the machine.

It's a slightly boring looking machine; an older Kenmore. I went on Google this morning and found an example of what it looks like:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491777&stc=1
Not really pretty but definitely has a style of its own!

It's in a pretty nice cabinet; I couldn't find an identical one on Google but it looks sorta like this:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491778&stc=1

The cabinet folds out to the left and to the right, and on the right hand side when the top folds open there's a cubby there. This is at a thrift shop, they want $85 for it. The cubby in the cabinet is stuffed with goodies; I didn't look too closely because I didn't think I was going to buy it at the time, but I know I saw some bobbins in there, I think a manual or booklet of some kind, lots of misc threads & scissors & such, and some handwritten notes.

I didn't plug it in, but I spun the wheel and it was smooth as butter. I was amazed actually, it felt so good, like it just wanted to keep on spinning. The tag says "tested - works". It has a knee control attached to the cabinet.

I am going to go back on my lunch break and see if it's even still there. If it is, I'm going to plug it in and test it. And if it works, I think I'll probably end up buying it....my boss has a truck and has volunteered to haul it home for me. :)

No idea where I'm going to put it or what I'm going to do with it, but I CAN'T get this machine out of my head. I woke up an hour early this morning and found myself just laying there thinking about it.

Am I crazy? Is $85 a reasonable price for this machine, assuming it works?

It's a White made machine, a 117 series, but I don't know what the actual model is.

When you test run it be aware that it turns opposite of Singers. Nuther words the hand wheel rotates away from you rather than towards you.
Also check the drawers for goodies if you haven't already.

I like the White made machines, they are equals to their Singer contemporaries.

Joe

I like that style of Kenmore too. It was made by White for Sears and I believe it takes standard needles. Make sure the bobbin case and at least one bobbin is there. It says it works so you're probably good there. It uses top clamp feet. The ones for White machines are easy to get but don't expect to find a walking foot or FMQ foot for it. Does the store have any sales or will they negotiate? The price seems a little high to me but price isn't the only consideration either. You'll get the money out of it quickly enough in enjoyment.
Rodney

Thanks for the feedback! I did read up on it a bit last night and saw the bit about it spinning the opposite direction - I thought that was weird but interesting. I also read that they get can get a flat spot on some drive wheel (details elude me) so when I test it I'll be listening; apparently if it has that it'll make a "whump whump whump" sound when it sews and I gathered that it's not a part that's easy to replace. Does that sound familiar/right to you guys?

The thrift shop does have sales but not that include furniture and this is tagged as furniture. This is a generally expensive area so I'm not surprised it's not a killer deal. The thrift shop benefits the local hospice system so I don't mind paying a fair price; it's a hospice system I myself have benefited from when I had my hip replaced. My insurance paid for it but I really appreciated the service so I feel good helping support them while at the same time getting goodies for myself!

I did check the other drawers, all empty except for a couple loose pencils. I think someone emptied it out before they donated it and just missed the upper cubby.

The machine appears complete - did have a bobbin case installed and I saw at least 2 loose bobbins; may have been a 3rd inside the machine. Weird bobbins - much flatter and wider than any I've used before.

I'll have to check it out in more detail today!

I think it looks great....not boring at all. Let us know if you brought it home:) Oh and we love pictures.

Oh yes, if I buy it, there WILL be pictures!! I'm not even sure where it'll go...I just finished remodeling my sewing room but I've realized I have some problems to sort out!

Should be an easy part to replace. The drive tires are readily available at several locations online.

You just have to loosen a screw, slide the old one off, slide the new one on, and tighten a screw.

Good to know!! Thanks. :)

I looked it up again to try to find the right part name/description (drive tire is it, you hit that on the nose) and found two sites talking about the issue. One said the part was impossible to find and had a series of comments offering work-arounds, the other casually mentioned ordering a new one like it's no big deal. If it does have that issue, I'll probably risk being able to find a replacement; it doesn't sound like a huge deal-breaker.

If nothing else, someone here can probably point me in the right direction as to where to find good supplies. :)

I'll be heading over on my lunch break to check it out. (In about an hour) If I buy it, my boss is willing to let the two of us take off in the middle of the day to go load it up into his truck while they're still open and then he'll deliver it later tonight when he gets off work. (I have the BEST boss ever!!)

Thanks!

Some of us were talking of this machine a week or so ago. It is so streamlined, isn't it? Reminds me of a Gulf Stream motor home. Or a retro mixer. Way cool! And the cabinet is great, too. You are drawn to the machine because it is simple elegance, as well as a picture of classic engineering design. Or maybe because it is not the usual frilly. It is so basic that it oozes strength and dependability. (Geesh, maybe I wrote ad copy for sewing machines in another life!)

White used a variety of drive wheels. Sew-Classic carries a couple different sizes. You need to know your shaft diameter and outside diameter to get the right one. That one should be an easy one to replace.
Rodney

I think that machine is going to be a Kenmore 117.959 from the looks of it.

CD in Oklahoma

LOL!! I do like how "masculine" it is, it has a nice industrial look to it. I'm female but I tend to prefer industrial over frilly any day. It makes me think of an old Buick, actually. (And I like classic cars too)

Very good! I own a caliper (somewhere) so I should be able to measure accurately enough to get the right part. Thanks!

That sure does look like it! I know it's a 117.-something for sure; I found the serial number and I remember the 117 for certain but I don't recall what the last few digits were.

Just about a half-hour before I can go and see if it's still there... *all antsy*

Oh, slightly funny story about this...

So when I saw this originally I was with DH on my lunch break. I kept talking about it afterwards so he definitely knew what machine I've been looking at.

When I got home from work I told him I couldn't get "that machine" out of my mind and that I thought I was going to have to go back and take another look, and maybe buy it.

DH smiled at me and said, "Oh, that reminds me, there's something BIG and HEAVY out in the car that I need your help with."

So I got all excited thinking that maybe DH had realized how much I wanted that machine and bought it for me as a surprise!!

We get out thre, and I'm all hopeful and excited but trying not to show it so I could act surprised....

As you know, that's not what was in the car.

It was a new toilet.

Talk about disappointment! LOL

LOL, and that's why I'm single.<VBG>

Cari

It's mine!!! I bought it.

I plugged her in and at first...nothing. Checked the motor and it was slightly unplugged. Pushed it in all the way...sews fine! Sounds like it needs some oil but no "whump whump" sounds, no grinding, everything seemed to move nice & smooth. Found some thread and a denim patch in the cubby, threaded 'er up (with some tips from the included manual) and...sews great! Tension doesn't even look bad. Sewed backwards & forwards, no problems.

So, she's mine! I will get her home tonight and take some pictures to share. Also need to go through the cubby, all kinds of treasures in there; I'll post pics of that, too.

I got four bobbins. Three loose plus the one inside. Yay!

Congrats!!! Good for you!!

Congrats on getting it! I'm still laughing over the toilet. :D
Rodney

I know...it couldn't have been a better prank if he'd done it on purpose! LOL

I dumped the cubby contents into a bag and took it to work with me - partially because I'm dying to play with it and also so that none of it "wanders off" while it waits for me to come pick it up. I've got a handful of junky scissors, whole bunch of those old needle packets from insurance companies (some with decent graphics that I will put up as decoration), some dirty screwdrivers, some handwritten notes on slip-covering chairs (dated 1997 so looks like this machine was in use SOMEWHAT recently), and some other misc. needle threaders, plastic thimbles and the like.

NO extra feet, so that's a slight disappointment. Just the one foot that's on it is all I got. That's OK though, gives me something to hunt for. :) I know this machine came with more feet because I see the pictures in the manual!

It is a 117-959, btw, and the manual is in great shape. So that's a plus!

I can't wait to get it home and get her all oiled up and "pretty"! She'll never be the belle of the ball but I am in love anyway. :)

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!
 

Here it is! Safe & sound in my quilting room. My quilt inspector is trying her hand at sewing machine cabinet inspections. See the little hidden cubby full of stuff?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491895&stc=1

Closeup of the worst of the damage on the cabinet. Some of this is grime but most of it is scrapes and gouges. I think I can disguise most of it; I'm OK with some wear left showing. (That way it'll match everything else I own, LOL)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491902&stc=1

The machine! Pretty clean overall. Bobbin winder could use a new rubber tire but it'll do for now.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491896&stc=1

The tension confused me at first, but the manual is there so I figured it out. Yay for manual! (Sorry for the glare...)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491897&stc=1

I tried to get out of this reflection but you can still sorta see me. Hi!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491898&stc=1
This picture makes me notice that the machine sits a little crookedly inside the cabinet. I'll have to see if I can figure out what's going on there.

The stitch sample I did in the store; this is a (rather gross) denim patch that was loose in that cubby.
This is the top stitches (you can see a bit of white bobbin thread - the back shows only bobbin thread so it's only off by a touch.)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491900&stc=1

And all the stuff! All of these things were stuffed into that cubby:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491903&stc=1

Someone had a fondness for little gold-handled scissors! Most of these are so dull they're worthless. The black handled scissors are Wiss but the rest are no-name. Some of them are still brand-new in plastic but they're not good quality.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491907&stc=1

Lots of needle packs from an insurance company & some other misc places. Most still full. Also a couple somewhat mangled needle threaders, one with a Necci logo.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491908&stc=1

Misc tools. Any idea what the sort of key-shaped thing on the right is for? It looks homemade; the end has been cut at an angle so it's somewhat pointy. That pink thing is the dullest seam ripper I've ever seen!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491909&stc=1

Other stuff, including the manual! (What on earth does "sanforized" mean??)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491911&stc=1

Oops, it says too many photos. More in next post!

Mystery....knob? No idea what this is, it doesn't seem to go with the machine or the cabinet...? Anybody know if this is something important? It's knurled along the edges, concave on one side. No threads or pegs.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491910&stc=1

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491912&stc=1

I love the little cubby, it has a lift-out tray with some pegs for thread and a little pincushion area. The inside of the cubby also has more pegs and another little pincushion. And lots of stray rusty pins I need to toss!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491913&stc=1

The tray - anybody know what those open holes towards the bottom would have been for?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491914&stc=1

And last shot for now...inside the top drawer is a rail and a circular sort of cupholder looking thing. Any ideas as to what belonged in here? The other 2 drawers don't have this.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491917&stc=1

Thanks for looking! :)

And so it begins... LOL
Congrats! My first vintage was a White 77 and I blame this board for "giving me the bug"! A small house and tight budget keeps me from collecting scads of machines, but I scour the classifieds, thrifts, GW, Ebay, Craigslist like a fiend!!!

I can't see your pictures.
Rodney

Oh, and one last picture.

The "big & heavy" thing in the car that was NOT a sewing machine.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491918&stc=1

Nope. Not a sewing machine at all. Apparently it's a stealth toilet. (?? LOL)

No? They show for me...I didn't get any errors!

Anybody else able to see them?

The only picture that I can see is that toilet ! :D:D:D

HAHAHAHAH! OH, doesn't that just figure!? Well, I got disappointed by that same toilet when I expected a sewing machine, so now I'm just sharing that feeling with all of you! LOL!

OK. Let me see if I can fix this mess....sheesh! I swear I'm not REALLY trying to prank you!

Rats...can't edit the older posts. Let's see if this works....re-pasting and re-uploading everything.

Here it is! Safe & sound in my quilting room. My quilt inspector is trying her hand at sewing machine cabinet inspections. See the little hidden cubby full of stuff?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491895&stc=1

Closeup of the worst of the damage on the cabinet. Some of this is grime but most of it is scrapes and gouges. I think I can disguise most of it; I'm OK with some wear left showing. (That way it'll match everything else I own, LOL)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491902&stc=1

The machine! Pretty clean overall. Bobbin winder could use a new rubber tire but it'll do for now.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491896&stc=1

The tension confused me at first, but the manual is there so I figured it out. Yay for manual! (Sorry for the glare...)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491897&stc=1

I tried to get out of this reflection but you can still sorta see me. Hi!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491898&stc=1
This picture makes me notice that the machine sits a little crookedly inside the cabinet. I'll have to see if I can figure out what's going on there.

The stitch sample I did in the store; this is a (rather gross) denim patch that was loose in that cubby.
This is the top stitches (you can see a bit of white bobbin thread - the back shows only bobbin thread so it's only off by a touch.)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491900&stc=1

And all the stuff! All of these things were stuffed into that cubby:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491903&stc=1

Someone had a fondness for little gold-handled scissors! Most of these are so dull they're worthless. The black handled scissors are Wiss but the rest are no-name. Some of them are still brand-new in plastic but they're not good quality.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491907&stc=1

Lots of needle packs from an insurance company & some other misc places. Most still full. Also a couple somewhat mangled needle threaders, one with a Necci logo.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491908&stc=1

Misc tools. Any idea what the sort of key-shaped thing on the right is for? It looks homemade; the end has been cut at an angle so it's somewhat pointy. That pink thing is the dullest seam ripper I've ever seen!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491909&stc=1

Did that work? I'll re-do the rest if it worked.

Yes, now the pics are in their own little box labelled "attachments". Please show more !

Way to go, that's a lot of goodies that came with the machine. At least you didn't find any bedside table stuff in it.
I have about that many pairs if small scissors. I don't buy good small ones because I always drop them at some point and bend the blades.

Cari

117.959. I have one. And I have that exact same cabinet, too, but it came with a different Kenmore.

The hand wheel on most rotaries moves away from the user because a friction drive means that the rotations of motor/wheel are opposite. The rubber on a friction pulley can be shaved with a very sharp knife. This is a temporary fix, though. This machine is equipped with a spring mounted motor that allows the pulley to rest apart from the wheel so that hard spots don't form on the tire. This is what causes the sound you describe.

These are good machines -- strong and simple to run. I bought mine for $3.99 including pedal, a box of feet and attachments, and the original manual. But I've seen them for over $100. This is not a boring machine at all; actually, it has quite a bit of character.

Oops, went downstairs and got distracted playing with it!

The rest from my original, ill-fated posts:

Other stuff, including the manual! (What on earth does "sanforized" mean??)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491964&stc=1

Mystery....knob? No idea what this is, it doesn't seem to go with the machine or the cabinet...? Anybody know if this is something important? It's knurled along the edges, concave on one side. No threads or pegs.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491965&stc=1

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491966&stc=1

I love the little cubby, it has a lift-out tray with some pegs for thread and a little pincushion area. The inside of the cubby also has more pegs and another little pincushion. And lots of stray rusty pins I need to toss!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491967&stc=1

The tray - anybody know what those open holes towards the bottom would have been for?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491968&stc=1

And last shot for now...inside the top drawer is a rail and a circular sort of cupholder looking thing. Any ideas as to what belonged in here? The other 2 drawers don't have this.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491969&stc=1

OK, hopefully those came through!

So I put some oil in hopefully all the right spots (I followed the manual) and it does sound a little better now. It has that "clicky" mechanical sound I'm not used to hearing but it runs nice and everything seems to be happy. (I like the sound) The motor sounds growly compared to my modern machines but seems to work fine - everything spins and it doesn't get hot or smell funny, anyway! It's not loud or grindy, it's just a "motory" sound, if that makes any sense. This is the first machine I've sewn on with an external motor so I think I'm just not used to hearing it so clearly.

One problem...I can't get the clutch to disengage. The manual says to rotate it counter-clockwise. No luck, if I really crank on it, the needle & pick-up arm start to move even if I'm holding the hand wheel steady. I drizzled some oil into the oil hole there but I don't know what else I should do. I haven't tested winding a bobbin yet but the winder mechanism seems to move correctly.

I think I do need to replace that rubber drive wheel after all. It doesn't have a flat spot, but it's been worn convex over the years and doesn't have a very good grip. I have to give the wheel a little push to get 'er going. So that plus the bobbin rubber tire. Not a bad list! The cord even feels nice and flexible, no cracks.

I was happy to discover the light works too! I didn't think to test that so I'm glad to find it's working.

I didn't take any pictures underneath but it's nice and clean under there, just some old oil traces but nothing gunky or dirty. This machine is definitely used, but it looks like it's been well taken care of too.

I sewed on a test quilt sandwich and it stitched right through no problem. The stitch isn't as straight as I would have expected, though, considering this is a straight-stitch machine. The stitches look just slightly slanted. Not really a problem, just not what I expected. I got the tension just about perfect now, just a nudge on the tension lever did the trick.

All in all, after a much closer inspection...I'm pretty darn happy with it. :) Now I just need to figure where the heck it's going to go in my sewing room!

Aye, I found that spring-mount - startled me for a second because I thought something was loose! It's a very cleverly made machine, I think. You're right, it's not boring at all, the more time I spend with it the more elegant it seems.

Sounds like you got a killer deal on yours!

Those holes in the tray are for your thimbles.

The rail and "cupholder" are probably for pens and an inkwell. Many older cabinets did double duty.

Cari

IIRC sanforized means pre-shrunk

Ah!! Thank you!

I thought it looked "inkwell-ish" but had no conception of why that'd be in a sewing cabinet. Right now it's doing a great job keeping my sewing machine oil from tipping over in the drawer, LOL.

I suppose that would make sense! At first I thought it said "sanfordized" and then I had the theme song from that old show "Sanford & Son" stuck in my head all afternoon, LOL. Funny how such a standard, day-to-day term would fall out of usage like that; just goes to show how "alive" the English language is, I guess!

I just need to figure out how to get that clutch un-stuck now. I guess I can just let it wind bobbins as I sew but I'd like to get it working right if I can. There is a screw on the clutch cap/knob, I could try taking it apart but since I have ZERO clue what I'm doing and not a lot of experience in this sort of thing I'm a little terrified of that idea, LOL.

I love that cubby hole in your cabinet. I got an older cabinet that was very similar except it had four drawers (no cubby, alas!) The key thing reminds me of what you used to use to open a coffee can and I haven't thought of that in years.

Sewnoma,

Here's a tip to keep the drive wheel from flat spotting. Take a spring loaded clothes pin apart and put one side of it between the motor body and the bracket that attaches it to the machine. That will keep the drive wheel off the hand wheel. I do this to all my friction drive machines that have spring loaded motors. If they don't have spring loaded motors I remove the drive wheel if I'm not using the machine.

Joe