thoughts on a kenmore 52?
 

Hello hello . . .

with my financial situation, you'd think I would stay off of craigslist! sigh . . . I promise, I just mean to look! and then I think, well -- I'll just ask a question. and of course I always want them!!

A 'loaded' kenmore 52. He's offered to take forty, since it needs a twelve dollar belt. It is working, but he wouldn't try it with the cracked belt. (Grrr). Of course, I still can't do forty, so it might be moot, but . . .

I like the look of it, it should be all metal right?

Can I get an 'expert SMG' opinion?

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/hsh/3882065079.html

since I am asking advice, can I get a little more? what are general thoughts about this one?

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/atq/3882937948.html one works, one doesn't. You get both for sixty-five! (un-negotiated)

Lara122,

Ah one of the best of the Kenmores. That is a 158-52x machine. Made by Maruzen / Jaguar.
I have the 158-523 in a cabinet and it is a very quiet, strong sewing machine. It takes the large flat cams and sews real nice stitches.
All metal inside, and simple to use. You have the manual and some other accessories, the cams are not terribly hard to find. We found ours at the LSMG and I've seen a couple sets on shopgoodwill.com.
I do not think $40.00 is too high, but I'd still want to go lower ... if I could.

The second machine is a 128. Buy them, clean them up fix the second one, then keep one and flip the other.


Sorry, I'm a terrible enabler.


Joe

Lara,

I forgot to add the belt for the 52 is a common belt and you can get it at any sewing machine shop or Sew-Classic. We bought an Alpha Sew 1434 belt for ours when it needed one. It set us back maybe $5.00.

Joe

I just love them. I wish I could not worry about spending it. I wish sellers cared about who would love them the most! lol. I'd be set, then! lol

thanks so much for your genius advice, even if it is enabling! ;0))

I have a Kenmore model 50 and i actually prefer it to my other machines. The series 158 have a super high shank foot. There is an adapter that makes using a low shank foot possible. Kenmores are awesome! I own four of them .:-) my fifth is a Singer. Lol

foufymaus,

Not all 158-xxxxxxx series Kenmores are high or super high shank feet. Mine have low shank feet. Nuther words, some do, some don't.

Joe

Same here, my 158.1430 has low shank feet.

it is a VERY nice machine - VERY well made - if it is in running condition snap that one up - then give it a good clean up and some tri-flow.

oh my goodness . . . now, I am lost! I wanted it to start with. I suppose we'll see how low he'll go, lol. then, at least I can tell the husband "only" . . ;0)

I have not emailed back since fri morning . . . So hopefully, he'll be glad to hear back from me! wish me luck!