Neesie

I really miss my old Kenmore, for piecing! Took it apart again, for the umpteenth time, trying to figure out why it wants to balk. No lint build-up, no thread nests, nothing obvious . . . except that I noticed one of the little "oil this" areas was practically bone dry. I oiled the whole shebang, less than a month ago and haven't used it, since. SO! I'm wondering if maybe my Singer sewing machine oil is too old. Does sewing machine oil expire (found no date on the can)? Can't remember when I bought it but am betting it was at least a good 10 years ago!

Anyway, I need advice! What's the best sewing machine oil, to be had? This is a 158.19142 Kenmore, about 35 years old.

Thanks, for any advice!

Katia

Does sewing machine get old?

Beebee

I don't think the oil is old. Give it a chance to work its way into the gears. BUT sew some scraps to make sure you did not over oil or you will have it on the fabric. My mother got one in the 1940's it still runs but you do need to oil where it tells you to. Do you have a manual? That would help

Havplenty

the vintage machine group swears by tri-flow. it's on my list of oils to get. you can also ask on that thread about your kenmore and its issues. maybe someone can assist or have had the same issues and can offer some advice.

icon17

I asked my other 1/2 and he said Oil won't go bad! But I do know it can get Gummed up so maybe your Machine needs the insides Cleaned of the old Gunky oil build up? as to how I don't know but Maybe here on the site somewhere the info you need to do it?

mike'sgirl

I recently bought a singer from the 50's and went looking for how to care for it. I found an instruction book online that said to oil those old machines daily. I don't know if yours would need it that often, but I do know that sewing machine oil evaporates so that it won't gum up the machine. That is why it's important to use only sewing machine oil. I would suggest oiling it more often, maybe every week if you use it a lot, or bimonthly if you use it less often.
I can't answer about the age of the oil, but would think that it would be fine to keep using it. I think it is good for a long time.

Neesie

Yes, I have the manual and have oiled it, repeatedly. Right after oiling, it runs smoothly for maybe an hour or so, then starts balking again. I've oiled and let it sit, also. I've had this machine, for about 35 years, and it's been a sweetheart, until this past year. After we moved, it sat unused, for a couple years (lack of sewing space), so I suspect that has something to do with the current problem.

Havplenty

you need to oil vintage machines almost daily if you use them 8 hrs or more to keep the metal parts running smoothly. yes sewing machine oil evaporates which is it suppose to do or you would have gumming problems.

Havplenty

try the tri-flow oil. many of the vintage machines we score today have sat forever without use so your kenmore cannot use that as an excuse. maybe you just need to oil more frequently like every day. i am sewing on my singer 15-91 (i just love jo-jo) and i oil her everyday. she just purrs along happily.

Neesie

Thanks! Will look into that.

I'm pretty certain it's an oil issue, since it runs smoothly immediately after oiling.