MamaHen

Does anyone have this model of Kenmore sewing machine? I have been looking for a 158.1650 and came across this 1703 in a cabinet for $80. It has the 1.2amp motor which I know the 1650 had and should be a workhorse like the 1650. Just wondering if anyone else has one and what their opinion is.

amandasgramma

I have the 158.17560 -- I bought it in 1972 or 1973!!! Mine has the 1.2 amp motor. It's a very HEAVY machine --- but that's good. It means the parts are all metal. To me, that makes it a winner. Your's is an earlier number and I believe it would be as good as this one. This one has gone 10000000s of miles and has been NO problem! My GF bought one right after me because she liked mine so well. It had an A after the model #......it wasn't the same! Seems from about that point on they used plastic in the mechanisms and it was a piece of junk!!!! For $80. WITH the cabinet, it's a steal in my book. Oh -- even though I bought one with all the bells and whistles, I still pull the Kenmore out to sew heavy stuff like denim and vinyl. It's a real workhorse.

I hope this helped!

dee

thepolyparrot

I don't think you can go wrong with this. I have the 1803, which is very similar to the 1703 and it's my favorite all-around sewing machine in the house. I loved it so much that I bought an 1802 to have as a back up!

I've quilted king-size quilts on my 1803 (though it's much, much, MUCH easier to do on a Singer 15-91) and I've made a lot of clothing on it. It has a variety of stretch stitches for sewing knits and a lot of utility and decorative stitches. The collection of attachments for this machine is HUGE and includes a monogrammer, buttonholer, chain-stitch and a LOT of different feet.

I would buy this even if it doesn't run - as good a machine as this is, $80 is a bargain. Spend another $120-200 and for $300, you have one of the best sewing machines in the world. Heavy as a tank and smooth as a Cadillac. And the cabinets for this model will likely have a LOT of storage - when you buy the top of the line machine, you don't usually put it into the "economy" cabinet, right?

Go test drive it!

SUZAG

If you look on e-Bay, the prices for this age/type of a Kenmore machine are really getting high...I know, I've been looking! Grab it! Good machines!

MamaHen

Thanks for info, I did go and pick up this machine. Just needs one new belt.

Queen

I picked up a 1814 at a garage sale for $5.00 with a walnut cabinet. Works great and weights a ton.

Mary

thepolyparrot

Terrific! I think you'll be happy that you did!

There are two Kenmore groups on yahoogroups.com - vintagekenmoressew and OldKenmoreSewingMachines - tons of info in the archives of these groups and I think Jenny of sew-classic.com is actually one of the owners on the second group. Really nice, helpful people and pleasant groups.

MaggieLou

I have one I bought new in 1974 or 75. Still works great and sews over anything. I use it when sewing heavy layers and I'm just starting to try to FMQ with it since it has a larger throat than my Brother. The only problem I've found is mine has a super high shank and finding presser feet is expensive.

Christine-

A friend of mine was given this model. I serviced it for her tonight but she's needing a manual for it. Do you know where a manual can be found for this? If anyone could copy theirs we'd be willing to pay for it. We've looked online and they aren't anywhere around, not even on ebay. It's model 158.17033

xxxxxxxxxx

This month I strated using mom's 1720, she like it over her 401 by far, I have to say it's 10 x's the machine a 401 is.

far above any other home machine I have, and I have almost all the common singers..

a local junk store has a 158 series for 25, case is yellowing but the inside and machine still look new, I would buy it. But am working on getting below the 20 count by winter ...

not sure what size motor it has, but in takes the standard type motor even though it is inside,,,