JillCan

I cannot find any information on the web to help identify/find a user's manual/learn more about my grandmother's vintage keystone sewing machine. I am guessing that it is from the 70s, but I could be off.
Any information would be appreciated!!! [ATTACH=CONFIG]424537[/ATTACH] Model SSA-10, serial No. 80072. That's all of the information I could find.

miriam

I believe you might be right 1970s or so. It is a Badged Japanese machine. That one looks like it has a cam stack for selecting stitches. Does the stitch selector knob turn at all? Usually they are stuck. Some clean up won't hurt if it does move. Tri-flow will work wonders. You may have to put Tri-flow and then wait a couple days/weeks for the Tri-flow to work. Put the needle in the up position. You have to turn the stitch selector knob where you want the stitches then set the width and length. Some of the machines have to have some knob or lever to hold the width knob is place. It looks you might have to match the black with the black and the red with the red on the knobs. Does it have a way to set the needle left right or center? If so you can get 3 different stitch designs for each pattern. Those are fun to play with. The buttons at the bottom are for darning or not darning. Do they move? The button with the R is reverse some times those are stuck. Are the spool holders on the back? Have you tried to thread it? Here is a generic manual but it doesn't cover the cam stack/stitch selector knob. It will thread the same and wind the bobbin the same. It just won't help with the stitch selector. Keep the needle up when you move the knobs. http://www.dontai.com/wp/images/imperial-535-manual.pdf

JillCan

To backtrack, it was my grandmother's machine who passed away 20 years ago. I used the machine on and off (no oiling or maintenance - I was young and didn't know any better) for the past 15 years, with the last time being 4 years ago. I finally transported the machine to my home and plan on getting it professionally cleaned/overhauled soon before I attempt to sew on it but I know it worked beautifully so hopefully it will keep working after I get it worked on.
As far as the knobs, they all turn easily. I'm not sure about setting the needle in different positions. There are 2 spool holders on the back, which I'm excited about since my crappy singer just has one. The buttons in front both work. Is that for the feed dogs? I have gotten more adventurous in my sewing since I last used this machine and so I never really used it for anything other than straight stitching. Thank you so much for the link to the generic manual.

Is this a clone of another type of machine? Thank you so much for your reply, I really do appreciate it!

miriam

I don't know if it is a clone or not. I would try to do the servicing myself if I were you. I've seen things service people try to do. Muv has a VERY good video on cleaning and oiling. Every thing she says applies here.

JillCan

I thought about doing the servicing myself but was a little afraid since I didn't have the manual. Is this the video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bidpJ..._order&list=UL

miriam

Yes - aren't her videos great?