Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell
08-14-2012, 03:43 AM
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I have an Apartment SM. It may be a Western Electric Apartment SM if I remember correctly. I also think it's a full size machine but I woudl need to dig it out and DH only wants to unearth if they're also going to a new home. I do remember mine has a nice cabinet where the flap opens to the rear or so it seems to me. Hope this helps.
Chris
Chris
08-14-2012, 03:46 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NE Iowa
Posts: 843
I have an Apartment SM. It may be a Western Electric Apartment SM if I remember correctly. I also think it's a full size machine but I woudl need to dig it out and DH only wants to unearth if they're also going to a new home. I do remember mine has a nice cabinet where the flap opens to the rear or so it seems to me. Hope this helps.
Chris
Chris
08-14-2012, 04:05 AM
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I have 4 Kenmores I think. A 1930s 117-812 (made by White), the mid 50s 120-491 (problem child), a 158-13470, and the newly acquired 158-523, that Miriam advised me of. The last two made by Maruzen/Jaguar in the 70s I think.
Of the four, only the 120-491 has been problematic. And only because I don't have the correct needles for it. If I could find some Kenmore #49 or Boye 2 1/2 needles I'm sure the problems would simply vanish.
Kenmores are no more or less problematic than any other machines. Mater of fact most of the older Kenmores are made by top of line manufactures and are as good or better than similar vintage Singers.
Joe
08-14-2012, 04:26 AM
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I think certain Kenmore machines are fussy. This one complains because it doesn't have the hybrid needle it needs. A friend of mine has a Kenmore from 1974, all metal, uses cams, etc. The stitches it makes are lovely. The underside looks just like a Singer machine. It uses regular needles, not the extinct ones. Too bad we can't find a stash of those needles for you somewhere!
I agree totally. This one is fickle as can be, but not just because of the needles. I think this model of machine was an experiment. Sort of a precursor of things to come. It is not made like a normal machine of it's time.
>It has a two piece outer shell, like the modern plastic machines. Only it's shell is stamped sheet steel.
>It has an aluminum skeleton, like the modern plastic machines.
>It was made with stamped metal, aluminum and plastic parts, like the modern plastic machines.
>It was designed to require no maintenance, like modern plastic machines.
>It was made to use an odd ball needle.
>It was designed with planned obsolescence in mind, like the modern machines.
Some how in spite of all this, it has survived and with some work is now in working order. It is my opinions the needles were made odd ball so that after a period of time there were be no more and the machine would be disposed of. I can't prove it, but if you look at the whole picture, it kind of adds up to that.
I'd love to find some original needles. But I won't hold my breath.
Originally Posted by chris_quilts
Joe; How old is the testy Kenmore? I have a vintage one that I need to unearth before I can give any more info about it but you have me curious about the needed needles now. Actually I have 2 Kenmores but think one of them is less vintage than the other one. Can unearth that one and look at it a bit more.
Chris
Chris
The owners manual is date coded: 6-53. So I'd say mid 50s.
It is the only Kenmore I have that uses this odd needle. The needle point looks like the Singer 206-13 needle. It has a very short point below the eye, just like the 206-13. So it's not only the odd length that causes the problems, but the short point too.
I have a 1930s Kenmore 117-812 made by White. Uses 15x1 needles. Sews good and will be running when I'm long gone. Also have a 158-13470 from the 70s that uses 15x1 needles and it's one of the best machines we have. Just got a 158-523 that also uses 15x1s and it is coming right along. Got some pieces to get freed up, but it sews nicely.
Like I said to Christine, I think this machine was an experiment that failed. A bad omen of things to come. It just took 30 more years for the manufacturers to put features of this machine into mainstream production.
Joe
Last edited by J Miller; 08-14-2012 at 04:28 AM.
08-14-2012, 08:23 AM
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08-14-2012, 08:31 AM
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I haven't seen any portable ones. In fact, mine is the only Apartment that I knew of until yours. ISMACS may and only may be able to help you with dating it. I'm guessing mine is older than the 50s and that is only a guess. As to price, I bought mine at an estate sale and gave them $15 or $20 for it but the lady was a prolific quilter with the double knit polyester. Some of her work is protective coverings for the sewing machines and I foun d one that I intend to finish and give to my vet for blankets for covering the surgical patients. I do remember that the wiring looked scary on the machgine and I didn't plug it in for that reason. I don't know if this is any help at all but try ISMACS.
08-14-2012, 08:33 AM
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Chris
08-14-2012, 08:36 AM
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Chris,
The owners manual is date coded: 6-53. So I'd say mid 50s.
It is the only Kenmore I have that uses this odd needle. The needle point looks like the Singer 206-13 needle. It has a very short point below the eye, just like the 206-13. So it's not only the odd length that causes the problems, but the short point too.
I have a 1930s Kenmore 117-812 made by White. Uses 15x1 needles. Sews good and will be running when I'm long gone. Also have a 158-13470 from the 70s that uses 15x1 needles and it's one of the best machines we have. Just got a 158-523 that also uses 15x1s and it is coming right along. Got some pieces to get freed up, but it sews nicely. Joe
Joe, thanks for this information. I'm guessing neither of mine are an experimental model ~ hoping so anyway ~ and I'm also guessing one dates from the 50s, maybe earlier, and the other is an unknown which also needs to be looked at and worked on. Here's to hoping both of mine require 15X1 needles. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us on the board.
Chris
The owners manual is date coded: 6-53. So I'd say mid 50s.
It is the only Kenmore I have that uses this odd needle. The needle point looks like the Singer 206-13 needle. It has a very short point below the eye, just like the 206-13. So it's not only the odd length that causes the problems, but the short point too.
I have a 1930s Kenmore 117-812 made by White. Uses 15x1 needles. Sews good and will be running when I'm long gone. Also have a 158-13470 from the 70s that uses 15x1 needles and it's one of the best machines we have. Just got a 158-523 that also uses 15x1s and it is coming right along. Got some pieces to get freed up, but it sews nicely. Joe
Joe, thanks for this information. I'm guessing neither of mine are an experimental model ~ hoping so anyway ~ and I'm also guessing one dates from the 50s, maybe earlier, and the other is an unknown which also needs to be looked at and worked on. Here's to hoping both of mine require 15X1 needles. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us on the board.
Chris
08-14-2012, 09:15 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2011
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Joe,
I didn't mean to come across as being snappy, but I do not actually own a cloak of invisibility. I originally stated that I did not know why dropping the needle worked, but that it changed something. Years ago, I did alterations, and learned to work with what I had when something different came in, and some fabrics just make your machine act screwy.
When I looked up your bad seed 120-491 machine, I found that on the Vintage Kenmore Yahoo group, that it was made in 1954. Also, http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland....re/page44.html about 3 down, shows compatability to your machine.
Melinda
I didn't mean to come across as being snappy, but I do not actually own a cloak of invisibility. I originally stated that I did not know why dropping the needle worked, but that it changed something. Years ago, I did alterations, and learned to work with what I had when something different came in, and some fabrics just make your machine act screwy.
When I looked up your bad seed 120-491 machine, I found that on the Vintage Kenmore Yahoo group, that it was made in 1954. Also, http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland....re/page44.html about 3 down, shows compatability to your machine.
Melinda
08-14-2012, 10:45 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2012
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Joe,
I didn't mean to come across as being snappy, but I do not actually own a cloak of invisibility. I originally stated that I did not know why dropping the needle worked, but that it changed something. Years ago, I did alterations, and learned to work with what I had when something different came in, and some fabrics just make your machine act screwy.
When I looked up your bad seed 120-491 machine, I found that on the Vintage Kenmore Yahoo group, that it was made in 1954. Also, http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland....re/page44.html about 3 down, shows compatability to your machine.
Melinda
I didn't mean to come across as being snappy, but I do not actually own a cloak of invisibility. I originally stated that I did not know why dropping the needle worked, but that it changed something. Years ago, I did alterations, and learned to work with what I had when something different came in, and some fabrics just make your machine act screwy.
When I looked up your bad seed 120-491 machine, I found that on the Vintage Kenmore Yahoo group, that it was made in 1954. Also, http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland....re/page44.html about 3 down, shows compatability to your machine.
Melinda
I do not doubt you or your experiences. I just sometimes need more specific info before I do something. And, as I said, I'm armpit deep in projects and sometimes it takes me several days to get back to one.
Now as to this needle situation. I do doubt SEWING MACHINE PARTS claim that the 206-13 is compatible with the Kenmore #49 or Boye 2 ½ needles. So, I'm going to do some picture taking and will post back with some I hope will make sense.
Joe
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