There is a 1969/1970 Kenmore Model 158.16011 sewing machine that is being restored.
This is another 1601!The old model 1802 seems to be slightly overshadowed by this machine.They are both high quality sewing machines.I think the 1601 has an edge over the 1802 for those who use their machines for quilting because it is a center homing needle machine.
The same machines have the same cam assembly in the upper sewing arm.They both use the same selection of cams, the sewing controls are identical, and they are all metal throughout, except for the background color of the dial.Both machines have the same 1.2 Amp motor and double belt reduction drive.
The machine is in good condition, but it is a little tight in turning the sewing assembly.Two of the thread guides need to be replaced.There is a pin in the brackets that needs to be removed.There are small chips in the paint that need to be fixed.There is oil varnish in the sewing head on the needle bar and the linkages that will be removed from the affected moving parts.I think it will turn out to be a great restoration.
There is a brown film on the outside of the parts that are being cleaned.The sewing mechanism has an effect on you.The machine feels tight.
The parts are heated in hot oil and cleaned.The parts are brushed to shiny condition.The needle bar and presser foot bar are made of glass.I can get on with servicing the motor and the gear case.
The gear case has old grease that is no longer lubricating the gears.I can tell the condition of the grease by looking at the next picture.
If you have a vintage Kenmore, I can tell you that they all are in the same condition.Behind the cover is what it looks like.
The gears are shiny and have no grease on them.You can see the outline of the gears in the grease because it is the consistency of bees wax.I have posted a guide on how to clean and replace the grease in a vintage Kenmore.It is easy to do and it will make a difference.The old grease is removed and cleaned out before being re-packed with new grease.
The motor is a critical part of a restoration.The Kenmore motor is a great motor.I would use them as an external motor for my belt driven machine if I could fit them to a brackets.They are very reliable sewing machine motor.They respond well to cleaning the shafts, reconditioning the brushes, and polishing the commutator.
The brushes have normal wear and the contact has assumed the curve of the commutator.The ends are sanded.
The motor is reassembled and tested after the bearing felts are oiled.It runs as it should.These are 1.2 Amp motors and are very strong for domestic sewing machines.
The tension assembly needs to be disassembled and cleaned prior to reassembly.The individual parts are reassembled.
The machine is reassembled and the oil varnish on the outside is cleaned off.The attention is on the restoration.There were some small paint chips that needed to be fixed.I will blend the spots I paint into the machine's surface.I think a restoration should address any issues that can be corrected, even though I admit that these defects don't jump out as a distraction from the machine.I used an air brush to paint the chips and it was easy to blend into the surrounding area.The chips I am focused on are here.
The machine's body is deep cleaned and the chips are sanded to give it a feather edge.The broken pin and paint chips are repaired.
The reassembled machine is adjusted.This is the final part of the restoration of 1601.The difference between before and after is appreciated differently.The sewing mechanism has been improved.The machine has good piercing power and it offers great speed control.The stitch quality is very balanced and good.
If you like what you see, you can visit our website at www.etsy.com/shop/pungoliving and see our other restored fine quality vintage sewing machines.If you have a question, please contact Lee.
I decided to share my experiences with vintage sewing machines.It's a natural progression of exercising my hands and mind.I wanted a trade after graduating high school.I joined the welding program at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.After earning certification and working in many different environments, I decided to enroll in college and earn an engineering degree.I started a new life after I married a wonderful girl.I began my career in the Federal Government after graduating college with a degree in Structural Engineering.We were blessed with 3 beautiful children along the way.I earned a Masters degree in Engineering and registered as a professional engineer for the benefit of my family and country.I have pursued many different hobbies over the years, including woodworking, car mechanics, astronomy, and taking apart and putting together things.I could put my mind and hands into a lot.After many years of retirement, I am finally able to go away for a while with the love of my life.I realized how broad her talents are when I spent so much time with her.She is fond of sewing.It didn't take me long to realize that I could do something with this.Buying, adjusting, servicing, and restoring sewing machines was a win-win.I have a hobby that involves tinkering with precision engineered high quality manufactured machines, while she has an opportunity to sew on various different makes and models of sewing machines.While there are many that have information on line, and what I have to say more than likely has already been said, I wanted to contribute to that conversation and learn from my experience.More posts can be viewed.
I need a timing belt for my sewing machines, but I can't find them online.Thank you for the help, I appreciate it!