Sitting on a piece of gold


Sweeneyguy

Sweeneyguy

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Long story short... When my Aunt Grace had to move into assisted living at the young age of 95, She lived to 102, I inherited her old Kenmore model 29 sewing machine. I believe it's from the 50's. That was over 10 years ago. She told me then it didn't run right back then. I had it packed up and it moved with me as I moved. I always said I would take a look at it one day.

Well last night while cleaning out some stuff we had stored under the stairs, I came across it again and it became one day.

Wish I did it sooner. There is not one piece of plastic on this whole thing...No where! I figured I would bring ya along as I get this thing back up to speed.

So, as Aunt Grace said, it didn't run right and who knows how long before I got it. Well last night I could barely move this thing by hand. Hmmmm.....Oil! It need a good oiling. Open the manual, still have the original, and this thing has over a dozen of them. Got out the old 3 in 1 and hit all the spots. Still didn't help? Hmmm? I'll have to go look for some kind of repair manual. I took off the belt and checked the motor, it still runs fine. Belt it all cracked and beat up so that will be fun to find. So here is a few pics of the beast. (Sorry about the flash wash out)

bd42fc68.jpg


99ddfcd0.jpg


13c154a2.jpg


So why put the effort in? I've found out this thing is a beast! If you google Kenmore Model 29 you'll get this kinda boring lady doing a video on one she was selling. It's no frills, just straight stitching. But she shows this thing sewing through 5 layers of leather! 10 layers of jeans! Upholstery too.

So for those that sew their own stuff, especially canvas and such, this is the thing to have.

So all I have done so far is taken it apart to access the insides some and put some oil on it. Next step is to find a belt.
 
Real cool Bro. Hope you get it up and runnin and make some good stuff out of it
 
that's awesome, Sweeney!

here's to your success getting it going again - very cool to see those - really a blast from the past. :D
 
Good find. I picked up and old Chandler Walking Foot Upholstery Machine last weekend for $100.00. The lady just wanted it out of her garage. It uses a number 22 needle and can sew leather like there is no tomorrow. Now I just have to figure out how to actually sew with a machine!!!
 
Nice! My Mom used to have an industrial sewing machine mounted on a large table that looked a lot like that one...may have been a Singer. I wish I still had it.
 
Very cool...It sounds to me what you're really trying to say is that you will be able to repair our canvas pants and tents, etc that get damaged in the field? And possibly custom make some items as well? Very cool indeed ;)
 
OutdoorEnvy said:
Very cool...It sounds to me what you're really trying to say is that you will be able to repair our canvas pants and tents, etc that get damaged in the field? And possibly custom make some items as well? Very cool indeed ;)
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Absolutely!

Send me your gear! :4:
 
Very cool. You have got to be excited about that.
 
don't make em like they used to- Metal gears and cams went over to plastic- some of the earlier plastic cam'd models had decent motors- but the plastic cams would become brittle and break and the newer ones have crappy motors- I have a newer model Husqvarna and an older one- thrift store/yard sale is the way to go-
 
I know prices will be different in NY but you might want to have it fixed professionally. Our local guy fixed one for my mother for $55.00. Might be better than potentially screwing it up.:54:
 
Brazito said:
I know prices will be different in NY but you might want to have it fixed professionally. Our local guy fixed one for my mother for $55.00. Might be better than potentially screwing it up.:54:
Click to expand...

I'm going to look into that as well if my simple fixes don't work.

I'm not disconnecting anything. Just getting access to the innerds now.....
 
I can ask my mom if she can find a belt for it. She teaches classes at a sewing and vacuum repair/sales place. I'll ask if you don't find it and would happily middle man it for you. My mom still has her first sewing machine in the box it came in on a shelf in her sewing room. It's always neat to see old pieces like that. Made to work for a long time. Once its running I bet you get addicted. Congrats.
 
I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.. We have a local guy here that I'm going to ask.
 
Sweeny, I got this one from my aunt, my sister threatened me with bodily harm if anything happens to it. There is a learning curve but man does it sew good. Fix it, use it, and you'll pass it along one day too. I made my tarp tent with it.

100_1936.jpg


100_1935.jpg


My aunt won this machine in a drawing at the mill where she worked in the 50's I have a receipt for the cabinet that she bought for it. I think it was 175.00 in 1953..or there abouts.

Creek :42:
 
Sweet Creek!

I saw like 4 boxes of attachments I'm probably never going to use in the box I had with this one.

I'm defiantly going to use it. I already need to sew a few more MOLLE straps to my Alice and I know this thing will eat it up as long as I can feed it.
 
Hey. if you got some of the same things as mine, you can put some button holes in it too! :D I am getting ready to sew my wool blanket coat together..so stay tuned!
 
I will add that I used compressed air and blew all kinds of crap out of mine and it works much better.
 
I don't know how wide that belt it, but I know that they make linkable/adjustable length belts for woodworking tools, if you can't find a direct replacement that might be something to think about. Most woodworking catalog places sell them. Looks like a good find. My folks are giving me a 1940's Singer that's been in their place for a long time, bought new by my grandmother back in the day. I'll be trying to get that up and running over the summer, I think it just needs a belt and maybe a new cord.
 
upthecreek said:
I will add that I used compressed air and blew all kinds of crap out of mine and it works much better.
Click to expand...

Mine was a little fuzzy on the bottom but nothing really on the inside. I'll work on it some more tonight. I might have tracked down a new belt.

I'll see if canned air is needed though.
 
Sweeneyguy said:
Long story short... When my Aunt Grace had to move into assisted living at the young age of 95, She lived to 102, I inherited her old Kenmore model 29 sewing machine. I believe it's from the 50's. That was over 10 years ago. She told me then it didn't run right back then. I had it packed up and it moved with me as I moved. I always said I would take a look at it one day.

Well last night while cleaning out some stuff we had stored under the stairs, I came across it again and it became one day.

Wish I did it sooner. There is not one piece of plastic on this whole thing...No where! I figured I would bring ya along as I get this thing back up to speed.

So, as Aunt Grace said, it didn't run right and who knows how long before I got it. Well last night I could barely move this thing by hand. Hmmmm.....Oil! It need a good oiling. Open the manual, still have the original, and this thing has over a dozen of them. Got out the old 3 in 1 and hit all the spots. Still didn't help? Hmmm? I'll have to go look for some kind of repair manual. I took off the belt and checked the motor, it still runs fine. Belt it all cracked and beat up so that will be fun to find. So here is a few pics of the beast. (Sorry about the flash wash out)

bd42fc68.jpg


99ddfcd0.jpg


13c154a2.jpg


So why put the effort in? I've found out this thing is a beast! If you google Kenmore Model 29 you'll get this kinda boring lady doing a video on one she was selling. It's no frills, just straight stitching. But she shows this thing sewing through 5 layers of leather! 10 layers of jeans! Upholstery too.

So for those that sew their own stuff, especially canvas and such, this is the thing to have.

So all I have done so far is taken it apart to access the insides some and put some oil on it. Next step is to find a belt.
Click to expand...

I have a 1946 Singer for Leather sewing , Just make sure you have the proper needles for leather and also ensure you use the heavy nylon thread and you should be ok . Also if yours has a stitch spacing adjustment more space between the stiches is better on heavier leather.
 
Well here's a quick update for today.

I guess the oil soaked in, it spins freely with just my fingers now.

Just need that belt and I guess I'm good to go function wise.


I'm still going to get a box for it since I don't have room for the whole table right now.

Tomorrow I'll start cleaning it up just for looks.
 
Sweeneyguy said:
Well here's a quick update for today.

I guess the oil soaked in, it spins freely with just my fingers now.

Just need that belt and I guess I'm good to go function wise.


I'm still going to get a box for it since I don't have room for the whole table right now.

Tomorrow I'll start cleaning it up just for looks.
Click to expand...

Dude, you are in more luck than you thought. I have an old Foleys's Houston sewing machine that is almost the same as the one you have there, except mine does zig-zag stitching..


For the belt, two cheap options.
Get a black rubber O-ring from the hardware store or mechanic shop and stretch it over.
OR you could do what I did, get one of those rubber wrist bracelets like everyone and their brother give out free at parades, tradeshows, and stuff
wriststrong.jpg

I've had one on mine for years and it works fine.

If your bobbin winder tire is dried out, wrap it in rescue tape (One of the things on my top ten rools/supplies to own)

Mine is held together with super glue and rescue tape.. You CAN but these tires from a sewing machine shop if yours is in too bad of shape, but I don't like the ladies at the local shop because they are snobby so I fixed it myself.
 
rabbithutch said:
Congrats on re-discovering the old Kenmore. It should be a great machine.

FWIW - and only because it might help - I would suggest that you find out if 3-in-1 oil is adequate for your machine. It might not be of the proper viscosity. If it over heats or thins too much in use, you might damage that old beauty. Of course, I might be wrong but my dad would never use 3-in-1 on Mom's machine.

Maybe someone else here who knows about oils can educate us.
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There are some special sewing machine oils you can by, but 3-in-1 oil is perfectly safe for sewing machines and has been used for such for decades.
 
rabbithutch said:
Congrats on re-discovering the old Kenmore. It should be a great machine.

FWIW - and only because it might help - I would suggest that you find out if 3-in-1 oil is adequate for your machine. It might not be of the proper viscosity. If it over heats or thins too much in use, you might damage that old beauty. Of course, I might be wrong but my dad would never use 3-in-1 on Mom's machine.

Maybe someone else here who knows about oils can educate us.
Click to expand...

I checked the manual, still have the original, didn't say anything special about the oil. What did your dad use?

shadowmib said:
Dude, you are in more luck than you thought. I have an old Foleys's Houston sewing machine that is almost the same as the one you have there, except mine does zig-zag stitching..


For the belt, two cheap options.
Get a black rubber O-ring from the hardware store or mechanic shop and stretch it over.
OR you could do what I did, get one of those rubber wrist bracelets like everyone and their brother give out free at parades, tradeshows, and stuff
wriststrong.jpg

I've had one on mine for years and it works fine.

If your bobbin winder tire is dried out, wrap it in rescue tape (One of the things on my top ten rools/supplies to own)

Mine is held together with super glue and rescue tape.. You CAN but these tires from a sewing machine shop if yours is in too bad of shape, but I don't like the ladies at the local shop because they are snobby so I fixed it myself.
Click to expand...

Went to the local guy, said he was going to charge me 25 bucks! Found it on evil bay for 7 with free shipping. I'm all for the local guy but that's like 200% markup.

mainewoods said:
Nice!!!!!! Now can run it LOL :9:
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It will run again.
 
Let me know when you get that beast up and running, I have a bunch of fabric if you need some.
 
billybass said:
Let me know when you get that beast up and running, I have a bunch of fabric if you need some.
Click to expand...

I have about 8 yards of camo ripstop that I got for 99 cents a yard left. Next project will be to put some extra molle points on my Alice.

This thing should go through all that no problems. I hope...
 
Sweeneyguy said:
I have about 8 yards of camo ripstop that I got for 99 cents a yard left. Next project will be to put some extra molle points on my Alice.

This thing should go through all that no problems. I hope...
Click to expand...

I sew webbing to double layers of 1000d with my kenmore, you should have no problem!
 
Several months ago, my wife was thinking of getting rid of her 1958-manufacture Singer 301 that she had purchased used from a high school. I convinced her then to keep it because of the superior workmanship, and these posts only reinforce the decision to keep it. Now, if I can only learn to sew canvas with it.
 
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