tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post531605038541883512..comments2023-10-20T08:27:40.314-04:00Comments on male pattern boldness: Kenmore Feed Dog FAIL -- What am I doing wrong? (With UPDATES)Peter Lappinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-16427519049821339852021-07-30T16:58:05.240-04:002021-07-30T16:58:05.240-04:00I realize all your comments are quite old. Still,...I realize all your comments are quite old. Still, I'd like to pass on a little something I've learned since your messages were posted. I have a darling Kenmore 158-1040 that I just LOVE. She sews beautifully, is quiet and smooth, plus she handles twin-needles like a champ so she's GREAT for making just about anything with knits or other stretch fabrics (Spandex, etc.) When I bought her, most of the functions worked, but she was dry so I oiled her. The little gearbox was full of dark, funky grease so I cleaned that out and added fresh grease. Now she ran even better. HOWEVER....that darn, stinkin' little feed dogs lever wouldn't budge! I tried everything I knew about except turpentine (yuck stuff). Then I got a recommendation from another blogger about something called Free All. It comes in a spray can with one of the narrow little straws to attach to the spray head. I bought it on Amazon and found out that this stuff WORKS! You need only a tiny little bit at a time - one quick little spray will put a lot of it on whatever you want to unstick. So I sprayed a little at the base of the lever and watched it sink it. It took two or three tries, but all of the sudden it came free! yippee! I followed it up with oil under the lever and on the inside where the lever rod comes into the machine. I haven't had a problem since. Free All does have an odor but it's not overwhelming when using just a small amount. Just my two cents and I hope it helps somebody.Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13064779290602201896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-74856235217251278172019-05-07T10:21:50.953-04:002019-05-07T10:21:50.953-04:00You might try Liquid Wrench (you can purchase this...You might try Liquid Wrench (you can purchase this on Amazon) and apply heat with a blow dryer. Over time it should loosen frozen parts.Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-78693428696026137012019-05-06T19:57:38.824-04:002019-05-06T19:57:38.824-04:00I had a problem dropping my feed dog and cleared t...I had a problem dropping my feed dog and cleared the frozen pin. The switch and piston (pin) mechanism works freely, but the feed will not drop, it remains up at all times. Where do I look next?Gary Cormiernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-74646098364237554482014-07-23T01:24:29.512-04:002014-07-23T01:24:29.512-04:00I have a Touch and Sew that probably suffers from ...I have a Touch and Sew that probably suffers from this semi-frozen problem, and virtually nothing to lose by working it over. (sighs) I love the interweb!SJ Kurtzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871599515352715171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-42121627606230362232014-07-22T09:00:01.664-04:002014-07-22T09:00:01.664-04:00Yes, you're not exactly living on the prairie ...Yes, you're not exactly living on the prairie in a sod cabin with hurricane lanterns and such. I would imagine your building probably has rules against storing highly flammable liquids. (Thankfully, you don't need hairspray!) And there's Willie to think of, too. I use kerosene but only a few drops and in a well-ventilated area with doors and windows wide open. But it really works and is much less expensive than solvents filled with God-knows-what. Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15242005980195348193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-74369466013478874032014-07-22T07:55:10.302-04:002014-07-22T07:55:10.302-04:00You did it! Greatness! I have this same machine ...You did it! Greatness! I have this same machine (my mom gave it to me) and it is a great machine. Happy continued sewing with it. <br />Sharon G Nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11121871965389227928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-40765718423204090842014-07-22T07:43:09.275-04:002014-07-22T07:43:09.275-04:00I once bought kerosene -- I had to get it from an ...I once bought kerosene -- I had to get it from an auto parts place -- and it scared the hell out of me. The smell is overwhelming (much worse than Liquid Wrench) and LASTS. Maybe if I had a garage or something -- it's not for apartment dwellers!Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-14675768109134141892014-07-22T07:40:36.850-04:002014-07-22T07:40:36.850-04:00Yes, they're the best!Yes, they're the best! Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-84134202685786264102014-07-22T07:15:12.077-04:002014-07-22T07:15:12.077-04:00How amazing are all these readers willing to help!...How amazing are all these readers willing to help!? So glad you got it unstuck.Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04942455468832787000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-34478294675171503562014-07-21T21:59:26.945-04:002014-07-21T21:59:26.945-04:00This sort of thing tends to happen often with mech...This sort of thing tends to happen often with mechanical devices that aren't "exercised" in a while, mainly because they do things that aren't often needed (when was the last time you turned the temperature dial inside your refrigerator?). I'd suggest that you check the feed dogs on your other machines now, just to see how well the mechanism works, and to apply lubrication if things seem a little too "sticky". I have a similar, but older Kenmore (a 158.220), and your story prompted me to check its feed dog drop linkage (it worked fine). This reminds me of a post made by Bill Holman to the "Viking Sewing Machines pre 1980" Yahoo group (older Vikings are especially prone to seizing up due to lack of use) in which he said something like "you should turn the knobs on the machine every time you walk by just to show it you care."<br /><br />Ken<br />KenFromBostonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00842047061685372030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-46787131205788888142014-07-21T19:12:05.083-04:002014-07-21T19:12:05.083-04:00So glad it's working, I have the same machine ...So glad it's working, I have the same machine that a friend kept for years after his Mother died. It was frozen like yours and the service man told he amost had to use a blow torch on it to unstick it. It's a really great machine MichaelCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-40108384871741955312014-07-21T19:03:14.520-04:002014-07-21T19:03:14.520-04:00I've never heard it called that... we call the...I've never heard it called that... we call them split pins! You can remove them and replace them but as Cosmic Caro says, you must have a new one regardless if it breaks as opening it weakens it. They are made to be easily accessible. These are used in mechanics all the time. Glad you got the feed dogs unstuck.Summer Flieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092393256871735567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-23680155340429720242014-07-21T17:52:39.573-04:002014-07-21T17:52:39.573-04:00Generally, PB Blaster is considered more effective...Generally, PB Blaster is considered more effective than Liquid Wrench, and GM Exhaust Heat Riser Valve Lubricant considered, by far, the best.<br /><br />Vibration from a heavy hammer tends to work, up to a point.<br /><br />Heat, from a hair dryer kinda helps. A heat gun is better, though extra care needs to be taken. A Burnz-o-Matic works better, but exceptional attentive care need be taken. A heavy jumper battery wire to an automtive 12 volt battery to one side of the frozen piece, the other cable to the other side MOMENTARILY can heat things up well and good enough so a lite coaxing from a hammer can loosen things.<br /><br />Some times yah jes GOTTA insist.SeamsterEast at aol dot comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-51908196168047399572014-07-21T16:49:04.679-04:002014-07-21T16:49:04.679-04:00There is undoubtedly a vintage Kenmore lovers list...There is undoubtedly a vintage Kenmore lovers list on Yahoo that can help. I belong to one for Singers and Elnas and the members are a wealth of information about all aspects of these types of machines. Heat may work, but then again, maybe not due to thwe solvents used. Sometimes they advise setting the offending machine out in the heat for a day or so. My daughter had a very similar Kenmore with the same problem and a repairman was able to free it up, so it can be done. Good luck!Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06221577622794207889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-58134390637574233392014-07-21T16:42:06.783-04:002014-07-21T16:42:06.783-04:00Hurrah! If any oil varnish is present on the pin,...Hurrah! If any oil varnish is present on the pin, clean it off as thoroughly as you can with your solvent of choice and wipe thoroughly. A clean toothbrush with sewing machine oil is a good final step. Also, I believe your feed dog knob/linkage/pin assembly is connected to a rod that does the actual raising and lowering of the dogs. (The stuck pin doesn't directly control the dog mechanism -- it's only part of it.) Make sure this rod is oiled via the oil port at the joint. Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15242005980195348193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-87960903055002480672014-07-21T16:08:19.618-04:002014-07-21T16:08:19.618-04:00Now, oil that slide with sewing machine oil and yo...Now, oil that slide with sewing machine oil and you should be good for several years.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06057276731453019090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-50125556605363381372014-07-21T15:21:56.496-04:002014-07-21T15:21:56.496-04:00GUYS, I DID IT! IT'S UNSTUCK!!!GUYS, I DID IT! IT'S UNSTUCK!!!Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-6742465657422938312014-07-21T15:13:08.472-04:002014-07-21T15:13:08.472-04:00Maybe set her up on her butt, so solvent applied o...Maybe set her up on her butt, so solvent applied on the little cone can work its way down into the cylinder that encases it. :))Papadesdeuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11629184020220545924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-509798579277777322014-07-21T15:09:20.059-04:002014-07-21T15:09:20.059-04:00I agree that the hair dryer in combination with a ...I agree that the hair dryer in combination with a solvent (some of them are made relatively odor free - like artist turpentine) or even just regular sewing machine oil should do the trick. The comments suggesting that barrel is just glued with old oil that turned to varnish are probably correct. Once it finally moves - flush it with sewing machine oil and operate it frequently so any residual gook doesn't solidify again.Papadesdeuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11629184020220545924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-20225523963564181002014-07-21T14:34:52.801-04:002014-07-21T14:34:52.801-04:00I agree ; it should stay there to hold pieces toge...I agree ; it should stay there to hold pieces together. I encounter several while doing some mechanics on my vintage VW... When we needed to remove one to change something, we always made sure to buy a replacement in case it broke during the maintenance.CosmicCarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14535320358935354963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-80283395058791660642014-07-21T14:26:05.919-04:002014-07-21T14:26:05.919-04:00Just don't call me "Petey"! ;)Just don't call me "Petey"! ;)Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-34564239875771301892014-07-21T14:22:29.121-04:002014-07-21T14:22:29.121-04:00Apologies for leaving "r" off from Peter...Apologies for leaving "r" off from Peter in last post. I'm a bad typist, not a shortener of given names.Jeannie Watthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13979051628793794840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-42868595171590621662014-07-21T14:13:27.638-04:002014-07-21T14:13:27.638-04:00I have almost the same kenmore and my feed dogs no...I have almost the same kenmore and my feed dogs no longer lower. I took it to a machine repair shop who supposedly fixed it, but after one lower and raise back home, it stopped working again. So I'd love to know what solution you end up with!Seamstress Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17468363734999412359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-33972873740849805462014-07-21T13:57:15.081-04:002014-07-21T13:57:15.081-04:00Thanks, Jeannie. I'll look into it.Thanks, Jeannie. I'll look into it.Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1991166428290808171.post-20965031653471975612014-07-21T13:54:30.835-04:002014-07-21T13:54:30.835-04:00Pete--Are you aware of the Yahoo Group for vintage...Pete--Are you aware of the Yahoo Group for vintage Kenmore owners? https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/vintagekenmoressew/info I've found it very helpful when I have technical questions. There are over 1,700 members, so most posted questions are answered by someone in the know. Good luck.Jeannie Watthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13979051628793794840noreply@blogger.com