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Sunday, December 1, 2013

Twin Kenmores

Kenmore 158.1931 (left) and 158.1760 (right)
Today I was working on the Kenmore 158.1931 trying to sort out what was wrong with the cam function.  I retrieved my 158.1760 from the sewing loft so that I could compare their innards.  I thought that the cams worked on the 1760.  Turns out, they don't.  HAH.  Guess I will have to service my "go to" machine soon !

The machines look identical to me.  OK the end panel on the 1931 is a different color.  The tension assembly is also a different color.  But barely different.  Who knows why Sears labeled them with such disparate numbers?   Their innards are a bit different, too.  (In this photo the standard cam is installed in the 1760 and the decorative cam is installed in the 1931)
  158.1760

158.1931
 I don't get it. I wonder if it made the OSMGs nuts when they had to work on these machines.  Just minor little changes.  Makes no sense to me.  Marketing ploy? 


4 comments:

  1. Design engineer had to prove he was getting paid for something? If you want to see unnecessary changes, look into the differences between UK and USA editions of the same book.

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  2. I have a Kenmore 158.1931 and it has the same thread tension and matching cover plate as the 1760 shown here... the only difference in the machines I have found is in the small difference in the cam follower assembly. Either way, these are two of the best machines Kenmore ever sold.

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  3. Hi. Thank you for your always great publications. I do not speak English I am from Venezuela, I helped with google translator.
    I need help. My Kenmore 158. 1731 does zigzag. She differs from 158.1931, that has flat bed. I also understand some of the mechanical operation of the machines, so I've done cleaning, lubrication, needle exchange and everything is obvious and rigor. I do not see any broken or missing piece. She sews perfect straight seam. But a very small and awkward zigzag.
    When zigzag stitching, the needle bar makes a strange swing like a pendulum, which will gradually buried in the hole in the needle plate. When it is right straight up, rotate horizontally 90 degree angle, and then lower.
    Any idea how to solve. Thanks for your help.

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