Author Archives: pungoliving

Vintage Kenmore sewing machines, especially the 158 models manufactured before 1976, have gained a reputation for quality, durability, ruggedness, and ease of use. Over the years, the Kenmore 158 models, made by Maruzen in Japan, were manufactured with a myriad of different models and features. Useful built in stitches, cams, attachments, accessories, high shank, lowContinue reading “Servicing a Kenmore 158.18024”

Sewing machine restoration is a time consuming process. The details matter to get the best presentation from a sewing machines finish that is 50 to a 100 years old. These are the machines that have lacquered finishes and decals. These are the machines that have accumulated layers of dirt, dust, and grime over the decades.Continue reading “Ultrasonic Cleaning – A Gift from Heaven for a Guy Like Me”

My experience with vintage sewing machines made in Europe is non-existent. I have plenty of experience with many Singer, Kenmore, New Home/Janome, Brother, White, and other similar Japanese brand machines and I have found them all to be of good quality. Well, I acquired a Necchi BU Mira about 6 months ago. I heard soContinue reading “Sewing with a NECCHI BU Mira – First impressions”

Well, today we got a “new” Singer model 15… serial number 12175753. From the serial number she was born in 1873… that makes her 146 years old. The decals are worn but mostly there… very pretty ornamentation for her age. She began her life as a treadle machine. She was converted from a treadle machineContinue reading “Vintage All Metal Sewing Machines – How Good are They?”

Beautiful form, beautiful gold decorative decals, beautiful chromed plate and covers, beautiful black japan lacquer paint… just this description is enough for many people to think “Singer sewing machine”. They fit the description and more. Aside from outstanding build quality in the machines sewing mechanisms, no effort was spared in the cosmetic detail and finishContinue reading “Singer “Black” Sewing Machine Paint Chip Repair – What you NEED to Know”

I was rewiring a Singer button controller today and when I was reassembling the bakelite housing, it occurred to me that the steps I take for granted may be be worthy advice to share with others. Bakelite is really a “plastic” used from the mid 1930’s well into the early 60’s. And like any plastic,Continue reading “A Tip for Reinstalling Screws in Bakelite and Plastic Components”

I have been hearing and seeing many sewing machines described as “heirloom quality”. To me this connotes a vision of a sewing machine built to last for many generations… hundreds of years of service with simple oiling and cleaning. The dictionary defines heirloom as “A valuable object that has belonged to a family for severalContinue reading “Heirloom Quality Sewing Machines – What are They and Why Do I Care?”

So, I have been concentrating on the more well known brand name sewing machines. Some of my favorites are Singer, Kenmore, White, and one of my favorites… New Home. I have had no shortage of opportunities to find and acquire different models in each brand. In every one of these brands, I am impressed withContinue reading “Vintage All Metal Sewing Machines – Expanding the Horizon”

Take a look at this… it is a Brother ZU2-B687 “Pacesetter”. It was manufactured by the Brother Sewing Machine Company in the 1960’s. This model is all metal (except for 2 plastic camstack drive gears, the stitch length control end cap, … and the light switch knob). Everything else is metal. It weighs 27 pounds,Continue reading “Quality Vintage All Metal Sewing Machines – Are They Worth the Price?”

This is a Kenmore model 158.1430. The model number is irrelevant to this post because I have found that in general, the vintage Kenmore 158 series is a very high quality sewing machine. They feature powerful motors, good stitch selections, and probably the best button hole system on any machine of its vintage. In allContinue reading “Quieting a Kenmore 158.xxxx”

I had a good question asked by someone who was concerned about a Singer model 15-91 with a potted motor and “fiber” gear. She wanted to know if a 15-90 with the external belt drive motor was a better choice. She had read that there may be an issue going through a heavier thickness ofContinue reading “Textolite (Fiber… not metal) In a “Vintage All Metal Sewing Machine”… Should You Be Concerned?”

We have had the opportunity to work on many different brands and models of all metal vintage sewing machines. The reason we do is because the quality in these machines is not matched by any but the most expensive sewing machines on the market today. I have talked about superior materials, precision tolerances, quality ofContinue reading “Quality is in the Details – Vintage All Metal Sewing Machines”

Buying a vintage sewing machine has many advantages that simply cannot be found in new domestic sewing machines. Quality materials, quality manufacture, precision mechanisms, style, and power are some of the features vintage sewing machines have to offer. Well, they don’t build them the way they used to, in fact it would be prohibitively expensive.Continue reading “Buying a Vintage Sewing Machine? Best Price Does Not Always Mean Best Value”

When it comes to brand name Singer is a household name. Singer is known for quality and reliability and Singer’s reputation is well deserved. Well, this is certainly true for the all metal sewing machines up to and including the 500 series. Then things started to get confusing… Singer numbered later models such as theContinue reading “Don’t Ignore the Kenmore”

So, you are considering the purchase of a vintage sewing machine… Good choice! Maybe you like the quality of construction, the smoothness (feel) of the machine when you turn the balance wheel. Maybe you like the variations of style or color these vintage machines possess. Maybe its the feel of metal as opposed to plastic.Continue reading “Considering the Purchase a Vintage Sewing Machine? Some Tips for Consideration”

It all started out good. I purchased the machine for a good (but not great) price at an auction. I chose it mainly for it’s condition… the paint was very worn, it had quite a few chips and scratches, and the decals were in pretty sad condition. I purchased the machine because it was aContinue reading “Restoration of a 1940 Singer Model 201-2”