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How to Oil a Vintage Kenmore Sewing Machine

Oil your vintage Kenmore sewing machine to prevent noise and keep the machine sewing at its best. When the machine needs oil, it will begin to run hard, or sound like it is having more difficulty sewing. Lint accumulates on the machine as you sew and causes the machine parts inside and outside to dry out and friction builds. This friction damages parts, resulting in costly replacements. Avoid the damages by keeping the machine clean and oiling regularly.

Instructions

- 1
  Remove any lint from the machine. Use a small brush to get into small crevices between parts of the machine, such as around the bobbin case. Dust the outside and around all the parts of the machine before adding the oil.
- 2
  Tilt the machine back to expose the underside. Place one drop of oil into each of the holes on the bottom of the machine. These holes are located at or near each point where one metal part has to interact with another. On some older models there can be as many as 17 holes.
- 3
  Give the oil about 30 seconds to seep into the holes and then place the machine back into an upright position.
- 4
  Open the swing hinged cover plate on the left side of the machine above the needle housing.
- 5
  Oil all points where the pin that raises and lowers the needle touches other pieces of metal. The pin is easy to identify but if you have difficulty or want to be sure, follow the needle straight up into the assembly to locate the pin.
- 6
  Remove the arm cover plate from the top of the machine by taking the disc out of the machine and then removing the screws along the top. The cover will then lift off.
- 7
  Place one drop of oil into each of the holes across the top of the machine, excluding the screw holes. Screw holes will be threaded and are easily recognizable. Also place one drop of oil onto the gears that are to the right of the needle assembly.
- 8
  Replace the arm cover plate and then close the swing hinged door.

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