Kenmore Model 460
Last Update: 2024-06-18
The Kenmore Model 46 was manufactured in Japan by Jaguar/Maruzen. It was produced in 4 variants: 158.460, 158.461, 158.462, and 158.463, and ran 1958-1962.
The Kenmore Model 46 was advertised in the 1961 Sears Spring/Summer catalog for $99.95 and included 8 stitch pattern discs.
This was a machine I stumbled upon at a thrift store when I had gone there intending to buy a different machine they had listed on Craig’s List. It was in a cabinet that was in awful shape, it was so bad that I stripped it for it’s hardware and discarded the rest. The machine is very dirty, but quite nice.
When I got it home I popped the top off of it to see what was in store for me. There is a lot of dust and old oil. The machine was a little stiff, but I put a drop of oil in the main bearings, needle bar, and the rocker bars in the bottom of the machine and it loosened right up.
The belt that was on the machine was broken, and the belt that I found in one of the drawers of the cabinet the machine was in was rotten. I swapped the round belt out for a cogged v-belt that’s a little too short. I didn’t bother tightening the mount down fully for now. If the new belt doesn’t stretch enough for me to tighten the mount I will order a longer one, but this will suffice for the time being. Note: don’t be tempted to use a belt that is too short and just tighten it down, you will destroy the motor bearings.
Update: I swapped out the too short v-belt (shown in photo) for a standard Singer replacement round belt on it and it’s working well.
Drive Train
Kenmore is noted for being one of the last sewing machine brands to move to plastic gears, and this machine pre-dates that decision by more than a decade. This is an all metal machine, save for things that are never metal, like the belt, wires, light bulb, etc.
Hook Assembly
First, remove the bobbin case and bobbin from the machine. The bobbin case and bobbins for this machine are standard class 15. This machine was designed to use metal bobbins, but since the bobbin case is made of metal you can use bobbins made of either plastic or metal.
Unlike newer machines the Kenmore 460 uses metal retention ring springs with metal knob retainers. The knobs look like you would turn them to loosen, but they are spring-loaded so you simply push each one away from the center of the assembly.
Bobbin Case and Bobbins
This machine is picky about both bobbins and the bobbin case used. I disassembled the bobbin case that was included and cleaned, deburred and gave it a light coat of oil. I went through my bobbins and found a couple that the machine seems to like. I think the issue is that the tolerances are tighter on this machine than than on more modern examples. The issues I was having was that either the material would gather because the bobbin thread was getting over tensioned, or the machine would sew fine for a handful of stitches and then snatch the top thread as the lower thread became restricted.
Upon taking apart the bobbin case I found that the tensioner spring had been installed incorrectly leading to half of the issue the hook and bobbin areas were experiencing.
Ultimately the issue came down to finding a bobbin case and bobbin that were able to seat and lock onto the hook post. If it was tight, or you had to struggle to make it lock on it wasn’t going to work.
Control pedal issue
The control pedal that came with the 460 worked, kind of… It was all on, or all off, and this machine at full power is VERY, VERY fast. Before I had a chance to investigate the issue I had just run the power through a dimmer box, and this was fine for testing, but It wasn’t a permanent solution. I will create a separate article about how I fixed the issue since this really isn’t specific to this machine or even to the manufacturer. The very short version is that one of the resistor coils had become unattached, so I reattached it. Read More at: Rheostat Control Pedal Not Providing Speed Control
Stitch Pattern Disks or Cams
I was fortunate to have a set of stitch pattern discs, disks, or cams. Regardless of the name, they are basically a way of controlling the width of the zig zag stitch automatically. I imagine that when this machine was new this was far more impressive, but now it’s just a novelty. The zig zag on this machine isn’t very wide, and it’s difficult to dial in a short enough stitch to make it look really good. Novelty or not, these are a neat snapshot in the evolution of sewing machines and I’m glad to have them.
Kenmore 158.460 Specs
| Brand | Kenmore |
| Series | 158 |
| Model | 460 |
| Model Number | 158.460 |
| Year | Approximately 1960 |
| Machine Body | All Metal |
| Drivetrain & Gears | All Metal |
| Color | Two Tone Light Olive Green and a Slightly Lighter Olive Green |
| Feed Dog Drop | Yes |
| Motor | 1A Kenmore Model 605 Made in U.S.A. |
| Motor Mount | External, not covered |
| Foot Type | High Shank |
| Weight | 33 pounds |
| Hook Type | Oscillating |
| Bobbin Type | Class 15 |
| Belt | 14.75 x .25 inch v-belt I’m using a standard Singer replacement round belt on it and it’s working well. |
| Light Bulb | Light Bulb T7, 15 Watt |
| Accessories | This machine is designed to use stitch pattern cams. |
