Kenmore 158.13180
The Kenmore 158.13180 is a mid tier machine, it has an available buttonholer accessory, and it’ll do Zig-Zag, blind stitch, and a couple of different stretch stitches. The mid tier machines tend to be the sweet spot in the Kenmore lineups, and this one is no exception. It’s an aluminum body so it’s fairly portable, the feed dogs can be lowered for darning or embroidery, and it provides the stitch types that you need for anything but purely decorative sewing.
Controls
The knob protruding from the top cover is the stitch selector, and to the right of that is the bobbin winder. on the front of the machine pillar, the top knob is the stitch length selector, and below that is the stitch width selector. On the deck, just below the stitch width selector is the feed dog lowering lever, to the right of that is the reverse button, and to the far right is the power switch. The power switch controls the power to both the light and the motor. Note: 1. The stitch selector knob is made of plastic.
Bobbin Winder
The bobbin winder in this machine is made of pot metal and is easily broken, but new replacement bobbin winders are available. The use of pot metal castings is not unique to this model, or to Kenmore machines, it was used a lot in the 60’s and 70’s, so you always need to keep an eye out for it.
Tensioner
The late 60’s to late 70’s Kenmore tensioners are good, if not a bit more complicated than needed. This won’t matter until/unless you need to take it apart for cleaning or repair. That said, if you take lots of photos before you start disassembly, reassembling and adjusting will be much easier.
If you disassemble the tensioner while it’s still attached to the machine (highly recommended if you’re simply cleaning), leaning the machine back so that the tensioner is pointing up will keep the small position finger, spring washer, and washer below the numbered dial from falling out.
If you’re removing the whole tensioner, take extra photos of where the take up spring sits at rest before you remove the tensioner from the machine, and take note of how the tensioner base is indexed into the machine.
Note: There are at least 2 main styles of Kenmore tensioners from this era, and multiple variations of each style, so looking at my parts layout above you may have more/less/different parts than those in my photos.
Under the hood
I always want to know what the inside of the machine looks like, so in case you’re like me, here’s a look.
Specifications
| Brand | Kenmore |
| Model | 158.13180 |
| Manufactured By | Jaguar/Maruzen |
| Made In | Japan |
| Years Produced | 1972-73 |
| Hook Type | Oscillating |
| Bobbin | Class 15 |
| Bobbin Case | Class 15, “1 o’clock” position finger |
| Needle System | 15×1 |
| Foot Type | Low Shank |
| Construction | Metal |
| Construction Drivetrain | Metal |
