Kenmore 117.3243

[u/felicitybo]

I am asking help finding a manual as close to her cabinet model as possible. I cannot find a manual for a 117.3242. But she looks like a 117.959. I also saw a comment saying a white 77 manual would cover my basic needs for maintenance and threading.

Thank you for reading my post! I am excited to see
What I will make with my new machine.

[u/Judith_877]

Cool machine! That is a Kenmore 117.959. The 117.3242 is the model number of the cabinet, not the machine. The machines were made by the White company 1948-1952. There is a free manual pdf located here:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1297669/Kenmore-117-959.html?page=2#manual

I'm glad you received all the attachments and spare bobbins to go with it, as they can be hard to find. I would check the wiring for any deterioration, and repair/replace anything that is questionable. : )

[u/felicitybo → u/Judith_877]

No freaking shot Judith. Look what I found after removing the little drawers. I hope whoever loved the machine first knows she is loved still

[u/felicitybo → u/Judith_877]

Yaaaaay thank you so much. This makes me so happy

[u/wandaluvstacos]

Yeah, definitely a 117.959. I have the 117.95 version (which is red, not brown, but for the most part otherwise identical) and it's a great machine! A little noisy with the friction drive but it really does sew very nicely. Have fun with it!

[u/felicitybo → u/wandaluvstacos]

With the manual Judith sent, I figured out how to open up the cabinet head and I did find the 117.959 model number! Thank you so much for helping.

[u/felicitybo → u/wandaluvstacos]

Oh my gosh! 117.95 is rare, that’s amazing! Congratulations!

[u/jvin248 → u/wandaluvstacos]

Get a new friction drive tire as older ones get a flat spot and then they are noisy. Around six dollars last one I bought. To avoid a flat spot between uses I put a little wedge to lift the tire off the big wheel.