Kenmore 1603 Sewing Machine
Kenmore 1603 is a GORGEOUS silver beauty zigzag sewing machine! UPDATE- I know of at least one 158.16030 which has the gold decor plate, like the 1703! It would be interesting to know if anyone else has this anomalie!
UPDATE 10/23/2023 - I only learned the belt pulley by the handwheel, on some versions of this model have a strong, sturdy brown/black plastic , thanks to Joe Winchester, in one of the Vintage Kenmore groups on Facebook, discovered a brown plastic pulley on his 158.18033, and asked us to check ours. I found plastic pulleys on this 158.18130 (newer than 1603, 1703, 1803 models), one 158.18033, and one 158.17033, but other versions of these same models, both 17033, and 18033, which I worked on, had a silver colored metal pulley. (I do NOT consider this as a problem, like the white nylon type of plastic zigzag or bobbin hook gears which crack and quit working.)
The earlier models of 1603, 1703, 1803, which will had a 0, 1, 2, and SOME 3, for the version number, 158.1603x, 158.1703x, 158.1803x, the pulleys appear aluminum, or another metal.
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14 built in stitches, including stretch stitches (15 if you count the chainstitch)
Straight stitch
Stretch straight stitch (triple stitch)
Zigzag
Stretch zigzag (Rick Rack triple stitch)
Blind hem
Ultra Stretch blind hem
Box stitch
Overcast stretch stitch
Overlock stitch elastic stretch stitch)
Blanket stitch (Pine leaf stretch) serging
Scallop stitch
Smocking stitch
Multi stitch zigzag (mending stitch)
CHAINSTITCH CAPABLE WITH ADAPTERS #28776 chainstitch adapter, #36203 geared needle plate (same as 1703 and 1803)
Uses same Monogrammer as models #1703 and #1803
Uses same buttonholer as 1703 and 1803
Reversible zigzag/straight stitch needleplate
Twin needle capable
Super high shank feet quick change setup
Left homing needle
Push button clutch system
Extra wide zigzag!
Darning/embroidery feed dog drop
Electronic pedal same strong punching power at slow speeds, or fast speed!
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| Top dial stitch length on outer ring, inner dial white dot for stretch stitches, red dot for straight stitch, and non stretch zigzag stitches. Reverse lever on right. Bottom dial stitch width selector outer ring, inner dial stitch selector |
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| Reversible straight stitch /zigzag needleplate |
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| 1603 with motor removed from motor mount, wiring still attached, so I could check motor brushes, and access oiling ports in the pillar of the machine. |
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| 1603 simple all metal construction, easy to work on |
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| 1603 easy access for cleaning and oiling the reverse mechanism, stitch selector lever, belt pulley, while the motor is off, for motor maintenance. |
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| 1603 Notice the red painted oil port on this end of the motor. There is another oil port at the other end, do not over oil, but these do need a few drops of oil, every few years. Do not over oil, or motor will smoke, and become a fire hazard. |
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| 1603 motor brushes are still in very good condition, almost like new! There are 2 motor brushes, one on the top, and one on the bottom of the motor. The small round black plastic cap, hides the motor brushes. You can use a coin, or screwdriver to easily unscrew these plastic caps, hold your other hand over the cap, while unscrewing it, so the spring and carbon brush don't go flying, when the cap is unscrewed. |
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| 1603 clutch in the handwheel, needs unfrozen. After 50 years, the old lubricants have dried up, and will eventually cause the clutch to stick, so it either won't allow the needle to move, or it won't allow the bobbin to wind. This is a relatively simple fix, it just needs disassembled and cleaned. I created a tutorial blogpost about fixing these clutches, I will include that link here, instead of going over the entire issue again. Do not use WD40 as a lubricant, you are using it as a SOLVENT, to assist in releasing the screws. You will need to clean off all of the WD40, before reassembling and oiling machine parts. |
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| My granddaughter wanted to help grandma, and scampered into my chair, snatching the screwdriver off the machine bed, while I went to look for a part. This is a view looking down into the Kenmore 1603. |
