Kenmore Feed Dog Problem

It's possible you popped some setting that keeps the feed dogs down. Can you look for that specifically?

There's a Yahoo group called Wefixit that is chock full of pe> I have a Kenmore 385.1249280 sewing machine that is around 25 years old

Is it possible that it has a mechanism to drop the feed dogs for darning? Many sewing machines have a mechanism (a dial or switch of some sort) which allows you to drop the feed dogs so that you can do darning. When the mechanism has beeen activated the feed dogs drop down and will still move backwards and forwards in just the manner you describe. Have a look in your manual and see if there is a section on darning and see if it mentions such a mechanism.

I used to sew on a neighbors Kenmore and I believe the thing that lowered the feed dogs was on the machine bed right close to the the stitch lenth. Maybe it was a lever that you flipped side to side. Barbara in FL

Check to be sure you have not activated the drop feed. Also clean out between the feed dogs. If that does not help, there is a screw with a jam nut accessible from the under side to adjust the feed dog height.

Is the feed moving at all?

.... try removing the needle plate as there may be a gunk build up there preventing the feed dogs from reaching as high as they should.

-Irene

I played around with the machine a little more and the Feed lifting rock shaft crank (according to the Sears parts breakdown) may have been sticking. I pulled on the spring and shaft assembly and it moved. I seems that the shaft end goes into the feed dog assembly and when it is engaged it does indeed lift up on the feed dog assembly.

One question: It appears that where this goes into the feed dog assembly it may have some sort of lubricant on it. This is not one of the lubrication points in the manual. It almost looks like it may have some moly type of grease but it could just be dirty oil. I exercised the mechanism and it seems to move a little better now but my question is what type of lubrication if any should I use on this piece?

Once again, thanks for all of your help in the group! Joe

Joe, I use what my local dealer uses to free-up sewing machines which have been stored for years. It penetrates like wd-40 or penetrating oil, but leaves behind a nice lubricating film. It is Tri-FLow with teflon. He doesn't recommend wd-40, which is the usual approach, since it gums things up in time. JPBill

It may indeed be grease - if so get some Tri-flo grease with teflon. Great stuff.

First, though, use something like PB Blaster or Tri-flo penetrating lubricant and try to clean all the old stuff out so you can figure out what it is and prevent the sticking from continuing :)

-Irene

I had same problem...the cam that the feed dog pin goes into is sprung and when the pin is released it should sing up a bit , lowering the dogs. I sprayed with pb blaster and manually worked it...still sticky so next day hit it with heat using a small butane torch...that did the trick, re-oiled and works again

Who are you replying to on this 12 1/2-year-old thread??? Original post date and last reply date was February 2008.

I suspect that Bob simply means to add his personal advice/experience to the thread - it might be useful to some present or future inspirepoint or usenet sewing machine enthusiast ! Thanks Bob ! good on ya. John T.

I am so very thankful for the reply 12 years later! I just dusted off my grandmother's 158. Got it back today and realized I can't get the feed dog to disengage.

My kenmore machine feed dog is not working?