Have a Kenmore sewing machine model 1820 #158.523.Serial # 0173201. I was having trouble getting it to stitch. Had to turn the hand wheel manually about every 6 stitches. The hand wheel was very stiff to turn. Thought maybe it needed a new belt so followed manual to take off belt. Thought maybe belt was ok to use so put it back on machine. Now can't do anything. Motor turns belt but does not move needle. Did I put the clutch knob on incorrectly or install the belt incorrectly. Machine was very dirty so used a small brush to remove dirt. Thought maybe it needed to be oiled but couldn't get sewing machine oil at hardware store so did not oil it.Help please.

g.m. peterson, September 2007

Do NOT use WD-40 on a sewing machine EVER! It removes the good grease used on the other parts. You need to use a light oil - like white mineral oil, oil used on razors, etc. Keep oil away from motor and belts of course.

You can go to Searspartsdirect.com for a diagram of assembly and parts.

insanidee, November 2012

Good day to you,
First of all WD40 should be ideal for your machine, a nice thin oil and I suspect that could be a cause, stiffness of the machine may not be down to lack of oil though, it could be that you have a fine piece of thread caught in the raceway, this is a common problem and that is all it would take to either stop the machine or slow it down.
As far as the stop motion goes, do you have a stop motion wheel in the middle of the balance wheel ? if you have then undo the small screw and unscrew the stop motion wheel all the way off, you will see a three pronged washer, take it off and put it in a different position, put the stop motion wheel back on and tighten but do not over tighten, enough to feel the wheel getting a bit tight, tighten the small screw back up and see if the stop motion loosens and tightens, any problems let me know, unfortunately I can't get a picture of your machine on screen, if you can e-mail a picture that would be brilliant, e-mail below.
Ken

drivewithken@blueyonder.co.uk, September 2007