March 26, 2013: re: Kenmore Elite Oasis HE issues (start and rinse cycle issues, unbalanced issues): Electronic Control Board (aka the motherboard, the brains) recall, replacement and labor at no charge: Thank you to those who posted correct ph number to resolve these problems! Here is the ph number again: (800) 847-9083. We have an appt scheduled" to receive the updated electronic control board,service and labor-@ no charge" per the product resolution customer service rep. You may assume all went well if I do not post a follow up. DO ask the product resolution customer rep to REPEAT your model #, serial #, your ph # and address (she typed part of the serial # incorrectly which could disqualify you receiving replacement recall). The customer serv reps' work environment is NOISY (she replied "there are 213 problem resolution reps in the same room"). VERIFY what you are hearing the rep say and ask kindly for a summary why you called and what the resolution is to be. She spoke rapidly and had an accent. Verify any numbers you have not verified (including your ph # and address) at the end of the call. The customer resolution rep had obvious experience handling the process, obviously streamed lined due all the years of issues complaints and it took about 20-25 minutes total time, most time was waiting for her to process the info she enters. Our Kenmore Oasis washing machine has been highlyt problematic issues during the start cycle and rinse cycles as well as frequent unbalanced loads (error code: UL). Our model and serial numbers complied with the recall (I have read this is a "silent", unadvertised recall. We have an appointment scheduled "to receive an updated electronic control board and the labor service at no charge". Hope this works out (believe it when I see it and when it continues as resolved) and wishes for resolutions to those who are working towards theirs. We all learned a big lesson in the world of electronic motherboard computerized washers and driers: buy the old fashioned, dependable washers and driers with knobs! (I'm staying this route with everything appliance and vehicles). I will def will stay my computer pref as a MacGurl though!

Until I bought my brandy-new Juki my "work horse" was a 1929 Singer 31-15, lockstitch (no reverse). My first machine was a White Rotary in a Martha Washington cabinet (still have it) with ALL the attachments (scroll hemmers, rufflers, tuckers, folders, fellers, binders, etc.) I also have a Willcox&Gibbs (rotary take up) I love. I used the folder or the binder the clean finish raw edges). I made bound buttonholes or worked them by hand. Zig-zag is good to have if you only have one machine because with it you usually have a buttonhole option, too. You can clean finish edges, well... SORT of. Wonderful machinery is available for pennies on the dollar at junk shops, yard sales... . I'd be looking for old Kenmores, Phaffs, Whites, Singers. Always ask about the manuals, too, and the attchments (older machines 40-50 yrs. came with a full complement of them!). At yard sales, if it's complete you can reasonably bet only a cleaning will be required. And those things are often the first things to be resold when a dealer reconditions a machine! Any one who's bought a ruffler or a tucker or specialty feet knows what I'm talking about.

Sounds good, Moni. I replaced a water inlet valve in my older Maytag myself one time, but it wasn't that it wasn't shutting off during fill, it was leaking water into the machine when I wasn't using it. The next time my plumber friend was there, I had him replace the hot and cold water shut offs in that laundry room (the vintage handles would drip, or not quite turn the water fully off any longer) with simple sturdy lever handles. If you are leaving town, can you turn off the water to the machine while you are going to be gone? Just a safety measure....

It's 1-1/8" from the bottom to middle of screw hole. I gathered from my internetting that 1-1/4 is a standard long shank but I might be misinterpreting what I'm reading. (My sewing machine experience is limited to mostly Halloween costumes. I am very ignorant on these matters!) I thought this was a popular model, but I forget how old it is. :)