I have a kenmore sewing machine model # 158.17850. I need the 2 set screws for the needle plate. Do you know where I can find them?

Here's a manual you can order for your machine:

Kenmore 158 instruction manuals 3

This sewing machine vendor sells a needle plate for your Kenmore. Because the needle hole in the plate is wide, it most likely has zig-zag capability. A straight stitch machine would not need a wide needle hole if it sews only forward & backward.

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Remove bobbin, presser foot, needle. Tip machine back on towel gently. Unscrew plate--don't lose screws! Do not service in presence of children and curious pets. Put foot pedal next to you on tabletop. Use Zoom Sewing Machine oil. Any part MOVING that are NOT gears get one drop oil. Any DRY ONLY gears get dab of Singer sewing machine lubricant. Replace screws. Secure screws. Open left front compartment & one drop oil @ top of needle bar. Open race shuttle (where bobbin case fits in). One-half drop oil of on oscillating hook (bottom left - hand corner...smear that oil around! Insert NEW needle all way UP in needle bar groove, flat needle shank toward back. Turn handwheel towards you and raise. Raise presser foot so that threading locates all tension slots a's you pull thread TAUT from spool to each tension slot and left to right through silver, metal take-up lever, and down to tension bracket, pass needle, then pull 6" thread towards you and thread from FRONT to BACK of needle. Place bobbin into case and "thread" it. Set presser foot on DOWN position. Turn handwh towards you, dipping needle into needle plate. Make loop with bobbin thread, pull towards you. Place a good 7" underneath presser foot (both threads). Let machine RUN on 24" scrap to distrubute oil/lube. That's it! Jimmy

I am sorry, I am not sure what you have already tried...

Your needle may be mounted incorrectly, it may not be mounted all the way into the channel before the thumb-screw was tightened. Or, the needle may be bent. Try a new needle and carefully mount it and make sure it is all the way up the channel and straight before tightening the thumb screw.

Make sure your base plate is closed all the way and positioned correctly. If you have the feed-dogs covered for machine embroidery, make sure it is set correctly or remove it if not needed.

good luck

This machine, when you have it on straight stitch, will sew with the needle to the left. If it's hitting the pressure foot, you may have the wrong pressure foot on the machine. If it's hitting the needle plate when you have the pressure foot removed, it's possible you have set for zig zag and you have a straight stitch needle plate on the machine. I believe this machine came with 2 needle plates. One for straight stitch, and another for zig zag.

unplug the machine first
unscrew the needle clamp holder screw enough to get the needle out
you might have to use some wire pliers, you may have to break the needle to get it out, please be carefull
then put a new needle in
clean under needle plate where feed dogs are for lint
clean in bobbin area for fragments of the needle & for lint & loose threads

the face plate may have been dislodged, check the screw, try taking it off and putting it back on. if it continues, it may be damaged and need to be replaced

the problem you describe is called bird nesting and is a needle tension problem
it is not tight enough
causes are tensions plates are no responding to the spring pressure , thread not between the plates or wrong settings for the material and thread in use
I find it best to disregard the settings and adjust the tension but pulling the thread through the plates just before i Thread the needle
properly adjust tension will require an effort to pull the thread

You might check with this vendor. If you don't see what you need, contact them directly.

https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/kenmore-385-18841-sewing-machine-parts-2.aspx

NEEDLE PLATE Kenmore 385 1884180 zig zag

NEEDLE PLATE ZIG ZAG 652612000 fits KENMORE 385 1884180 eBay

Don't know if this is helpful...but I have a very old Kenmore and 2 Brothers. I used the same needles with all 3 machines. No problems.

hi! there, since there no model you can relay on this basic set up an old mechanical sewing machine,set your upper thread as shownfollow the red loop thread from sppol to needle,then lift needle cover plate take bobbins and follow bobbins thread directionthreads inside bobbin clockwise rotation when you pull outthe insert bobbin to shuttle race casas shown
hold bobbin like this insert
this to shutttle race case as shown ignore arrow

then
after inseting bobbins closed needle plate cover
manually rorate hand wheel to hook up lower thread bobbin by upper thread bobbin if two thread appear on plate needle adjust tension dial to # 3 to 4 and stich dial to # 12 this for straight stich try sew manually first to observe thread under bobbins if free rotate and no accumulation of thread loop you sew w/ foot pedal or push buttin..happy sewing and have a nice day thanks