Typewriter Assistance

[perc-o-prince]

I'm holding at about 45 machines in my collection

We got WAY too close to the 4-digit mark for # of typewriters in our collection. We've been thinning the herd for years and still have several hundred, but were just willed a collection of 300! We brought about 200 home that we're selling and left the other +/- 100 for auction.

It's amazing how many machines still have viable ribbons or other inking systems that still produce characters!

Chuck

 

[rp2813]

What I would really like for myself is an IBM correcting Selectric.   After years of typing on keyboards, I'm a klutz at typing manually.  I suppose if I spent time at it, my ability would return, but for what?  Well, I could also ask "for what" about a Selectric, right?

 

My sister had a beautiful blue correcting Selectric with a large selection of typing balls.  She gave it away.  If only I had expressed my interest sooner.

 

Meanwhile, I think I'll remove the bottom access panel on the Galaxie first.  I swear the return lever was working properly before.  If I don't find a loose spring, I'll try cleaning with alcohol.  If I do, I'll be asking here how the spring attaches.

 

[rp2813]

After letting the machine sit ignored for a while, I got back at it today.  The alcohol helped with the return lever but it may need more of it.  After a short time, it gums up again, so I'm repeating the process until the lever returns freely after sitting awhile unused.

 

I checked the stencil setting and the ribbon carrier remains stationary as it should.

 

One thing I can't diagnose is the faint imprint made below the typing line by lower case letters like p,q,j,g,f, etc.  This also happens with upper case letters like C and E.  The ribbon carrier functions normally.  I cleaned the characters on the problem letters but that made no improvement.  I messed around with the keystroke settings and it made no difference whether set to L, M or H.   You can see this was happening with the old ribbon in picture 2 in my post from 2/9/20.  Any suggestions?

 

At this point, I'm ready to turn this machine over to my friend and let him put his boyfriend to work on it if there's nothing left that I can try. 

 

[petek]

From looking at the pic I think all that's needed is a new ribbon, that one must be a good 20 years old or more. You'd have to provide another picture of a line of typing which includes both upper and lower case letters to see if there is any vertical alignment problems but it's doubtful there is imo.

like this;

aAbBcCdDeEfFgG etc.

 

[rp2813]

Pete, you da man!

 

Check out the picture.  You can see what I was referring to up above where the shift lock was being used, and then the improvement from alternating upper and lower case.

 

Other than the sluggish return lever, which will require more alcohol rinses, I think this machine is ready to hand off to its new owner.

 

Thanks to everyone who provided help and guidance!

 

[petek]

Looks good now and the vertical alignment is right on. You can see how the capital C & E tails and the tails of some of the non caps are much lower than what you would see on any other typeface, that's why these machines can't use a two color ribbon. They're very sought after typewriters.

BTW I read that California Typewriter store is closing soon, owners retiring.

 

[rp2813]

Sad news about California Typewriter.  I wonder what Mr. Hanks is going to do now.  Maybe find a shop in the L.A. area?  It's amazing the number of old businesses that have survived in metro L.A., most with their original signage.

 

I know this is a prized machine but I can borrow it whenever I want, and I really can't imagine the need to, ever.  Knowing my friend, it will sit at his place unused most of the time.  More than likely it will see use by his young boyfriend when he visits. 

 

I'm just glad to have saved it and found it a good home.  I don't think I paid much more than $10 for it a few years ago.  That's about what my budget is when it comes to nice things that I won't likely use.