Typewriter Project

[MoreThanSane]

So recently my Remington Portable 5 developed an incredibly annoying carriage slip. I believe one of the teeth on the escapement wheel may have broken off (actually, it's the only thing I can think of). This is, quite obviously, very bad, but it's not the first thing to have broken. Lacking the funds required to simply buy a flashy new machine, I've decided to purchase another used Portable 5 and see if I can patch 'em together into something relatively presentable. I need a project anyway.

Anyone out there have any experience repairing typewriters? Any tips? I appreciate any useful (and most unuseful) information and/or recommendations.

 

[Johnnysaurus Rex]

You actually use your typewriters? Any special reason? Note: Not belittling or criticizing you. Just curious.

 

[Cassanova]

He also likes drinking whiskey, listening to bob marley and reading shakespeare....

Using a typewriter is low-key for MtS.

>.>

 

[Johnnysaurus Rex]

He also likes drinking whiskey

Throw in some cigars and Rat Pack and it's a date.

Dapper suits mandatory. Nice leather jackets will suffice.

 

[Tribunal Power]

Glad to hear I'm not the only writer out there that still loves these old workhorses!

I have the "portable" model of the Smith-Corona Galaxie Deluxe c. 1968. I've had to do a couple minor fixes to it as it was in touchy shape when I acquired it ($8 at an antique shop, thank you very much), but none of it has amounted to more than a little bit of grease/oil and some love.

While I'm not overtly familiar with the particular model you have, if you're getting carriage slip, I'd wager you're probably right and there's a broken tooth in there. Depending on the model, that could indeed be the equivalent of totaling a car with a fender bender, as some typewriters are so wildly difficult to disassemble and parts are so scarce that it would end up costing more than just buying another typewriter.

Your initial plan should work, assuming that model's carriage can be disassembled/removed. Buying the same model for its parts will probably be the only workable solution to repair it, as I doubt you'll be able to find the parts you need individually.

I'm assuming this typewriter is very special to you-- I know mine was. There's no other reason to put the work into repairing these things as opposed to getting a different model unless you love them, and it looks like you might have a tough fix ahead of you.

 

[Tribunal Power]

Another thought: do you get a good report each time you press the spacebar? Or power-space, if you have it? How about backspace? If you're getting solid hits on each space/backspace (power-space makes it easier to tell), then it may not be a tooth. It could be the retention band/draw band or it could be a weak spring combined with a worn but not broken tooth. Sometimes teeth get worn down enough to slip if there are other problems. If you're getting good solid hits on the very first space and the very last space on either end of the page, then the band and spring are fine and it's probably a tooth.

 

[MoreThanSane]

You actually use your typewriters? Any special reason? Note: Not belittling or criticizing you. Just curious.

They're beautiful machines, and so much more pleasant than the plastic rapattap of a keyboard.

Throw in some cigars and Rat Pack and it's a date.

Dapper suits mandatory. Nice leather jackets will suffice.

Don't forget your hat.

Glad to hear I'm not the only writer out there that still loves these old workhorses!

I have the "portable" model of the Smith-Corona Galaxie Deluxe c. 1968. I've had to do a couple minor fixes to it as it was in touchy shape when I acquired it ($8 at an antique shop, thank you very much), but none of it has amounted to more than a little bit of grease/oil and some love.

While I'm not overtly familiar with the particular model you have, if you're getting carriage slip, I'd wager you're probably right and there's a broken tooth in there. Depending on the model, that could indeed be the equivalent of totaling a car with a fender bender, as some typewriters are so wildly difficult to disassemble and parts are so scarce that it would end up costing more than just buying another typewriter.

Your initial plan should work, assuming that model's carriage can be disassembled/removed. Buying the same model for its parts will probably be the only workable solution to repair it, as I doubt you'll be able to find the parts you need individually.

I'm assuming this typewriter is very special to you-- I know mine was. There's no other reason to put the work into repairing these things as opposed to getting a different model unless you love them, and it looks like you might have a tough fix ahead of you.

Another thought: do you get a good report each time you press the spacebar? Or power-space, if you have it? How about backspace? If you're getting solid hits on each space/backspace (power-space makes it easier to tell), then it may not be a tooth. It could be the retention band/draw band or it could be a weak spring combined with a worn but not broken tooth. Sometimes teeth get worn down enough to slip if there are other problems. If you're getting good solid hits on the very first space and the very last space on either end of the page, then the band and spring are fine and it's probably a tooth.

I was worried no one on here shared my passion. For the next sixty seconds you, good sir, are my favorite person in the universe.

To say I'm in love with this machine would be a gross understatement, quite honestly. I really appreciate the thought about the retention band/spring, and I'll be sure to take a look at that today. Oh how lovely it would be if that were the problem!

 

[Johnnysaurus Rex]

Don't forget your hat.

Sometimes hats can not be pulled off. Also it's proper to not where them indoors, sir!

 

[MoreThanSane]

Sometimes hats can not be pulled off. Also it's proper to not where them indoors, sir!

Oh if course it is, but what makes you assume we'll be indoors? I'm rather partial to night skies.

 

[Johnnysaurus Rex]

I am intrigued, mein freund.

 

[Kaeb]

I actually have an old typewriter sitting in my friends attic, just never got around to taking it back from her, I believe it's a Remington as well.

 

[MoreThanSane]

I am intrigued, mein freund.

Mon ami, you'll find I've a knack for that.

I actually have an old typewriter sitting in my friends attic, just never got around to taking it back from her, I believe it's a Remington as well.

You should get on that. They're great machines, mine simply failed to age well. No doubt due to copious amounts of caffeine-fueled writing binges.

 

[Tribunal Power]

Mon ami, you'll find I've a knack for that.


You should get on that. They're great machines, mine simply failed to age well. No doubt due to copious amounts of caffeine-fueled writing binges.

At least you know your machine has had a good life! Letting one sit in an attic is such a waste. ):