How does the force required for the Rocket compare to your Smith Corona Silent Super? I understand it’s a bit like comparing apples to oranges but I want to know if I need to adjust my Rocket since I still need to press harder on those keys than my Super on medium touch setting. This seems off given how many people describe the Rocket as good for weaker fingers.
By the Gods, I must have 9 or 10 typewriters; My father's IBM Selectric, Several Royal standards, standard wide. and wide carrige. A 1927 Underwood, Olympia SM3 and SM4 portables, Royal portable, Smith-Corona portable, My mother's Olivetti portable, and a Cyrillic portable !! Most were local farmers' market finds; $20 - $40.
Joe Van Cleave, we have so much in common it's scary, even the way you think. I go to France and Belgium all the time on many adventures to follow WW1. Garth Wetherall
I use a thermal typewriter instead of any of other devices listed here. I've been finding that it works fine for me, even with me using rechargeable batteries in it and carrying a separate thermal paper roll. It's not a big screen, but I'm looking not to be staring at a screen of some sort. Never had much of an issue with that setup, even though the Alphasmart and Neos look cool.
Thank you for this introduction! I found a grimy Royal KMM (1945 according to the typewriter database and the serial number) at a thrift store. It wasn’t too expensive, possibly because it didn’t seem to be working, but I figured out the issue and am excited to get it cleaned and back in use! This video was really helpful.
Thanks for posting! Was able to confirm that this is the model I inherited from my grandmother. Going to start the hunt for someone to repair it for me so it can be more than a decorative piece.
Just got my father and friend one of these. In case you’re interested, your handi desk also solves another issue: some writing systems are not left-hand writer friendly! My father is left handed and told me he usually gets frustrated with other tools like 3-ring binders that tend to block a left-handed person’s writing hand. Just thought I’d share that additional benefit :)
I was much luckier than I initially thought when I stumbled upon this model of machine in its case at a nearby thrift store, and got it for under 10 bucks. I know nothing about typewriters and wasn't interested in them, but I thought of a fun use for one and bought it like three hours ago. Inspected it and slowly figured out the drive belt and motor are broken/loose/something. But this was a great video & intro to the machine and leads me to believe I can fix it! Much more excited now for my new typewriter and can't wait to (eventually) type on it. Other people in this comment section have been hugely helpful as well, seems like a good community you got here!
I found this while trying to fix a 5 series Smith Corona, but the assembly there makes no sense to me mechanically as it just hangs regardless of the setting. I do notice that Phoenix Typewriter has found a variation that one can adjust with 3 screws: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0XIILZ1DI80.html. Perhaps a useful video in the series if you have a working 5 series with a properly adjusted manual touch selector?
This video was really helpful. I just bought a Speed Graphic from a collection. It’s like brand new. The manual has all these little signs that label things but it’s a eye score. If there are clubs to join I will join them. Definitely keeping with your videos. I believe I have the focal plan shutter as well as leaf shutter. I have checked for light leaks and it’s light tight. I want to use this camera because of its History but it is much lighter then my other 4x5. Mine was a flash model but I took the solenoid off for now. Oh Yea I bought the flash as well. How many 4x5 hand held camera are out there, not many.
A can of compressed air probably wouldn't do much for a really dirty unit, would it? Or would you not even recommend that? (Seems like moisture comes out, but... its supposed to be good for electronics, so I figured it'd be safe for this... guess I'll keep watching to see what you do.)
Did you mention which years these were built? I have one nearly, or exactly the same. (Didn't intend to collect, but now I have 4 typewriters... uh oh.) Just barely starting to learn about them. Would be cool to use this one, but my Classic 12 appears to be in much better shape... 1975 if I had to guess. Also have a nicely working Selectric II, and an older looking, slightly smaller Smith Corona electric... case doesn't seem to want to stay latched, and keys like to jam... anyway, sorry to waste your time, not much point to this!
If I could only have one American-made portable from the 1930s the Model O might be it. Great touch, great lines and a beautiful glossy piano-black finish.
Hi Joe, Do you think maybe the next time you do a Platen, you can show us how that's done from their website order, to removal of platen and packaging for shipping off? I'm lol, scared they'll lose the platen lol. Also, with the Typewriter database, not just how to navigate it as it is confusing, but how to register our Typewriters? That Hermes 3k I have I didn't see it's serial number there, mine I believe is a 1959 as it's low but not as high as the 1960s. Knowing my luck it is a 1960 lol, nothing wrong with that, I just really like the years 58 and 59. Music was awesome then too, lol, old soul. Speaking of Hermés 3K, next time you do a full breakdown and servicing cleaning, where in you remove the carriage, can you video that and post that as an episode, course I have the curve edition, does it differ greatly on how it's taken apart? Besides the outside shell? Just would love to see a full teardown and cleaning. No one I, can find, does a good full teardown. Thanks Joe!
Hi Joe! I have some catching up to do! I didn't know there's a website for pen pals, that's awesome, definitely going to check that out, felt like you were speaking to me there Joe! Very cool Mail. I hope that makes you feel good Joe, getting mail all the way from Germany! So many of us call you friend Joe! You matter, your channel matters, might not be millions of us (yet) but I'd rather enter a room that's almost quiet with few in population of people who really, really care about me (you) then to hear the roar of thousands of voices, that are drowning those few. Ah you know what I mean. Thank you for taking us along.
while watching your video I was just looking at listing of typewriters on goodwill auctions, when I saw the sameone. Well it was in like new shape and 17 dollars with 4 days left on it.
If anyone knows anything about this, please share your expertise here if you would. I have an underwood 5 just like this one, and the really the only mechanical issue it has is that the carriage will not advance. I figured it was something to do with the ratchet wheel with the spring in it on the back, and from the looks of Joe's cycling and watching the belt spin on it, I'd say I'm correct. My problem is: I cant figure out how the darn thing connects to any components inside the machine other than sitting in there free-floating. The belt on mine is screwed, all frayed and snapped, but that can be replaced. My question is: Does that belt attach to anything inside the typewriter to move the carriage, and if so, what is it? Additionally, If anyone knows about how this system functions in general, and where to see a schematic of it (all the underwood manuals I've seen don't mention this) I would HUGELY appreciate it.
Hi Joe! I have a Scheidegger Typomatic TMS, likely from the 1970s, and I'm having trouble with the ink ribbon not moving. I've checked the reserve and everything seems fine, but it still won't roll. Any idea what might be the problem? Thanks in advance!
Fantastic video Joe ! Love the inspection process that is so important when looking to purchase. I always take the bodies of and get every nook and cranny,but, that's my OCD being fed 😂. Renessance wax is pricey but a little bit goes a long way and I think it's worth it. I love model O's and P's they always clean up so very nice and are wonderfully comfortable to type on. Thanks again for all your time and efforts in creating this high level videos!
Hello Joe, just a short 2024 update: This morning I enjoyed typing on my NEO, emptying my brain, and I really love its keyboard. Without any problems, I connected it to my iPad directly, no software needed, and made it a Drafts file. Even the umlauts were transferred perfectly. So there is still a way to use these good old workhorses. (And it works with my new Mac, too) But I agree that the smartphone + external keyboard is a good idea, too. I have a small foldable BT keyboard that I take with me when on the road, and using the focus mode of my phone it is a good writing combination. Though it is not the perfect keyboard its size is best when traveling by train, with the little room I have. (And without the clickyness of the keys I do not disturb the other people.)
I am having what appears to be a back-and-forth issue with the loose dog on my Royal QDL. When I press a key (or the space bar), the loose dog goes forward too far, and when the loose dog is trying to come back, it gets out caught on the star wheel, causing the carriage to freeze. Have you seen this before? It seems like I should be able to make an adjustment, so the loose dog doesn't go in quite so far.
4:11… lightmeter shows 500ISO, but Instax is 800ISO to my knowledge? And, when I shoot it with what the light meter tells me for 800ISO, it’s always overexposed. I need to adapt it more to 1000ISO or even 1200ISO… Nice video by the way. Thank you!
I truly enjoy your videos and the part where you say that the the typewriter have to "disappear" I can relate to, as a writer and collector been thinning down the collection to the ones that really do the job, from 20 machines now I have six reliable workhorses; 1951 Underwood Champion Finger Flite, 1951 Royal Arrow, 1963 Olympia SF, 1969 Hermes 3000, 1963 Facit T2 and a Smith Corona Electra 210, great creative tools.
Very interesting. I just picked one of these up,, a 1971 in blue, with the case. The lady had a 1979 Erika 105 as well. She wanted $35 for each machine. I wanted the Ten Forty case for a newly acquired 1956 Topedo, but the carriage pin the 10-40 is loose. However, the Erika works well, but no case. Because the 10-40 has a wonky carriage, I ended top getting both machines for $40. I love your videos. Thank you.
How do I identify a British typewritten document from an American one? If I know a document was written in the middle 1970's is there any way to tell which typewriter was used, and if so, in which country?
The easiest way to tell would be the paper size, if it’s a letter. British would be A4, verses US 8.5 x 11 inches. It’s much more difficult to tell by the style of type face, because in Britain the machine could have been British, but also any European machine, like German or Italian. And many manufacturers didn’t make their own type slugs, but bought them from type foundries, which were often German or Swiss. There have been forensic specialists in typewriters, but I’m not one of them, alas!
That was fun! My take on the Selectrics is, it was a fantastic typewriter that was never meant to be used in the home. As you said, if you don’t use it the lubricants inside will harden, and if you do use it the parts will wear out. In either cases you need the parts and a repairman with specialized training to fix it. It’s a shame because there is nothing quite like the silky smooth touch of a well sorted IBM Selectric. 😏
Wow. I just bought a Royal "O" over the past weekend for $25. I think it is from 1938. I'm looking forward to using it. I've been using a Royal Arrow from probably early 1942 (I think.) Love your videos.
Thanks a lot for this very helpful video. I just got my second 3000b and took the carriage & cover off to clean it up. It's a fine machine with some material flaws (these plastic knobs are really crappy compared to the ones in the 3000a model, fortunately there are now heavy duty 3d printed replacement knobs... and why did they need to make the side panes of plastic?!… and on the other hand the ribbon cover thick like a fifties truck's fender :D) and, in my humble opinion a construction flaw with the way only the 4 bottom cover screws keep the machine together, whereas the 3000a model had those steel plates at the bottom to fix the chassis to the top cover first, which made the construction way more solid and easier to disassemble.
Joe, never stop posting these videos. I use a Freewrite Traveler, e-ink device, and consistently watch your channel, kinda wishing I bought a vintage typewriter. To be fair I love the Freewrite, I don't regret it. But now I wonder... What could have been?
