Heh, the "w" on the paper table is exposed because I tried cleaning the green paint off when I first found that machine. I got as far as uncovering the "w" before changing my mind about removing the green paint :D
So it’s your fault Ted! Good of you to admit that. Interesting to know it is still there underneath, wasn’t stripped back to bare metal before the repaint. I do like the two tone black/green look myself.
Liked your review of the Underwood #5 in comparison to the Royal. I've owned a 1926 #5 for 10 years or more. Bought it in mint condition for $40 from a ni.ce couple in my town of Elgin, Illinois. It is a work of art, sitting proudly in daily view, and daily use, on my mahogany table. The majority of my creative highlight moments happen on that gleaming black marvel.🎉
I really dig the color. The emerald green mixed with the retro look of the device reminds me of The Wizard of Oz. How much would this typewriter set me back on the market would you say?
Hey Joe, I really enjoyed your tutorial on the Underwood #5. I'm a semi retired, 71 year old law student who will soon be graduating law school. Writing and legal research are integral parts of the law profession, and I am a lover of antiquity. I found a beautiful Underwood #5 on Ebay that was made in 1927... one owner, and in pristine condition. There was no way I could pass by this opportunity. I subscribed to your channel and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my machine. I may be reaching out to you for advice and guidance if that's OK. Thank you again for your informative video.
@@Joe_VanCleave Hello Joe, newer subscriber here! I am not at all knowledgable about typewriters but have been learning a lot about them after watching so many of your videos. I enjoy mechanical things and my Dad was a mechanic so I'm sure got some of it from him. I am 57 and my fondest memory of using a typewriter was from my Junior year in high school here in Wisconsin in '82-'83 where all my classmates and I typed on brownish colored Selectric II's (I also remember there was always one or two of them that had covers on them and being out of service :) Hopefully not too much more of a tangent here, but I happened to have just watched Episode 250 in your video series (from two years ago) where you used the card guide for vertical line spacing. While I was watching it I was wondering if a person could make underscore characters down the left and right margins of a sheet and then connect the lines to make ruled paper? P.S. I was unfamiliar with the Underwood standard typewriter so thank you for this video!
@@FortitudeAndResiliencee Yes, you can use underscore to draw a horizontal line, or dash for a dashed line. You can also fit a pen into the hole in the card guides of many typewriters and move the carriage back and forth for horizontal lines, or spin the platen roller for verticals.
There’s so much that’s great about this video. But the paper fingers are designed to me lowered over the paper once it’s inserted. So your critique of those is a bit unfair. Otherwise - delightful video. Thank you.
Hi Joe! My current favorite, an Everest K2, has dark-blue paint covering its original khaki on the ribbon cover and carriage. Keep us posted if you do the repaint as I will be watching with interest!
Nice informative video. I have an Underwood 5 and 11 along with a wide carriage KMM. My Underwood 11 is practically mint, the 5 still a very nice typewriter. I note that the Underwood 5 seems "clunkier" than the 11. The Underwoods do provide a nice typing touch. I like to do comparison typing from the older Underwood 5 and progress to my SCM 120 electric and finally the Selectric II, in order to get a "ride" through decades of typewriter evolution. I like the green and black color combination on your Underwood. Didn't some Model A Fords utilize that color combination? Maybe it was painted to bring memories of those vintage Fords?
Hi Joe! About the margin on your machine, I believe there were many standard-sized typewriters that had margins fitted in the front, like Olivetti M20 or Continental Standard and some German machines. It’s a unique and convenient feature which I enjoy using. Somehow this had become a typical feature of a standard-sized typewriter for me. Quite weird.
My Underwood from the 40's has still a few issues. Mainly the ink ribbon is not moving up and down. But I get it to stay up. Unable to see what I typed until a return. I spent hours cleaning and degreasing and oiling it and it types like a new one. But I agree, the biggest problem is the table space. I use it a lot less than I'd like, just because it's such a hassle setting it up.
Being a sheet of paper with you when typewriter hunting. Feed it into the machine, test all of the keys, make sure the carriage moves, etc. The feed rollers often will need replacing. As for new rubber on the platen, that costs around $80-100 from JJ Short & Associates.
Great video, thanks! Very useful information for me as I have one that I inherited from my grandfather about fifty years ago. He purchased it to use in his blacksmith shop in about 1910. It is still operational although it needs a good CLA.
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.
Another helpful video! I just found one in the city today, and, while it needs a lot of cleaning, it's in good working order. I'm understanding a lot better how the parts on it work. Smith-Corona built my typewriter instincts. Now that I've started to try a few others, it is fascinating to see all the different solutions to the same problem. I'm excited to get this Underwood cleaned and working!
I gotta say, while that color may not be original, it really looks good. It's a great subtle contrast to the black and makes the whole unit a lot more attractive! The wide carriages were "business" machines. Think ledgers, inventory sheets, and the like. I just bought an Underwood #3 with an 18" carriage just as a conversation starter.
I just picked up an Underwood 5 with a serial number indicating manufacturing date of 1908. It is not in as good of shape is yours and certainly needs some serious cleaning and care, but I couldn't pass it up for $50. It is fully functional as it sits right now and I can't wait to see how well it works when I clean and degrease it. It is now the oldest typewriter in my collection, beating my 1938 Royal KHM which is my go-to standard machine for writing.
I have been on the hunt for an Underwood 5 for some time now. Just waiting for the right price and something that isn't a total rust bucket. One day my patience will pay off.
