Reviewing the Underwood No.5's feature's functions. Also, mentioning Pressing On as a source for custom making decals (414-321-1444) and Typewriterstuff for parts like the Underwood feet (516-489-8300).
Thanks for sharing your tips. I have an Underwood 5 that I bought almost 20 years ago. Looks like my feed rollers have gone bad since the last time I played with it. One split in two laying inside and a couple others with major flat spots. I heard you mention changing yours. Any tips on doing this? Any sources for replacements? For now I've ordered some surgical tubing that seems to be the same dimensions.
Take a micrometer from the bad feed rollers, finding a spot where a good read can occur. As long as the tubing, when pressed over the old inner barrel, micrometers the same number read--or close enough (small give to tolerances) IF recovering all the rollers anyway--then the surgical tubing is a fine fix. The hiccup is finding a inner tubing diameter that will fit tightly, yet expand to the size your after correctly when fit over roller's shaft. Using a little Windex as a lube will help in pressing the new rubber on the roller shaft (if metal, wood's a bit of a fight), then do your ends trimming once it's on. Good luck!
