Pulling at straws here: Any old typewriter techs on board?

[Gilly]

Hi all, remember me, the old head-chopping moderator?
Hey, I'm pulling at straws here, have been searching a LOT on the net for info.
What I have is an IBM Selectric III typewriter that I use on rare occasions to type out title strips for my jukebox (NOT like a CD Jukebox you have in your home, the kind that you used to put MONEY in and it played a record, THAT kind of jukebox).
And yeah I know, I can get the computer to do that for me now, I am resisting change, so bear with me.
So, geez they say these Selectrics are real pieces of mechanical art, too. I have the cover off and they are kind of neat and would really like to give it a go at repairing it. I'm sure many here remember learning how to type on these things in high school (if you're old enough anyways). The thing has TWO electrical parts, an electric motor and the switch, that's ALL. Everything else is mechanical, pretty cool. A diesel guy would probably love it.
But anyways, I have tried searching for answers on the net in various places, and thought I would ask here, just by chance any one here has worked on these or maybe know someone who did. Back in the 70s I'm sure there were lots of people making a good living working on Selectrics. I sort of see what's going on with it but no good idea on how to properly repair it. I've taken it apart as much as I dare at this point.
Gilly

[jplinville]

Lots of words and you still didn't say what's wrong with it...gimme a bone here, and I'll let you know if it should be buried or not.

I still have 3 manual typewriters that each weigh in at almost 50 pounds, plus my old Selectrics II and my trusty Smith-Corona electric. I keep the manuals more as conversation pieces.

[sublakedesron]

That's not old enough for my tastes(it has electrical components). my typewriter is a 1935 Remington Portable Model 5...so all mechanical, but what exactly is the problem?

[strelnik]

IBM's got the manuals available, why not just buy one? It's the IBM FSB

[LUVMBDiesels]

I use an old L.C. Smith from the 1920's
I also have a couple Royals.

The Selectric can have issues with the type ball. Is that the case? It might just need an adjustment.

These guys have the service manual and the adjustment guide for the S II in stock.

http://users.lewiston.com/ejorgens/office/ibm/ibm.htm



The total cost will be about $50

Good luck and
"Keep 'em Flying"

[The Swede]

Wonder if that typewriter repair shop is still kitty-corner from Lombardino's on Old University Ave?

[aklim]

Get a Dymo Labeler and be done with it.

[Gilly]

Sure thing Lim, hey I'll just get a box of crayons.

OK, I didn't know if anyone would be familiar with these, and yeah I can get wordy at times.

The carriage doesn't advance or return. I am unsure what even makes the carriage advance.

The problem started out when I was just typing with it to make sure it worked OK (it was fine at first), then found the carriage would not return to the left when hitting the return key nor backing up with the "back" key.

There is something that I found out is called the tab cord, I ruined that, my fault not the machines. It was not on the plastic spool that it runs on, it was all tangled up in the gears when I took it apart. I see how it is supposed to be routed and did have it attached to the spool at least once. I am not sure if this is what advances the carriage though.

OK, then there is the return cable. It came off of the metal spool that it is supposed to run on (was hanging loose). In addition there is a large coiled up band spring that wraps on the shaft that extends out from the metal spool. I assume because the return cable came off, there is no tension on the spring and that has now come off. Again I see the routing of the return cable (the guide spools and so forth) and how the cable attaches to the spool, but can't figure out how this all is supposed to be put together, I have made several attempts doing the work in various orders. I do see how the spring in back attaches to the frame also.

Gilly

[MTI]

I think there's a typewriter repair shop in every town, usually they're right next to the livery stable and blacksmith . . .

[Gilly]

Seemed like it, I think they are drying up now though. The one The Swede mentioned, I don't recall it by Lombardinos though, IIRC Lombardinos was on Park and Regent. The one I remember (and went past a few days ago) was further south on Park. There is stuff inside but generally looked closed up to me, not sure though. At any rate I was hoping for a DIY repair if I can get some basic info.
Gilly

[The Swede]

Originally Posted by Gilly

Seemed like it, I think they are drying up now though. The one The Swede mentioned, I don't recall it by Lombardinos though, IIRC Lombardinos was on Park and Regent. The one I remember (and went past a few days ago) was further south on Park. There is stuff inside but generally looked closed up to me, not sure though. At any rate I was hoping for a DIY repair if I can get some basic info.
Gilly

It was across from the Best Western Inntowner, Campus Drive and Highland. I'm pretty sure Lombardino's is still there.

[Gilly]

Oh sure, and I looked it up and yeah they even have a website. But anyways I was more of a west sider (Middleton), and have never gone there, there was an Italian place I am thinking of on the NW corner of Park and Regent. I don't remember the typewriter place where you mentioned (which makes sense since I forgot where Lombardinos was). But there is still this tiny building on Park (still can find it on the web, yellowbot.com and so forth), is Madison Typewriter and Business Machines. Didn't look open when I drove by on Monday mid-day.
But again I'd like to fix it if I can DIY, otherwise will probably get tossed.
Gilly

PS the Italian place was definitely NW corner, the NE corner is still there, that's Frabonis Italian deli, this was across Park from Frabonis.

[LUVMBDiesels]

Go get the manuals I mentioned yesterday. The Tab cord sets the place where the carriage stops at each hit of the 'tab' key. It is the cable and spring which are the problem. The cable is supposed to move the carriage in tension with the spring and when it is released the spring returns the carriage.

If worse comes to worse, you can pick one up on Craig's list
http://www.crazedlist.org/index.cgi?areas=165,241,242,243,414,47,505,506,507,508&catAbbreviation=sss&query=Selectric&minAsk=min&maxAsk=500&thiscat=8&submit=Search

[SwampYankee]

I can't really offer any advice, but we do have a couple of IBM Selectric II's that see regular duty here. There's actually a guy that still comes around and services them for us. He looks like a guy that would go around and service typewriters.

[Mistress]

i still prefer this method.