To remove the top cover you first remove the platten roller.
There are small press levers near the inside of the hand wheels (one at either side)if you press them down the platten roller will lift off of the roller bed and the top can be easily removed after that.
It is not nessesary to romove the platten roller hand wheels.
I've got a problem with my new-to-me Selectric. The carriage is stuck at the extreme left; it can only move over a few characters before it hits what sounds like a hard stop, as if something is impeding its movement. I've removed the platen and the metal piece behind it, and can't see any problems. I haven't removed the main case yet. Can any of you give me some help as to repairing it?
I found out of these (actually the first model of the selectric ... along with a 10kg "cell phone") on the junk today. First I thought the Selectric was eBay material, but somehow I really like that typewriter. Gonna fix the advance (which is gummy/jerky) and the actual character keys once I find a manual.
Great video! One correction: The "10" and "12" don't refer to point size, but to what was then called "pitch", the number of characters per inch horizontally. 10-pitch ("Pica") meant 10 cpi (7.2 pt/char), and 12-pitch ("Elite") meant 12 cpi (6 pt/char). So a 12-pitch font was actually smaller than a 10-pitch one. On dual-pitch Selectrics, the pitch was controlled by a lever at the back. Both pitches had the same vertical spacing though, 6 lines per inch (12 pt/line) for single spacing. :-)
Was there a large domestic market for Selectric Typewriters in Europe? In particular Great Britain? I am trying to find a second hand Selectric Typewriter in the UK and finding it impossible.
That cycle clutch sounds terrible. It's probably needs a replacement (can you find parts for these?) if you can't, you can make it go for longer by squirting some cleaning fluid into the clutch, letting it run a bit, and the adding some fresh grease.
The platen can be remove by pushing down two flat levers near teh knobs, platen was made to pop out to remove labels for the operators. the case can come off with out removeing the knobs. return is doing a short return because the latch on the right side of the machine is gummy. you can find it by moving the link attached to the margin rack on the right side. or the tab button is down a bit from being gummy.
The problem you encountered on the uderscore key that does not repeat can be caused because the repeating spring that is on the key lever is not actuating properly. The spring is a blue metal just back after the keyboard keys or better is like a comb of dark blue pieces of metal on top of the keylever.
I worked with Selectrics for 20+ years... Before you oil the spacebar cam (Operational cam assembly). IBM used a non-burning chemical called trichlorethane, the fumes where bad for you though - anyway you can use laquer thinner but be careful of fire. Clean the op cam assem with laquer thinner and a brush and clean the two springs to the left of the op cam too. Then oil go ahead and re-oil the op cam assem, but don't oil the two spring to the left they're C/R and tab pinions & springs.
Thanks a lot for your advice...I just got a Selectric III which is real gummy so I will make sure and degrease the parts you mentioned. I think on this one I ended up adjusting things which didn't really need it.
The "Adjust Card Holder" entry on the service card is probably referring to an adjustment of the plastic guide/graticule that holds the paper down around the print area. The service manual refers to this as the "Clear View Card Holder".
The problem you're having with the carriage return not returning to the left is likely the "carriage return clutch keeper" which has a screw adjustment. You can find a free version of the service manual online by googling for "selectric manual hpothb07".
Back in my early days in high school, we had the smaller bubble looking IBM Selectric typewriters. The thing had an uncomfortable and sharp ridge at the base the keys and space bar.
I was always intrigued at how the typing element was able to plant a character on the paper so fast.
I still have a big old Olivetti electric typewriter that has the element you drop in place from the side. You push in the little knob on the side to lock the element in place.
Yes I remember that older type of Selectric too. The funny thing is that I have either found the older type-bar types of IBM typewriters or the later Selectrics...the early Selectric models seem rare here.
Your typewriter and the one I used in typing class are pretty much the same. Except...the one I used was smaller and I don't think it typed more than say 90 characters per line... whereas yours probably goes to 110...120 or so. I can't remember now from it being so long.
But as far as the mechanics and the typing elements, those were the same.
Oh by the way... on that typewriter, if you held down every key... it repeated... not just a couple.
Beautiful video. I remember very well the revolutionary concept of the "typing ball" and that the ball really added fastness. There was a IBM factory in Amsterdam where I lived for a long time. As a young boy I searched for fine pieces of scrap metal from the typewriter production process.
cool video. I get a kick sometimes when I transfer phonograph records to the computer how they can skip or stick. Sometimes they'll skip or stick when I'm just playing them and play perfect for the computer. lol
I remember the old Selectrics from typing class in high school. Oh yeah, I remember school offices pre-computers. Typewriters and mimeograph machines.
degrease the c/r pinion spring and the c/r should work properly
crashinflames 6 months ago
To remove the top cover you first remove the platten roller.
There are small press levers near the inside of the hand wheels (one at either side)if you press them down the platten roller will lift off of the roller bed and the top can be easily removed after that.
It is not nessesary to romove the platten roller hand wheels.
6116merl 11 months ago
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Are there any new typewriters produced in the United States? Here in England we have Brother typewriters (but these are made in China).
1990Totalrecall 11 months ago
Are there any new typewriters produced in the United States. Here in England we have Brother typewriters (but these are made in China).
1990Totalrecall 11 months ago
Not set screws - "bristo wrenches" , allen wont work
captrich853 1 year ago
@captrich853 "bristol wrench"
crashinflames 6 months ago
How did you get the mechanism that was gummed up so clean? I'm going to be restoring a Selectric I soon!
plungerdrum 1 year ago
I've got a problem with my new-to-me Selectric. The carriage is stuck at the extreme left; it can only move over a few characters before it hits what sounds like a hard stop, as if something is impeding its movement. I've removed the platen and the metal piece behind it, and can't see any problems. I haven't removed the main case yet. Can any of you give me some help as to repairing it?
Stevopedia 1 year ago
I found out of these (actually the first model of the selectric ... along with a 10kg "cell phone") on the junk today. First I thought the Selectric was eBay material, but somehow I really like that typewriter. Gonna fix the advance (which is gummy/jerky) and the actual character keys once I find a manual.
It's certainly a nice little machine.
1337Shockwav3Games 1 year ago
YOU ARE FUCKING AWESOME AND I LOVE YOU
snailcrusader 2 years ago
Great video! One correction: The "10" and "12" don't refer to point size, but to what was then called "pitch", the number of characters per inch horizontally. 10-pitch ("Pica") meant 10 cpi (7.2 pt/char), and 12-pitch ("Elite") meant 12 cpi (6 pt/char). So a 12-pitch font was actually smaller than a 10-pitch one. On dual-pitch Selectrics, the pitch was controlled by a lever at the back. Both pitches had the same vertical spacing though, 6 lines per inch (12 pt/line) for single spacing. :-)
linuxspice 2 years ago 2
Was there a large domestic market for Selectric Typewriters in Europe? In particular Great Britain? I am trying to find a second hand Selectric Typewriter in the UK and finding it impossible.
bladerunner86 2 years ago
That cycle clutch sounds terrible. It's probably needs a replacement (can you find parts for these?) if you can't, you can make it go for longer by squirting some cleaning fluid into the clutch, letting it run a bit, and the adding some fresh grease.
rumirunto 2 years ago 2
The platen can be remove by pushing down two flat levers near teh knobs, platen was made to pop out to remove labels for the operators. the case can come off with out removeing the knobs. return is doing a short return because the latch on the right side of the machine is gummy. you can find it by moving the link attached to the margin rack on the right side. or the tab button is down a bit from being gummy.
beachgirl40oz 3 years ago
The problem you encountered on the uderscore key that does not repeat can be caused because the repeating spring that is on the key lever is not actuating properly. The spring is a blue metal just back after the keyboard keys or better is like a comb of dark blue pieces of metal on top of the keylever.
flaviocb55 3 years ago
Thank you...I'll make sure and check that out.
retrochad 3 years ago
I worked with Selectrics for 20+ years... Before you oil the spacebar cam (Operational cam assembly). IBM used a non-burning chemical called trichlorethane, the fumes where bad for you though - anyway you can use laquer thinner but be careful of fire. Clean the op cam assem with laquer thinner and a brush and clean the two springs to the left of the op cam too. Then oil go ahead and re-oil the op cam assem, but don't oil the two spring to the left they're C/R and tab pinions & springs.
captrich853 3 years ago
Thanks a lot for your advice...I just got a Selectric III which is real gummy so I will make sure and degrease the parts you mentioned. I think on this one I ended up adjusting things which didn't really need it.
retrochad 3 years ago
You wouldn't know where I could get a pdf of a selectric (1,2 or 3) service manual?
fartytowelz 3 years ago
That's what I cut my eye-teeth on in 1984...
batterymaker 3 years ago
The "Adjust Card Holder" entry on the service card is probably referring to an adjustment of the plastic guide/graticule that holds the paper down around the print area. The service manual refers to this as the "Clear View Card Holder".
The problem you're having with the carriage return not returning to the left is likely the "carriage return clutch keeper" which has a screw adjustment. You can find a free version of the service manual online by googling for "selectric manual hpothb07".
ercolano77 3 years ago
Thanks a lot for clarifying that! I'll make sure to check out the service manual.
retrochad 3 years ago
@retrochad also don't forget this is a sequentially adjusted machine, turning screws, clevises, links and nuts affects other adjustments as well.
crashinflames 6 months ago
Those are awesome typewriters. the quality of the text is excellent, they're easy to use, and they're built to last.
wilkes85 3 years ago
Back in my early days in high school, we had the smaller bubble looking IBM Selectric typewriters. The thing had an uncomfortable and sharp ridge at the base the keys and space bar.
I was always intrigued at how the typing element was able to plant a character on the paper so fast.
I still have a big old Olivetti electric typewriter that has the element you drop in place from the side. You push in the little knob on the side to lock the element in place.
mboltonjr 3 years ago
Yes I remember that older type of Selectric too. The funny thing is that I have either found the older type-bar types of IBM typewriters or the later Selectrics...the early Selectric models seem rare here.
retrochad 3 years ago
Your typewriter and the one I used in typing class are pretty much the same. Except...the one I used was smaller and I don't think it typed more than say 90 characters per line... whereas yours probably goes to 110...120 or so. I can't remember now from it being so long.
But as far as the mechanics and the typing elements, those were the same.
Oh by the way... on that typewriter, if you held down every key... it repeated... not just a couple.
mboltonjr 3 years ago
Beautiful video. I remember very well the revolutionary concept of the "typing ball" and that the ball really added fastness. There was a IBM factory in Amsterdam where I lived for a long time. As a young boy I searched for fine pieces of scrap metal from the typewriter production process.
radioam232 3 years ago
cool video. I get a kick sometimes when I transfer phonograph records to the computer how they can skip or stick. Sometimes they'll skip or stick when I'm just playing them and play perfect for the computer. lol
jefferyb304 3 years ago
I used these types of machines in typing class.
doostoos1 3 years ago
mathes cooler is running
Andrewjarmans 3 years ago
Very nice piece, like clockwork. I used one of these when I was younger, although it had some problems.
Organgrinder010 3 years ago
Neat Typewriter! The typing sound is very recognizable. Really Nice.
AllAmericanFiveRadio 3 years ago
I remember the old Selectrics from typing class in high school. Oh yeah, I remember school offices pre-computers. Typewriters and mimeograph machines.
jasonlava 3 years ago