Fran Fixes It! - How to take apart and service the IBM Selectric II Typewriter.

[maxny1]

Good job on taking out the foam. It was a problem even when the machines were fairly new. IBM put out a technical service bulletin to remove the foam. To tilt the machine up from inside the case use the 2 small pins that stick out from the on/switch and the tab set/clear button. That is their purpose.

[ivamorelli]

Fran,

Great video. I took the platen out and can't get it to engage again. It snaps back in but the line spacing doesn't work now. Any idea what that might be? imorelli@gmail.com

[ContourCorsets]

@ivamorelli I would disassemble, reset the levers, and reassemble again...  :)

[djmarkymix]

Thank you, Fran! Now my Selectric works perfectly thanks to your advice!

[bptorre]

Hi Fran! LOVED this video!! For the number "1", try using the lower-case "L". I did that with a Hermes Rocket (cute little portable) for years. Looks a little better than the capitol "I", IMHO.

[ContourCorsets]

@bptorre Wow - you're right..... the lower 'l' is a good #1. My Olympia seems not so daft now. Thanks!

[plungerdrum]

@ContourCorsets Yeah, with all typewriters that don't have a one key, the universal rule has always been to use a lowercase "L"!

[wjharchive]

Superb how-to! Thank you so much.

I just purchased two old Selectrics (models 71 & 72). Both are working sluggishly and your overviews of removing the case and the mechanics of what's happening when it's running have really prevented me from doing one or two things quite stupidly. Again, cannot say thanks enough!

[vinatgeapple00]

I got one in the mail, but the CLR SET key had snapped off! I have absolutely no idea what to do, considering the valuable function of this key. Do you have any idea how to repair the snapped key or an ingenious idea for a substitute? Thanks.

[ContourCorsets]

@vinatgeapple00 Hmmm... Well, like any unfortunate amputation how much you can do depends on what is left. I suppose that if any of the mechanism is still at the rocker it would be possible to attach a make shift lever to replace it. A good fast setting epoxy could do the trick.

[karriedaway67]

How did you remove the goop from everything? I think this is my problem as some of my keys are sticking badly and there is black "tar" build up (among other once living things) in the inside... I'd like to clean it myself instead of handing it over to someone else, but I'm afraid I have a insurmountable chore ahead of me...

[ContourCorsets]

@karriedaway67 The foam has a thin plastic/adhesive backing that can slooooowly be peeled off the case. Turpentine and a toothbrush will de-goop well, and after the mineral spirits have dried a good 30 weight oiling throughout. Good luck!

[ContourCorsets]

@ContourCorsets Just a reminder - never use 3-in-1 oil that you would find at the home supply store- it contains materials that will leave heavy deposits in the works. Castrol or Valvoline works just fine.

[fleetcmd]

@ContourCorsets Oh I have the same problem... Got an IBM 196c and I've been trying to completely remove the foam for two days but I hardly finished the half of it :)) I'm using denatured alcohol and a rag, but I think I'll try a toothbrush instead...

[c00kee]

@karriedaway67 - I've cleaned the perished foam off many cases (that stuff is absolutely revolting), and for what it's worth, I used to remove the casing entirely (Fran shows you how), also remove the erasure table (hinged scale across the platen) and take it to someone with a Steam-Cleaner (auto garage, panelbeater etc), it will blast all that crap away in seconds and leave it looking mint. Trust me, it works a treat and you don;t have to deal with the mess which is basically oil anyway.

[MrLunchbox2003]

Hello, thanks for you video as it was very helpful in opening the typewriter up! However, do you have any idea why the letter and number keys don't do anything when pressed (& spacebar), but the return, backspace, and tab continue to work fine? Motor is working and belt is fine. Thank-you!

[ContourCorsets]

@MrLunchbox2003 The controls that are working in your machine are separate operations from the keystrokes. If the ball is hitting but not rotating then the issue is with the cabling that controls the ball. If the transfer cables are taught then like I suggest give the whole thing a good oiling and work the keys to unstick them. If this does not help then you are looking at a rebuild, which is an expert job.

[latmask00]

Thanks so much for this video. I just got a typewriter like this and it needed some adjustments, your video helped a lot. :)

[kaykemimi]

Can you tell me how to replace the plastic card holder?

[ContourCorsets]

@kaykemimi If you mean the clear plastic piece with the little window in it that mounts on the carriage then I am pretty sure that is a snap in piece... Just clicks into place.

[marygozzacohen246]

Hi Fran! This was a great video - thanks! It seems I have a belt issue - looks like a very narrow belt that appears to allow movement of the ball. Do you have any videos that demonstrate how to fix this? When I try to type, I get the same three characters regardless of the keys I am using. Please help or if you can refer me to an online repair manual, that would be great too.

[ContourCorsets]

@marygozzacohen246 The ball is not rotating, so you get the three characters in the column that is facing the paper. When you hit a key for any character a clutch spins the bar that powers the ball to strike. While that is initiated, two transfer cables pull to set the angle and rotation of the ball, which aligns the correct character. This happens too fast to actually see, but it all has to sync up. Many things can cause the ball to stick, and you might have to get it serviced. :(

[flitflint]

Hey, one question: I just picked one of these up and it works great, but the motor also makes this little cricket-type sound (identical to yours)... is that normal? Thanks again :)

[c00kee]

@flitflint - the 'cricket' sound is not a cracked belt but infact a worn-out Mylar bushing which sits between the metal pulley and the motor armature. Not overly difficult to replace. Visit the Yahoo group "groups.yahoo.com/group/golfba­lltypewritershop" to get some specific assistance - regards, Steve (ix IBM CE), Melbourne, Australia.

[flitflint]

Great video, thank you so much!

[TheYangTube]

Hi Fran, what is the colour of your Selectric II? Is that a "beige" or a "tan"? I am looking for one that looks just like yours. Thank you!

[ContourCorsets]

@TheYangTube It is beigish - tan.... I really don't know!

[TheYangTube]

I love your video. Thank you for making it. I am getting a IBM Selectric II soon. I collect typewriters. By the way, I notice you have a manual typewriter behind you in this video. Is that a Olympia SM 9 by any chance?

[ContourCorsets]

@TheYangTube It is an Olympia De Luxe portable. I have used it for years and I like the font, but it has a compact keyboard with no "1" key, so you use a capitol I instead. A bit frustrating if you type a lot!

[TheYangTube]

@ContourCorsets By the way, I have always wanted a IBM Selectric II Beige because that is the same model that David Duchovny's character Hank Moody uses in "Californication". Because of your video, I now know how to service it myself. I was worried about not being able to maintain it since it is a much more complex machine unlike a manual typewriter and has a motor. I sincerely thank you for making this video again. :-)

[BFKate]

Oily Goo - I just spent a day and a half cleaning this stuff from the insides of a Selectric. Horrible stuff. Black sticky semi liquid moosh of oily goo everywhere.

[calif92627]

The real bugaboo for me was the time that I had to change a belt on one of those. There was major disassemble to get to it and if I remember correctly there were timing problems and had to trial and error it to get everything timed. The teeth were striped and the belt had already slipped when I started so I did not have a chance to see how it worked before disassemley.

[bethylefty]

Thank you so much, this is a very helpful video, but is there one showing just how to replace the ribbon? Or is there a good one out there you could point me to?

[ContourCorsets]

@bethylefty Replacing the cartridge is easy - open the top, pull the orange lever under the cartridge to the forward position, pull the exposed ribbon over the ribbon guides, and pull up on the cartridge to remove it. Reverse the process to install the new cartridge. Enjoy!

[oldsarge]

Brilliant, thank you.