Repair
This page aims to help you diagnose and repair your typewriter via a flowsheet method. This guide will apply to most manual type-bar typewriters; however, more obscure or older makes are best taken to Discord to ask in person. Furthermore, electrics, electronics, indexes, and Selectrics are not covered here.
Repair manuals can be found on machine-specific pages, or on Richard Polt's website. If you want more interactive help, don't be afraid to ask for help in the typewriter discord server's #help channel. An invite is linked here.
We always recommend checking out cleaning first before moving to repair. Many issues are solvable without resorting to mechanical repairs.
Do not attempt repair if you are not confident in your ability to work on mechanical objects, or are experiencing heightened emotions (especially anger or frustration). General mechanical intuition goes a long way, as well as careful observation. Take photos as you work and keep parts organized. The Typewriter Wiki and its writers cannot be held responsible for any damage to your machine as a result of following these instructions.
Contents
Table 1: Diagnosis
| Issue | Description | Next Step: |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage not moving when key is pressed. | You press down a key, and the top carriage that holds the paper does not space to the next letter. | Proceed to #Table 2: Carriage Issues |
| Carriage moves freely back and forth. | Your carriage moves freely back and forth. It may not move correctly when a key is pressed. | Proceed to #Table 2: Carriage Issues |
| Carriage is totally stuck. | Your carriage will not move at all. | Proceed to #Table 2: Carriage Issues |
| Carriage stays to the left. | Your carriage stays to the left side of the typewriter, and when you push it right, it returns to the left. | Proceed to #Table 2: Carriage Issues |
| Paper won't feed in the typewriter. | Paper won't feed into the paper smoothly--or at all. | Proceed to #Table 3: Platen and Rubber |
| Sticky keys won't press down. | Keys are sticky or even totally stuck. | Proceed to #Table 4: Key Issues |
| Keys press down partway, but don't hit paper. | Keys either lock up before they hit the paper, or do not print even though they are extremely close to paper. | Proceed to #Table 4: Key Issues |
| Typewriter Print is Unaligned | Typewriter will not print in a straight line. | Proceed to #Table 4: Key Issues |
| Typewriter Shift is Unaligned | Typewriter may print in a straight line, but will not print capitals and lowercase letters on the same line. | Proceed to #Table 4: Key Issues |
| Ribbon not Working Properly. | Your ribbon isn't raising, or reversing, or moving. Alternatively, you get half-red half-black. | Proceed to #Table 4: Ribbon Issues |
| Typewriter Skips Spaces | Typewriter skips every nth space on the writing line. | Proceed to #Table 5: Escapement |
| Typewriter Skips Spaces Randomly | Typewriter skips randomly along the writing line. It may be more prevalent at one end of the carriage, but is not specific | Proceed to #Table 5: Escapement |
| Typewriter is heavily damaged | Typewriter is covered coated in dirt, rust, or other fun things. May or may not be missing parts or have a multitude of broken parts. | Proceed to #Table 6: Full Restoration |
Repair Tables
Congratulations on having diagnosed your typewriter! Here you can find tables that link to more detailed info on the issue, as well as fixes and videos. Keep in mind that many of these methods will be different depending on the make and model of the typewriter.
Table 2: Carriage Issues
| Header text | Header text | Header text |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage flies left. | Carriage won't catch, and proceeds to go all the way to the left of the machine. | Example |
| Example | Example | |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Carriage Stuck (Olympia SM2/3/4/5) | Carriage gets stuck at certain points of movement. | Olympia SM-series machines have a series of rubber body spacers that compress over time. These will cause the carriage to catch on the rear of the shell if too short. |
| Carriage Stuck (All other brands) | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
Table 3: Platen and Rubber
| Issue | Description | Fix and Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Paper won't feed. | Paper refuses to advance when the platen knobs are spun. | Check the paper release lever of your machine. If it is not activated, look at feed rollers to check if they are flat or stuck. |
| Feed rollers are flat. | Feed rollers, either on the front or back of the typewriter, have a flat spot. | Remove feed rollers, and recover them. |
| Feed rollers are stuck. | Feed rollers, either on the front or back of the typewriter, are stuck to the platen. | Generally, engaging the paper release lever and disengaging it will unstick feed rollers. If problem persists, carefully knock the rollers clean from the platen using a screwdriver. Feed rollers and platen may need recovery. |
| Paper punches through. | When typing, particularly symbols such as O or period, holes appear in the page. | Recover the platen or use backing sheets. |
| Platen knobs will not rotate at all. | Platen is stuck in place, and rotating the knobs does not do anything. | Platen may have bonded with feed rollers or rusted in place. Check for rust, put penetrating oil on any joints, and wait. Consider using gentle force. |
Table 4: Key Issues
| Issue | Description | Fix and Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Keys are sticking. | Keys will not go up and down easily, but have some freedom of movement. | Flush the typewriter. |
| Keys are stuck. | Keys will not move at all. | Example |
| Keys lock up. | All keys stop moving in the same spot, before they hit the carriage. | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
Table 5: Escapement
| Header text | Header text | Header text |
|---|---|---|
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
| Example | Example | Example |
Table 6: Full Restoration
If you would like to attempt a full restoration, we highly recommend taking your machine to the Discord --or, budget and time willing, a local typewriter shop of repute! More detailed information and machine-specific help is generally helpful for a full restoration involving disassembly.
Here is a basic guide to common issues you may encounter.
| Issue | Description | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Missing Parts | Parts are missing from the typewriter. | Example |
| Rust | Parts of the typewriter, particularly unpainted metal parts, have rust. | If the part is easily removed from the typewriter, removal and placing it in a solution of Evapo-Rust solution is generally recommended. Alternate rust removal agents include Rust-Oleum formulas and apple vinegar. Depending on the part, it may be unfeasible to remove from the typewriter. In this case, Loctite Naval Jelly is often used. Be careful while using rust removal solvents and note that many will react with paint. |
| Cobwebs, Dust, etc. | The typewriter is generally dirty. | Example |
| Mold and Mildew | Soundproofing or fabric parts have developed mold or mildew growths. | Mold and mildew is only often found on soundproofing or fabric parts, as typewriter paint and metal does not provide a suitable growing environment for them. Oftentimes, these parts can be replaced. Otherwise, spraying with isopropyl alcohol and leaving to sun-dry is recommended. These parts can often develop a strong smell that will go away with sun exposure. |
| Decals | Example | Example |
| Paint Issues | Example | Example |
