Difference between revisions of "Common Questions"

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Others have felt your pain.
 
Others have felt your pain.
  
=== Removing hair and dust (some crusted in) ===
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This section is more a basic Typewriter Repair / use FAQ than a wikipage.
  
A detailing brush with a small handheld vacuum that's used for computers can be effective at removing hair and other debris. Other tools one might use are a dental pick, a paint brush, and pipe/straw cleaners (single use or reusable, hard and soft). Using  tools can be more effective than canned air at times.
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== Common Repairs ==
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===How Do I Clean My Typewriter?===
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Check out some cleaning tips in [[Typewriter Cleaning and Cleanliness]].
  
An air compressor can send piece of your typewriter flying if they're not secure, so some prefer a low powered vacuum with a dust cup with filter. There are ones for cleaning electronics/keyboards that can serve this purpose. Others used canned air or low pressure compressors.
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=== How do I reattach the drawband? ===
  
=== My ribbon vibrator (piece that holds ribbon) is stuck ===
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The concept is similar across many typewriters. Check out some of these videos:
  
Could be gunked up or need to be re-formed. Definitely rule out all other potential causes before bending the metal.
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[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-R_85kmKMM Royal Typewriter Draw Band String Cable Reattached Main Spring Wound]
  
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[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7WUF8hV-0U Royal "O" Typewriter Draw Band Repaired Replaced Mainspring Wound]
  
===Help! There's white powder on my keys!===
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== Common Problems ==
  
No, typewriters do not automatically generate cocaine.
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== What Ribbon Should I Buy? ==
  
White powder on 1950s and later plastic keys is a result of a chemical process known as degassing and a result of decomposition in the plastic itself. It can be removed with vigorous dry rubbing, though some say that WD-40 on your fingers may help. Do a couple now, do something else, do a couple more. You might get blisters. Have fun!
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Check out [[Ink and Ribbon]].
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=== How do I fix a sticky ribbon vibrator?===
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The most likely cause is gunk in the path where it travels. Flush it a few times with a cleaner. If it moves fine when still wet, spray compressed air in to get all the cleaner out, and repeat a few times.  
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It is also possible something is bent. Bending things back - called reforming - is something you need to be very delicate with and careful about. Older metal is often brittle, and when it isn't, it's still sometimes easy to crease. Make very tiny adjustments and check if it works each time.
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===What do I do if letters are getting cut off?===
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This could be because your ribbon vibrator (the part that raises the ribbon up) is not raising enough OR that you need some adjustment to the shift mechanism. A fix for the former can be easier and should be attempted first. However, before any repairs should be attempted, make sure it is *clean*. Dirt and will also prevent it from raising high enough. On a few machines, an improperly threaded ribbon will also cause this issue.

Latest revision as of 03:07, 13 August 2023

Others have felt your pain.

This section is more a basic Typewriter Repair / use FAQ than a wikipage.

Common Repairs

How Do I Clean My Typewriter?

Check out some cleaning tips in Typewriter Cleaning and Cleanliness.

How do I reattach the drawband?

The concept is similar across many typewriters. Check out some of these videos:

Royal Typewriter Draw Band String Cable Reattached Main Spring Wound

Royal "O" Typewriter Draw Band Repaired Replaced Mainspring Wound

Common Problems

What Ribbon Should I Buy?

Check out Ink and Ribbon.

How do I fix a sticky ribbon vibrator?

The most likely cause is gunk in the path where it travels. Flush it a few times with a cleaner. If it moves fine when still wet, spray compressed air in to get all the cleaner out, and repeat a few times.

It is also possible something is bent. Bending things back - called reforming - is something you need to be very delicate with and careful about. Older metal is often brittle, and when it isn't, it's still sometimes easy to crease. Make very tiny adjustments and check if it works each time.

What do I do if letters are getting cut off?

This could be because your ribbon vibrator (the part that raises the ribbon up) is not raising enough OR that you need some adjustment to the shift mechanism. A fix for the former can be easier and should be attempted first. However, before any repairs should be attempted, make sure it is *clean*. Dirt and will also prevent it from raising high enough. On a few machines, an improperly threaded ribbon will also cause this issue.