Difference between revisions of "Common Questions"

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Others have felt your pain.
 
Others have felt your pain.
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This section is more a basic Typewriter Repair / use FAQ than a wikipage.
  
 
== Common Repairs ==
 
== 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]].
  
=== Draw Band Repair ===
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=== How do I reattach the drawband? ===
  
The concept is similar across many typewriters. Check out some of these videos, and of course search google.
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The concept is similar across many typewriters. Check out some of these videos:
  
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-R_85kmKMM Royal Typewriter Draw Band String Cable Reattached Main Spring Wound]
 
[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]
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7WUF8hV-0U Royal "O" Typewriter Draw Band Repaired Replaced Mainspring Wound]
  
== Cleaning ==  
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== Common Problems ==
  
===Help! There's white powder on my keys!?===
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== What Ribbon Should I Buy? ==
  
No, typewriters do not automatically generate cocaine.
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Check out [[Ink and Ribbon]].
  
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, with bare fingers or gently with a Scotch Brite pad. 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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=== How do I fix a sticky ribbon vibrator?===
  
=== How do I remove hair, dust, and other gunk? ===
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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.  
 
 
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.
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
== Common Problems ==
 
 
 
=== How do I fix a sticky ribbon vibrator?===
 
  
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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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?===
 
===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.
 
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.