I agree, they are fantastic machines.

Congrats. They're a special typewriter.

Congrats on your typewriter, Mike. Those machines can be a dream to use. I hope it brings you much joy.

Hi, Aubrey. Thanks for writing. Yes, the Underwood Universal has a small lever beneath the left knob of the carriage. It has three settings.

I didn’t notice the red dots, put them on the edges of 8-1/2” wide paper and the printing point is centered, that is a useful feature, never have seen that before.

Thanks for writing. I've had several questions on this since I published the video six years ago. Removing the top is notoriously problematic. Here is what I don't one viewer of the video: "Congrats on picking up the typer. Thank you for your question. I no longer have that machine so I can't double-check things but I do recall the ribbon cover being difficult to remove. That's why I didn't show it in the video. Here's what I recall (some of this you can see on the video): the lid his held in place by four plastic clips-two at the back (near the carriage) and two at the front (near the keyboard). I believe the two back clips/slots are the area to focus on. I suggest trying to move the cover forward by placing your fingers at the back of the lid then pulling up. I recall having to use more force than I like. The key is to take it easy and try different techniques. It's possible that you may have to push the front of the cover back a little get the forward clips to disengage. Sorry I can't be of more help. It's been a few years since I had that machine. Good luck."

I hope you are able to get one. They often show up in thrift stores and antique stores. Best of luck. Thanks for writing.

Congratulations. Interesting typers and always a good addition for collectors. Sleek machine. Thanks for writing.

I can't remember if I mentioned it in the video but, due to the number of teleplays and the like he had to write, he start dictating his work. Very unique style of writing, especially dialog. He died much too young. There are some videos on KZbin of him teaching a writing course at his old college. It's well worth watching. Thank for writing.

Thank you for the kind words and taking the time share them. He was an interesting guy.

Thanks for writing and congrats on you'52 QDL. I agree with you. QDL's are the one of the hot rods of typewriters. Smooth working machines.

@@altongansky I figured my crowding/skipping issue…typing too hard causes the escapement to release twice or fast causes crowding. Turn up the tension then type with a soft touch touch and it types beautifully and can go fast. Smith Corona is more forgiving but this Royal is less tiring to fill up a page.

@@someonespadre Great! I should have thought of that. Well done. Thanks for the update.

Greets and thanks for writing. Sorry for the delay. Busy time of year for me. Here are two links to printed material that may help you. Since this documents were created in the early 1920s so there are are no drawings illustrating the process. However, the first link has a decent step-by-step description. The second link doesn't add much, but I thought you might find it interesting. I hope this helps. Again, sorry for the delay. Links = site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/Underwood3bankManual.pdf and archive.org/details/how-to-use-the-underwood-standard-portable-typewriter/page/8/mode/2up.

That's hard to say without seeing it. You mention the usual suspects: carriage lock, free carriage, and mainspring. Also, I'm not a trained typewriter repairman but I've looked at the workings of many a typer. So, let's take a look at a couple of other possibilities. 1) The margins have been set next to each other serving as a carriage lock. It's an old way to secure the carriage. Try resetting the margins. (I doubt this is the problem if the carriage moves by hand, but it's worth the time to check.) 2) The mainspring is broken. I'm assuming from your question that the type bar strikes the platen but the carriage doesn't move. True?) If the main spring is broken, then all that can be done is transplant one from a donor Futura. 3) Less drastic but still a pain is that the draw cord has come loose from the carriage. Generally, that can be fixed. If the cord/string/band is broken, then it will probably have to be replaced and the mainspring reset. If it has come loose, you should be able to see by looking under the typer. Let me ask this: When you use the carriage release and move the carriage, is there any resistance when you move it? if there is, then the drawcord is still attached. If any other ideas come to me I'll send them your way. Let me know if any of this helped. Al Gansky

@@altongansky Hi Alton, thanks for the detailed response. : ) Margins have been set to either side, so they are not the culprit--unfortunately! Yes, the type bar of all characters strike the cylinder and marks the page. There's simply no advancement of one space to make a new character. The space bar doesn't advance it, either. I considered the mainspring, but when the TAB key is pressed, the cylinder moves forcefully from the far right margin to the far left margin and rings the bell. I can see the draw cord is attached, and it doesn't look loose; it's taught around its wheel. I'm not sure what moves the carriage predominantly: the mainspring or the cord? And which advances the carriage with each keystroke? Or is it something else? The Line Space Lever is the only thing which slowly swings back into place after being used, but I don't see how this could affect character advancement. It feels like we're missing something really simple. Arg!

Sorry for the delay. Crazy days. Anyway, there is a gear and a lever that are supposed to advance the carriage when a key is depressed. You can try setting the machine up on end so that the front of the keyboard points to the ceiling and depress a key slowly. There is a sprocket like gear that should engage. The only think else I a think of is that carriage is jammed, but I believed you said it moves freely. Sorry I can't be more help.

You are welcome. Thanks for writing.

Hi there-I was gifted one from my best friend!! But I need ribbon. I have a 1948 Royal Quite Deluxe . Where can I buy the correct ribbon for it?

@@corinneone Hi !! I am so sorry, but I do not know. Mine came with a brand new ribbon and I have no idea where to buy an appropriate ribbon. If you find out, please post it here so I'll know also. Thanks !!!

@@corinneone google: ribbons unlimited

Thanks for writing. Congrats on you '46 Silent. I've been fond of most of the mid century Smith-Coronas and have owned several. I hope it serves you well.

@@altongansky Thanks for your reply. I'm sorry that this channel is no longer active, so a reply is very kind of you. You will see that I also posted on your video of the Royal Dreyfuss two-toned QDL. My typewriter collection is now complete. I have my Dad's one owner 1926 Royal No. 10 that he used throughtout high school and college (class of 1937) and the 1976 Adler J5 that I bought him... new... for his 60th birthday. And now.... I have recently purchased the 1946 SC Silent that I mentioned here and the 1948 Dreyfuss two-toned QDL . In my humble opinion, I now own 4 of the best made typewriters in the world. Unfortunately, I am 78 years old so don't have a whole lot of years left to enjoy them, but.... enjoy them I will...... 🙂

To get real replacement means finding a donor machine. Start by going to eBay and search for typewriter keys. Include the model of the typewriter in the search. Avoid the people ("key cutters") who make jewelry from typewriter keys. Sometimes you can find someone selling a back of typer keys. That happened to me once. The other option is to buy an "as is" machine and use it for replacement parts.

@@altongansky Thanks. I've contacted Toronto Typewriters who buy, sell and service vintage typewriters. Maybe they will have the replacement keys I need.

Thanks for writing. It sounds like you have a great little collection going. I'm impressed that you chose to fix the typewriter when so many wouldn't. Good for you.

@@altongansky the idea was to get a cheap one to fix but I didn’t expect it to take 2 minutes LOL

@@someonespadre A long time ago, I bought a typer on eBay. I usually avoid doing that, but the typer was cheap and I needed a couple of parts to fix a different typewriter. The info on the machine said it was broken and was being sold "as is." That was fine with me. It arrived. It was beautiful. A Royal Futura in blue, but the carriage didn't move. I released the carriage lock the side of the machine and it worked fine. It was five second fix. The only down side was that I had to find another typewriter to get the parts I needed.

Hello Amanda. Thank you for writing. If I am reading your comment correctly, you have purchased a new ribbon for your Olympia Traveller C. The first thing to do is to remove the cover. Watch my video about this process because the cover can be difficult to remove. That portion of the video begins around 7:15. Once you have the cover off take a good look at how the ribbon is threaded through the vibrator (the small metal thing that lifts the ribbon up and down while you type). If you have a smart phone, I advise taking a photo of that part of the ribbon mechanism. The ribbon needs to be installed in the same way. I found a manual on line with directions in several languages. Here's the link: www.manua.ls/olympia/traveller-c/manual?p=6.

I no longer have that machine, but I remember that removing the cover was not user friendly. I always felt like I was breaking the cover. There are four plastic tabs on the cover that fit in four openings. Two are at the back near the carriage; the other two are at the front and beneath the cover-one on each side. Try putting your thumbs on the front of the cover (left and right), push in and up. That should release the front tabs.

Hello. Thanks for writing. That's a lucky teenager. I'm sure he/she will enjoy the machine. To answer your question, I'm going to refer you to another video. This is by Joe Van Cleve and he is well known in the "typosphere." He recently did a 20 minute video on making corrections on a typewriter. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqayaGmsZ8yfers I hope this helps.

Hello Have Mic. Congrats on the new-to-you typewriter. Yes, most classic machines need work. Check out Phoenix Typewriter on KZbin. He has tons of videos about typewriter repair. Now to your question. To type a 1, use the lowercase letter "L." That's the way it used to be done. Enjoy the adventure.

I bought it on Amazon: LapWorks 15.9 inch Heavy Duty Swivel.

Five dollars! Great find. Congrats.

Thanks for writing. I'm glad that the video was useful to you.

Face the typewriter and move the carriage to the right. You will see a slot in the metal casing. With a flashlight, look down that slot and you should see a number. Write that number down. Now go to the the Typewriter Database site (typewriterdatabase.com/royal.72.typewriter-serial-number-database). Scroll down until you get to the "Portable" section and fine the years 1948 or 1949 in one of the left-hand columns. Next to it you will see the starting serial number. You should be able to figure out if your typer is 1948 or 1949.

@@altongansky thank you

They are solid. A person can do some serious writing on one of those. Thanks for writing.

Hello Judah. I buy my ribbons from Amazon.com. They're 1/2 inch ribbons and come two to a pack. Here's the description: Universal Typewriter Ribbon Twin Spool Combo Pack - 1/2" Cloth (2) Pack. If you haven't changed a ribbon before, be sure to take a look at how the old one is installed, or consult the manual (if your typewriter came with one). They can be a bit tricky to put in correctly until you've done it a time or two. If you don't have a manual, you can download one from the here for free: site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/OlympiaSM9-1970s.pdf. That link is for a machine made in the early 1970s. If yours is earlier, you might have to download a different manual. Congrats on your purchase. Those SM9s are magnificent machines. -Al

Thank you, now I am ready for my typewriter. At least it is made better than the royal classic typewriters on amazon.

First, sorry for the delay in my response. I thought I had answered your note but it appears I did so in my dreams. Again, sorry. Second, congrats on your purchase. I learned to type in on one of those machines while in junior high school. Now, on to your question. I get questions like this from time to time but it is impossible for me to say how big a project it would be to clean and tune up the typewriter. It all depends on its current condition and if it was well taken care of left out in the rain. It might be simple or very difficult. Dwayne at Phoenix Typewriter has dozens of typewriter repair videos. You might be able to find one that fits your situation. Here's one I found for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoLEaYSuesiaipI. All the best with your machine. Great typers.

Thank you for the kind words, Douglas. It is a beautiful machine. Thanks for writing.

If it's in good shape, then you got a good deal. I'm always pleased when I find a typewriter with its "ephemera"-the printed material like manuals, guarantees, etc. It's like getting a bonus. Congrats on your fine, and thanks for letting me know.

Thanks for writing. I understand about the touch being unpleasant. It takes some getting used to.