1946 Underwood Universal

The Power of Simplicity. This 1946 has the power of simplicity. It's no showoff. It's more of a lower its head, clinch its fists, and lean into it machine. It's the kind of machine that says, "The time for talking is over. Start typing."

[@donaldlampert331]

These are great portables! Just picked up my second one today in Chicago..... the 1939 model. Thanks

[@altongansky]

Donald Lampert I have two of these also. Love them. Congrats on your new addition.

[@aubreykay338]

Does the underwood champion also have the line spacing like this underwood universal has the 1/2 1 and double spacing??

[@altongansky]

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

[@anthonykluge4501]

Excellent informative video! I have the identical model but it was manufactured by Underwoood in Toronto, Canada. It is in near-mint condition except that it is missing the left and right plastic shift keys. Any advice for where I might get replacements?

[@altongansky]

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.

[@anthonykluge4501]

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

[@raybarry8528]

I recently acquired one of these. It is a great machine. The bell was working fine. Once I played with the margins it stopped ringing when I reach the end of the line. If I move the carriage release lever it rings so I know it works. It just does not when I am actually typing. Any advice? Thank you in advance.

[@altongansky]

HI Ray. You're right, they are great machines. It's impossible for me to diagnose a typewriter problem without being able to see the mechanism but let's try this. Since the problem began after you changed the margins (and the bell is tied to the margin setting) I suggest resetting the margins to something else. If that works, then there's a good chance that the margin didn't seat properly.

[@raybarry8528]

@@altongansky thank you for the guidance! :-)

[@gailraszewski445]

I'm giving this to a young teenage budding writer. I am sure there will be some typing mistakes. What can she use to correct those or is there still erasable bond paper around? Thanks Found video very informative

[@altongansky]

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.

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Enjoying the videos and hoping the collection and videos don't end soon. Do you write your books (drafts at least) primarily on typewriters? If so, which one(s)?

[@altongansky]

Hello. There are professional writers who still pound away on a typewriter to do their work. I write book length work (novels and nonfiction) and I'm often on deadline, which means I need to type fast. Not ideal but that's the way it is. Also, the publishing industry has changed and writers now submit their manuscripts electronically and not on paper. So at some point, I would have to convert words typed on paper to words in digital form. There are ways to do that but it adds several steps. (I hope to do a Typewriter Tuesday episode on how to convert a typed page into a digital page.) That's fine for a letter or even an article, but a 350 page manuscript would be difficult. I do type out ideas on one of my machines, but that mostly to improve my old school typing. Thanks for commenting.

[@angelmunoz4126]

Hi. I live in Spain. I have an underwood like the one in your video. You know where I can find tape to use it. Thank you. Regards

[@altongansky]

Hi, Angel. I get my typewriter ribbons from Amazon.com - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BLWAQVO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and writing.

[@grapelandthinker]

I believe the push button on the left above keys is the "margin release" and not needed to open hood. Did I misunderstand you?

[@altongansky]

Hi Paul. Thanks for writing. Let me review the video again and I'll get back to you. Just wanted you to know that I'm on it. Thanks.

[@altongansky]

Well, you're right, Paul. Good catch. Sometimes my mouth works without the benefit of my brain. According to the manual for an Underwood Champion (a very similar machine) the button in question is called a "Marginal Stop Release Button." You got me. Thanks for calling this to my attention. All the best.

[@grapelandthinker]

glad I could help . . . appreciate the video

[@thedrunkbrit5857]

Hiya do you know what ribbons these take, thanks.

[@altongansky]

Yes, I do. Most typewriters take a 1/2" ribbon. I get mine from Amazon. TWO Universal Typewriter Ribbons1 Black & 1 Black/Red Combo twin spool 1/2" cloth for Royal-Smith Corona-Remington-Hermes-SCM-Swintec-Typewriters..

[@FabricMemories]

Hi I have a underwood golden touch arrived today but it seems to be locked where the carriage won't move..it will move when I release it but then it doesn't like it's locked..can you help me with this?

[@altongansky]

Check the left side of the typewriter, near the carriage, for a small lever. These machines come with a carriage lock to keep the carriage from moving when in the case or being shipped. That should release. Also some people move the left and right margins to the center so the carriage can't move when you type or use the space bar. You can download a free pdf file of the user manual here. Let me know how it turns out. site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html

[@FabricMemories]

Hello thank you for responding.. I did with the little lever but still it feels like it's locked.. once I move the carriage lever it releases and the carriage moves far left and right and it dings.. but then when I let the lever go it locks like it's teeth go back don and won't move even when I push the carriage over it's locked down. Again use the levers it moves, release them it's locked? I'm stumped. Does that make sense how I described it?

i have a Underwood Universal. belive its a little older then that one. How do i find out how old it is?

[@altongansky]

First, tip the typewriter back so you can see the undercarriage. On the right side you should find a serial number. Jot down the number. Go to typewriterdatabase.com/underwood.4.typewriter-serial-number-database. This is the best source for dating typewriters. Search the numbers for one that is close to your serial number. I hope this helps.

[@anthony5212]

How can I find what year my model is? I have the Underwood champion

[@altongansky]

Hi Anthony. Thanks for writing. Step 1: Find the typewriter's serial number. Open the ribbon cover and look behind the left ribbon spool. You should see a metal plate with a long number. Write that down. Step 2: Go online to the Typewriter Database. Here is the link to Underwood Champion (typewriterdatabase.com/underwood.4.typewriter-serial-number-database). Scroll down the list until you find the serial number. Hint, use the search feature in your browser and search for "Champion," that should save you some time. Good luck.

[@anthony5212]

@@altongansky thank you I found out it's a 1947 Underwood champion. I was wondering if you Haines to now why the carriage suddenly shift to the right as I type

[@anthony5212]

I was also wondering how do I get line space level to strip scratching the paint

[@altongansky]

@@anthony5212 As with your previous question, I'm afraid I won't be much help since I can't see the problem. However, it sounds like the carriage isn't seated properly, but that's just a guess. The carriage return arm could be bent.

[@altongansky]

@@anthony5212 It shifts suddenly to the right? Not the left? Or do you mean that the carriage suddenly moves to the left making the typing position farther to the right? Anyway, I'm afraid I'm not a typewriter repairman. Also, I can't diagnose a problem without seeing the machine. Sorry, I wish I could be of more help. (I'm assuming you're not hitting the TAB key.)

[@hunner8443]

What ribbon do you use?

[@altongansky]

I buy a two-pack of 1/2 inch ribbon (which fits most typewriters) from Amazon.