Full Typewriter Restoration - 1921 Remington Portable Model 1

The 1921 Remington Portable Model 1 is a notable piece of typewriter history, celebrated for its compact and innovative design. Introduced in the early 1920s, this model featured a unique four-bank keyboard, which provided a typing experience similar to standard desktop typewriters, and a distinctive fold-up mechanism allowing the typebars to be folded down for easier transport. Made with a sturdy metal frame and high-quality components, the typewriter was both durable and lightweight, weighing around 8.5 pounds, making it ideal for on-the-go typists such as journalists and writers.
In this video, I'll take you through the complete process of disassembling, cleaning, polishing, and painting a 1921 Remington Portable Model 1 typewriter.
Thanks for watching!
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Supplies Used:
Degreaser: a.co/d/dpcV8mT
Paint Remover: a.co/d/hUxNGHm
Heat Shrink Tubing (for feed rollers): a.co/d/9OCTQ4C
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Instagram:
/ typewriterrestorations

[@irenemeno3585]

Bring them back. Top notch mechanics, workmanship & the finest materials. Make Typewriters Great Again. They were a joy to use.

[@aT0000my]

It's like watching a puzzle be taken apart. Amazing how you keep the disassembled pieces organized.

[@tempus_fugit7366]

You did a great job mechanically. You seem very competent in regards to the mechanism. No hammering, no grinding or anything destructive. My only grievance would be that you stripped the original paint. While the typewriter is yours and you can absolutely do whatever you want to it, admittedly, it made me queasy watching you strip the original paint. Thankfully this model isn't exactly rare and honestly, it doesn't look bad in white.

[@TypewriterRestorations]

Thanks, I don’t typically repaint unless absolutely necessary but in this case I thought I would since I have another one with original paint. Thanks for watching!

[@jimtalbott9535]

I was also on the fence about seeing the lettering go away. The color bothered me much less. Perhaps……a decal kit?

[@llproducciones1959]

Este trabajo no es para cualquiera. O es un genio o está loco! Me mareo con tantas piezas. Es muy probable que haya sido experto en máquinas de escribir. Sino no la vuelve a armar nunca más. Trabajo impecable. Merece un 10

[@eryklande4369]

I don't mind you replacing the old paint - it was nasty enough, even though it could be worth saving. The result is lovely, although it lacks a logo or inscription. What I admire is your skill in assembling all those little strings and wires, and screws. I like to repair and build things in my house, I look after my car, even my household appliances, but I wouldn't dare (and haven't!) touch either of my typewriters. It's beyond me! Chapeau bas!

[@grahamhawthorn2320]

More complicated than a Swiss watch. Great job. Great ASMR.

[@TypewriterRestorations]

Thank you!

[@pipertomahawk1973]

Ce bruit, ces sons, une merveille, mon enfance bercée par mon père sur sa machine à écrire.....

[@Neudezign]

Excellent work! I would have been able to disassemble that too, getting it back together however 🤔 weeellll... let's not talk about it 😅 Seriously, great job 👍✌️

[@Bettafishsandwhich]

Me staring at my broken Remington Portable, wishing I could magically accumulate years of skill.

[@thealphafox64]

My solution to this particular issue was sheer audacity. Worked out great so far, can recommend 😂

[@josepablotassara8990]

I found a 1920 something Remington Remote in its carry case, in the trash. Yup , I took it home and found some shop that could more or less refurbish the machine. It. Works now.

[@jackielowery119]

Omg that was amazing!

[@mightymarf265]

Woah! And I thought game console restorations were something else!

[@david.duarth]

Great job, deserves more views

[@TypewriterRestorations]

Thank you!

[@MASI_forging]

Great work 👍👍

[@TypewriterRestorations]

Thank you!

[@patstrailertopics5975]

Did you get the platen rewrapped? Very nice painstaking work.

[@Charlie-mx3gj]

Just bought an old typewriter, figured how hard can it be to make it work again.. I am no longer feeling so confident!

[@WaddleBlock]

beautiful~ 💜

[@SMP8503]

Great Job.

[@TypewriterRestorations]

Thanks!

[@steinbrugge]

Amazing!

[@Whateverold]

Loved the mechanic, appreciated the competence… disliked the paint. At least it was a good paint job, but I better like the original even when worn out.

[@blacknight1003]

Yes. . . I think I would have been inclined to dunk the whole thing in hot, soapy water for a week and just painted the casing. Damn good job though. Thank you for sharing.

[@lyndowling3088]

What did you use to clean the ribbon detritus (fabric) from the characters? I always found that a safety pin, carefully applied, worked better than solvents or soaps. And I’m interested in how the mechanisms will work without lubrication. Anyway, an old newspaperwoman thanks you.

[@brooklyn11218]

No lubrication for all those moving pieces?

[@multyplusprintsolution]

Missing Remington Portable identification logo

[@Rubbernecker]

I've never seen so many screws turned with the screwdriver off center.

[@RUDYGRACZ12]

What did you use to clean the rust?

[@zograffa110]

So many moving parts,why not lube?

[@lostcabrio]

Shame of the white, luckily I have an unrestored one at home….

[@John-r6n]

4:04 💀💀💀💀

[@mimwarlick1604]

Painting it other than black is heresy. It’s just wrong.

[@thetruthtester5169]

The original color was better

[@mikamika3830]

It is no longer restoration or renovation. Unfortunately, this is an ugly transformation of a beautiful black machine with a logo into something ugly. The machine was in very good condition. It needed cleaning, certainly not repainting and removing logos 😒But I appreciate the abilities

[@richardcostello8662]

How unfortunate that you chose to ruin an irreplaceable antique that appears to have only needed cleaning.

[@rogermax4549]

C'mon; what kind of video would that have made? This was a thorough and thoughtful restoration, and fun to watch