How to Care For Your Typewriter(s)

[@TypewriterJustice]

I know this is an older video, but I feel I have to say: the bit around 4:00 is just plain wrong - the segment should NOT be oiled as a part of regular maintenance(with rare exceptions: Harris Visible, early pivot-bearing segment Corona Folding 3's, and some late japanese models are about all that spring to mind). 99.9% of the sluggish typebars i've seen over the years have been the eventual end result of someone lubricating the segment, and every single time the answer is cleaning...not adding more lubrication to later gum up & seize the segment even worse. Clean out the slots with a segment knife, blow out any residual fluff, then if your keys are still sluggish you can chemically clean the segment slots to remove old oil - in ascending order of evil, first use ethanol or everclear, then kerosene or benzine, saving engine degreaser & carb cleaner(both of which can require follow up cleaning) as last resorts. If you still decide the segment needs lubrication after cleaning(which sometimes you will - many a crappy underwood portable likes a hair of lube in the segment) dilute your fine light machine oil with kerosene(about 1:10, not much oil at all) so that once the kerosene is evaporated, you're left with just the thinnest sheen of oil...which is all the segment should ever have(if even that). I have great respect for your collection, your website & your work(hell, i'm a bit jealous, frankly) but it gives me fits thinking about all the english majors, poets, writers, new collectors, tweens & grandmothers who will watch this video and then take a bottle of 3in1 to their segment just because their H got crossed over their T -- as a repairman, it's okay to oil a segment if it really needs it and if you know how, but it is NOT advisable for the public at large and should be discouraged. *deep breath, steps off soapbox*

[@selenaramos4650]

i just got an underwood, do you think you could assist me with some issues I'm having

[@TypewriterJustice]

+ohsoselestial That's hard to say without any more information than 'Underwood' but sometimes that's enough :) Underwoods can be particularly cranky depending on the era & condition of your machine, but they are mostly excellent typers when well cleaned & tuned. What specific model do you have? What seems to be the trouble? If you want, you can send an email to my KZbin username (at) gmail (dot) com; I'd be happy to help.

[@corielai6199]

Thanks for that man, close call. I bought my first Olivetti lettera 32 & trying to teach myself how to clean, maintain & anything else I can learn (I’d love to be your apprentice - your vids are awesomely informative, and don’t drag on like some).

[@CJSayz2]

Ok the paper hold and the two sheets of paper tips are genius! Thank you!!! My KMM and my aristocrat quiet deluxe thank you!

[@mimilemay7213]

Best instructions for cleaning and where to oil. Thank you. I have a hundred year old Underwood that was a gift when I was a teenager. It has DECADES of gunk on it. What type of oil do you use? Could I use the sewing machine oil? Where should I be gentle when cleaning my typewriter. Because it was a wonderful gift, I’d love to make it shine. Thank you for sharing.

[@morgenoghmanann8746]

Nancy Burrall ~ Sewing machine oil is very good. It won't gunk up over time and keeps everything moving smoothly. I own three typewriters and use the oil on the strike bars as well as the platen track, as he showed in the video. I use a soft cloth, damp but not too wet, to wipe down the outer casing of the machine. Following the tips in this video caps it off and is all you need to do. Thankfully, typewriters are not high-maintenance machines. Hope this helps.

[@husobaltaci3382]

@@morgenoghmanann8746 can i use mechanical oil? the oil that you use for bicycles

[@nakapaa]

beautiful collection. a red royal! awesome!

[@gorgonenonya8205]

I use Teflon spray on mine, goes on dry and still eliminates friction with no slug ,dust or grime. I use on on my guns mechanism too

[@shawnearthurton1014]

I have a smith corona manual typewriter. It has about 5 keys that have come off their hammer arm. I was able to get one back onto the arm but the others are hard to get to. What is the best way to fix this?

[@donaldlampert331]

Maybe each company had it's own policy on oiling the segment, but I'd say that unless you're a collector who gives your machine TLC, that I wouldn't oil the segment. I do lube it though with spray silicone that won't gum up, and provides a bit of protection from rust and corrosion. But in the end, it's a personal choice. Thanks!

[@jero2955]

Could you please sir make a video about it? And if you could tell me what's TLC thanks!

[@michaelbliss5330]

"TLC" is short for "Tender Loving Care" Tender Loving Care ...TLC

[@earlyspark]

does paper release lever "engaged" mean they should be tightened/closed or loosened/open? the lever forward means it tightens the paper on my typewriter

[@stuntedmonk]

Great video, thanks. In your opinion what is the best typewriter ever made? When was it made and what in your opinion makes it the best? Furthermore, I'm looking to use one for thank you notes and short letters. What might you recommend and how much would you spend? Cheers!

[@velucluj]

What oil we should use?

[@extraextrareadallaboutitth8460]

what kind of oil? I just wiped it down and now don't see any letters typing?

[@Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

Great instructional video! Simple and complete. Thanks a lot.

[@sawyerdonk2635]

I have an ink selector on my Corona Cougar Deluxe, it lists 3 options. The top is obviously black and the bottom red, between the two, is an empty "o" that I believe is called the stencil setting. What's the purpose of this? I do not have an ink ribbon yet to test it.

[@zulfphotography]

Good idea on twin sheets

[@johnlennon1049]

What kind of oil do you use?

[@syd2652]

What type of oil should we use on this and would the dust sprays used on keyboards etc be alright to use to clean inside the typewriter?

[@gardeninglite405]

We have to avoid water to keep the typewriter in good condition and not rusty

[@mrk131324]

Not sure about oiling the pivots of the hammers. I have original instructions for a Brother and a Princess and they say clearly to NOT oil them.

[@shahriarahmad4099]

what kind of oil you use on smith corona typewriter ? Thanks

[@johnyoung4747]

I use sewing machine oil. Less is more.

[@79c15]

What's up with the different color keys and all?

[@gorgonenonya8205]

if you wish to use oil, use synthetic oils, they do not gum up and repel oil

[@gorgonenonya8205]

instead of putting those ugly rags why not put plexiglass over the cabinet and display them with no dust and enjoy their beauty

[@Robert723]

Thanks a lot!

[@jsnam8139]

Very helpful!