IBM Selectric II Repair 2017

[@TooMuchMiddle]

Reporting from 6 years in the future! I love it when KZbin decides to drum up some of your old content!

[@byonbill9499]

You did a good job with that repair. I worked on those machines from 1961 when they came out until the time they stopped making them in about 1981. A light grease should be applied to the motor shaft on reassembly. If you keep using that machine the belt will break. Even after repairing hundreds of those machines for over thirty years I still hated to change those belts.

[@elettroblog4993]

Hi, in your experience, it's possible to find out spare part for these machine? I'd like to buy one and i'm not shure if i can repair it without spare part. Thank you :)

[@edherdman9973]

@@elettroblog4993 I bet you can 3D print some of the parts like the clutch.

[@MarkAMMarrk]

I can't t believe it. My typewriter wore out at work in 1983 and I got one of these BRAND NEW! That auto erase feature was revolutionary for the time. Man I loved that typewriter. Love your videos too... you just keep choosing stuff that the geek in me totally digs.

[@margareth1504]

I used my IBM like this, a green one. for some years at work, and eventually was able to buy it when they were no longer being kept for work. Loved using this machine, mine was in such great condition because I did look after it well. Eventually around 2006 I let it go to charity reluctantly. Wish I hadnt let it go.

[@hannahmich7342]

I just showed this IBM video to my spouse who was extremely excited to see one again. I remember finding one years ago and gave it to her. She was in pure heaven.

[@jeenkzk5919]

That typewriter reminds me of when my grandmother used to dictate from home via tapes that doctors would give her. When me and my brothers stayed with them for a day or so, I remember she had her headphones on and would type for hours as my retired grandfather proofread her work. At the end of the day they watched Bonanza on my grandfathers VCR which was recorded from earlier that day!

[@df9999999999]

Love this! I completely tore a Selectric II correcting machine apart and repaired it a few years back. I gained confidence doing the same on a Teletype ASR33! Fortunately, there is lots of help out there on both. I just brought the repaired unit up, and other than a sticky auro-repeat and TAB key, it worked fine after typing a few lines. There is another identical unit next to it waiting for restoration. I also found a dozen type balls in both pitches plus a box of new ribbons and correction tape. Ready to write that novel. Thanks for the inspiration. Amazing machine, iconic, along with the Western Electric 302 and 500 dial telephones and Graflex press cameras.

[@MegAndJas]

Memories :) I was a service tech on IBM golfballs from 1972, when I was appreciated for being skilled at repairs, these days it's an easy fix or replace on modern machines!

[@rogertycholiz2218]

Thanks Fran. That belt is really cracked. When you have time change it . The new ones that fit are Kevlar (last forever) belts.

[@Centar1964]

The "clutch" as you call it is not for soft start so the mechanism doesn't get hammered on...it is there because the motor is an induction motor and has no starting torque, so the speed catch allows the motor to start with no torque and then when up to speed the speed catch engages and sort of hammers the main shaft on...also the holes in the Mylar sheet are there to hold lubricant, not meant to be run dry and is a retrofit repair part to compensate for wear, not installed from the factory...and yes I repaired office equipment for over 35 years if anyone is wondering how I know this. I will admit you do what most people cannot but you don't seem to be as inclined mechanically as you do in other areas...I very much enjoy ALL your videos.

[@russlehman2070]

That was my guess. I was a little surprised to hear the words "centrifigul clutch" as that is something that I associate with small gas engines, and I thought, "why would there be one on a typewriter?" then figured it was to allow the motor to come up to speed before you put a load on it.

[@neodonkey]

That machine is a work of art.

[@MegaBakerdude]

You mean Fran, right? lol she is amazing.

[@joycetyner7643]

Yes

[@sadiqmohamed681]

Today must be maintenance day! I dismantled my 13 year old HP LaserJet to fix the duplexer. It only needed a bit of tape to stop a lever sticking to a solenoid, but it required almost complete disassembly. What fun! Thanks for another interesting video.

[@denniswalsh8476]

In the 70s, I worked in engineering at a large company. We had lots of the Selectric typewriters in our offices and I was always very impressed with what a truly great machine they were/are.

[@mikesradiorepair]

Been years since I had mine torn apart for the same repair. Those things are built like a tank and weigh about as much as one to. Nice to see another one saved from the scrap heap.

[@williamcrow_e]

This is so great. This is what I love about KZbin - products from decades ago can still be repaired with more modern guides like this. This was a fine guide, and it helped me explore more about my machine. Thank you so much!

[@jerrygundecker743]

Fran, you are a delight. A lot can be done to help an ailing selectric, but they are very complicated. Phoenix typewriter uses laquer thinner on old oil-gummed parts. Good luck.

[@wintermute5127]

Lovely to see your videos again. I hope you'll have time and inspiration to make some more.

[@PhilUKNet]

As with quite a few other commenters here, I too started my IBM career in 1983 as an Office Products Customer Engineer fixing Selectrics - working in the City of London. The IBM training course to fix these machines was six weeks long and quite intensive. Unbelievably, in London alone there were tens of thousands of these typewriters in use at the time, but things changed very quickly. The IBM Displaywriter (a primitive word processor) and PC were already on the scene, even though the big computer revolution had yet to happen. A few years later it did and all of the mechanical office machines disappeared. Nonetheless, the Selectric was an amazing piece of mechanical engineering and typists loved the feel of typing on it. A properly set up Selectric also produced great print quality. It was quite strange watching this video and seeing the cover come off revealing the insides of a Selectric. At one time in my life this was all I did. Those were the days.

[@lizziesawyer295]

Thank you for making this! Just bought one of these guys at a Goodwill and I don't have any experience with them. This helped a ton!

[@dscorca]

Thanks for posting this Ms Fran. I remember dissecting a Selectric that died, cleaning all the parts and putting it back together and it worked. Even though I had one piece left over.

[@bobd5119]

Keep doing that, and you can use the left-over pieces to build another Selectric!

[@byonbill9499]

Nah, you just throw the extras away, it's when you come up short that you have a problem.

[@bobd5119]

Thanks, Fran! I found your channel when searching for Selectric info a couple of years ago. Before seeing your video, I thought it was impossible to open up the machine. By the way, that whatsis you lifted out of the machine is the platen, not the carriage. The carriage is the whizdoodle that carries the golf ball.

[@byonbill9499]

Actually the whizdoodle is called a carrier.

[@ammoalamo6485]

I love that the Selectric looks so modern with its stylish case enclosing the works, but once the cover comes off it looks much like any small portable typewriter from the early 50s. My wife's uncle retired from IBM, after spending many years repairing Selectrics I and II. Maybe not so oddly, once he retired he almost never spoke of IBM machines or IBM itself again. I was familiar with the end-of-the-line 70s era IM Selectric Composer, the Selectric that had an analog system of dial recording allowing the operator to create right-justified type on a second typing. It was pre-PC, of course.

[@edherdman9973]

I just found a Selectric II! Looking forward to these.

[@pepecohetes492]

My dad used to type over 70 wpm on his Selectric! Now it is gathering dust in his office; I might take it and use it as a curio in my living room ;).

[@geosutube]

The goal in our high school typing class was 60wpm tabular, on manual Royal-McBees. Had to do it to pass. We were fascinated to see the Selectrics. Our usual response on typing on one was WOW! Our fingers never flew that fast before. And no carriage return needed -- a major timesaver.

[@LoneWolfZ]

just one thing that needles me from my memories in typing class, learning on that same machine. It's not a carriage, it's a platen! Just about to start in on a non-working Selectric II I picked up on craigslist though. Thanks for jogging some 30 year old memories on how to get in and what they look like.

[@supervortex8363]

IBM Selectric II is how i first found your chanel glad i did

[@AndresMejia1977]

So glad to find this! I just bought a black selectric ii. Thank you!

[@rogerhwerner6997]

Ah the Selectric II. Wrote up all of my grad research on one of these. 1983 was the last year my university accepted typed research. Cool memories!

[@spectrHz]

Omg a Fran repair video ❤ If you want to do more of these I would not object :3

[@dentakuweb]

Everything snaps and clunks in such a positive way in that machine. I saw one of Dave's meters in the background too. :)

[@lochinvar00465]

I still remember pounding away on one of those for 4 to 7 hours a day. At the end of the day, my head was ringing with the clattering echoing in my head.

[@coffeeisgood102]

I'm glad you have confidence in that belt. Can't say that I share your optimism in it. Otherwise, great job.

[@KingNast]

I used to repair computers at a place that still did a lot of repairs on these. They're so well built. To clean them, they would submerge the entire mechanism in a parts cleaner.

[@FranLab]

Nothing more handy than an open top 55 gallon drum of carbon tetrachloride!

[@sivalley]

Fran Blanche I'm partial to the slightly sweeter smell of Cl3FC. :P And I certainly didn't mind the back of your hand stealing the spotlight for a bit.

[@pepecohetes492]

=) we used to have a 55 gal of trifluoro-trichloro ethane outside the hangar in NM air force base; we all cleaned our motorcycle chains, etc, with it, also we all had our own "small" supply of this at home. Terrible for the environment but extremely effective degreaser :)

[@dougankrum3328]

Yeah, reminds me of working on teletype machines....unlock 2 latches...remove the entire typing unit....immerse in cleaning solution....relube, install in 'test' machine....make adjustments....ready for use again......SOP at New York Bell Telephone back in 1970.....

[@LMacNeill]

The IBM Selectric II. The machine I learned to type on back in my senior year of high school - ‘87 - ‘88. Been awhile. :-)

[@PearComputingDevices]

I picked up a black Selectric II, it was put in service 2/77. The shell is in great condition but it looks like the belt broke and they put it up in storage at a Humvee plant for a long time. One of the cool things about it is it even still has the AMC logo on it! but I am going to need to soak it in degreaser.

[@JEMHull-gf9el]

as a young child I went to bed every night to the sounds of my mom typing on one of these...memories.

[@dave1135]

My high school used that exact same model when I took typing class in 1983. Thing was as heavy as a boat anchor.

[@AndrewKroll]

Another old monster that is fun to fix and maintain is the Decwriter IV. I miss doing maintenance on them... not! But i really do miss my old Decwriter IV. Not only was it great as a serial printer, it what I originally would BBS on back in the day... it was a true killer of trees.

[@MasonHewitt]

Well, that was helpful! My IBM Selectric II is making that same noise. I will have to see about replacing that piece and refer back to this video!

[@bsbrum]

If you ever want to bring it up here, we can do what we can to tune it up. :)

[@MasonHewitt]

Well, thank you so much! I might just do that when I get the chance!!

[@MegaFPVFlyer]

After hearing it powered up for about 5 seconds, I WANT ONE!

[@peterhakanson6797]

Next video will show belt replacement !! You have a talant for this work, a future in office equip! As usual, fun and actually learning!. Nothing is impossible only grades of difficult!

[@lorarobinson3834]

Where do we find tapes balls of type?

[@rpavlik1]

Wow - what an interesting design to have that weird plastic bearing-sheet almost between a shaft and a clutch-driven gear. That is one grody looking clutch - my older mechanical interests primarily involve things that are gas-powered, so no idea what proper care and feeding of these monsters is, but I was mentally shouting "take a cleaning brush or something, and a vac, to that clutch and motor area" :) I imagine a paintbrush with acetone probably isn't the way you're supposed to clean a typewriter though...

[@bobd5119]

I'd worry that the acetone vapors might attack the assortment of lubricants and plastic bits in the machine. In the golfballtypewritershop Yahoo group there is discussion of how to clean these machines. I suspect the argument over whether WD40 is a cleaner or a cement will never end.

[@EvenTheDogAgrees]

No lubrication, Fran? I would've dabbed a little silicone grease in there before fitting the gear again. Those holes in the "plastic" sheeth are obviously designed to trap grease.

[@bobd5119]

That's what I thought. Would lithium grease be better than silicone? The shaft spins all the time the machine is running, so the grease has to resist losing its lube-ness.

[@EvenTheDogAgrees]

Must admit I'm not all that knowledgeable when it comes to different types of greases/lubricants, so I'll defer to your expertise on the matter. As long as it's lubricated.

[@byonbill9499]

Actually there is no motion between the pulley and shaft when the motor is up to speed. Light grease is what was originally used, that allowed the motor shaft to come up to speed and allow the centrifugal clutch pawls to engage one of the three teeth on the pulley and drive it and the belt. The holes in the plastic insert are for grease retention.

[@lennyf1957]

No silicone other lubricant is call for here. That piece of plastic is the lubricant and adding anything else would gum it up. I was a field engineer for IBM in the late 60s - early 70s when the Selectric was popular.

[@byonbill9499]

Lenny F I was a CE in the same time period. I still have the original service manuals for the Selectric and it calls for IBM #23 grease in the motor pulley insert. The sad fact was they still wore out on a regular basis especially in poorly ventilated environments. It was a design that never could have survived if IBM hadn't had thousands of little elves like us running around with a tool bag.

[@kpopRC]

Great job Fran! congrats on all the success! keep on truckin.

[@77shoemanable]

Nice job. Pleasure watching.

[@LuisBorba]

Your intense and thorough effort in this video helped me to relax and for that I am grateful.

[@jcherrera104]

I love how the typewriter looks so innocent untill you look at the repair manual...lol

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

I was really surprised how big the motor is. I guess they just don't build them like that anymore. Thanks for the great video Fran. - Christopher

[@lorarobinson3834]

Northside Service Company what city?

[@northsideservicecompany3567]

San Ramon CA - Christopher

[@zx8401ztv]

Well done :-D, i did think that the odd shaped sheet of plastic was a very strange way to make a shim, but it works and quiet too :-D. The belt reminds me of one from a 240v powered mower, perhaps one day you will find one. You have to get your hands in the grease and muck, its fun LOL.

[@jonfulmer5422]

Wow! Very impressive and helpful. You were brave! Where did you get the new plastic sleeve? Thanks!

[@alphabetica]

I am amazed at this. As a child I always ended up with some broken toy or similar where I would be putting tape on a motor shaft and then pushing a gear over the top for what was going to be at best only ever a temporary solution.

[@flyingmoose]

My grandma always had one of those, and she was really fast on it.

[@nicholasmaude6906]

I wonder, Fran, when will you be giving an update on your LVDC project? Also will you be putting up the updated PCB patterns for your LVDC SMT analogues using surface mount transistors?

[@JamesGMunn]

I seem to remember an optional Centronics interface version/adapter to make those Selectrics into an early PC printer.

[@byonbill9499]

That didn't happen until the Wheelwriter came out in about 1984 or 85.

[@littlefreak3000]

Have you tried modeling the belt in CAD and having it 3D printed in a flexible material?

[@sheep1ewe]

Cool, another great video as always! You are the best!

[@Lazarus7000]

I was at You-Dot-It electronics in Needham the other day, they had this stuff that allegedly you brushed on to rubber and it rejuvenated it. Because that belt, were it in a car, I'd consider it unsafe! Good thing, outside of contrived situations that sound like they should be in Transmetropolitan, I can't think of any reason your life would be in danger if your typewriter suddenly stopped typing. Also the Soviets implemented the very first keylogger on Selectric typewriters in US overseas offices.

[@denniswalsh8476]

Softens hardened belts and wheel drive "tires". Doesn't help rubber that's cracked through very much.

[@natashanezakonny2414]

Happy new year Fran.

[@lorarobinson3834]

Where are places to purchase parts?

[@TheArtyBartfast]

Fran's content is top-notch as always! There's simply nothing like this online elsewhere, and I can't thank her enough for all she does!!

[@frankw8876]

I bought an Olivetti electronic typewriter with memory and used it just a few times. Then word processing came out for the PC and never looked back.

[@111scone]

I love these machines; I have one that I'll give it another try to fix.

[@panther105]

You made me curious about replacing the belt. Found a video and you were right. Major pain....but doable....

[@rastermaster101]

You have no idea how much a pain for the first time. It has many adjustments that have to be made during the re-assembly..I've done 20 yrs worth and it started getting easier after the 20th or 30th one. I got to a point I could change one and take the motor apart while I was there to clean and lube the 'floating' bearings in the motor case assembly..saves call backs..just score the housing along one of the 'clips' that hold it together so it goes back in the machine at the correct position during re-assembly. Fastest time start to finish was about 10 min. Cycle clutch greased and adjusted for smooth operation. Platen cleaned and covers wiped down. Thank you..

[@CodeAsm]

Nice video Fran, love the editing too, and cat bonus cute. Was the repair part old-newstock or newly made by someone? Would getting a belt be easy but inserting the trouble?

[@petemclinc]

I remember these from my freshman year in high school, typing 101 an elective course that I hated.

[@MuscleDad420]

My mother used one of these to bill clients for my father. She resisted computers for the longest time.

[@Keith_Ward]

Nice to see these things still being used. My mom had one that I/we used to type up papers for high school and college in the early 80s. Probably should have replaced that belt while you were in there so far. Better at least have one on hand for when it goes. It is likely to be a cause of a lot of that grime in there.

[@FranLab]

Replacing the belt requires complete disassembly and removal of the main drive shaft, so no I don't want to do that.

[@Keith_Ward]

Ah bummer, better get a spare anyway, that way you will never need it!

[@SuperNathan90]

I'm watching a video on how that is done... if i had one with a broken belt id send it out for someone else to repair it. they are taking so much off it

[@bobd5119]

Ah yes, Keith. Preparation is prevention. That is how we thwart Murphy's Law.

[@Keith_Ward]

Bob D It's always worth a try but has still burned me in the past. The chances can't be totally eliminated!

[@av3594]

The drive shaft looks like there had been oil on it. Should you add a drop of oil to the plastic bushing?

[@markhodgson3045]

haha the cats looking for the mouse good repair fran ....and help from missy

[@GamerFolf]

I'm trying to fix my selectric 2 I got with a manual type typewriter. I can't seem to figure out what's up with it to be honest. Other the power died on it and the keys are all stuck (can't even press them).

[@ajhnubia]

Fran having worked as a repair tech no maker ever thinks about making it easy for us

[@russlehman2070]

I am firmly convinced that most engineers think their machines will be serviced by elves. They expect you to get your hands into places no normal-sized human being's hands will fit.

[@frankw8876]

Russ Lehman Design by engineers or mechanics revised by bean counters.

[@geosutube]

My auto mechanic and his partner with decades of experience feel the same way. They note the very poor design in many modern vehicles, and are pleased to see an older vehicle come in their shop, with room to work in the tight spaces in our cars. But in my watchmaking apprentice days, it was a matter of just getting used to working in tight areas or find another craft! Admittedly, most timepieces are much better laid out than autos.

[@lbbotpn5429]

Design for Manufacturablity... a manufacturer is more concerned with making it easy (and therefore cheaper) to build - servicing is nearly always an afterthought.

[@transistorbaluba]

i am trying to get my old super8-projector in use again my self... i broke the wheel holder.. no i trying to shop for 3d print that plastic thinigi.. love you videos.

[@Mikeg-mm5in]

Did it originally have the little plastic spacer, or did the shaft and spline thing just wear down over time?

[@windchimeman4286]

My Dad's wife bought 30 or 40 of those machines at an auction ,around 20 years ago .She thought that that technology will come back .And they will be in use again !

[@byonbill9499]

I hope she didn't buy them with your inheritance.

[@sikamankouka3971]

What is that plastic piece that you installed called? I have the same problem and I don’t know where to start to look for that piece.

[@seballsop5059]

Nice video. Did the small plastic part have to be ordered, or was it made? I bought one of these great machines from eBay, but it is making a terrible noise. I think I may have the same problem as you experienced.

[@MrSunlander]

I went out of my way at uni, in the early 70s, to use the Selectric - don't know how those poor folks managed all those decades before.

[@lorenzoboyd6889]

I believe that the ring depicted here is a 'Grip Ring', since it doesn't rest in a land. IIRC, 'Snap Rings' (which have small holes to accommodate a dedicated tool) and 'e-Rings' (which are dislodged with a small screwdriver, whereupon they bounce off of one's cornea) rest in a land (groove) on a shaft. I have always suspected that Grip Rings allow much more of a 'fudge factor' in the initial design, AND give field maintainers a bit of flexibility regarding axial play upon reinstallation. My 2¢.

[@virgilio72]

Bravo! Great! Your golden hands. Is your cat a girl or a boy?

[@miconis123]

Flip the red pointer up when taking off the top case. Those can be fragile and easy to break. It'll work fine without it, but is a nuisance to see where you're at without it

[@TheStevenWhiting]

Ooo a golf ball head. First saw one on the episode of Columbo Now You See Him

[@adrianaragon3493]

Hi, what is that liner plastic thing called and where can I get a replacement myself? Thanks !

[@PatGilliland]

Great old machines.

[@sugarcubist]

Hello Fran, nice video. Just bought one of these beautiful machines yesterday and am having a similar problem with noise. Did you have to order that plastic part?

[@FranLab]

Yep - Ebay!

[@The_Witch_King]

Damn I remember being at my father's office just clicking and claking that keyboard without even writing something, lol. Even up until now I am mesmerized by how those fast weird balls work. The other thing that I can recall is that the keys where remarkably smooth and really satisfactory to push. Can somebody tell me which switch can recreate that feeling.

[@ziggyboogydude1]

the IBM model M with the buckling spring switches was specifically made to emulate the feel of the selectric. pricey and rare tho

[@craignelson3855]

Fran, do you have a link for this part you ordered please? Or a name of the part please?

[@wadehicks9270]

You do good work.

[@mileschun143]

Could you maybe link to wherever you got that piece?

[@johnyoung4747]

That drive belt reminds me of once when I replaced the timing belt on my Subaru and the mechanic said it had about five blocks worth of driving life left! I've looked for that plastic shim piece online and can't find a source. Do you have one?

[@mattmoreira210]

Neat! I'm stuck with just a little thing, though. Those machines surely were made to last... but why using a rubber belt? Why not using some thin steel cables or even a small chain?

[@frankw8876]

Matheus Moreira I think mostly for noise. The rubber timing belt on my Camry was replaced around 130,000 miles and still looks like new. Should replace it much sooner, but hey it's a Japanese assembled Camry. On the other hand the belts on my electric hand belt sander and planer lasted only a few days.

[@Neighbour_Al]

Is that a Tektronix multimeter that I see in the background?

[@8308776]

They started with the belt, and built the rest of the machine around it...... Too Funny!!!!!.:)

[@robertjohnson8551]

The black thing you removed is called the platen. It appears the foam noise isolation on the inside the case has disintegrated and is now all over everythnig? You need to remove all that stuff from the case and then use compressed air to blow all the gunk and dust out of the machine. Then use light machine oil not WD40 to lubricate all the moving parts including the pivots on the keyboard and pawls.

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

I charge Double after a Selectric get ruined after sprayed with WD-40 Especially the Key Board trips . . . .

[@MrEh5]

Did you unplug before servicing? Great video as usual.

[@stevejohnson1685]

She plugs it back in at 12:35, so evidently she'd unplugged it beforehand.

[@kroghsmachineshop4708]

Cool, great video, enjoyed it 👍😊

[@robjohnson1138]

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"...

[@transgenerations]

I don't know if you pay any attention to comments or not but if you do, thanks for taking me back in time. That was my first job at IBM repairing those and other office machines. The little insert (may have been Teflon) should have #10 oil on it. Eventually the clutch pawls will wear out and you'll get a grinding sound on power up. The belt was a bit of a pain but honestly it was the rotate and tilt tapes that drove me crazy. The damn eyelets were crimped to the tape and every now and then after replacing one and you restored tension they would pull off and you'd have to start over. Ugh! One of the main reasons I moved from Office Products Division to Field Engineering... LOL! Anyways, nice to see another "unconventional" woman out there. Me, I'm into flying UAV's in first person view. kzbin.info Thanks again :)

[@jamesharris9352]

Bummer... 😕 Was hoping you were gonna show how to replace the belt. Just kidding... ☺ Nice Work Fran... 😉👍 Used these type writers when I was in high school... Dated! 😖

[@avejst]

Nice job. Funny to se a Typewriter again :-)

[@odeciovollet7427]

Parabéns.. também sou técnico dessa máquina aqui no Brasil.. abraço!

[@normanbott]

What a strange bit of design - no groove for the circlip and that film bearing sleeve... At one time it was said that IBM actually stood for 'It's Better Manually' when referring to some of their early computers. I suspect that was due to less than optimum programming though. Interesting as always - I HAVE watched that first ever video this week.

[@IllyaLeonovMorganFreepony]

I remember right after word processors came into heavy use I had about 30 Selectrics in perfect working order that I just hauled off to the scrap yard because no one would even take one for free. Shoulda waited for eBay, lol