Retro Tech - Imperial Good Companion Typewriter Part One, Restoration and Repair

[@tuftybird]

Just bought this model in brilliant condition from an antiques shop for £38! Hoping to use the machine as part of our wedding guest book and let others have a (gentle) go too; everyone deserves the chance to try out a typewriter. Thank you so much for sharing this video; just about time install a new ribbon and live out my teen dream of tapping away on one of these for hours. Thanks again!

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi tuftybird, that was a good find, and what a great idea to use it for the wedding guest book. We're all so used to computers and touch screens these days, that it makes a pleasant change to use a fully mechanical machine like a typewriter.

[@MillyToast]

I really enjoyed this. Love the attention to detail.

[@GrumpyTim]

They're a really great typewriter - I restored a model 4 as a present for someone this Christmas - I didn't video that one because I left it a bit late and was in a bit of a rush!!! Cheers for watching.

[@SimonLayfield]

This was incredibly useful. I'm diving in to a Good Companion 4 and this was close enough for me to use as a guide. Much appreciated!

[@GrumpyTim]

Excellent, glad it helped. The Good Companion 4 is pretty similar - hope you have fun, they're great to work on and even better once they're up and running correctly.

[@franallen3680]

Absolutely the most useful video I've found!! Thank you!!

[@GrumpyTim]

You're welcome, glad it was of some help or at least a bit interesting. Cheers.

[@bernardpullon4632]

Just bought a Model 6T for my wife (she just got a book contract so figured it was a good symbolic Christmas gift). It's in good condition (same stitching job necessary for the bag). Really good video thank you. Will be following it for general maintenance. There's a lot to be said for going retro, I think.

[@GrumpyTim]

Wow, that's impressive about your wife getting a book contract, and yes the typewriter will make a great gift. There's something very satisfying about using old mechanical stuff like this - I get the same buzz from using old mechanical calculators - plus it can take some of the pain out of doing my accounts!!!

[@JackiMeaney]

Hey Tim, Thanks for your help these two videos have helped sort out a few issues with my old model 6 which I rewound when sorting out my parents home for sale, fell n love all over again and want to get it sorted for my son whose a writer now..... All things are working now thanks apart from the space bar.... all the bits move apart from the cog, I have had a look and there seems to be a small spring, its attached through the small hole on the front by the rivet but there is a bit behind the plate that doesn't seem to be attached to anything and wondered if this was supposed to be.... Thank you again .....

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Jacki, is it just the space bar that's not working? Does the typewriter carriage move as you type other keys on the keyboard? Feel free to contact me by email (you'll find my email address in the "about" tab on my channel. That way, if necessary, you can send photos to help me spot the problem.

[@JackiMeaney]

@@GrumpyTim its space bar and when type, and the cable now keeps popping off the pully when the carriage is released!!!!! many thanks I will email you a small video or photos if thats okay its a shame as its very tidy and undamaged so I d really love to fix it .... I found some of my dads practice pages in the lid clips of the top cover ....

[@GrumpyTim]

A video clip or photos would be perfect - there's not too much to go wrong, it's just that everything tends to get gummed up with old oil and grease - it happens to lots of old machines like typewriters, mechanical calculators and so on. I'll take a look at whatever you send me and go from there.

[@BensWorkshop]

Well done for getting that working again.

[@GrumpyTim]

It probably wasn't the most taxing fix ever but well worth it - typewriters are still rather nice objects and you can actually use them! They have a very different feeling compared to using a computer - you (or certainly me) have to be a bit more disciplined and not make lots of misteaks and misquints!!!!!!!!!!!

[@BensWorkshop]

@@GrumpyTim 😂😉

[@timolthuis1208]

Thank you so much for this helpful video! I just bought my own second hand typewriter of the same model and was feeling hopeless as I didn't know what was wrong or if I could fix it but this video identifies everything I need to do to get it back working in perfect working order!

[@timolthuis1208]

The only thing is that my spring is completely stuck and the draw string is broken so will need to do what you advised and take it all apart to be able to throughly clean it out and order a new draw string. Any recommendations on where to get a new draw string?

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Tim, often the draw string breaks right at the end where it either attaches to the spring drum or the other end where it attaches to the carriage, and you can simply tie a new knot and use what's left. If it does need replacing, I've heard of people using fishing line - I bet that's a right pain to tie a knot in if it's thick enough line for the job. I've also heard of people using the nylon cord from a venitian blind or similar - that stuff tends not to be too stretchy so it would work well. Possibly any braded nylon cord that's about the right size and not too stretchy will do. For the spring drum, it probably is stuck with dried old oil and grease - make sure you're trying to move the silver drum part, not the black disk that has the two raised parts which look like they should turn - this is for tensioning the spring once you've removed a locking post, the rest of the time, that disk is locked in position. Unless you specifically want to take the spring drum apart, you should be able to soften the old oil/grease using white spirit or paraffin or even WD40 (don't spray WD40 into the drum, spray it into a container and then transfer drops on the end of a screwdriver). If you can free up the spring this way, you can then apply some fresh oil to re lubricate it.

[@timolthuis1208]

@@GrumpyTim Sweet, thank you once again for these top tips!!!

[@melissa-zarah1320]

This was so useful! Can you please show me where the cord attaches at the top? Mine is attached underneath but I don't know where to attach it at the top. Really appreciated.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Melissa, I'm guessing from this message that you worked out how to remove the typewriter from the case, using the two chrome buttons on the sides that release it from the posts in the case. The other end of the cord attaches to the under side of the carriage on the opposite side to the spring drum. I'll try to describe where the screw that it attaches to is located: With the typewriter the correct way up, position the carriage using the carriage shift lever (that's the middle chrome lever on the right hand side) all the way to the right. Now carefully flip the typewriter over onto it's back (use a towel or something so the typewriter doesn't get scratched), make sure the carriage doesn't move as you flip the typewriter over. Position the typewriter upside down with the rear end nearest to you. Now, looking at the right hand side of the carriage, you should have the chrome bar with notches that sets the tab positions, then the main part of the carriage with the toothed drive rack in the centre and a chromed runner each side of the toothed rack. In the chromed runner furthest from you there should be a black domed screw, and directly below that on the other chromed runner, there should be another, taller screw - it's this taller screw that has the other end of the cord attached to it - you may well see a loose end of the cord if it's broken. The correct route for the cord is, from the spring drum, over the black pulley wheel to the left of the spring drum, wrapping round that puller wheel and exiting to the right, passing just above the chromed runner and underneath everything else before finally being tied round the taller screw on the right. Hope that helps, if you get stuck, you can email me (there's an email address in the "about" section of my channel, and then I can send a photo if needed.

[@boatdeason]

Awesome video!

[@GrumpyTim]

Thanks, glad you like it. Mechanical stuff like typewriters are fun to work on and it's nice to bring something back from a reasonably sorry state.

[@sheireland3737]

Before putting in the drops of spirits apply heat from a hairdryer to the spring for 5 mins.

[@GrumpyTim]

Cheers SheIreland, my mini hot air gun makes regular appearances for freeing up old dried oil and grease, makes the job so much easier - I can't remember why I didn't use it on that day, I was probably just concentrating on shooting the video rather than thinking about the job I was actually doing. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@funksterdotorg]

Upvote for acoustic compressor

[@GrumpyTim]

I think that's the correct term.......can't think what else it would be called!!!!!

[@stuarthodgkiss8676]

Great video, thanks. If the draw cord is snapped where does the other end secure to? Still attached to the drum and I can see the pulley but stuck from there....

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Stuart The other end of the cord attaches to the under side of the carriage on the opposite side to the spring drum. I'll try to describe where the screw that it attaches to is located: With the typewriter the correct way up, position the carriage using the carriage shift lever (that's the middle chrome lever on the right hand side) all the way to the right. Now carefully flip the typewriter over onto it's back (use a towel or something so the typewriter doesn't get scratched), make sure the carriage doesn't move as you flip the typewriter over. Position the typewriter upside down with the rear end nearest to you. Now, looking at the right hand side of the carriage, you should have the chrome bar with notches that sets the tab positions, then the main part of the carriage with the toothed drive rack in the centre and a chromed runner each side of the toothed rack. In the chromed runner furthest from you there should be a black domed screw, and directly below that on the other chromed runner, there should be another, taller screw - it's this taller screw that has the other end of the cord attached to it - you may well see a loose end of the cord if it's broken. If you can't find it, email me using the address in the "about" section and I'll send you a picture. Hope that helps.

[@stuarthodgkiss8676]

@@GrumpyTim Thank you for the detailed explanation.... I've just got a hole !! No tall screw or anything. Guessing need to find a screw that will fit and do the job.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Stuart, darn it, that's a shame - I often struggle to track down matching threads for some old bits of gear like this, but in reality, if you can find something that will fit, then it will probably do the job just fine. The tall screw on mine stands about 5.5mm tall, with a groove for the cord to sit in about 2mm from the threaded end. If you found a suitable screw, you could probably fit a couple of washers under the cord just to space it away from the chrome plated carriage runners.

[@artyinkyfingers]

Hi Tim Could you please show/tell me where the loop end of the spring cord fits? The spring oil was very thick and it's oiled the cord, should i clean the cord? I'm just starting to sort out several issues with an Imperial GP6. But this is my first thing to sort out.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Michelle I'm not with my typewriter for a few days, but I do have some photos and video clips that I've shot to help people in the past - if you want to email me (address in the "about" tab), I'll send you some info.

[@artyinkyfingers]

Sorry can't find it - must be me or the recent phone update 🤦🏻‍♀️ I think I've found a little silver knob for the loop but when I type and it gets to the middle of the platen it stops and I just have a big hot mess of overtyped letters. I'm about to send it back unless there's an easy fix.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Michelle, the draw cord should pass from the oily spring drum, over the top of the pulley wheel, exiting at the bottom of said wheel. Then it should go directly to a screw that's about three quarters of the way along the carriage - it mustn't pass over or under any other bits of mechanism or frame, otherwise the typewriter will jam. If I remember correctly, you have to carefully remove the screw and pass the screw through the loop in the cord - it's a little bit tricky because the spring will be trying to pull the cord out of your hands, so you need to hold it in place. As for oil on the cord, I'd just wipe off what you can with a rag but don't get too excited about it, it's not much of an issue. I can't put my email address directly in the comments otherwise I'll get a million spam emails, but it's my channel name at my channel name dot com.

[@sheireland3737]

Help! I’ve got one of these but the platen clutch release is on permanently. I can’t work out how to get the platen knob with clutch release off. Do you know?

[@GrumpyTim]

I'll have a look tomorrow and get back in touch. Don't panic.....

[@GothiicAngels]

Hi, I wonder if you could help. I just got a Imperial Sahara the lever on the left behind the carriage return lever, is floppy, it is as if something should be connected to it. The right hand side has the exact style of lever, this raises the bar so that paper can be aligned properly. I cannot see how I can get to that lever as there is no access to it at all. Please I do so hope you understand my very amateur explanation, I have only just got into typewriters and only have three atm.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Gothic Angels, I'm out and about this weekend, but when I get a chance I'll do a bit of research - I'm not familiar with the Sahara model, but often the internal mechanisms remain unchanged between models. I'll let you know once I've had a chance to look.

[@griffin1542]

Very useful video. The only other problem I have is the when I type in upper case the carriage moves too far and the letters appear quite a bit higher than the lower case letters, is this a simple fix?

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Griffin, the Good Companion uses a shifting carriage (ie the roller physically moves upwards) to print the upper case letters - some typewriters used a shifting segment (where the letters themselves move and the roller stays still). Assuming you have the same typewriter as mine, yours has a shifting carriage, so, if the upper case letters are too high in relation to the lower case letters, then the carriage isn't moving far enough, OR it isn't returning to it's correct resting position when typing the lower case letters, making them too low. Depending on how far out it is, you can sometimes see the letters fading at the top or bottom when you type because the letter isn't centered on the roller, so if the carriage isn't returning far enough, you might see the bottom of the lower case letters looking faded - this would be across most of the characters rather than just the odd one (if it was only one or two, it could be bent letter hammer arms). The same could show if the carriage isn't shifting up enough, the tops of the upper case letters could look faded. You can experiment with this by repeatedly typing lower case characters and slightly pressing the shift key as you type - you'll notice the row of letters drop and the bottoms fade out. You can repeat this with an upper case letter, repeatedly typing the character with the shift held down, then slightly release the pressure on the shift key and you'll see the character raise up and fade out at the top. This might help identify which characters are actually out of position. Next, you can take a look at the carriage shift stops - these stop the carriage in the correct place (theoretically) so the characters all line up. If you use the space bar to move the carriage all the way to the left, then looking from above, operate the shift key - on the right hand side of the carriage you should see the bell suspended underneath - just to the right of that, you'll see two stationary nuts and bolts protruding through the side frame of the typewriter (not the outer case of the typewriter). If you examine this area closer, you'll see a metal tab that hangs down from the carriage and rests against the bolt closest to you for lower case and should press against the other bolt for upper case. These bolts are repeated on the left hand side of the typewriter too. Initially, you want to confirm that in the lower case position, the tabs on both sides are resting against these bolts, then look again with the shift key held down and they should now be pressing against the upper bolts. If there's any old paper debris or anything like that preventing the carriage from moving fully, this could cause your alignment issue. If when you hold the shift key down, the tabs don't get as far as the bolts, then it might be something else in the linkage that's preventing it from shifting correctly - you could see if the carriage will move a bit further by moving it with your hand directly, in which case it's probably something else in the linkage. If the tabs on the carriage are resting on the shift stop bolts in both lower and upper case positions, then possibly these stops have been adjusted at some time and need to be reset. Now it gets a bit more tricky!!! The shift stop bolts appear to be wrapped in something like a spring - this is probably to reduce wear and maybe provide an element of shock absorption for when you press the shift key - anyway, that spring is supposed to be there so don't try to remove it. The bolts look like they are eccentric - the nut on the outside of the side frame is the locknut and the inner (bigger) nut is used to adjust the stop. You'd need two small spanners to fit the two nuts, and while holding the inner nut still, release the lock nut just enough so you can rotate the inner one to move the end stop. I'll assume that your lower case letters are in the correct position and it's the upper case that you need to adjust, so it'll be the rear most stop that you'll need to turn - you'll need to move both sides of the typewriter equally and you'll have to judge by eye which way to rotate the nut - there may be a bit of trial and error to get it right. You might find that only one side has been tampered with - this should show up earlier because the tabs on the carriage won't press against the bolt on both sides, in which case you want to move the side that is touching until the other side makes contact too. Hope this gives you a general idea of how to proceed.

[@sheireland3737]

Well I am stuck at step 1. I have an IGC 6T and the platen clutch release bitten is stuck in. It’s a plastic piece and I’m afraid to use any force. So K can’t even see the nut to remove to release the platen. Help.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi sheireland, I've just had a quick look at my model 6 the 6T is a little different in a few details, such as the platen clutch release disk which isn't present on the model 6. However, from what I can tell, the platen clutch release disc does the same job as the platen locating release lever which is the little lever on the left hand side situated between the end of the roller and the line space lever (it's just slightly behind both of those items) - if that lever is in it's released position (towards the back) then the button will presumably have no effect. If on the other hand the button is stuck in, it could well be dried old grease that's making it stick - using force is unlikely to help - ideally you'd want to get the entire knob off, but looking at some pictures, the screws that secure that knob are probably located behind the cover plate - if you look from the under side and rotate the platen roller, can you see any securing screws? Feel free to email me some photos if it helps.

[@christineweir1042]

very interesting but my ribbon is too low for the type to make contact, can you help please

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Christine, did your ribbon ever move as it should or is it a typewriter that you've recently bought/inherited? I'll dig mine out on Monday and have a look and get back to you.

[@christineweir1042]

@@GrumpyTim i bought it and its june62 portable, put new ribbon in but it sticks sometimes on keys and carriage movement sticks. what oil should I use and where please

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Christine - I put a reply on your other message - I'll look at the ribbon carrier part tomorrow and get back to you about that too.

[@christineweir1042]

@@GrumpyTim THANK YOU THAT IS FIXED BUT i CAN NOT SEE MY OWN TYPING until I go to next line how do i mend that problem please

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Christine, if you can't see your typing I suspect that the ribbon carrier isn't returning fully after you've pressed a key. You should be able to gently raise the chrome ribbon carrier with your finger and then let go and it should drop back to it's bottom position. If it feels tight, then it's either dirty and sticking or possibly it's had a slight knock at some time which is making it stick. It could also be that the mechanism below the chrome part is sticking or it has been taken apart at some time and not put together correctly. Feel free to email me a detailed photo if you want so I can have a look - you can find my email address in the "about" section on my KZbin channel - you'll need to be signed in to be able to see the email address I think.

[@clunky9072]

I've just inherited one of these and stupidly just started typing and now the carriage (i think its called) now won't move back all the way to the right and I can't close the case :( Old technology doesnt seem to agree with me, what am I doing wrong? Thanks.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi N Clunk. Rule number one, don't panic, and rule number two, don't force anything, force rarely fixes these old machines. There's plenty of things that could have caused the carriage to stick: If the left hand margin adjustment has been set towards the middle of the typewriter, that could cause it to stick (the margin adjustment things are the chromed buttons that sit on a chromed bar right at the back of the typewriter). If it's the margin that's causing the problem, you should be able to free it by pressing the margin release (that's the double arrowed button top left on the keyboard). It could be that the spring drum for the draw cord is all gummed up like it was on my typewriter - if it is gummed up, when you try to move the carriage to the right, the draw cord will fall off the pulleys and potentially get tangled in the mechanism. Take a look from the under side and see if anything looks out of place. If a key such as the space bar is sticking down, that would also prevent the carriage from moving. Take a look from the under side and see if anything looks wrong. Feel free to e.mail me photos of the under side if you can't find the problem and I'll take a look (you'll find my email address in the "about" tab.

[@clunky9072]

@@GrumpyTim Wow thank you so much for the quick and detailed response. You must be the nicest guy on the internet! Will have another look and let you know how I get on :)

[@free2choose80]

where can you still find the ink tape reels for theses things? They don.t produce these machines anymore.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Jean - I get my ribbons from an EBAY seller in the UK "Globe Typewriters" but you can also get them on Amazon. Just search for typewriter ribbons on either ebay or Amazon and you'll find a supplier. All the new ribbons come on a standard generic plastic reel - you'll need to unwind the ribbon from the plastic reel and wind it onto your original reels. It's a bit messy but not too bad. If your original reels are missing, sometimes the generic plastic reels will fit but it's always better if you have the original reels. Just shout if you need any more information :-)

[@free2choose80]

@@GrumpyTim Just amazing that you can still find this stuff.

[@GrumpyTim]

Luckily, typewriter ribbons were nearly all the same with just the reels changing between manufacturers, and there seems to be plenty of demand for them now so they're still in production. It gets a bit more difficult when you need other spare parts for a typewriter!!!