The Case of the Whispering Typewriter 1938 Remington Deluxe Noiseless

[@billogle4776]

Alton, I was very pleased to see your posting, working all my teenage and the majority of my early adult life as a typewriter mechanic with Remington. had always though the Noiseless was a creation of the Rand company but it existed long before rand and the amalgamation of Rand and Remington. I was impressed by the way you went about replacing the broken line space pawl link thinking about it first and not rushing in. I'm probably too late, but when you replace the platen, was it down well with methylated spirits, feed and bail rolls as well. Do not use solvents or any other alcohol than metho. very, very lightly oil the rotation pints of the feed rolls, a drop of clear light oil on your finger or thumb is sufficient, also a drop on the line space wheel detent, Before you make any adjustment look to see just what else is effected if you move it, the typewriter is made up of several different functions , however they are all synchronized on with the other so to move one may well throw something else out. ie I recently saw an adustment made to the ribbon lift arm because the ribbon didn't reach it's maximum lift position, the out come was the ribbon carrier would return to it's home position and the ribbon colour selector wanted to sit int the stencil position......too much rambling...there is a site I think in Google, THE HISTORY OF THE NOISELESS TYPEWRITER, you may care to look at. on the subject of oil, contrary to the self styled experts on KZbin, all typewriter require oiling in the correct proportions on all moving parts

[@altongansky]

Thank you for writing. I appreciate your observations, experience, and comments.

[@TahoeRealm]

I’m glad you didn’t check it first because you may not have bought it. Look how happy you are with it. Great video - just found your channel - thank you.

[@iamrichrocker]

the 30's to late 60's was was such a fashion design era that shames the junk of today..i applaud your love for these ol warriors...i actually took typewriting in school and had to take a regents exam at end of year..think i would up with 50 wpm,,i was so proud of this lost art..millenials have no idea except for YTers like you..

[@msms5435]

18:02 is when the typing starts

[@TypewriterMinutes]

That machine is a looker. I like the emblem on the paper guide. You'll just have to save this one for your son's next novel!

[@suzetteanthony5181]

I just bought a Remington Noiseless 8 because I love the look. I also find that there are problems with the carriage. I wanted the machine for photography. It's an art piece to me.

[@altongansky]

Congrats on your acquisition. Not every typewriter needs to be a working machine. I agree with you, they are great art pieces.

[@jerrygundecker743]

If you've ever seen the film, "Metropolis", I think you'll agree this design would have fit right in with the "Shapes of things to come" design of that film. In 1938, the future was here! Being born in the early fifties, I missed it. Dang!

[@Saboda53]

Nice, thoughtful video. FYI, “platen” correctly rhymes with “flatten” - not with the word “plate”. (See Merriam-Webster's definition/pronunciation of "platen")

[@Amanda-mt2hx]

My uncle gave me my Great Grandfather’s old typewriter. It’s been sitting in its travel case for I don’t know how many years. I was able to find both the service manual and the instruction book online. I’ve never owned a typewriter before, but have always loved them. The instruction and service manuals are a bit daunting for a newbie like myself. It’s in fantastic condition and the ribbon after most likely decades of retirement, still produces the faintest of characters. The only negative is that it is incredibly dusty and dirty. I understand this video you’ve made isn’t very recent, but I was wondering if you could make one showing how you did clean it and what it’s upkeep would be/is. The only shops within my state and our northern neighbor will repair/clean the electric typewriters. I haven’t been able to come across anyone that repairs these older model typewriters, let alone clean them. If it helps it still has the brush with a tool at the base of it, I don’t know what or how either the brush or tool is used. I decided not to experiment due to my fear of hurting this absolute beauty.

[@altongansky]

Hi Amanda, thanks for writing. I have a better idea. There is a great KZbin channel dealing with cleaning and repairing typewriters. The content creator is a professional typewriter repairman (not many of those people left) and has been for decades. His videos are clear, easy to follow, and covers many kinds of typewriters. Look through his list of videos for those dealing with cleaning. They will be a big help. Here's the link: kzbin.info/door/FVJOLMjdtEVCTNai3-1brg

[@Amanda-mt2hx]

Thank you very much, I’ll definitely check them out.

[@jasminebayliss1898]

I bought one of these today as a gift for my daughter who has wanted a typewriter. I wish I had seen your video beforehand. The one I bought looks beautiful but the lever does not advance the platen. How did you fix this?

[@altongansky]

Hi Jasmine, thanks for writing. Since I can't see the typewriter, I can't diagnose the problem. If I understand correctly, you're saying that when you use the carriage return arm the carriage moves but the platen does roll. Is that correct? Or are you saying the carriage doesn't move when you use the carriage return arm? (If that's the case, it could mean the carriage lock is keeping the carriage in place. On the right side of carriage is a lever with chrome ball on top. Try moving that to release the carriage. However, I think you're saying the planter doesn't roll and advance the paper as it should. It that's the case, then the problem is probable the linkage on the left side of the platen. It may not be engaging the gears, or is broken (in my video I mention I had to replace mine). Can you roll the platen with the platen knobs. I wish I could be of more help.

[@jasminebayliss1898]

@@altongansky thank you for the reply! The carriage moves and I can advance the paper using the knob, but the carriage lever doesn’t engage the gears. I’m thinking it may be something like a spring that broke off. There was a tiny wire connected and when I pinched it, the return would engage the gears and the platen would turn. I tried to “fix” the wire and it fell off.

[@altongansky]

​@@jasminebayliss1898 Okay, I woke up early this morning thinking about the problem with your daughter's typewriter and I was struck with an idea. First, here is a link to manual that includes your typewriter (see page 19). You can download the manual or print it. Here's the link: machinesoflovinggrace.com/manuals/manual-1936RemingtonPortables.pdf. Second, these versions of Remington portables have a lever on the left side of the carriage beneath the carriage return arm that lets you set the line spacing. It's tiny and awkward to use. This morning it occurred to me that some typewriters have line spacing controls that disengage the ratchet. In other words, when pushed all the way back, it allows the carriage return arm to be used without turning the platen. So...find that lever and pull it forward until you feel it click. That should engage the ratchet and allow you to advance the paper. Hopefully. Let me know if this helped. Thanks.

[@douglasjackson9058]

How does this feel? Easy touch? Or good fit for heavy handed typer? Nice video.

[@altongansky]

There is a bit of an odd sensation when typing. The type bar mechanism is different than most typers. If you press on the key slowly, the type bar will stop before striking the paper. But, if you type normally, it strikes just fine and is noticeably quieter. Of course, there is no "Noiseless" typewriter, but this inventive approach helps a lot. Of course, all of this depend on the machine's condition. If it's in good shape, it's a pleasure to use. Thanks for watching and writing.

[@tochtliochtli7239]

What's a good silent type writer you suggest?

[@altongansky]

Do you mean other than the one in the video? A lot of typewriter's are called "quiet," "noiseless," but there is no such thing as a truly silent typewriter. Typewriters that use type bars will always make some noise. Some manufacturers added sound deadening material which helped diminish the noise but can't get rid of it completely. Another problem is that typewriters are old and often come with a platen that is very hard. That makes noise. Some typist use two sheets of paper to help soften the sound. So, even if you find a machine like the one above, which is the quietist in my collection, it will still make some noise. Thanks for writing.