Typewriter Video Series - Episode 121: SCM Skyriter

Joe reviews an early 1960s-era SCM Skyriter.
Here's the link to Ted Munk's blog article on swapping the carriage return lever from early Skyriters:
munk.org/typecast/2018/07/13/y...

[@BrentWigginsWords]

I bought a 1955 Skyriter from a woman named Dorothy in Michigan this summer. She kept everything in working order and it only needed a good cleaning of the keys. It's a smooth typing machine. Thank you for explaining how to remove the chassis; always good to have a reference!

[@shantycrafts8491]

Thanks Joe for the videos. This video was very helpful. I just got a 1962 skyriter, and you helped me figure out what the carriage centering lever was for. :) I have been binge watching your videos this month cuz I got the vintage typewriter bug (uh oh). I grew up in the land of enchantment, and you make me a little homesick when you mention Albuquerque. :) Thanks for your thorough videos.

[@loveisall5520]

Like my cameras from this era (started seriously in photography in the sixties in junior high), the quality of these S-C portables is astounding. I still own around a dozen S-C manual and electric portables and a couple of their Secretarial machines. The great part about them is that due to that high quality of design and manufacture, so many have survived!

[@avq5]

I always tested alignment with just one shift key, I never thought of comparing left-shift/right-shift/shift-lock alignment. Thanks!

[@tmunk]

It's becoming clear to me that the Skyriter is almost 100% parts-compatible with the plastic-shelled Corsairs/Cougars, so if you're looking for a softer platen, try out the one in your Corsair. I bet it'd work fine. (:

[@alancooke2588]

Great Joe...I worked at the company that made them.

[@VintageTexas59]

Good review Joe, looks like a nice machine.

[@andycan09]

Hi Joe, thanks for your videos. I was wondering if you could tell us on a future video on how you refurbished the platen and rollers on this machine. Appreciate the hard work you do!

[@l.mcmanus3983]

I found one of these a few months ago set out for the garbage. It looks like it is the older model with the textured finish. It even still has the original case and manual, though the case is in terrible shape. Very cool to be able to know a little bit more about it. I plan to try and service it, but I will research how to first.

[@dltellet]

Great typewriter. I have a Sears Chieftain III from the fifties which I believe is just a rebadged Skyriter with a few slight body changes. It is a great typer with good touch and solid but muted sound. I use the end of paper indicator all the time; great to have it on an ultra-portable. I much prefer it over my Olympia SF which has a much heavier touch. Anyway, Joe, great review, as always, and thanks for what you do.

[@MorganUmbra]

I have an early 50's skyriter with the textured metal case. I love it, but the ribbons are so hard to come by that I hardly use it. I gave it a solid cleaning when I first got it, but chips in the paint are starting rust pockets. I'd love to someday try to take the whole machine apart, give it a deep clean, and re-assemble; if anyone has any leads on maintenance guides, I'd be super appreciative!

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Never owned or used a "SMITHIE". They look well made. (I confess to being a REMINGTON, OLYMPIA and ROYAL guy.) I guess, just like your choice of automobiles or just about EVERYTHING else you purchase or inherit, it REALLY is a matter of personal preference, and maybe even FAMILY loyalty to the brand too, eh?

[@jennifermercer3402]

Can you do a video of loading the ribbon? I got a ribbon off ebay thats supposed to be for it but its not laying flat. Need help please.

[@danabravener6719]

was wondering about replacing the springs for the keys of the skyriter? Any ideas where you could possibly buy them?

[@thenerdofalltrades8190]

Any recommendation/links where to buy ribbon for this? Just got one of these(my first typewriter!), and I ordered a pre-spooled ribbon on amazon which said it was compatible with the Skyriter. However, upon receiving it, it’s a black/red ribbon...which doesn’t do me much good. Waiting to hear back from the seller to see if they actually have the right one. Thanks! Love your content!

[@clasmusicdude]

Very thorough and helpful vid! Just got a Skyriter tonight... Noticed the spring for the linespace-carriage return lever was stretched out and bent on either end, losing all tension. Any suggestions where I might look for a replacement?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Your options are: 1) Find a donor machine; 2) Find a suitable generic replacement spring from a hardware store; 3) Re-bend the loops on the original spring to restore tension. Good luck.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

It's getting harder and harder to find a qualified, experienced "mechanic" to service ANY typewriters around here now. For me? Looks like NYC (MANHATTAN) at that now famous shop which TOM HANKS highlighted in that famous "60 Minutes" report back when the "CLICKETY-CLACKERS" craze started to hit with the then college aged kids. (I CAN'T believe it was so long ago now?) I am a terribly SLOPPY typist. That was OK when I was writing my "cooy" strictly for myself. I could FLY on the keyboard. However... When I had to leave my copy or write original stuff for others to read? I had to slow down to a crawl to avoid a gallon of "WHITE OUT" being drained dry to "correct" my errors. I'M still your basic two fingered, "hunt'n'pecker". At this age? I'm PAST the point where any tutoring will help. Treasure your "finds" folks. Keep them alive and CLICKETY CLACKING away! NOTHING is more gratifying to any writer of a certain age than that marvelous sound of productivity in action. Enjoy!

[@JenuineAirbrushTan]

Can anyone please tell me how to put the lid above the ribbon back on. Not the case the actual lid. Mine is a 50’s skyriter and I just cleaned it for the first time and now I can’t put the ribbon cover back on. Mine is short return lever like a serial 3Y. 😩

[@nephilimslayer6309]

Mr. Joe, could you tell me what size ribbon I have to buy for my 1952 Smith Corona Skyriter, please? Does it have the two color function for the black and red ribbon, or is it completely black? Is it half an inch wide? Thank you ahead of time. I found your channel after searching youtube for the Skyriter info and really enjoy your channel and episodes. I hope I can soon get the rolls of paper you mentioned on another episode. Great idea. Loved Episode 142. Wish there were shops who loved and could work on typewriters like that here. I look forward to checking out your new episodes. God bless.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Half inch ribbon will do. The Skyriter doesn't have a bichrome setting, so get a single-color ribbon. I'm currently using a blue ribbon in mine.

[@nephilimslayer6309]

Awesome! Thank you very much.

[@CDNChaoZ]

I've been on the market for one of these for a while and aside from seeing them go for $200+ on eBay or Craigslist, have yet to come across one in the wild. Surely this is one of the most popular single models of typewriter? Anybody have any idea about its total production numbers?

[@windex7]

Can you please tell me what ribbon to use? I inherited one from my grandfather but there is no ink. Thanks

[@caelidhg6261]

I just bought a 1961 SC skywriter and it was typing fine (I just got it) and I think I got a lemon.... the margin release "broke" and it doesn't do anything.. and now the space bar also doesn't work... so I am thinking some mechanism that joins the two broke?(a spring or something??). Any where I Could look?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

"It doesn't do anything" ... Need more information. Can you move the carriage back and forth manually, using the carriage release lever behind the right platen knob? Press the backspace key, does the carriage move to the right? Move the platen manually with the carriage release lever all the way to either margin stop. Then press the margin release key ("M-R"), can you then move the carriage beyond the margin stop? When you type a key, does the ribbon raise up? Do the type bars move toward the platen when typing? When you operate the carriage return lever, does the carriage move, and does the platen roller advance the line? Raise the ribbon cover and type: do the ribbon spools slowly turn? Worst case, something in the escapement mechanism needs service. Also there are no "lemons" with 50-60 year old machines. They all are delicate and mechanically complex, and some have been abused. A "lemon" is when something comes flawed right out of the factory, new. Good luck.

[@CrispyFrenFry]

Thanks for the great video! After viewing this I purchased my own SMC Skyriter. Alas, the left spool is broken and I just cant seem to be able to remove the spool to place a new one with a freshly inked ribbon. Is there something I'm missing? Or is it possible that the broken spool is preventing me from dismounting it? Thank you for any help!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

At the moment I can’t remember if they have the little metal arm that presses into the ribbon to keep tension on the pack, but if so, that needs to be flipped out of the way first. Or it could be Press fit onto the spindle and is a bit tight. When you say the left spool is broken, how so?

[@CrispyFrenFry]

@@Joe_VanCleave I believe the previous owner used a ribbon not designed to be used with the Skyriter. While attempting to replace the ribbon, they broke the spool it was housed in and left it in place. I published a post on the FB group "Antique Typewriter Maintenance ." If you're a member you should be able to see the pictures I posted showing the broken and likely jammed spool. Fortunately the spool housing unit is intact so as long as I can remove the ribbon and its spools I should be able to install a new ribbon designed for this typewriter, right?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@CrispyFrenFry Yes; remove the old spool and get a ribbon with he right size spool for this machine.

[@CrispyFrenFry]

Thank you for your great advice! I did what you suggested and now all is well. Now I need to get a new platen because the current one is slick like black ice, and just as hard. This skyriter is a bit of a project!