Typewriter Video Series - Episode 46: Escapements, Their Care & Feeding

Joe discusses how to prolong the lifespan of your typewriter's escapement mechanism.
Here is a link to the Typewriter Justice KZbin channel:
/ pilsurquell
And specifically a video on how to pack your typewriter for shipment so as to ensure the escapement is secure:
• Hermes Rocket / Baby t...

[@mikequinlan9585]

I always learn something new watching these videos. Great video Joe thank you so much.

[@april_mmm]

You are always such a treasure trove of information, especially for those of us eager to learn to care for our own machines. Repairs (or even just, answers) are not always easy or affordable to come by. As time goes on, this information only becomes more and more valuable, as well as more difficult to obtain. Can't thank you enough.

[@douglasjackson9058]

Great video showing different machines,always so helpful. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@JamesSmith-od7po]

Extremely educational and useful. I always ask people to lock the carriage when they ship but now I will follow your advice. Makes sense. Thanks for sharing all your discoveries

[@dylanmcwhirter9844]

You deserve so much more back from the community

[@danieldeary9344]

I have an SCM Classic, Series 5X from 1963 that is a more recent version of a Super Silent. However it has no lock lever at all but if centered properly, the Samsonite case that it came with, has metal brackets that disengage the escapement when the lid is closed. There are bigger brackets that prevent much sliding of the carriage. One way to get around the problem.

[@jerrygundecker743]

Learned a lot. Thank you. Looking forward to more.

[@BobSmith-dx9bj]

I work on Phillips computers in the 70's (punch card readers and mag strips on card stock )and it use typewriter mechanics for printer. The keys were controlled by solenoids and type heads and escapements broke all of the time. The type head were soldered and a real pain to mount correctly. But I enjoyed working on the systems. And had to repair down to individual components. Good times!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I also remember the days of component-level repair. Good times indeed. Thanks for watching.

[@av8bvma513]

Hi Joe. 'nother great video, thanks. If you take the ribbon cover off of your Facit 1620 and look at the left hand side bodywork, there is a spring front-to-back where the ribbon cover peg is held. Near to that, on the chassis, is a machine screw with a built up boss and cutaway. This is one of the two screws holding the ribbon spool drive mechanism plate. One screw is normal, one is built up and looks as if it should have a spring end looped around it. Loop a spring end around it, and attach the other end to the carriage center-lock link where it does the s-curve through the bell-crank. This will pull the linkage to the rear of the machine, and make the center-lock operating lever work as advertised.

[@abcdise]

Hi Joe, thanks for share your knowledge man. I have a 1951 Undnerwood Finger-Flite portable typewriter, it broke the tabulator spring, can you say me or show me how I can remove the carriage to change the spring?

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

The 🌎 👍 portable typewriters.

[@dennysalo8664]

Loved the Video Joe ! I there a website where people can engage with one another problems they may be having? Thanks again for the videos, great job.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The Facebook Antique Typewriter Maintenance Group is a good place to visit. m.facebook.com/groups/1794856020751839/?ref=group_browse

[@liamkanafani9285]

Hi Joe. I have a Smith Corona classic 10 typewriter. I have the linear gear that has the serrated teeth, but the type writer is old and so a section of the teeth have been filed down. When the carriage passes to that section it slides over the teeth and skips a couple of spaces. I need to find a new linear gear, do you know where I can find one, are they for sale online? Thanks so much.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The only source for these parts are so-called “parts machines” that would have a good rack gear bit otherwise are too far gone to be usable. You’d have to search online for people selling a parts machine compatible with the Classic 10.

[@liamkanafani9285]

@@Joe_VanCleave Hey joe! Thank you so much. There is a typewriter store called John Lewis mechanical antiques. It looks like he repairs typewriter. I will see if he has any of these parts.

[@dr.wm.anthonyconnolly5803]

Joe the escapement linear rack teeth on my Kolibri might be the issue with my left margin escapement skip!!! Thanks

[@firstnamelastname5407]

The carriage on my remington deluxe model 5 doesn't move when I type. The spacebar is a little tight but it still works. What do I do?

[@rustyalcorta3643]

ThunderClan Lives Did you ever get an answer yo your question on your Remington?

[@njm1962]

Hello Joe,(2:00 I'm missing the semi-circle metal piece and screw at end of platen. the platen doesn't ratch or advance the paper. Can you tell me where to get the screw and metal piece? Also should this fix the ratching sound and advance the paper?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

There are no replacement parts made for these machines, so the only way to source them is a "parts machine" from someone else in the typewriter community. The Facebook Antique Typewriter Maintenance Group is one source of connecting to other people who might have a parts machine. facebook.com/groups/typewritermaintenance

[@alanperry8676]

Oh, yeah, now you tell me (uh, four years ago). On my Rocket, the rack that engages with the escapement came out of the bracket that it pivots on. Happily it was an easy repair. And it sounds like what happened is better than what could have happened. So how should I be transporting my Rocket to avoid this?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Keep it in its case when moving it, and don't subject it to severe side-to-side motion.

[@alanperry8676]

Unfortunately, I don't have the correct top cover case for it (know where I can get one?). Itntified ultraportable. The case is slightly too wide, so I made up spacers. However, they weren't tall enough to reach the carriage. I thought the carriage lock would hold the carriage in place. Now that I know it does, I extended the spacers up to hold the carriage. I use the typewriter to write competitor bulletins for a form of motorsports held in the woods on logging roads, so sometimes its case is bouncing around in the back of a car.

[@friedzucchini360]

I recently purchased a Corona Smith Galaxie Twelve and something is wrong with the carriage. It doesn't stay in place. It always slides all the way to the left. I have looked at the inside and found a few things that look weird, but don't know how to fix it. Please help! Any guidance or direction to resources would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Work the carriage release lever (on right side of carriage) and see if it's operating the linear rack gear (under the carriage) to engage and disengage the escapement gear. You can look down the length of the rack gear, under the carriage, from right to left, with a flashlight, to see if it engages the escapement gear in the middle. If so, then something in the escapement isn't proper. I always assume grunge and hardened lubricants are the first culprit, so take off the bottom of the machine and do a thorough clean and degreasing of the escapement area, using 91% alcohol and a gentle air compressor, and a degreaser like PB Blaster if it doesn't fix it. PB Blaster is very stinky, so use it out of doors. There's also the typewriter repair bibles, reprinted by Ted Munk, there's one for the 6-series Smith-Coronas, they are very good about the details of the escapement. But I'd recommend a thorough cleaning and degreasing before going any further.

[@copyrightfreevideobyttf]

I wonder how many prisoners clicked on this, seeking instructions on busting out of jail AND getting free food... LOL!

[@deadpoet9392]

HOW CAN I FIND MY TYPEWRITER'S ESCAPEMENT LINK?

[@formgh841]

Hi Joe, I got this Smith Corona Sterling Electric 12 where the carriage slammed to the left after I pressed the Power Space key and now it won't advance when I type. I'm told the escapement/power spacer assembly needs to be flushed, but how do I locate it? I pulled the chassis out (imgur.com/a/xbEYyIA) but it's different from what you show.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

It’s difficult to troubleshoot without looking at it. When you press the keys, do they type, even though the carriage doesn’t move? Can you move the carriage manually using the carriage release levers behind the platen knobs? Does it move at all manually back and forth ? Do you feel the tension of the spring motor trying to pull the carriage to the left? If not, the drawband or spring motor may have broken.

[@formgh841]

@@Joe_VanCleave Thanks for responding. It's difficult to troubleshoot even looking at it! That's what I was doing this morning, and one of those thin bars with hooks at both ends fell off. So I think I'm done. Repair shop is next, if it's worth it.

[@formgh841]

@@Joe_VanCleave I was able to put the wire back in place, so I'm not giving up yet. But another weird problem came up. When I turned the power on, the carriage starts moving by itself with a jerking motion. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXu9mniHpJymq7M. I must have misplaced something. Have you ever seen something like this?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@formgh841 It's possible the last time it did the power return when it broke, perhaps a drive belt is slipping and the mechanism hasn't completely cycled itself through the carriage return process. Perhaps some hardened greases are keeping the system from running freely, along with slipping belts.

[@formgh841]

@@Joe_VanCleave Someone suggested the back spacer is being powered. Indeed when I press the backspace key the motion stops. How do I fix that? If you address that problem in one of your videos, please let me know.