Typewriter Video Series - Episode 50: S-C Coronet Automatic 12

[@JorgeVonninger]

The super 12 is actually my favorite typewriter.. I have two of them, one brown and one blue, from the late 1960's. I will never give them up, they are my prized possessions, I absolutely love them. They are perfect for novel writing and their ribbon cartridges are as priceless as ammo in this day and age.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

By sheer coincidence? I'm watching THIS video with exactly 50% power reserve left on my phone's battery. Is that "karma" or what? Keep on "CLICKETY CLACKING" away Joe! Typewriters Forever.

[@demonprincess5634]

Well my S-C Coronet Automatic 12, that is the same color theme as yours. Thank you btw still working like a dream, it is my main typewriter. Only pad 37 dollars off of Goodwill Auction and i added a brown/orange ribbon to go with the 70's look.

[@trevorlondon4601]

I bought a Coronet Automatic 12 today. The carriage return is violent indeed.

[@khaley37781]

This was a fun video! I know you posted it 5 years ago but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have had a love affair with Brother manuals but now I'm on the lookout for a SC after your video.

[@tomorrowtv]

Thanks for the video, Joe. I agree on the machine’s hum having a “no-nonsense” effect! Did you ever figure out it’s date? I got a matching one, same color though includes a return bar. Lovely machine.

[@gmcenroe]

I also took typing class in high school in early 1970s, took it because I couldn't take P.E. after surgery so substituted typing class. It was a lot of fun, I was probably the only boy in the class, so got to meet lots of girls. We used manual typewriters. Then I got a Smith Corona electric typewriter. My brother also got the same model, but mine was Pica, my brother's was Elite. I liked the 10cpi better. This typewriter is similar but older looking.

[@copyrightfreevideobyttf]

At the 11:33 markpoint "that is a power return, baby!" 🤣 The color of this typewriter resembles caramel to me. The bell also reminds me of a cash register bell!

[@drinktea65]

I just purchased a Coronet Super 12 electric typewriter from an estate sale. I am excited! What year is it. Model: 6LEF. GN 4231 Uses cartridge ribbon by Smith Corona. I may need anew cartridge. So glad that there is instruction like yours here.

[@Queenmom313]

My dad had this exact typewriter! I think my sister ended up with the typewriter, and she has passed away. I'm hoping my BIL may still have the typewriter. I need to find a way to ask him, nicely, if I can have it. I don't want to come across as greedy, but I would love to have that typewriter, as I used it in High School pre-computer. You are so right about that ramped return! Thank you for this awesome video!!

[@ZoeyHuerta]

I'm sorry for your loss. Did you get the typewriter back?

[@billwood6444]

You've sold me on one Joe. Great review. I think the ones with the standard ribbons make more sense than those with the cartridges, must be harder to get hold of good replacements for them. Interesting that the shift is electric. Also, I'm glad you mentioned they respond quickly if not quicker than manuals, I really don't like the delay with full electronic machines that use type wheels etc from the 80's and 90's, they just don't feel nice to use in my opinion. I think every collector should try and get one of these into their collection.. Thanks for posting

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I liked that Smith-Corona daisy-wheel wedge from the 1980s, except for the cost of the H-series replacement cartridges. Cloth typewriter ribbons reverse themselves and get used over and over, failing gently as they slowly fade. Good luck on your typewriter hunt, let us know what you find.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Well Joe? Based upon your demonstration I'd say you could classify this "SMITHY" as a "HYBRID"? The engineers at SMITH-CORONA took their all manual, mechanical machine and grafted it to an ELECTRIC motor to create a NEW addition to their "fleet". Well? A variant really. Not a totally "NEW" one. A good compromise. Remember MOST secretaries back then were FEMALES! So? You're quite correct. A definite "HYBRID"! A demonstrator of what was to come in the FABULOUS future ("WORLD'S FAIR" version anyway.) Great SHOW JOE! ONE OF THE BEST IN YOUR WHOLE "TYPEWRITER" SERIES!

[@quentin537]

Hello Joe, Congratulations on your 50 helpful video. Like other collectors I also have a special love for the Smith-Corona typewriters. In 2017 I purchased a '68 Automatic 12 without any problems, Thank God! The machine works well and I enjoy using it so much that I purchase a '73 Coronet Super 12 with the Coronamatic cartridge on 8/2018. My first love is the portable manual but these Coronets are just wonderful machines. Somebody told me that the Coronamatic 2500 has carriage shift with an all plastic body, why would Smith-Corona do something like that after making the wonderful Coronet? Anyway keep up the wonderful work. Each of your Vlogs are helpful and informative, Thank you.

[@MillerMeteor74]

I have the same exact typewriter, but I've had mine since around 1979 or 80 when the church secretary sold it to me . At that time I was taking typing in high school. I just dug it out of a closet a couple days ago, where it's been sitting since the mid 80s. It's in nearly like new condition. It also still has the 5 year warranty sticker on the inside of the case. Do you know when these were made? Thanks.

[@berniepokorski2489]

The Wonderful Sound of Machinery Humming..... I have a 'mint green' Smith-Corona Electra 120.... no Power Return, though.

[@XoaGray]

You mentioned there is no stencil setting, I have this exact model sitting on my desk right now, and it has a stencil setting. It's just putting the ribbon color setting to the center. Mine has a stop in the middle specifically for it. Maybe at least in some years it did? Also for sure mine has automatic ribbon reverse.

[@tomkitson9040]

Wow! The electric version was my very very first typewriter that I got in 9th grade, but I had the blue color scheme. It was AWESOME and got used a LOT. Loved this machine. You could really type fast on it. When I got to college I invested in an IBM Correcting Selectric II, which was also great. Made a lot of money in college typing for people because I actually was a real good typist, about 80wpm. Both of them were worth every penny. I have had to explain the concept of "carbon paper" to my children. :) I have had to explain the concept of "typewriter" to young people in the corporate workplace. Thanks for sharing this video and tour of a Smith-Corona workhorse.

[@X5Industries]

I've got my parent's SC. It's a later revision of that model (brown with dark brown keys and utilizes quick-swapable ribbon cartridges that eject from the side). These machines are NOT solenoid driven, they're clutch driven. If you look down into it at the right angle you can see a drum that rotates constantly when running. Every keystroke moves a rod down to where it grabs onto the drum and fires the key forward (that's why it feels like the key pressure is getting sucked away from your fingertips when it engages). With it turned off you can reach in and rotate the motor/belt by hand and make the hammers move when you press a key

[@void601]

I wish you would have demonstrated the repeat keys. I was fascinated by them back in the day, especially for drawing lines.

[@danieldeary9344]

Great video as I have an identical one but yellow. I discovered by accident that there is a small thumbwheel under the space bar on the bottom that can adjust touch pressure...its easy to miss as it is not easy to see but there are arrows to indicate Low and High. BTW never put your fingers in the way of a typebar...it is really painful so that force is very real.

[@nuvain3767]

Hey! I really need help, two of my strikers are broken and I have no knowledge on how to fix anything. My q and apostrophe key do not move at all because of this, do you know what i could do?

[@T_eaLeaves]

Nuvain light machine oil like 3 in 1 oil or you could buy new ones on eBay or somewhere on the internet, you could also get a broken one and put parts from it on your working typewriter

[@edwardprout3348]

Pine sol works great for me you put it on the cloth or sponge do not spray into machine also no 3in 1 ever no oils ever unless you want to see a mess next time

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

You make typing on this machine sound like driving a pickup truck! (Most of THEM get "groady" too! But ALWAYS run great. LOL)

[@BokBarber]

I found one of these in a thrift store a long time ago. I don't know WHAT I did but I managed to hit two keys at the same time that managed to completely break the machine. I was never able to repair it. I think it may have been a tab set or clear while also pressing the power return?

[@nihoncan]

Hey Joe! I have a request. Can you please show us how to degrease a very greasy mechanical typewriter. I have one and I spent 3-4 hours cleaning with mineral spirits and q-tips but its a no go. Maybe dunk cleaning would be a better choice? I don't know. Please help me and thank you

[@kishajasmin6620]

I got mine at a yard sale and I love it. Just dont know how to use it well.

[@BrianSchellAuthor]

I just picked one up and it seems to work fine, but it’s got a really LOUD hum when it’s turned on. Not the keys or the type, just “idling.” I’m guessing this is a drive belt, but I don’t know where to begin lubricating it. Any suggestions?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Perhaps the motor bushings need to be cleaned and oiled. I thinks there’s also a clutch on the motor shaft that may need cleaning. And the drive spindle under the key levers has bearings or bushings too.

[@loveisall5520]

I've owned over a dozen of these over the past 40 years, they are truly amazing . But--on all I've seen the stencil setting is simply between the black and red on that switch. Perhaps yours has a problem...

[@cmc0431]

I have a smith corona coronet automatic 12 It turns on but when I type the carriage doesn't move while I type can you help me please

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Do the type bars move up to the ribbon/paper when you press any key (with the machine powered on)? On this machine both the type bars and carriage movement are powered by the motor mechanism when you type. The carriage can also be manually moved, using either carriage release lever (behind either platen knob).Can you manually move the carriage back and forth manually? If so, this means the carriage *should* move. Likewise, the carriage should also move when you press the backspace key. You don't need the machine powered on for these to work, they are manually controlled. When you turn on the machine, do you hear the motor turning? If you hear the motor turning and neither the type bars nor the carriage moves when you type, it's likely a rubber belt is broken. If the typebars move to hit the paper when you type, but the carriage doesn't move, again verify that you can manually move the carriage by hand, using either carriage release lever. There's also a carriage lock lever under the right platen knob, check if that's released. Another issue causing the carriage not to move is that both margin adjustments could be mistakenly set to near the middle of the line. The carriage normally moves back and forth within the margin settings; if they're both set inward to the middle of the line, then the carriage won't move, either manually or when typing. To be sure, move the margin settings to the far ends of the platen (the left setting to the far left, the right setting to the far right). These are the little knobs on the paper scale behind the platen roller. Press and slide them. If the carriage moves manually, the margins aren't set inward together, and the type bars move to hit the paper when you type, then it could be related to the escapement mechanism not triggering to move the platen one space after each key. The escapement is a complex mechanism built around a star-shaped gear, with various cogs and linkages. It's under the machine near the middle of the carriage. On a manual Smith-Corona Galaxy you take off the screws holding the bottom plate to gain access. Not certain about the electric version. If the escapement is the issue, it needs to be thoroughly degreased of its old, hardened lubricants. Use alcohol, naphtha lighter fluid or similar degreasing compound. Don't use WD-40, it'll just gum up the thing worse when it dries, as WS-40 has paraffin in it.

[@cmc0431]

Yes they move to the ribbon on the paper but stay in one place

[@cmc0431]

The spacebar key doesn't work and yes I can move the carriage back and forth

[@8308776]

I have the cornet 10 and 12. The ten takes spool ribbon, and the 12 takes the cartridge. Can you steer me in the right direction for ribbons and cartridges that not only type the black ink, but also have the white correction strip on the same ribbon? Are they available in both spool and cartridge?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The white correction strips will flake off particles into your machine, so they're not recommended. Also, they only work by retyping exactly over the mistyped character; so if it was caused by an errant finger while the carriage was in motion, it may not be easy to exactly retype again over the same spot on the paper. But if you really want them, here's a ribbon with correction for the Coronet 10: www.amazon.com/Porelon-11476-Universal-Compatible-Typewriter/dp/B00TA4FY7G/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1488231401&sr=8-12&keywords=typewriter+ribbon I don't know where to get the cartridges for the 12. I prefer to do corrections by hand using a correction tape cartridge. Of course, these work best on white-colored paper.

[@TheAltern8te]

So I don't have the exact model but there's this lever on the left side above the line spacing lever that I can't seem to figure out what it does. Could you please enlighten me? Thanks!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I don't have one in front of me, so I'm working from memory, but it may disable the ratcheting of the line spacing, enabling you to adjust the vertical position for typing inside boxes of preprinted forms.

[@TheAltern8te]

Spot on, that's exactly what it does. Thank you! Another question for you...so with the Carriage Lock, you can't unlock the carriage via that lever, right?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The carriage lock lever is on the right side of the carriage, sort of underneath. Move the carriage to the right, then push this lever back while moving the carriage back toward the left, and it will (sort of) "lock" the carriage for transport in its case. Really, all it does is center the carriage so you can close the case properly. Are you having issues with carriage movement? So, the way the carriage can be manually moved is with either of the carriage release levers (white levers on my machine, behind each platen knob). Pull either lever forward while grasping the carriage knob, and the carriage can be moved within the limits set by the left/right margin settings. The spring motor will want to pull the carriage toward the right when you pull either release lever. If the margin settings are both moved toward the middle of the carriage, the movement will be restricted to that narrow setting between both margins. So if you have restricted movement of the carriage, check to make sure the margins are set to the far left & right.

[@TheAltern8te]

No issues with the carriage movement. On my machine, the carriage lock lever works exactly like what you've described. Once pushed, it will center and sort of "lock" the carriage in place. But the same lever can't be used to unlock the carriage though. To unlock, I just give the carriage knob a little push. I was just trying to confirm if it's the same with your machine and that's just the way it is or there's something wrong with mine. That lever can only center/"lock" the carriage, no unlocking capability. Unlike other machines where you can actually lock and unlock the carriage with the same lever.

[@Shenny4everTBBT]

I have the brown coronet after finding it in my grandmothers attic. The machine itself works fine, the only problem is the carriage doesn't seem to want to return right. Like when you hit the enter key, it goes over to the right so you can start typing but it doesn't stay on the right and moves all the way back over to the left and dings like it should at the end of a line. Can you tell me if there's an easy fix to this?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I haven't delved into repairing these electric Smith-Coronas. You might want to try asking the Typewriter Talk discussion forum, or the Facebook antique typewriter group, perhaps someone there has more experience. Good luck.

[@iStobs]

Just one quick question. It seems like this is answered by the video demonstration near the end, but I just want to make sure. Is it possible to essentially type full speed on this without the levels getting stuck up near the paper (as I have seen often happen on manual typewriters)? Thanks

[@Joe_VanCleave]

You can type full speed on this machine. And also with the Smith-Corona Electric, seen in a later video. Whether the "levels" (I think you are referring to the type bars) get stuck or not is a function of the cleanliness and alignment of the typebars in their segment slots. With these electrics, the type bars get operated full-force by means of the electrically driven spindle, so they are getting more force and quicker speed than what most people can manage with a finger-operated manual. I've had no issues with type bars getting hung up on either electric mentioned here.

[@iStobs]

Awesome, thank you very much for the reply!

[@ggfffgggds]

Hey Joe! Hope all is well. Any idea how reliable the motor is? Do the belts have a typical lifespan?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I have not yet had to replace the belts, so that says something. But I did have to replace one on my 5-series SC Electric. I found a seller on eBay with new old stock belts, don’t remember the seller’s name.

[@ggfffgggds]

@@Joe_VanCleave thanks! I just picked up an Automatic 12 on eBay. I've got a friend with MD that would love to use a manual but just doesn't have the physical strength for it. Hopefully this thing will get him writing/typing!

[@demonprincess5634]

I just found the Smith Corona Coronet on ebay for 80.

[@edwardprout3348]

Could not decide on the best one So i bought a 1960 coronet then i saw the côronamtic super 12. I have 3 underwoods manual looking for mỏe

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

Nice video.

[@iStobs]

Hey Joe, just one other question. You mention the volume of the machine. Is it overwhelmingly loud, or simply a bearable hum?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The motor gives off just a hum. The sound of the typebars hitting the platen are a bit louder than a manual, unless you really hammer away on a manual!

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

At the prices we pay ConEdison here in the NYC area for our "juice"?... You betcha! It's a crime to have it just sitting idling away in "neutral"!!!

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Seems like this "SC" is a compromise. They left quite a bit like the strictly "MANUAL" one but added "power assist" to it for the "weak fingered" users amongst us.

[@KurisuYamato]

One of my recent thrifting finds was a very similar Coronet Super 12 electric. That thing is a beast, and I mean that in a way of "so good it's almost bad" as even at copy setting 1 it will punch holes in the paper when you put a / or a . down. It had the escapement serviced in 1989, but beyond that I know very little of its history. Works a treat regardless, and has a few "power" keys, like X, the regular space (not a separate power space), and the. key, if held down fully will repeatedly imprint, clearly designed for form making or form filling. Only thing I don't like beyond it being basically an overblown stencil maker is that it uses a cartridge that's about 15 dollars for one. Kind of suck, compared to the 5 pack of cartridges I got for my brother electronic for about 20 total, but hey, when I do want to use it at least I still can get the things. Actually had to fix it by opening up and tying part of it together - it had broken inside the cart, so in theory I COULD "make my own" so to speak. In whatever case, the things a beauty, and power return is NOTHING to snuff at. That thing can and will go for blood if given the chance ;)

[@kennygk79]

Just like the SCM Electric 12, only difference you have a power return with the Automatic 12. The bear I'm wrestling is the apostrophe isn't really hitting; and the H-L (heavy-light) adjustment wheel isn't doing much for it. The ribbon is new, it didn't make any difference. Anyway, you forgot to mention with that two belt/pulley system and the motor running (vibrating), the typewriter will "walk" around on a hardwood table; Be Careful!

[@shelliecrow3560]

Primo!

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

Only today.