Typewriter Video Series - Episode 70: Series 5 Electrified!

[@davidc.l.cowdrey6667]

Commenting 7 years later! I just bought one yesterday, and finally got to demo it tonight! Amazing machine. Every point you made I found myself nodding along. Well done!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Thank you!

[@thethriftyfawn]

5 years later, I hope Nike Noah has made a full recovery from his injuries! I remember this typewriter from the video called "The One" and it is absolutely beautiful. Hope you've had lots of opportunities to use it since that video came out! 😊

[@AtelierDBurgoyne]

Hi Joe, It so nice to see this video again. We see your joy at finding this. Daniel

[@rosemarywaldie4958]

I’m picking up mine tomorrow !

[@bonnieknappgill8062]

Well who knew?? I thought maybe I was a little nutty when it comes to LOVING to type. Old fashioned style, I love hearing the key strokes!! Anyway, one of my granddaughters sent me a picture of a type writer she found at a Merchants Center, she was upset (age 12) that her father wouldn't let her buy this old typewriter she found!! I told her I'd try to find it and get it. Well I did, and I'm in love with it. I'm in the process of cleaning it up, and I'm afraid I'm not going to give it to her after all my hard work!! AAAACK!! What to do?? I applaud your video, this is the exact machine I bought, mine also had the eraser junk and who know's what, inside on top of the keys. Pretty nasty looking, but I figured for the price I'd just grab it and it's case and haul it home. That was three months ago. I finally opened up the case, fixed the 2' of ribbon that was everywhere, put in a piece of paper and plugged it in. Not only does it work, the ink isn't even dried out!!! To find this video of you going on and on about this awesome machine!!! I was trying to find a cleaning/repairing manual, but you're the best thing I've ever found, beats trying to read a manual. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I can't wait to watch it over and over and learn more about my find. BTW I paid $3 for mine. I'll try to post some pics of before and after, thank you ever so much for the information especially regarding cleaning up this beaury, yours is in way better shape!! And I was just going to say that I always wanted a T-Bird in the aqua-ish color, well I guess this is my T-Bird, without four wheels! (you were just mentioning Fred Mertz when I started typing about the car thing!!) Kudos to your videos!!

[@Zu_Einfach]

Hey man, I absolutely love your videos! I am looking at getting a typewriter for myself some time. Your videos are very educational and fun to watch. Keep up the great content! :)

[@douglasjackson9058]

I just got one today in the colors coffee and cream ;). Thanks for all your info on cleaning, disassembly etc. Very helpful as the outside is dirty and inside has Lords of white flakes. Despite that it works great. I did notice the motor gets pretty hot. Congrats on getting this machine. Going to be helpful on the days of arthritis flare ups :). God bless you and thanks again.

[@fletchflips1017]

Awesome video.....I just picked one of these up. Cool typewriter! I learned a lot from you crazy awesome video. Thanks!

[@tmunk]

Happy to hear Noah's doing better, also what a great pickup! Probably one of the best electrics around other than the Selectric. (:

[@charles_xcx]

Best in my opinion is IBM Executive Series B electric... best compromise between manual and Selectric. I have one that my grandpa bought in the 60s and I broke it when I was young. I plan on getting it repaired soon

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Hi Joe, I may have a tip for you... Instead of using the powerful rush of the mechanically compressed air? Try a hand powered, old fashioned "bellows" with a narrow tip instead. It'll probably do the job without the risk of dislodging any loose parts or key tops.

[@josethedestroyer8296]

I have that same type writer

[@paulnixonvo]

Joe: I'll buy this one from you if you ever decide to let it go. If I had found this at the Antique Specialty Mall, I would have snapped it away from you!

[@bonnieknappgill8062]

Also I know it's been a few years, but after hearing of your Grandson's plight, I was happy to hear he's doing better, and I'm hoping by now he's back to being healthy and happy!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Thank you Bonnie, he’s doing well.

[@JamesSmith-od7po]

Go glad to hear about Noah. Really pleased. Very nice machine in bluetac blue. The blue ink is very essential to the machine I think. I have loads of old documents written on very old typewriters in capital letters and in blue. They look great

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

Wonderful typewriter. I am electrified with this machine. Write machine? You have a very good taste. When did you begin to like typewriters? I ❤ them. The portable only.

[@SwarthyPlinker]

Great find -- looks like a nice machine.

[@mattcwatkins]

The rabbit hole deepens..... I just spotted one of these 150 miles away on FB Marketplace, drove over, and picked it up! Original owner (said she was a young teen that got it new), same color as yours, but mine has a white "Electric" logo. 5TE141616. If I read TWDB correctly, it puts it as one of the earlier 1958 models. Several sticky keys and slugs, needs a ribbon, and a bit grungy, but everything works. I'll be watching your videos on clean-up more closely and looking forward to doing some light maintenance.

[@rodneyhamilton1869]

I dismantled mine to clean and I am having difficulty reattaching the plate at the back that is labelled SMITH CORONA It looks like there are tabs and springs which are used but I'm having trouble determining which goes where. I have this model in the green, a desert tan and a beige rebadged as a Sears Tower machine. They are great . I've also got the equivalent machine in the manual version for both my Smith Coronas.

[@8308776]

I have one of these.... I love them..")

[@altongansky]

First, great news about your grandson. Long journey ahead, I'm sure, but it sounds like he's making progress. Keeping him and family in prayer. Great job on this video, Joe. Some consider this typer the beginning of the end for portable manuals. Even so, it's a beautiful machine and well presented. This is what they call an electric assist typewriter, true? Manual return, electric keys.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Thank you for your thoughts regarding Noah. He should be getting out of the hospital in the next few days. Yes, manual return, electric keys. Looking back on the history of typewriters, I see a valid use case for non-electric portables as a truly mobile writing device. But in the technologically naive days of the late 1950s and early 1960s, when it looked as if everyone would be in flying cars and vacationing on the moon, and we had yet to look at the down side of technology; electricity was novel and exciting and environmental concerns were yet to be felt widely. And, of course, the largest market for typewriters was in the office, a fixed location.

[@toddpayne]

I just picked up one of these and am looking forward to cleaning it up. My holiday case is white, not brown. I've never seen a white holiday case before....

[@uomoartificiale]

very happy about your grandson. Time to give the guy one of your old cameras to document his recovery. :D

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Great idea.

[@phxxer]

I bought one of those new in 1958, but mine was Tan. I sold it about 5 years later so I could get a Galaxy with power carriage return and back space. I sort of recall the belt being either square, running like a v-belt, or maybe a v-belt. They do produce beautiful, even copy. When I had my SM flat top tuned up, the technician wanted to show me the simiarites between the latest models and the flat top. Deep down they are very similar.

[@vincentaurelius2390]

Just a quick question. I picked up one of these in need of repair. The entire left half of the keyboard works perfectly but the right type bars from 8, I, K, M are very stiff and barely make it to the platen, some not moving at all. The ones that do move have to be pushed back down. Could this be a faulty belt? Thanks. Love your videos.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Most likely the slots in the segment need to be degreased and cleaned. These belt-driven electrics are more tolerant of greased-up linkages than manuals, but eventually they need to be cleaned. I'd recommend starting with 91% isopropyl alcohol, squirted into the slots of the segment, then the keys worked (with the machine plugged in & running), then blow out the residue using an air compressor, onto a towel placed under the machine. Repeat. If the linkages are still gunked up, then start using lacquer thinner the same way, applied via a plastic squeeze bottle. Do this out doors or in a well-ventilated area, away from open flame, and beware that alcohol and lacquer thinner droplets can discolor the paint and other plastic surfaces, so cover them well.

[@vincentaurelius2390]

@@Joe_VanCleave Thank you for the reply. I was worried about getting the electronics wet but I will give this a try. It would be great if it only needs to be degreased! And thanks again for all of the in-depth, insightful videos, I’ve watched so many of them and even bought a few of the models you’ve profiled including this one. My first was the Corona “piano” Standard, still my favorite.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@vincentaurelius2390 No electronics, just a motor and two switches. Use common sense, keep the liquids in the segment area, don't get too sloppy.

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Very glad to hear the good news about Noah.

[@StevenWayneJones]

I bought a smith corona electric today that needs some cleaning, the keys are not firing. Are you interested? I paid $15 but want to probably get $40 for it sold as is. I was going to try and get it working and sell it for more, but I really don't have the time to learn how to service one of these. If not, no worries, thanks for your video, it was very informative.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Perhaps broken belts? I'm not interested in buying it, but good luck!

[@StevenWayneJones]

@@Joe_VanCleave yeah that’s probably it, thanks!

[@KurisuYamato]

It looks like an absolute beauty! Between the very modern keyboard layout and the fact it uses standard ribbon, it looks like it would be a near perfect machine for me! I'm really hoping to find a good electric that uses normal ribbons, and there are some great machines here in Memphis that, sadly, have broken belts, which you of course focus on at the end of the video. The electrics I do have are in good shape - well, I should be correct and say the one "electric" I have, a 70's SCM Coronet 12 which uses that crazy cartridge that SCM switched to for their electrics later on - I have a nylon ribbon as well as the carbon ribbon that came with it, but no idea how long the nylon one will last (does it infinitely loop or.. what? I really have no idea!) so I would really love to eventually get an electric that, again, uses a perfectly normal ribbon vs a cartridge - indeed, all my "electronic" machines naturally use those cartridges and carbon ribbon. Ah, that was quite a rant wasn't it? I'll add in this much - you and I both certainly have an appreciation of the design of these machines matching cars and the like of the era. 50's machines do have a very snazzy look about them that's almost like an inverse of the 30's ones, if that makes sense. Ah, and lastly, great to hear your grandson is doing better. I may be new to following your videos, and may be a little shy on commenting (until recently) but it was quite a shock to hear about the accident and, again, I'm so happy to hear things are going well. Certainly made me smile to hear the good news! Take care!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Thank you!

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

🙏

[@88Kelevra88]

Hello sir, I am one of yours follower from Sicily. I have one of this machine but I have a problem: when the type is on the motor turn on olso and the belt run. But, when I click a letter there is no electric support. Nothing happen unless I trongly posh the letter but is a mechanical event. Why? What I have to fix?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

There are two drive belts that connect from the motor to the drive spindle. One or both could be worn or broken. Here in the States I've used rubber o-rings used in portable water filters, available at hardware stores, as a replacement.

[@88Kelevra88]

@@Joe_VanCleave thank you for your answere. After my question I decided to open the machine and see below the skin. As you say, one belt is melted and the other one is more large, not elastic anymore. If I will find the substitute I WILL HAVE A FUNCTIONAL TYPEWRITER! I have just done a check and the mechanical parts are ok 👌..

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

The 🌎 ❤ Sicily.

[@FrankC76]

This was a very interesting and thorough review. I just picked up a tan version of this machine myself and I’m having some fun with it. I’d like to pin the year down (these were made from 58-62) but I can’t fit the life of me find the serial number. It’s not in the usual spot under the lid on the left as the 5 series manual. Can you help me out there?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

On my machine the serial number is stamped on the vertical bracket just to the right of the right ribbon spool, I can see it by opening the ribbon cover and looking at the right side.

[@FrankC76]

Joe Van Cleave ah yes I see. How did I miss that!

[@kaylapatek8421]

Please reply!!! I have this same one I got a week ago. All I need to do is change the ribbon but what size spool do I need???

[@Joe_VanCleave]

A standard 1/2" cloth ribbon in the universal sized spools. Just search Amazon for Smith-Corona typewriter ribbon, any of the standard 2" spools should work.

[@GonzoSmith]

Hey Joe. What kind of belts did you use on these? I found on that turns on but it does nothing. Seller does not know anything about typewriters. Assuming it would be the belts before I pick it up?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I think I used black rubber o-rings from the hardware store, the 1/8” diameter thickness, about 4” diameter. Also, check out this link: typewriter.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?pid=31267#p31267