TypewriterMinutes - Typewriter Review and Restoration: 1957 Remington Quiet-Riter

[@Sadieat1]

This was so wonderful! Thank you so much for taking the time to record the process and make this video!

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Sadieat1 Thanks for watching. We're having fun making these videos.

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Toward the end of the video, I noticed a slight delay between the video and audio, so I sent the kids to bed without supper and told them it better not happen again! (Kidding)

[@tpaynemm]

REally appreciating these videos, I have one of these on order from Goodwill as well. I hope I can successfully remove the platen. I had thought that that would be too difficult a task for a novice, but I have hope now :)

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Good luck with the Goodwill machine. Maybe you’ll get lucky and it will be clean and fully functional.

[@tpaynemm]

HA. Just got one of these in to repair. The carriage lock was getting me and I couldn't figure it out. Glad you pointed that out in your video. I look back at my comment from 8 months ago and have to laugh too!

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Talan eight months and 500 machines later?

[@tpaynemm]

@@TypewriterMinutes too close to the truth for comfort

[@CrzyZeke]

These videos are great and it is very cool that you do them as a family. I write full time for a living and have been wanting to get a manual typewriter again. Then California Typewriters came out. I found a smoking deal on one of these bad boys and can't wait to put some of your tips to use when it gets here. Thanks for putting these together.

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Thanks for the kind note. I loved the California Typewriter movie so much at the theatre we bought a copy on iTunes. Did you get a Quiet-Riter? If so, it’s a great typer.

[@johntapp3311]

Well, different typewriters have different needs--even if there are two identical twins made the very same time. But, common to all typewriters is to make sure everything works before you buy it. Does it advance the paper properly? You may have flat rollers. Does the machine's carriage slide freely when the release and/or tab is released? Do all the type bars come up and down freely? Does the bell ring (gotta have that bell there)? What do the feet look like? Typewriters, like used cars, come in all kinds of conditions and need various degrees of maintenance and repair. All this is for is to look at a typewriter to see what it needs and what the price is versus what is present with it.

[@kellyeverett9158]

LOVE TYPEWRITER MINUTES!!!!!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Well done!

[@TypewriterJustice]

you guys are too much fun :)

[@colinsview]

Extremely helpful, I have one just like this with the insulation for the first time, have either of you ever heard of the insulation being hazardous with asbestos or anything else unwanted from the 50s? Thanks!

[@EstebanEgozcue]

Muchas gracias me enseñaron mucho.

[@heathprewitt5391]

I have recently acquired one of the quiet riters. I enjoy your videos they are very informative. I could not find one on how to remove the platen. If it's possible to direct me to search for it. Thank you so much.

[@PatrickDSimpson]

Super helpful! I'm watching a bunch of yours' (and others') videos to try to learn what products and chemicals to use to do some cleaning. Do you have any plans to talk more about cleaning tips?

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Thank you for watching. I haven’t considered a cleaning-tip video, but maybe some day. We’re several months behind on a video because we’ve been busy with other things. Here is a useful link for basic cleaning and restoration tips. site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-restoration.html

[@najophotographyetc]

Hello! I am so grateful to you both for doing videos on typewriters like this! I just got a 1957 in today and the carriage is not advancing when I type. I was able to repair a Royal like this by getting inside and resetting tabs. This Remington is not so easy to get into I see. What could be causing this? I checked the carriage lock and that is not it. Again, thank you.

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Good morning. That will be hard for me to diagnose remotely. If it’s not the carriage lock, is the draw band broken? That’s the little string that’s attached on one end to the mainspring underneath, and on the other end to the right side of the carriage.

[@Airbugg]

Question: I just got one of these and I cleaned it up. Its working fine.. However when I put new ribbon in, it seems like the black and red inks are mixing?? Do you know what the problem could be? Is it the ribbon? Or the type slugs?

[@lschn4]

I have been working on one of these typewriters for a while, it was drenched in oil at some stage. I want to remove the platen but the line spacing mechanism seems to fall apart (and me with it) whenever I try to do this. Is this what’s supposed to happen or should the line spacing mechanism stay in place? I’d value your advice.

[@Bob32328]

Review starts at: 6:48

[@deannayen8692]

I have a Remington Office Riter that looks very similar to the QuietRiter. I was able to replace the ribbon with the help of your video but it types with significant shadows with each letter. Any advice on fixing this? I don’t know anything about typewriters. I’m trying to find someone who can clean and fix this. Do you know of anyone Knoxville, TN or Charleston, SC? Thanks in advance!

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Sorry for the delayed reply. I haven’t been on youtube much lately. Try two sheets of paper to see if that helps the shadowing. Sometimes it can be typing technique and two sheets might help a bit. Also make sure to use quick snappy keystrokes and don’t hammer too hard. There is a guy in Nashville that works on machines. I don’t know his work personally but he’s on a Facebook collector group I’m on and he seems pretty knowledgeable. Is that too far?

[@deannayen8692]

TypewriterMinutes I actually found a guy in Columbia , SC I’m going to take my typewriter to. We travel often to Charleston so it’s right along the way.

[@yvesklein5414]

great video! very helpful. we don't need the music, however. it's distracting

[@TypewriterMinutes]

We like some music in the background but have turned down the volume on later videos. Thank you for watching.

[@pheminismisshit4571]

i live in India here Godrej typewriters were famous once including my family 😁, i need this suitcase typewriter imported let me know cost 🤗

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Thank you. That typewriter found its forever home a few years ago.

[@pheminismisshit4571]

@@TypewriterMinutes lovely but US has a great collection of typewriters until 2007. thats y planning to import one if i get sumone 🤗

[@danieldeary9344]

I have the same model and I got every thing to work and it really types well. It's quieter than my Smith coronas too. One issue that has mystified me. The lid will not stay open by itself...I know this is minor but it is a bit annoying. I have to prop it up with a tongue depressor. Am I missing something or was this the way it is supposed to be?

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Sorry for the delayed reply. I don’t have the machine any more to inspect further but my recollection is that the lid did not prop open securely and would easily fall shut.

[@todnewkom7537]

I just bought a Remington Rand like the one in the video for $7.00 at a garage sale. The bell doesn’t ring. How do I fix it?

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Hello, Tod. Hard to say without looking at the machine. Usually part of the right margin slider triggers a bell clapper as the carriage approaches the right margin. You’ll have to see if the bell and clapper are there, and if so, study whether the right-margin slider is triggering the clapper. It has been a while since I have worked on a Quiet-Riter and I don’t remember whether you’ll have to take body panels off to get access for your investigation. Sometimes all parts are there and the clapper, in its resting position, is touching the bell, which may make a “plink” but not a ding. If that’s the case, you’ll have to form/bend the clapper gently so the clapper is not touching the bell in the rest position.

[@kathyakrug]

where do you find missing lever covers for this typewriter? thanks for sharing the process!

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Good evening. Do you mean the little plastic green covers for the different switches (color selector for example)? I was lucky because this machine had them all when I bought it. For replacements you’ll have to find a parts machine or ask around for a spare. Facebook has a typewriter collector group where people ask for items like that frequently.

[@kathyakrug]

Yes, I just bought quiet riter and it's missing one ... thank you for responding!

[@Sadieat1]

Could you please tell me where you purchased your turntable from? Thank you.

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Sadieat1 I bought it on Amazon--it is a GS Tools 16" Extra-Large Lazy Susan Turnable Swivel Plate. It was about $18. I like it but would consider another brand if I were purchasing again because it doesn't spin as easily as I'd like it to. I think it's designed for larger, heavier objects like TVs. Thanks for watching!

[@Sadieat1]

Thank you!

[@finley624]

Hello, I have the same 1957 Remington Quiet-Riter. I need a bit of help with a part location. I took the right side knob and pin out for the platen removal, and I noticed a small flat metal washer on the table. I don't know if the washer goes between the platen and the carriage frame, or between the knob and the carriage frame. If you need a photo I have online. Any help is appreciated.

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Good evening. Just now saw your message. I no longer have the machine in the video but I have two more just like it, and (although I haven’t disassembled anything) it looks like each one has a washer between the inside of the frame and the outside of the metal platen core end. It is NOT between the outside of the frame and the platen knob. Hopefully that makes sense. If not let me know and I can email a picture.

[@finley624]

Thank you for your help, that's what I suspected but wasn't sure. It makes good sense. By the way, you seem to be able to do extensive, complicated repairs and adjustments to typewriters. How did you learn how to do that?

[@TypewriterMinutes]

I just started working on them one at a time to do my best to clean and repair them. I watched lots of Phoenix Typewriter videos on repairs, and I’ve read what I can from online sites and forums such as the Antique Typewriter Maintenance Group on Facebook. I’m fortunate to have a true pro who lives nearby and who helps me when I get stuck. This document is a helpful starter. site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-restoration.html

[@johntapp3311]

My guess is this washer goes between the platen and the carriage frame on the left hand side, where the line space mechanism is. I've put several of these together, and if I'm not horribly mistaken, this washer goes on just between the carriage advance pawl and the platen. It's a bit tricky to install, but eventually with a little trial and error, you can get that sucker back in there.

[@pph192]

I solemnly swear I'll be a subscriber if you guys help me fix this machine that I found ready to be thrown away. I believe it's the drawband that's broken but I have no idea how to fix it. :(

[@TypewriterMinutes]

Sorry but just now seeing your message. Phoenix Typewriter has some videos on replacing a draw band but I can’t find a video specific to the Remington Quiet-Riter. Here is a video on a different type of machine. Same principle but note that Smith Coronas are easier to work on because they are fairly open underneath. The Remington frame makes it harder for novices like me. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6XdoWNrndirlZo