The Corona 3 folding portable was one of the most successful machines in typewriter history, with more than 600,000 machines built and sold over a period of almost 30 years. This wonderful specimen has aged well and even has a serviceable case. The only major problems we are working to solve is it occasionally skips and the ribbon reverse is not working. I wanted to try replacement rubber feed from Steve Dade in California, so this customer … [Read more...]

This HEAVY National Cash Register is a mechanical wonder. It came in for general service, oiling and adjustment. It is too large for either of our workbenches so we put it on a four-wheel dolly so we can get at everything. It will be like a kid again, playing on the floor with my toys!   And a first look inside: … [Read more...]

There are few things that destroy typewriters ability to function; rust and a split platen. This beautiful black beauty, amongst other technical difficulties, came with a platen split all the way down its length. We are fortunate that there is still one (yes, only one) company in the US that recovers platens and feed rollers, J.J. Short. We sent the platen to J.J. Short located in Macedon NY and it came back in factory perfect condition. Now we … [Read more...]

This Royal KMM 12, serial number 3658086, is a dusty little wonder and has many keys sticking or totally frozen in place. It looks like there was some water infiltration on the left side. We’ll start with a good cleaning, remove the platen to check rollers and go from there. I had a wonderful Valentines day with Mr. Montgomery and this KMM. After a good inspection the 4, 5, E, D, and X keys are completely frozen. It looks like something was … [Read more...]

This nice Underwood example, serial number S11-688989, came into the shop in October, and with the work backlog we finally got some quality time with it. This beauty had been sitting in a garage for decades and it showed. Mold on the platen, saw dust everywhere; as I was cleaning it popcorn kernels fell out! I’m becoming quite enamored with the patina tobacco stains engrain into the typewriter. The golden brown just flows off. The machine had … [Read more...]

I like taking in a typewriter where a machine has some problems. This one came in and the nice person said the space bar wasn't working quite right. Well... it was pretty apparent the typewriter had been dropped and the front of the aluminum frame was impinging on the space bar. This is not a fun one to contemplate as aluminum has a tendency to crack if stressed more than a couple of times. Mr. Montgomery and I came up with a game plan to slowly … [Read more...]

Many of you stopping by the shop ask if there are typewriters we sell. You bet, and your enthusiasm has depleted our stock! We are always on the look out for fine examples we can restore and sell. This weekend I scored some potential beauties so stay tuned as we work our magic. … [Read more...]

This fine example of a Royal Deluxe portable has traveled the world. Other than some paper feed problems it needs a general tune up and oiling. Typical of portables (with a case) that have been in storage there is a little bit of mildew. The Deluxe portable came out at the same time as the Touch Control portable of 1936, with even more fancy features: the Deluxe model includes all features of the Touch Control model plus touch-set tabulator, … [Read more...]