Like other repair shops I too re-paint typewriters. One of my customers found a nice IBM Personal Typewriter Selectric at their local typewriter repair shop in California. Wanting a fresh looking machine they proposed I paint the shell. I'm no professional painter, yet I like to think I do a decent job with a rattle can spray job. I sent paint samples and one was selected. They shipped the shell and I got to work. Off come … [Read more...]

This Continental Wanderer typewriter from the year 1930 is a customer's machine in for a new draw cord, a good cleaning and tune up. Once I got the mildew off the platen and rollers, and with everything cleaned and re-oiled the machine is a dream. As I was testing this Continental it became evident why people like them. It typed great! Darn, now I want one. … [Read more...]

These two Erika 5 portables were brought to the shop, and one of them for a bit of work. The 1935 model 5 is the pretty one, yet she has the most going on. Paper rollers were hard and cracked, needing replacement. The platen had stuck to the rollers so the platen needed a bit of reconditioning. Afterwards it was apparent the platen should be replaced. It is covered with micro cracks and is hard as a rockabilly song. Oddly, the … [Read more...]

This Hermes Rocket from the year 1955 was a donation needing a bit of repair; carriage, platen, paper rollers, feet, the usual. My first thought was "parts machine". Yet I have a fondness for the older Rockets and this little guy spoke to me. He wanted a second chance. After I was done getting the machine into tiptop shape I began to realize the paint on the typewriter was suffering from a lot of wear. I did not want this machine to just … [Read more...]

This customers machine from the year 1942 . . . WOW, what a dust bunny! Enjoy some before and after photos of the clean up. It took vacuuming, compressed air, a good long bath where the dirt and accumulated junk flowed down the drain. Then some rust removal, a good re-oiling, some minor adjustments to tabs, right hand margin, upper/lower case, recondition the platen and this dust bunny transformed into a clean mean typing … [Read more...]

I like the various permutations of Underwood Standard models. Take a look at this behemoth of a machine. You may imagine a grandiose contraption within. Yet, when you take off all the dressing you find the same model 5 frame and workings from decades past. Pretty amazing … [Read more...]

I received this vintage 1962 Royal Empress as part of a large typewriter collection. I'm so very grateful for all the machines that arrive at the shop. This Queen is the classic large format typewriter that commands any space it occupies. And boy this graceful lady does just that. I gaze at this Empress and enjoy the creamy color and the smooth and graceful lines. All it needed was a good cleaning, some insulation replaced and a … [Read more...]

It is always about the machines when you are in a repair shop, yes? Well, I'm not so sure the machines just sidle into the shop without a person supporting them. As you know, I love my customers and damned if they don’t love their typewriters. This week, one of my favorite typewriter collectors from Astoria brought a friend. And did I get a treat. Not only did he share one of the first folding typewriters (it looked as if it had been made in a … [Read more...]

Lately I've been inspired by Typewriter Fever's re-painted typewriters. Recently, someone on Facebook shared glitter painted typewriters! There are plenty of machines that are as regrettable as a margarita blender with no ice and yet type real nice. I tried tomato RED on a Smith-Corona and it turned out pretty good. I have IBM Selectric typewriters stacked like cord wood in the back shop and pulled out two to try the magic of new paint. With … [Read more...]

I got the trio of Brosettes all ready for pick up and this delightful Brosette typewriter from the year 1953 shows up for service. The machine itself needed the right side ribbon feed repaired. It is pretty straight forward to remove the ribbon feed assembly and repair. Then it was just some minor service. Mostly the typewriter case needed work. New rubber feet and a new leather handle. I could not find an escutcheon that was close to the … [Read more...]