It is funny how typewriters seem to come into the shop in groups. Apparently, this is IBM Selectric typewriter month. We have so many Selectrics lined up for service and repair!
Many have deteriorated drive belts and cracked cycle clutch main gears. Also, the main electric drive motor, the drive clutch and main power switch all need to be pulled apart and serviced. We see a lot of plastic fatigue, with plastic items falling apart. We charge $55/hour and we often need 12 to 15 labor hours to get these running. That is $660 to $825 just in labor!
Pretty much every Selectric needs a good degrease. So much old oil and GREASE. Who told those technicians to glob on the grease!? Enquiring minds want to know. Decades later I’m exclaiming to the empty air above my work bench “Just stop it with all the grease!”
You see the images of Selectrics often on my bench. Trying to get things freed up so the machine runs again.
You will also see me drooling over Phoenix Typewriter instructional videos. I tell you, Duane Jensen has saved typewriter enthusiasts sooo much by publishing these on Youtube. On that, we are all sad Duane recently passed to the great typewriter shop in the sky.