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23-1-2020 21:28:20  #1


Everest Mod 90 shift keys misbehaving

I've had a partial thread under "Portable Typewriters" Everest mod 90  but I've been advised that it really belongs here.  I'll post more details and images later when I can figure out how to post an image on this thread.  It worked on the old thread but somehow I've lost my touch.

This Everest is in good condition except the shift keys were frozen when I bought it.  They worked their way out with the judicious use of WD40 and appear to be working properly.  However when I press down the shift key and type HHH, it appears properly as type.  When I don't press the shift key the lower case "h" appears elevated in the same position as a superscript would appear and only the bottom portion of the "h" is visible.

My other thought was that maybe there's a key to adjust the roller mechanism to allow for a red/black selection that is wonky (sorry for the technical terms).  I only have a black ribbon for this machine at present so can't test for that.

One thing that is suspicious is both shift keys (on both sides) on my Everest sit about a half inch lower than the lower row of "zxcv..." keys.  In the picture on the first entry to the Everest mod 90 thread shows the shift keys at an even height with the lower row of letter keys.   Hmmmmm.

Any suggestions as to what might be happening here or better yet how to fix this would be gratefully appreciated.

Stan in Ladysmith BC, on Vancouver island.

 

23-1-2020 21:32:36  #2


Re: Everest Mod 90 shift keys misbehaving

Here's a picture of the normal setting of the shift key on my Everest mod 90.  They should be even with the bottom row of letter keys.



 

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23-1-2020 23:11:55  #3


Re: Everest Mod 90 shift keys misbehaving

Hi Stan

Although WD-40 is toted to be the fix-all for anything stuck, it never was intended to be a lubricant and dries to a sticky film that gums up everything. I would advise using some brake cleaner available from Napa or Bumper to Bumper to wash the WD-40 out, The cleaner/lubricant I like is Seafoam's Deep Creep which is a combination of light oil, naphtha and isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol removes moisture, the naphtha loosens and removes most dirt. These two then evaporate leaving a thin film of light oil to lubricate the moving parts.

Now, onto the typewriter. As I am not familiar with the Everest models, is this a carriage shift or a basket shift? If a basket shift, do the springs still have adequate pull to lift the basket back into lower case position? Also check for any chunks of dirt or debris that may be caught  in the mechanism. Hope this starts to point you in the right direction,

Sky

PS. We used to drive through Ladysmith on our way down to Duncan to visit my wife's grandparents, loved visiting Chemainus too.


We humans go through many computers in our lives, but in their lives, typewriters go through many of us.
In that way, they’re like violins, like ancestral swords. So I use mine with honor and treat them with respect.
I try to leave them in better condition than I met them. I am not their first user, nor will I be their last.
Frederic S. Durbin. (Typewriter mania and the modern writer)
 

24-1-2020 11:53:40  #4


Re: Everest Mod 90 shift keys misbehaving

Thanks for the reply Sky.  I love the seafoam products, and will certainly get some of the deep creep next time I'm in Canadian Tire.
I believe it's a carriage shift as when I depress the shift key the entire roller assembly rises.
Stan

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24-1-2020 15:51:45  #5


Re: Everest Mod 90 shift keys misbehaving

Hi Again Stan

This gives us a little more to work with. The carriage is shifting properly into upper case position as evidenced by the HHH being properly on-feet to use Smith-Corona's term, but the shift mechanism is definitely off motion. Take a close look at the SHIFT-LOCK key and catch. Press and hold the left SHIFT key down, then see if the SHIFT-LOCK key will lift up.

You may need to examine the shift-lock mechanism from the underside of the machine to get a better idea of how it's supposed to work and if it is working properly. Your problem may be being caused by one or more issues compounding upon each other. Closely examine all linkages and pivot points and see if you can find the upper and lower shift-stop adjusting screws, primarily to check for debris caught between a shift-stop and the carriage.

Generally speaking, shift stops don't go out of adjustment by themselves as most are secured with a lock nut. If however, someone has already been in there monkeying with things (which is entirely possible as this is a 69 year old machine), stops may need to be adjusted. Let us know what you find and we'll go from there. All the best,

Sky


We humans go through many computers in our lives, but in their lives, typewriters go through many of us.
In that way, they’re like violins, like ancestral swords. So I use mine with honor and treat them with respect.
I try to leave them in better condition than I met them. I am not their first user, nor will I be their last.
Frederic S. Durbin. (Typewriter mania and the modern writer)
 

24-1-2020 17:20:12  #6


Re: Everest Mod 90 shift keys misbehaving

Bingo. My recent Remington Rand Deluxe number 5 had the same issue.  If I held the shift key down, the lc and uc letters lined up.  However, if I used the shift lock key, the uc letters were WAY off.  Found the simple adjustment for the shift lock right beneath it and once adjusted, it is near perfect now.

 

24-1-2020 23:51:06  #7


Re: Everest Mod 90 shift keys misbehaving

Yes the shift lock key does catch and act properly.
BUT
When I turn the machine upside down, resting on a firm pillow, and press down on the back portion of the inner workings, the carriage moves about a half inch and the shift keys line up with the bottom row of letter keys as they should..  What is preventing the carriage from maintaining it's proper height, appears to be one flat brass spring (?) on each side.  This flat brass spring (?) doesn't appear to be in the proper position as it's bending at the top.  Very strange.  Below is a picture of the offending part if I can get Imagur to cooperate.

     Thread Starter
 

25-1-2020 00:09:09  #8


Re: Everest Mod 90 shift keys misbehaving

Hi Again

If I had the machine in front of me, I may be able to figure out the purpose of these brass strips. Here's where we need someone who is familiar with the Everest line of portable typewriters to chime in with some model specific technical information on what these parts are supposed to do. The first person who comes to mind is Tom The Typewriter Man from Luton, England. Tom has been working on typewriters since the 1970's, so knows what he's talking about. All the best,

Sky


We humans go through many computers in our lives, but in their lives, typewriters go through many of us.
In that way, they’re like violins, like ancestral swords. So I use mine with honor and treat them with respect.
I try to leave them in better condition than I met them. I am not their first user, nor will I be their last.
Frederic S. Durbin. (Typewriter mania and the modern writer)
 

25-1-2020 03:31:45  #9


Re: Everest Mod 90 shift keys misbehaving

The 'brass spring' is in fact spring steel.  The carriage is detachable on these models and those spring clips hold it in place.  Try removing and refitting the whole carriage by releasing the clips and pulling the carriage upwards.

 

27-1-2020 12:31:15  #10


Re: Everest Mod 90 shift keys misbehaving

Thank you typewriterman.  I took your advice and simply lifted up on the carriage, without loosening or removing any screws.  Lo and behold it lifted right off, easy as you please?  I then undertook a cleaning binge on the whole interior previously unreachable.  Then fitted it carefully back down into place.  No luck.  It still types only in upper case, normally "on the line", when the shift key is depressed in superscript mode.  I gather that means the carriage is "sitting high" incorrectly.
I'll post a couple of pics, one with a question attached.
Stan





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