beak wrote:

Corona Sterling from about 1940 arrived with slightly sticky keys.  OK, been there enough times, so started to flush out the segments as usual.  Things seemed fine, and we were typing well, but then next day they were stuck again, and stuck more firmly than before - and all of them now.  The only result further flushing of the segment has produced is to stick the keys yet more firmly every time, and now it is almost impossible to move them at all unless using force enough likely to break or bend something.
Have flushed with meths (denatured alcohol), turps, and proprietary de-greaser.
Any assistance appreciated.

I have experienced that same thing with Smith Coronas, you clean it and the next day it has dried and is stuck again.

here is my procedure. 
- drip in a few drops of lacquer thinner (do not get any on painted surfaces), let sit a minute.
- type the key madly
- drip in some more and then blow out with compressed air
- repeat
- Lube lightly with Nu-Trol 401B Control Cleaner, this is a very light lube spray.
 

 

....... and about that stapler with the blade. My first thought was why would anyone combine an office stapler with a weapon; then I realized that it is a letter opener. 

Love the red.

Picked up another Super Silent recently because I wanted a green one. Side by side comparison with the alpine blue shows they both use the same blue space bar.  

Here's a question for folks familiar with SC models. There is sometimes an odor particular to these machines, and it's different from a mildew or musty smell. It's something that I have only noticed on old SC machines. It's strong and foul and hard to get rid of. Seems I may have read somewhere that the grease may have contained formaldehyde? 



"Mr Mills, I'm ready for my closeup"