Hi Defect X11

This is the electric typewriter section of a typewriter discussion forum so I feel your post is right at home here. As far as Selectric repair shops go, I took an IBM Selectric 82 into Brentwood Business Systems in Calgary here in Alberta. BBS has been in business since 1981 so I would guess they are well versed with the Selectric. The unit I took in was really gummed up in the keyboard area.

When I dropped the unit off, I counted at least 12 other Selectrics in the repair shop. I just got a phone call saying the repair bill will be around the $120.00 mark. As I only paid $20.00 at a fund raising yard sale, I figure it's worth it. Besides, getting this unit up and running is a late Christmas present for my wife. I'll let you know how the service job turned out after we collect the machine on Feb 10th. All the best,

Sky

Hi Beak

Yes, it's been a while since I've been here, been pretty tied up looking after an injured wife. Broken ankles take a long time to mend. Anyhow, I realize I have an unfair advantage over many as I have a fully equipped mechanic's shop with a 6 hp, twin cylinder 60 gallon air compressor in the corner plumbed into half a dozen quick coupler air fittings around the shop.

Anyhow, in answer to your question, one option is to pick up a portable air tank at an automotive type store. In the US and Canada, that would be Autozone or NAPA, in England it would probably be Halfords or the like. Google says you have Supercheap Auto over there. You can then fill the tank at most petrol stations. Another option is to pick up a small portable air compressor (looks like one is on special for around $200.00). Once you have one, you'll be surprised how many uses you'll end up finding for it.

The other thing I recommend is a pressure regulator, never hit a typewriter with more than 40 psi as you may blow linkages off or keys to pieces. Once you have an air compressor, you may find a solvent gun to be a very useful accessory for actually washing out the inner workings of your units. Hope this gives you some ideas with which to work. All the best,

Sky

Hi Foli

Blank keys do not keep keychoppers away. A few years ago, there was a Royal QDL with all blank black keys on eBay USA. I tried to buy it but the seller would not ship to Canada. A couple of weeks later, she was trying to sell the set of chopped keys from that typewriter. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed. All the best,

Sky

Hi Uwe

After an evening of research on the net, Varn Super Rubber Rejuvenator seems to be an industry favorite for print shops etc. I've seen this product available on eBay (item # 260962395054) but I don't need a gallon of the stuff and getting it shipped up here to Canada would be a real kicker.

That being said though, my wife does have friends in Montana who are happy to receive items and hold them till she goes down for a visit. If I knew that enough other typists were interested in this product, I might look at getting a gallon and divvying it up into say 4 oz or 8 oz containers for redistribution. Any thoughts and ideas are more than welcome. All the best,

Sky

Greetings and Salutations

Call me Skywatcher as I love watching anything that flies in the sky, airplanes, kites, birds, skydivers and boomerangs to name a few. Living here on the Prairies of Southern Alberta, Canada, there's lots of sky to watch.

By trade I'm a journeyman heavy duty mechanic but have gone independent as a small engine specialist so have my own shop which comes in very useful when I want to service and repair my typewriters.

My main interest in typewriters seems to have gravitated to the portables and the travel typewriters, Skyriters, Rockets, Empire Aristocrats (licensed copy of the Hermes Rocket). For functionality, I find the 1950's Smith-Corona portables (Clipper, Sterling and Silent) to have the nicest overall feel.

My modest collection includes the usual North American brands (Royals, Underwoods , Remingtons etc.) and a few European models, Hermes, Olivetti, B.T. Empire Aristocrat, a Speedwriter (re-branded Consul 1511) and a 1935 Imperial Good Companion in near mint condition that I brought back from England in 2011.

As a mechanic, I find the internal workings of these machines interesting so enjoy servicing and tuning the machines almost as much as using them. If you ever have a mechanical or technical question on a typewriter and I have the same unit, I can usually come up with an answer. Sometimes it might take a day or four, but I can usually figure something out for you. Or, if you just want someone to type a letter to, I'll type one back to you.

Well, I'm going to stop talking and let some of our other friends introduce themselves. All the very best,

Sky