1 - theoldman
- Platen Punisher
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- From: WINDSOR Ontario Canada
- Registered: 12-8-2015
- Posts: 85
New old Underwood Standard 5 Typewriter
Finally a project!
I have not been on this site for so long as I have not been able to find any typewriters that I wanted to work on. Today I picked up this 1921 Underwood Standard. It's far from perfect but not bad given its age. This picture is how I found it. I have not even wiped it down yet let alone done any work on it.
The one thing that stands out is it will need replacement feet. If anyone has a set or any other suggestions please let me know. The decals are in pretty good condition with the exception of the bottom front sticker. (I have seen many machines without that sticker and I have thought that indeed it might look better without it and simply left black. Something to consider).
$50. is what I paid. It could have been worse.
- thetypewriterman
- Key Master
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- From: Leiston, England
- Registered: 29-5-2013
- Posts: 919
Re: New old Underwood Standard 5 Typewriter
I hope that this doesn't sound too much like an advert, but I sell excellent reproduction Underwood feet on my website ; Airmail postage to Canada is no problem at all. At least one problem potentially solved !
- Bassoonbloke
- Platen Punisher
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- From: South East London. UK
- Registered: 15-4-2014
- Posts: 57
Re: New old Underwood Standard 5 Typewriter
Hi TheOldMan,
I picked up an Underwood 5 a while ago (paid for as a Birthday present by my Wonderful Wife Michelle) and I must admit that I really like it. Mine was made in 1913, so a bit earlier than yours, but basically exactly the same.
Mine was in pretty good condition (but not as good as yours), it had the Shift key spring missing and was very, very gunked up. Fortunately with lots of cleaning and Methylated Spirits it now works very well.
Interestingly, my Underwood has a Cork platen as opposed to the rubber on that yours has. I hadn't come across one of these before.
The feet on mine are a bit squashed, but ok. I might, however look into getting a new set at some time.
Good Luck with your Underwood.
Post us some more pictures as you get things sorted out.
Cheers,
Alan.
- Uwe
- Moderator
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,410
Re: New old Underwood Standard 5 Typewriter
theoldman wrote:
I picked up this 1921 Underwood Standard. It's far from perfect but not bad given its age.
Perfect is overrated. Clean it up, and get it in good working order, and just enjoy the hard-earned patina. And if you want replacement feet, you can certainly trust thetypewriterman to help you out.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- theoldman
- Platen Punisher
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- From: WINDSOR Ontario Canada
- Registered: 12-8-2015
- Posts: 85
Re: New old Underwood Standard 5 Typewriter
It's nice to have an excuse to be back on this forum with this excellent group of helpful people.
I do plan on getting some feet but there a strong possibility of a postal strike here in Canada so I'll wait just a bit.
I want to take my time on this one.
My first concern is that on another recent cleanup on a Underwood (I gave it to my daughter) after cleaning the exterior the frame became quite sticky. Upon drying hard brown areas developed and try as I may I could not remove it. I need to be careful about that on this one as I would like to keep it. My thoughts are this - and please comment if you disagree or have a better solution - it to this time around clean the frame first and then protect it with a good quality masking tape. Once it's protected then I can use the common shall we say harsher chemicals to clean interior parts.
I do not want to dismantle anything if possible this time. I am not skilled enough to reassemble without complications. Why take chances. Just do my best working around things.
I actually like this machine enough to take it to a professional and pay to have it done properly but regrettably there are none so I'm on my own.
- •
Thread Starter- Uwe
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
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Re: New old Underwood Standard 5 Typewriter
The paint on pre-'40s machines can be very delicate, and too harsh a cleaning solution can definitely cause irreversible damage.
Use mineral spirits (Varsol) and cotton swabs (Q-Tips) to clean all the interior mechanical components that aren't painted, and a very mild cleaner (soap and water even) for the exterior paint. Alternatively, you can use a cleaner/waxer product meant for car paint; it will remove dirt and leave a light wax to protect the old paint (Canadian Tire is a good source for this - I use Mother's Carnauba Cleaner Wax).
When cleaning the main painted areas work around the decals as any direct rubbing action may destroy them, and once the majority of the paint is clean you can dab the decals gently with a little cleaner to get the surface dirt off them.
Once everything is working properly and moving freely you can lightly oil the machine. Use sewing machine oil only, and only apply it in the locations detailed in the Dunk Cleaning post.
This is a fundamental, sound, and proven approach to cleaning a typewriter. I've cleaned hundreds of machines this way and have had great results; I can count on one hand the number of times that I've had to resort to other, harsher chemicals, so the rule of thumb is to start conservatively - and leave the masking tape in the drawer, you don't need it.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- theoldman
- Platen Punisher
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- From: WINDSOR Ontario Canada
- Registered: 12-8-2015
- Posts: 85
Re: New old Underwood Standard 5 Typewriter
Use mineral spirits (Varsol) and cotton swabs (Q-Tips) to clean all the interior mechanical components that aren't painted,
I'm surprised that Varsol is a chosen product. I usually use Denatured Alcohol.
But I came to this site for your expertise and experience and I certainly don't doubt your knowledge so Varsol it is. Thank You.
What do you think about tape on decals as an extra measure of protection during the cleaning process?
- •
Thread Starter- TypewriterKing
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- From: DeepInTheHeartO', Texas
- Registered: 17-2-2016
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Re: New old Underwood Standard 5 Typewriter
YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT! Peeling the tape off would take part or all of the deal with it.
Underwood--Speeds the World's Bidness
- TypewriterKing
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- From: DeepInTheHeartO', Texas
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Re: New old Underwood Standard 5 Typewriter
YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT! Peeling the tape off would take part or all of the deal with it.
I omitted a c in decal. But you don't want to tape over a decal. Just be extra careful in cleaning, and start by cleaning an an area that is least likely to be noticed.
Underwood--Speeds the World's Bidness
- theoldman
- Platen Punisher
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- From: WINDSOR Ontario Canada
- Registered: 12-8-2015
- Posts: 85
Re: New old Underwood Standard 5 Typewriter
YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT! Peeling the tape off would take part or all of the deal with it.
Thank you. This is why I asked first. Thank you and I won't.
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Thread Starter