That's the thing with selectrics. There's simply too much to learn, and then there's the practice you need to even begin attempting certain things. But I agree with Lucas, try some deep cleaning first. Duane Jensen's videos are always a good starting point, check him out on YouTube - phoenix typewriters. After watching a few of his videos, and a lot of trial and error, I was able to get mine moving.

Brave or foolish? Stands to be seen!

lazydog wrote:

Bought a Selectric (I) from a retired guy two months ago, and I guess true to form it had not been turned on for a LONG time because it was his wife's to do invoices for their business, and so last week I kicked it on for maybe the fifth time and I get nothing. I understand that it is probably just old grease and gunk; the motor still hums, I can hear it. So I popped it open because how hard can it be and wow it is hard. I knew it was complicated but I was / am really empowered by my recent forays into manual refurbish and of course this is Vulcan chess comparatively. And apparently I don't even have the right tools to actually get in there and break it down and clean it up and lube it and put it back together even if I tried.

I don't have a question -- I know where the nearest real repair person is and will probably work on it with YouTube videos until I bollox it up real good and then take it to them. I guess just people think I am a little nuts for caring so much about old technology, and being sad about the expertise to keep them running dying without having been handed on to apprentices as much because there is no market, and it is really sad to see expertise die. Maybe I'd feel the same way about, say, scrimshaw making. But typewriters are different because they were such an important central part of the whole literary and business culture for so long and now they are just gone except for weirdos like us.

My go to typewriter is a Selectric III.  Once they are cleaned and lubricated with modern synthetic oil and grease, they will go forever.  I did replace the plastic hub in mine with an aluminum hub as the plastic hubs crack with age.  I bought the service manuals and by reading through and and many YouTube videos, I was able to teach myself how to work on these.  I have helped out dozens of Selectric owners in the last several years.  Feel free to reach out and I am willing ti help guide you.

robmck wrote:

Typewriterguru, I'm curious: why the Selectric III over the I/II? (or is it just the longevity that you mention?)

 

Just a personal preference because I like the Selectric III keyboard better.  The keys are shaped differently compared to the Selectric I/II keys.  Other than that, I like the Selectric II just as much which I also own.  The only reason I wouldn’t buy a Selectric I is the lack of the correction feature which again is a preference for me.