1 of 1- alexanderdavidperazzo
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1940 Royal KMM Carriage Strap Broken
Hello, I am new to typewriters. I recently received a 1940 Royal KMM manual typewriter (Serial number: KMM-3674062). It has been sitting for a few decades and needs a little bit of TLC. One problem is that, the carriage return strap is detached from the carriage and I do not know where to reattach it. The strap is a woven belt about a quarter inch wide and looks original. It is attached to the rotary spring and has a little metal eyelet on the loose end. I need a picture or diagram explaining how to fix the problem. The mechanisms aren’t harmed in any other way besides being gummed up with grease that has been sitting for many years. I have heard that isopropyl alcohol will dissolve all of the grease and evaporate very quickly. I know the carriage must move freely before the spring and strapwill function correctly. Any help will be appreciated.Thanks,Alex Perazzo
Pics:
[img]blob:https%3A//drive.google.com/c250a0e6-e002-436f-b050-b5d7e57d5774[/img]
- TypewriterGuy
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Re: 1940 Royal KMM Carriage Strap Broken
First, I would recommend spraying degreaser into the spring mechanism to loosen that grease up, or you can use the alcohol. Both work great.
If you NEED the diagram, I can try and make you one, but for now, try and follow these directions.
To attach the draw band, attach the loose end to the carriage first, just look in a straight line from the spring drum towards the right of the carriage, you should see a hook. Then, disconnect the part of the band from the spring, and (From the from of the machine) turn the spring clockwise, about 3-4 turns, and on the final turn, you will see a small indent/hole in the spring casing. Attach one end of the draw band to it. After that, its all done! I also recommend getting a Q Tip, and dipping it in the alcohol or degreaser, and cleaning the carriage rails.
Good luck, and I hope you can get that working! The KMMs are WONDERFUL machines!
Back from a long break.
Starting fresh with my favorite typer. A Royal Futura!
- alexanderdavidperazzo
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Re: 1940 Royal KMM Carriage Strap Broken
Thanks TypewriterGuy,
We managed to free up the carriage so it slides super smooth and we followed your directions to attach the draw band. After loading up the spring to three clockwise turns, we attached the band to the drum, however there is still slack in the band. The drum or rotary spring that the band rides on has a ratcheting feature that only allows it rotate clockwise. So even though it has spring tension, the ratchet won't allow it to pull the draw band tight.
I'm sure I'm overlooking something simple, but I'm not sure how it is supposed to work. Thank you for getting us this far. We found the hook on the carriage that the band attaches to which was exciting and cleaned up several moving parts.
Thanks,
Alex
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Thread Starter- SoucekFan
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Re: 1940 Royal KMM Carriage Strap Broken
There are a couple of places online that have the repair instructions for the
Royal KMM, You can find them here:
and
(bottom of the page: Ames Typewriter Mechanical Training Manual, 1945, vol. 1, for Remington, Underwood carriage-shift, Royal, L.C. Smith, and Woodstock standard typewriters, by Clarence LeRoy Jones)
Some of the repairs in those books can get quite complicated, but they cover a lot with great detail.
- TypewriterGuy
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Re: 1940 Royal KMM Carriage Strap Broken
If I can understand correctly, theres still not enough tension? Can the carriage move from one side from the other, say using the space bar or tabulator, freely?
If it can't, then you can either use the ratchet or unhooking the mainspring and winding it another turn.
3 winds is a general rule of thumb for me, and if its not enough, I wind it more. You just don't want to have an overpowered mainspring.
Back from a long break.
Starting fresh with my favorite typer. A Royal Futura!
- TypewriterGuy
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Re: 1940 Royal KMM Carriage Strap Broken
Wait a minute, you are winding clockwise from the back of the machine right?
If you aren't, unconnect the draw band (Again!), and wind the mainspring clockwise from the back of the machine.
Back from a long break.
Starting fresh with my favorite typer. A Royal Futura!
- treefaller
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Re: 1940 Royal KMM Carriage Strap Broken
On a KMM you tighten the spring by turning the worm screw (with a flat blade screwdriver) that is easily accessible under the left rear cover. In fact, you don't even need to take the cover off, it's visible through the little cut-out in the edge of the cover. If it won't turn easily then apply a few drops of gun oil to the worm screw threads and to the bearing point of the worm screw. I believe you turn the screw counter-clockwise to tighten the spring.
Bangin' around, this dirty old town, typin' for nickels and dimes...
- SoucekFan
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Re: 1940 Royal KMM Carriage Strap Broken
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Treefaller is correct. I had to adjust this on my machine recently. Here is the diagram with the screw circled.
- SoucekFan
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Re: 1940 Royal KMM Carriage Strap Broken
It is the big one in the center (Main Spring Adjuster.)
