thetypewriterman wrote:

As a quick and cheap fix, a typewriter mechanic swopped the whole typebar from a similar 'parts' machine without re-soldering the typeface to match the others.

Sir, that answer is worthy of Sherlock Holmes, when he triumphantly explains to the bumbling Lestrade (played by me) that there was a possibility he overlooked! The typebar was manufactured in the Royal factory, but it did not leave the factory attached to this machine! So, my dear Lestrade, the factory is innocent of manufacturing this defect (fair Victorian lady is overcome with emotion at being cleared of the dastardly crime, and comforted by Dr. Watson).

I also had a theory that cleared Royal of shipping this: defect was caught on final inspection and was supposed to be destroyed (don't ask why they would not repair it then), and somebody had even begun removing the serial number (never mind we agreed that was bad impression + flaking paint), when somebody said "Hey! My kid would love to have that".

For what it's worth, appearance of grime, discoloration and rust spots seems to match keybars around it perfectly, but I guess that just may mean the keybar has been there since somebody did a thorough cleaning.

Uwe - I am thoroughly chastized. The only point I will defend is that I never suggested that any digits on the end were altered to make the number shorter or longer - it's clear from the photo I was talking about two digits in the middle which looked like they were effaced - though maybe not intentionally.

I shall certainly do some research on type allignment. Do you recommend any particular reference?

Last edited by Repartee (18-10-2015 17:03:10)

The soldered joint between the typeface (type slug in US parlance) and the typebar has probably weakened.  You wouldn't have been able to do what you did if it was still 'solid'.  Keep an eye on your 'Y'  in case it lets go completely.  Don't lose it if it flies off !

This is a kind of typewriter repair I HATE to have to do, and I'm not too good at it either.  If it is really a bad issue, I would simply replace the type bar if I had a spare parts machine.  Sometimes I would replace the whole set of type bars.  In fact, I took a 1958 elite type Underwood Golden Touch and turned it into a pica type.  Oh, there were quite a few other parts I had to replace to do this, but I was pretty successful, and I even sold the machine.  But bending and soldering type bars--I'll bend one, though I hate doing that.  But I'll pull one and replace it long before I attempt soldering it.  Lately, I just leave the imperfection alone.  I've even thought of taking one of my worst printing typewriters and going out to type letters and things for people with it.  Crooked print has a certain character and charm to it.