1 of 1- skywatcher
- Moderator
Offline - From: The Prairies of Alberta
- Registered: 14-3-2013
- Posts: 737
Smith-Corona Citation Ribbon Feed Issue
Greetings All
Was down at a local antique shop this afternoon, the owner knew that I dabble in typewriters so he asked me if I would take a look at an electric typewriter that was returned because it made a weird noise. I would guess the unit to be a mid 1970's to early 1980's, and it's a Smith-Corona Citation Cartridge 1, S/N 3LRK149024. This is a type bar unit with the side loading cartridge. I have narrowed the noise down to the ribbon advance not disengaging after a letter is struck.
From what I can tell, the ribbon is supposed to advance one detent wheel tooth per key strike but what it's doing is staying engaged and basically fast forwarding the ribbon for ½ to 2 seconds after each key strike. Any ideas as to what needs to be oiled or adjusted would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and all the best,
Sky
We humans go through many computers in our lives, but in their lives, typewriters go through many of us.
In that way, they’re like violins, like ancestral swords. So I use mine with honor and treat them with respect.
I try to leave them in better condition than I met them. I am not their first user, nor will I be their last.
Frederic S. Durbin. (Typewriter mania and the modern writer)
- TypewriterKing
- Inactive Account
Offline
- From: DeepInTheHeartO', Texas
- Registered: 17-2-2016
- Posts: 1,011
Re: Smith-Corona Citation Ribbon Feed Issue
There are 2 things you can do: The first is to take the top off. If the machine doesn't come on, there is a safety--usually outside of the keyboard area (either on the right side or the left, and it's spring loaded). Disable this feature by detaching this spring and turning the machine on. Press any key to catch its type bar from underneath. Draw the type bar close to the platen and observe what this does at the site of the detent. Chances are there is something disconnected or dirty. The second thing you can do is to find a junker someplace--there is NO shortage of smith-corona cartridge style machines. Believe me, I must have at least 8 or 9 of the things. You should be able to find one that will turn on and that has a working detent mechanism. Study what that one is doing that yours is not, and then make yours do what the junker is doing. There could be at least one of a dozen things causing the ribbon detent not to advance the ribbon. I hope this helped. Let me know what you find out.
Underwood--Speeds the World's Bidness
