Clean thoroughly, then reassess. A lot of problems are caused by a combination of dirt, metal oxidation, and congealed oil. Use mineral spirits (Varsol) and cotton swabs to properly clean the moving metal parts. Some parts will need to be oiled once you're done (search this forum for "dunk clean" for a list of parts that need oil). NEVER oil the segment. I recommend sewing machine oil (available practically everywhere - check sewing machine stores).

​Serial number makes it a 1956 model. Here's a manual for it.

​The machine uses standard 13 mm ribbon. If you want to order online there are many places you can get it. I have no idea where in Canada you are, but if you're near or in a large urban center then your local Staples might have it in stock, and if they don't then you can order it online for pickup from the nearest store. Should cost around $9.50. If you live in a rural area then you will have to rely on buying it online and having it shipped.
 

Hi Trampled, you have bought a really wonderful typewriter. I have the same model, a year earlier, and it's a truly great little machine. Light and nimble. And I love the pegboard base! 

trampled wrote:

Good to know it's 13mm ribbon.  I wonder if this is the same as my Remington. 

Typewriter ribbon comes in a standard width, which is half an inch; the spool size is the bit that varies. With luck your little Halda will have come with its own metal spools, which you can wind the new ribbon onto. Ditto your Remington.

trampled wrote:

I gave it a bit of clean today and adjusted the mechanism that advances the carriage when a key is typed to make it more sensitive.

 

I'm a little confused here... What did you 'adjust'? The mechanism that advances the carriage when a key is typed is the escapement; it's a complex part, made of many little parts, and I can't think what bit of it could have been 'adjusted'. If your typewriter's been sitting somewhere for decades, the main and first thing every millimetre of it is going to need is cleaning - in particular, every joint along the type bars, and every part that moves. Use Q tips and white spirits and just go over everything thoroughly. In this ay you can get a real feel for how the whole machine works, and all its functions. (You can identify the bits that work each function by pressing the key while observing underneath, and watching what moves. You know about taking the bottom off, right? In this way you can get to the inside of the machine. 

There's a daisy wheel in the escapement that can get gunked-up teeth, and a toothed rail under the carriage that interacts with that, which can also get gunked up; these were the first two things that came to my mind when you said the carriage was stopping in the same place. Just make sure they're clean (you can tell when they're clean when the Q tip comes away not dirty). Also, clean the rails the carriage runs on - you'll see a massive improvement to how it moves along.

Bear in mind when you start cleaning that dissolving and displacing some of the dirt might make some things stick a little more before they get better. It's a tiered process! But you will be on the right track, and once it's really clean (with tiny amounts of oil only in the places where it will help) it will be amazing. Even cleaning old ink off the type heads can make a surprising improvement in typing action.

trampled wrote:

The paper support was crammed in the wrong way so I had to open the back door where the margin control is. The spring that locks it closed came off and I'm not sure how to reattach it without disassembling one side of the carriage.  Not something I'm keen on trying just yet.

I'd leave the spring till last, just put it somewhere safe. The key tools I use for reattaching springs are small straight tweezers, a very thin crochet hook of my grandmother's (she used it for making lace), and the torch on my phone. If you can find instructions or work out how to remove the body of the machine, I'm sure there will be another way  you can get to wherever it attached, without disassembling the carriage - which no one in their right mind would recommend... 

trampled wrote:

A couple of the keys still stick, so I might try the tiniest touch of oil. I have sewing machine oil, but I think I'll use spinning wheel oil as it's a bit lighter and the applicator is very fine and put less oil into tight spots.

Clean it first!! It's probably old oil that's making it stick. (Spinning wheel oil, though, sounds interesting... )

Anyway, congratulations on your Halda. One of my seriously favourite machines, and somehow different form all the others. 


 

Hi Trampled

​Now you have my curiosity going. What sort of machinery are you used to working on that requires oiling, then cleaning? My next question is your location in Canada? and finally, if you need some blue ½" (13mm) ribbon, PM me your address and I'll send you 10 metres. I bought a 1 km bulk roll of it a couple of years ago and still have lots left. Take care and all the best,

William

You're making me want to get my Halda out! And I'm interested in your sewing and textile tools... do you mean sewing machines? A close friend of mine is a textile conservator...

And no oil in the segment!