1 of 1- stahlhelm_2016
- New Member
Offline - Registered: 09-12-2017
- Posts: 2
Remington Quiet-Writer Shift and Advance Problem
Hello All,
I'm new to the board and love the passion for typewriters here.
I recently acquired a Remington Quiet-Writer and could use some help resolving an issue I'm having with the shift key. I'll see if I can describe the problem and what I know from my inspection.
1. Only types in caps. There are lower-case letters so I know it SHOULD work.
2. The shift key linkage itself works fine, as in I can engage and disengage the shift-lock with no problem, however despite this, the letter mechanism does not drop down.
3. That led me to remove the rear cover. From what I see, and after removing a plate at the bottom, I can manually move the linkage, which causes the letter mechanism to move up and down.
4. From how I understand this to work, there is a bar that is engaged/disengaged to move a bar. This bar has a "u" shaped section on it that then engages another part directly connected to the letter mechanism. This has two roller ball type bearings on it. By moving the piece with the roller bars, the letter mechanism raises and lowers. What I don't know is should the roller balls ride between the "u" shaped shift-engaged bar. I don't see how I can force the roller balls between the "u" shape without breaking something.
Second problem:
1. When typing, the carriage does not advance. Other than that, it works great, including the margins, bell, slide, etc.
2. Tension on "wire" or sting looks good.
3. No stuck parts, broken pieces, etc.
I can post pics if someone needs me to.
Thanks for all your help.
- skywatcher
- Moderator
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- From: The Prairies of Alberta
- Registered: 14-3-2013
- Posts: 738
Re: Remington Quiet-Writer Shift and Advance Problem
Hi Stahlhelm
Let's look at the shift problem first. This is a basket shift machine and the upper case letters are above the lower case letters on the type bar slugs. This means the basket (letter mechanism) has to be in the upper position to type lower case and in the lower position to type upper case. If your machine is only typing upper case, the basket is already in the lower position and can't drop any further. The first thing I'd look for is the shift balance spring.
Set the machine on its back and look at the underside. You will see a frame plate with two round and one rectangular hole. Look at the center back edge of the rectangular hole and you should see a fairly strong spring hooked into a small hole and going up at a 45º angle to the center link of the basket lift linkage, is this spring there? Let us know what you find and we'll go from there. 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)
- stahlhelm_2016
- New Member
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- Registered: 09-12-2017
- Posts: 2
Re: Remington Quiet-Writer Shift and Advance Problem
Sky,
Thanks for the prompt reply.
Yes, I see the spring. Good tension and connected at both sides.
Yes, the bottom plate has the screws you mentioned and this is attached to the mechanism I mentioned in the original post.
I sent you a PM offering pics, as I am having trouble posting them here.[img]file:///home/kk4ont/Downloads/IMG_20171217_165208752.jpg[/img]
- •
Thread Starter- skywatcher
- Moderator
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- From: The Prairies of Alberta
- Registered: 14-3-2013
- Posts: 738
Re: Remington Quiet-Writer Shift and Advance Problem
Hi Again
If the spring is still there and attached, then something is sticking, holding or binding the type basket in the lower position, or something has come completely disconnected. It takes a little positioning and angling of the machine with a good light source for this next check. Locate the bellcrank where the upper end of the shift balance spring is attached. Look on the opposite side of the bellcrank to the spring and you'll see a slot. There should be a pin with a small roller going through this slot and into the guide which is bolted to the lower frame plate in front of the balance spring. The other end of this pin is attached to the type basket. If this pin is missing, there's your problem.
If the pin is still there, do a visual and physical check to see what's stuck between the top of the type basket and the front carriage rail. You will need to move the carriage all the way past the margin stops to both ends of the carriage rail in order to get a clear visual of the entire width of the type basket and its related linkages. If this search also turns up negative, there's not much more I can do without actually seeing the machine. That being said though, I hope you'll have an A-Ha moment when you're able to say "There's the little devil that's been messing me up". 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)
