1 of 1- Kjband
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Corona Sterling
Hi all. I picked up this Corona Sterling at a yard sale. I would like to get it back to working condition. I’ve never restored a vintage typewriter before but I’m good mechanically and work on vintage audio. The typewriter doesn’t advance when keys are pressed. I hope I can get help with this project here. I think the serial number dates the typewriter at 1941. Serial # 3A 80392 Thanks. I don’t see a way to upload pictures?
- skywatcher
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- Registered: 14-3-2013
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Re: Corona Sterling
Hi KJ
If you are mechanically inclined, then you know to approach anything new in a logical and orderly fashion as you would when diagnosing a no run condition on a vintage car engine. The one really nice thing about the Smith-Corona typewriters is the escapement mechanism is visible and relatively easily accessible due the the design of the key levers.
The escapement is the beating heart of a typewriter and is similar in many ways to the escapement in an old style pendulum clock, however your fingers pressing the keys and space bar are the pendulum. The power that drives the escapement is the main spring and draw cord.
Left and right refer to the machine as it sits on the desk in front of you when you're typing. Set the typewriter upside down on a cushion and just examine the internal workings. Move the carriage slowly to the right side of the machine and you should see the star wheel rotating, you should also feel some spring tension against your hand while pushing the carriage.
Now let go of the carriage and slowly press the space bar, watch what linkages move between the space bar and the escapement. As the space bar is pressed, the escapement should tick. When the space bar is released, the escapement should tock just like a clock. Simple observations and a mechanical mind should start you on the right path to understanding how these machines work. All the best,
Sky
PS. I'll see about posting some pictures to this thread this evening.
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)
- Kjband
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Re: Corona Sterling
Thank you for the advice. I can certainly approach the project in a logical fashion. I’m just trying to avoid trial and error mistakes. The draw cord is broken and I’m not exactly sure how to reattach. Is there a manual somewhere online? How much tension should be on the spring when I reattach? It broke right where the little hook connects to the carriage. Can someone recommend a YouTube link? Thanks.
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Thread Starter- Kjband
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Re: Corona Sterling
I was able to repair draw chord. Space bar now functional. I’m going to start the cleaning process. Other than fine steel wool what works best on the rust? A Dremel tool? The bell doesn’t work. Can anyone recommend a site to get a new ribbon? I would like to post pictures.
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Thread Starter- zoom
- Platen Punisher
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- Registered: 14-7-2020
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Re: Corona Sterling
Hi Kj, aluminium foil (kitchen grade) works very well with water to remove rust from chrome, without scratching. I believe there is reference to that from Uwe on this forum.
'Paraiso' Gerry Mulligan with Jane Duboc 1993
- skywatcher
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Re: Corona Sterling
Hi Again KJ
If you are in the US, talk to Lanie at Ribbons Unlimited, for a reasonable price on a good selection of colored ribbons as well as the ubiquitous black over red variety. The ribbons come on the standard 2" (50mm) with the 1/8" (3mm) hole that will just drop into your Sterling or wind onto the original metal spools if you still have them. I've just had Lanie custom ink a bulk roll of green over brown ribbon, I love those colors. Hope this points you in the right direction,
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)
- Myndbender
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Re: Corona Sterling
Kjband, maybe this can help "Phoenix Typewriter" has a lot of YouTube video's. Check it out on fixing the draw string on a smith corona, and a few others in his video's he made
- Myndbender
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Re: Corona Sterling
Kjband, I hope his video's were helpful for what you needed to do on your typewriter.
