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28-4-2021 16:43:48  #1


My poor Webster xl-747

Ughhh...I love this little thing.    My office chair slid backward, hit the tray table it was sitting on, and boom. It went down, falling upside down on a wood floor.   Now the only way it will advance is with the --> key. The platen will slide to the right even without using the release lever, which I don't think its supposed to do. It will slide back using the other release, but it won't type.

I have no clue how to fix typewriters.

 

28-4-2021 21:04:30  #2


Re: My poor Webster xl-747

https://vimeo.com/542944675

hope someone has an idea. I can get better pics or video tomorrow. This shows what happens when typing...nothing. It never advances the pawl. I can't find anything bent or brokwn, but I'm guessing jarred loose or maybe the platen is misaligned now.

Help.

     Thread Starter
 

28-4-2021 21:09:53  #3


Re: My poor Webster xl-747

Well I don't think the platen can be at fault because I can turn that star wheel by hand and the platen moves. The levers just don't seem to move as far as they should when typing.

     Thread Starter
 

28-4-2021 23:29:01  #4


Re: My poor Webster xl-747

If I press on the platen it will advance when I type. There's hope...I hope...

     Thread Starter
 

29-4-2021 09:53:10  #5


Re: My poor Webster xl-747

getting closer. Feel free to help.  

Its not downward pressure that makes it work its actually pressure to the left. So this leads me to believe that either a spring isn't working or the carriage release is always in the release position, which seems congruent with the fact that I can push the platen to the right even without using the release lever. And when it fell upside down it very likely could have fallen on the carriage release lever.

     Thread Starter
 

29-4-2021 18:31:11  #6


Re: My poor Webster xl-747

I think I found the problem, or at least a problem, but I can't figure out how to fix it.    There is a spool with a piece of string attached to it and the other end is attached to (I think) the carriage. String! Why did they put a piece of string in a typewriter lol! Anyway this string has come off the spool and wound around it in a most unpleasant way. I need to get it back on there somehow but I can't see how, and if I open up the bottom any more than I already have my troubles are sure to worsen. It would sure be nice to find a picture or diagram of where this string is supposed to be routed.

     Thread Starter
 

29-4-2021 21:20:49  #7


Re: My poor Webster xl-747

That spool is the main-spring which drives the carriage and the string is called the drawband which pulls the carriage from right to left. All mechanical typewriters have these, some are more durable than others, but the principle is the same. That machine is going to have to be taken apart enough to get access to the spring, re-tension it and re-connect the drawband. This is a good opportunity to replace the drawband, which is most likely over 40 years old. 
Sounds like this machine needs professional repair. If you feel mechanically adept, you may be able to do it, but be prepared to have a decorative bookend or doorstop, if you don't get it right. Good luck.
Phil Forrest
 

 

29-4-2021 22:15:49  #8


Re: My poor Webster xl-747

Yep I already decided that I could not fix it without taking it apart and I've already cleared everything out of the way and I'm at the spool. I need a new screwdriver and wrench to get that spool out. Remains to be seen if I can get it back together again but I did take pictures as I went so I have some hope.

     Thread Starter
 

30-4-2021 09:04:27  #9


Re: My poor Webster xl-747

Ugh...after taking out everything above the spool I realized all I needed to do was remove 2 screws on the underside to get the spool out. Dohhhhh!

Any tips on getting that spool set up properly Phil? The spool is spring loaded so I'm hoping if I slide the carriage all the way left then wrap the spool so there's no slack and then install it, it will produce the proper tension. But I'll bet there has to be some tension on it when I install it, and I'm not sure how I can do that, or if I can do it.

     Thread Starter
 

30-4-2021 18:05:22  #10


Re: My poor Webster xl-747

Check your PMs.
Phil Forrest

 

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