Oh, that is good to know.  We're you ever able to get the sticky residue off? I did order some evapo rust.  I can't easily remove this part, but it doesn't seem to need to move to perform its function. So a sticky residue wouldn't be the end of the world.

The ribbon throw is still eluding me.  I suppose I could give up and just throw a single color ribbon in it. I'm polishing a turd at this point.

Mech wrote:

Spazmelda wrote:

Oh, that is good to know. We're you ever able to get the sticky residue off?

I was able to clean the sticky mess off with denatured alcohol and fine scotch brite on the typebars, but I won't do that again.  I will only soak parts that I can remove.

Though it sounds like you have run into some frustrating issues, I have been enjoying the pictures and stories of your Underwood project.
 

 
Yeah, the ribbon throw issue is personal now.  Since it was working okay until I monkeyed with stuff I feel like it should be an easy fix.  I thought I had it solved.  Peering inside with a flashlight, I saw a bit of fluff down in the very bottom part of the ribbon shift mechanism (I think it is some felt lining that rotted out). I took it out to the garage and blasted some compressed air down there.  Then, for a brief shining moment it was working, showing me red letters (although with some black bleed).  Then it quit.  I blasted it with air a few more times but couldn't get the red to show again. 

Thanks for your tips on the evapo rust!

That looks great. Massive machine! I'm just trying to imagine what she sounds like in action. I ordered some equivalent Evapo-Rust stuff but haven't tried it out yet. It says on the bottle that it will protect the metal from further rust. I have a project machine to deal with this summer, bit smaller than Bertha though! Love the type-sample of Bertha.

Great story! Love the pics! Educational too.

Congratulations on restoring this underrated beauty. I have one of these, and its the best typewriter I've ever had. Well done!