Typewriter Talk / Show Us Your Restoration Before & After Photos

**Posted by Platenboy** 14-1-2017 10:57:47

That is some serious dedication. I just couldn't start with something that bad, I'd have to try and find something much less rusty but poor condition still.

You obviously really like a challenge.

Amazing job

**Posted by Uwe** 14-1-2017 17:36:16

It's more than just the work; in most cases a proper restoration of a common model doesn't make financial sense because it represents a significant outlay of cash, especially when you have metal parts replated and rubber replaced. And it's certainly far more difficult to find a buyer for such a machine, one who understands what a restoration entails and is willing to pay for the costs associated with it.

**Posted by TypewriterKing** 14-1-2017 19:59:52

In the 35 years I've been in typewriter repair, I had thought I'd found the machines that would classify as "rare" or "collector," only to have these defined as lesser machines. And, as was said, to "properly" restore a typewriter--to re-rubber, dismantle, re-assemble, re-chrome, repaint, re-decal--everything to make that machine look as though it had NEVER been touched by human hands in its whole 100+-year-old life--would take a wad of cash so big it could wipe out the National Debt. Now, I ask, what typewriter out there--made by humanity, has achieved the record of being the MOST expensive, rarest, most highly sought-after, Tom-Hanks-couldn't-even-afford-it title? What machine out there extant today would, if you took one to the Antiques Road Show, would make the emcee go "WOW!!! Have fun in Cancun!!"

**Posted by mre12ax7** 15-1-2017 13:44:17

Hansen Writing Ball.
Last one sold for over $130K!

**Posted by TypewriterKing** 16-1-2017 00:31:35

I wonder if Tom Hanks bought that one.

**Posted by TypewriterKing** 28-1-2017 00:13:31

I don't know why, but that thing always looked to me like some hors d' oeuvre--or a fondue set.

**Posted by SquireDante** 30-4-2017 22:10:27

1940 Royal KMM

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**Posted by SquireDante** 27-6-2017 15:44:23

1963 Smith-Corona Classic 12
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**Posted by SquireDante** 13-7-2017 16:33:35

1940 Royal KMM

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**Posted by SquireDante** 13-7-2017 16:37:39

1963 Smith-Corona Classic 12
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