very annoying indeed However I love the script of this type written entry. I forget how people's typewriters were like their handwriting - bit unique. Alas, laptops all type the same way - no fun in that. I try to alter the script on my mine from time to time out of whimsy.
This is why I'm not into electrics. My memories of the selectric ii are 30 years old, but I'll try to help. The freaking out was probably something getting stuck, like a couple of conflicting keys, or if I recall, it did something like that one time at startup? The return not working is ether a worn-out or oily spring. if you can find it over on the right, try poking it, and if that actuates it try dabbing alcohol on it. Anyway, the exp key - I think - is like backspace when it stops working too, you need a pro. Maybe there's something useful in there, not sure. and for pity's sake get rid of capcha
Very nice script font. I'm no help on your problem. You have a nice machine. I hope you can figure it out and repair it. I had a Selectric-II at one time, same color too, but I never had to get into the inner workings of it.
Well, nobody else said it here, so I'm obligated to...
...Your Selectric is possessed.
That's really the only explanation. After all it's green, and it's head has been spinning around all its life, right? Yup, definitely possessed. You need a Voodoo priestess to clear that up for you, maybe swing a chicken over it or something.
Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood. I know nothing about Selectrics. Were it mine, I think I'd go with Peter's suggestion and call a pro. Best of luck; it's a pretty color and that is a great script typeface!
Entertaining comments such as these are nearly as good as helpful ones! ;-)
This Selectric typewriter is already the most expensive machine in my collection (shipping!) and taking it to a repair person is certainly an option...but I'm not sure I want to turn this thing into a "Mercedes of Typewriters". I'll limp along with the "EXP" key for a while.
@notagain: I did end up checking my comment prefs, and although anyone can leave a comment on my blog, word verification did somehow get turned back on. I fixed it. Sorry about that -- I don't care for Captcha either!
Thanks. Maybe it thought I was a robot or spammer for some reason. I would try slapping at the return key in case it is stuck. That spaz attack used to happen to ours, I'm not sure what else worked on it. Sometimes letting it sit running either helps or makes it worse so if you find it's ok at first, compose first and type fast, or the other way turn on and think while it settles. Good luck.
I've had that problem with a couple of my Selectrics, and according to the technician who repairs them for me, it's a rather simple and common failure. There's a spring to the right of the mechanism which gives tension to one of the cables that moves the printing element. This spring controls the backspacing movement (hence the Enter and Backspace aren't working). If your machine had a correcting feature, it would also be stuck.
Problem is, with time, and since this is a tensioned piece of metal, these springs tend to snap. To fix it you need to replace the part and adjust the tensioning of the cables responsible for moving the printing element.
Since the Selectric is such a complex mechanical design, I think the best shot would be to take it to a shop still servicing these machines. In Richard Polt's page I found several places in California which still fix these machines; tell them to check the return / backspace pulley and springs.
You can find them in this page: http://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
While you're at it, maybe you could have the machine cleaned and oiled, this is particularly important with these designs.
In this page you can find parts for your machine: http://www.cmfg.com/ibm_selectric.htm
The faulty part is most likely the assembly with the two springs called "cord pulley and bracket".
Hope you can have your machine fixed. In my experience that was not an impossible fix, and it shouldn't be too time-consuming (and thus too expensive) for someone experienced in IBM typewriters.
Hello. I have this transport pulley you talk about broken, the plastic part, and I got one new. The problen is how to put it again. The 2 springs are too strong and I cant find the way to blend them and so put it together as it was at first. Any idea how could I do it? You seem to know better. Thank you very much for your help.
The "EXP" key directly actuates the carrier return shoe against the return clutch. The zipping noise you hear when you press the EXP key is the escapement pawl across the rack. Hitting the Return key first disengages the pawl from the rack for a quieter return.
It seems since the EXP key works, the tab cord and return cable are intact and on their pulleys. Since the INDEX key works, that shows the Return/Index operational cam functions. Since everything seems to work except the Return key, my guess is there is a problem with the Return Keylever Pawl or it's related parts. Examine the return pawl area and see if anything appears amiss (spring unhooked/broken, foreign material lodged in the works, etc.) If nothing appears wrong, it's time to find a tech.
Cameron - did you ever resolve this? I know what's wrong, if you are still having issues, we can probably work it out. Feel free to email me, and we can go from there.
very annoying indeed
ReplyDeleteHowever I love the script of this type written entry. I forget how people's typewriters were like their handwriting - bit unique. Alas, laptops all type the same way - no fun in that. I try to alter the script on my mine from time to time out of whimsy.
I love that script variety! I hope the machine doesn't try to kill you in your sleep. You might want to keep it unplugged. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I know nothing of these machines. If it were an industrial machine I would suspect problems with limit switches not actuating properly.
This is why I'm not into electrics. My memories of the selectric ii are 30 years old, but I'll try to help.
ReplyDeleteThe freaking out was probably something getting stuck, like a couple of conflicting keys, or if I recall, it did something like that one time at startup? The return not working is ether a worn-out or oily spring. if you can find it over on the right, try poking it, and if that actuates it try dabbing alcohol on it. Anyway, the exp key - I think - is like backspace when it stops working too, you need a pro.
Maybe there's something useful in there, not sure.
and for pity's sake get rid of capcha
That's strange -- I've had capcha turned off for months.
DeleteNo capcha when I commented.
DeleteVery nice script font.
ReplyDeleteI'm no help on your problem. You have a nice machine. I hope you can figure it out and repair it. I had a Selectric-II at one time, same color too, but I never had to get into the inner workings of it.
Well, nobody else said it here, so I'm obligated to...
ReplyDelete...Your Selectric is possessed.
That's really the only explanation. After all it's green, and it's head has been spinning around all its life, right? Yup, definitely possessed. You need a Voodoo priestess to clear that up for you, maybe swing a chicken over it or something.
Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood. I know nothing about Selectrics. Were it mine, I think I'd go with Peter's suggestion and call a pro. Best of luck; it's a pretty color and that is a great script typeface!
It musst be a bug! Did it sit next to a computer lately?
ReplyDeleteEntertaining comments such as these are nearly as good as helpful ones! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis Selectric typewriter is already the most expensive machine in my collection (shipping!) and taking it to a repair person is certainly an option...but I'm not sure I want to turn this thing into a "Mercedes of Typewriters". I'll limp along with the "EXP" key for a while.
@notagain: I did end up checking my comment prefs, and although anyone can leave a comment on my blog, word verification did somehow get turned back on. I fixed it. Sorry about that -- I don't care for Captcha either!
Thanks. Maybe it thought I was a robot or spammer for some reason. I would try slapping at the return key in case it is stuck. That spaz attack used to happen to ours, I'm not sure what else worked on it. Sometimes letting it sit running either helps or makes it worse so if you find it's ok at first, compose first and type fast, or the other way turn on and think while it settles. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI've had that problem with a couple of my Selectrics, and according to the technician who repairs them for me, it's a rather simple and common failure. There's a spring to the right of the mechanism which gives tension to one of the cables that moves the printing element. This spring controls the backspacing movement (hence the Enter and Backspace aren't working). If your machine had a correcting feature, it would also be stuck.
ReplyDeleteProblem is, with time, and since this is a tensioned piece of metal, these springs tend to snap. To fix it you need to replace the part and adjust the tensioning of the cables responsible for moving the printing element.
Since the Selectric is such a complex mechanical design, I think the best shot would be to take it to a shop still servicing these machines. In Richard Polt's page I found several places in California which still fix these machines; tell them to check the return / backspace pulley and springs.
You can find them in this page: http://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
While you're at it, maybe you could have the machine cleaned and oiled, this is particularly important with these designs.
In this page you can find parts for your machine: http://www.cmfg.com/ibm_selectric.htm
The faulty part is most likely the assembly with the two springs called "cord pulley and bracket".
Hope you can have your machine fixed. In my experience that was not an impossible fix, and it shouldn't be too time-consuming (and thus too expensive) for someone experienced in IBM typewriters.
Hello. I have this transport pulley you talk about broken, the plastic part, and I got one new. The problen is how to put it again. The 2 springs are too strong and I cant find the way to blend them and so put it together as it was at first. Any idea how could I do it? You seem to know better. Thank you very much for your help.
DeleteThe "EXP" key directly actuates the carrier return shoe against the return clutch. The zipping noise you hear when you press the EXP key is the escapement pawl across the rack. Hitting the Return key first disengages the pawl from the rack for a quieter return.
ReplyDeleteIt seems since the EXP key works, the tab cord and return cable are intact and on their pulleys. Since the INDEX key works, that shows the Return/Index operational cam functions. Since everything seems to work except the Return key, my guess is there is a problem with the Return Keylever Pawl or it's related parts. Examine the return pawl area and see if anything appears amiss (spring unhooked/broken, foreign material lodged in the works, etc.) If nothing appears wrong, it's time to find a tech.
I got nuthin'. Nice font though!!
ReplyDeleteCameron - did you ever resolve this? I know what's wrong, if you are still having issues, we can probably work it out. Feel free to email me, and we can go from there.
ReplyDeleteBrian -- I don't know if Cameron ever solved it, but I've got the exact same problem and would love any help you can offer! Thanks,
ReplyDeleteChris