My daughter got an old manual typewriter, a 1960s Royal Safari, for Christmas. We can't get it to work. The type slugs don't reach the platen when we hit the keys. They move fine, but they stop short of the platen/paper. Also, the carriage gets stuck if we return it all the way to the right. Does anybody know anybody who knows anything about fixing typewriters? Thanks for reading.
David
5oh9-6seven9-1too31
typewriter help
Re: typewriter help
Love this—how fun! Silly question, but is the paper release knob on the right side pushed to the back position? (which allows the paper to roll in tightly)
Linda Flynn
Linda Flynn
Re: typewriter help
Thanks, Linda. Yes, the release lever is in the right position. I have messed around with it and it makes no difference. I'm wondering if there is a carriage lock or line lock that's stuck. I can't find anything but it seems like that could cause the problem.
David
David
Re: typewriter help
If you do not have an owners manual.
https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalSafariManual1964.pdf
Or
https://oldbobsoldtypewriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1964-Royal-Safari-Manual.pdf
https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalSafariManual1964.pdf
Or
https://oldbobsoldtypewriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1964-Royal-Safari-Manual.pdf
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Harriett&Harvey
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:28 am
- Location: Cub Creek
Re: typewriter help
Hi Linda, I'm a lifetime fan and user of typewriters. When I took 1 year of typing as a freshman in high school in the late 1950's, my mother thought it was a big waste of time. Who would have guessed that "keyboarding" would become the first necessary skill of the computer age which began when I got my first Apple laptop about 1982! And just about everyone, mostly the men, in my generation, never learned to "type" on computers, many refused to try and the rest did the old hunt-and-peck. Typewriters are a great classic machine -- and in the first half of the 20th century, when almost all lawyers were men, they all did their own typing! on the own typewriters! I got a letter from one gentleman attorney typed by him on his typewriter in the early 90s, and, of course, had to reply.
On the west side of the Cascades, Puget Sound country, I know the only typewriter repair shop is in Bremerton -- perhaps the only such shop in the entire US. In any event, I think you and your daughter will enjoy these articles about the current owner of this unique business, his customers, and his predecessor and teacher who owned and ran the shop for at least 70 years before he died at age 96 in 2018. If you or a family member ever has occasion to go to the west side, this would be a fantastic field trip to this shop with your daughter's typewriter. In the meantime, you could give him a call, tell him the type of your machine and describe the problem, and he'll be able to tell you what may be required in terms of repair. I really encourage you to get it fixed up and join the club of writers who use typewriters to this day.
Here are the wonderful articles in the Seattle Times which tell the story of the Bremerton typewriter repairman of more than 70 years, who finally found a buyer for his business ten years ago -- one article tells the story of Mr. Montgomery, the original master mechanic, and the other the story of Mr. Lund who now runs the business and loves every day.
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/areas-last-typewriter-repair-shop-to-go-on-clicking/
https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/the-owner-of-bremerton-office-machine-company-finds-focus-and-fulfillment-among-time-worn-typewriters-and-their-fans/
Enjoy, Harriett
On the west side of the Cascades, Puget Sound country, I know the only typewriter repair shop is in Bremerton -- perhaps the only such shop in the entire US. In any event, I think you and your daughter will enjoy these articles about the current owner of this unique business, his customers, and his predecessor and teacher who owned and ran the shop for at least 70 years before he died at age 96 in 2018. If you or a family member ever has occasion to go to the west side, this would be a fantastic field trip to this shop with your daughter's typewriter. In the meantime, you could give him a call, tell him the type of your machine and describe the problem, and he'll be able to tell you what may be required in terms of repair. I really encourage you to get it fixed up and join the club of writers who use typewriters to this day.
Here are the wonderful articles in the Seattle Times which tell the story of the Bremerton typewriter repairman of more than 70 years, who finally found a buyer for his business ten years ago -- one article tells the story of Mr. Montgomery, the original master mechanic, and the other the story of Mr. Lund who now runs the business and loves every day.
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/areas-last-typewriter-repair-shop-to-go-on-clicking/
https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/the-owner-of-bremerton-office-machine-company-finds-focus-and-fulfillment-among-time-worn-typewriters-and-their-fans/
Enjoy, Harriett
Re: typewriter help
Thank you, Harriet and RAK. I will check out those articles and give the repair guy a call. I'd love to get to the bottom of this and get my daughter typing away. She is very excited about it.