https://www.londontypewriters.co.uk/typewriter-instruction-manuals-typing-guides/

Original post by u/shapeless_nodule at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rp5mh6/brother_deluxe_220_jp1_typewriter_request_for/

Hi All, In a fit overconfidence a couple of years ago, I bought a brother Deluxe 220 typewriter which worked fine other than being sticky. I duly tore it down, cleaned it up, oiled it, put it back together and... watched as nothing happened because somehow all of the springs had fallen out and were now sitting on my workbench. I then put it on a shelf and forgot about it, until starting a clearout last week. I would be deeply indebted to you if anyone who has this typewriter (or one of its sister models, as I understand it most of the JP-1 models are the same) take either some photos or a good video of exactly where all of the springs inside it connect to?

Reply: <br /> This is fairly steep ask, particularly when, for a few dollars, you can get the location of all the springs in the repair manual:<br /> - https://www.lulu.com/shop/ted-munk/the-brother-jp-1-typewriter-repair-bible/paperback/product-186kzqem.html?q=brother&page=1&pageSize=4 - https://twdb.sellfy.store/brother-typewriters/

https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalFP.pdf

Hanssen, Geir Kihle. 2026. The Typewriter Enthusiast’s Handbook: An Introduction to Analogue Typewriters in a Digital World. https://www.amazon.com/Typewriter-Enthusiasts-Handbook-Introduction-Typewriters/dp/B0GMYYG367 (February 16, 2026).

Remington Rand. 1953. Mechanical Instructions for Remington Portable Typewriter: AN, QR, and ER Models. New York: Remington Rand, Inc. https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/MechanicalInstructionsRemingtonPortableTypewriters1953.pdf (December 8, 2025).

https://archive.org/details/@zach858

u/capnrefsmmat reply to

u/lodger238 at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1hslx56/huh_i_thought_wd40_was_horrible_as_a_lubricant/<br /> Agree completely and to further the point; typewriters were manufactured with low tolerance in many areas just so they wouldn't need lubricating.

Hunting for Typewriter Accessories - YouTube<br /> by [[Just My Typewriter]] - Sarah Everett accessed on 2025-11-01T22:07:29

Estate sales often have interesting office supplies and paper in desks.

2:45 typewriter ribbon tins; made out of tin, cardboard, paper<br /> sometimes tins come with spools or spare parts

5:35 Typewriter ribbon display kits and pieces

6:58 Typewriter case keys<br /> She's collected images of case keys to know what to buy.<br /> She's got a buying guide on her website with photos.

10:04 Typewriter key tops

13:20 typewriter brushes and cleaning products, blower brushes, typeslug cleaners,

15:25 Typing books, user manuals, Typatune,

16:29 Typewriter toys; often in the $25+ range

17:23 Typewriter advertisements<br /> Sarah often purchases these online and uses them in her videos.<br /> Underwood fingernail polish advertisements

19:15 Typewriter playing cards (advertisement)

20:13 Typewriter related postcards

20:45 Typewriter books:<br /> - references; lots online; - Anthony Casillo - Typewriters (coffee books) - Michael Adler: Antique Typewriters - Paul Robert and Peter Weil - Iron Whim by Darren Werschler-Henry - non-fiction, history, - books written by other collectors<br /> - Tom Hanks' Uncommon Type<br /> - Olivetti by Allie Millington

Crescent City Books in New Orleans - has typewriters as decoration

25:03 Typewriter community collectors/creators<br /> - Lucas Dul - The Williams Typewriter (Loose Dog Press) - Loose Dog Press series<br /> - Woz Flint - The Distraction-Free First Draft<br /> - Richard Polt - The Typewriter Revolution (after thought)

28:43: Typewriter Magazines - ETCetera - Novellum Magazine (Writing related)

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1ngt1u4/questions_about_going_into_the_typewriter_business/

Based on your original post, I thought you might have been further along with resources, but this makes me wonder a bit, so I'll add some materials for you. Start here: https://boffosocko.com/2024/10/24/learning-typewriter-maintenance-and-repair

Repair manuals:

• https://typewriterdatabase.com/manuals.php
• Munk's Printed manuals: http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreResults?search=Theodore+Munk&ddl=authors
• Munk's .pdf manuals: https://sellfy.com/twdb
• Service Manuals: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html#servicemanuals

Other resources: https://boffosocko.com/research/typewriter-collection/

Be sure to register for an account on the typewriterdatabase.com as that will give you access to more material and research than a non-logged in user.

There are a few "young" folx out there who have recently done what you're considering, and knowing a few of them may help. Reach out if you feel comfortable doing so:

• Matt Snyder of New England Typewriter (see: https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1cxjxt5/new_typewriter_shop_coming_fall_2024/)
• Lucas Dul of Typewriter Chicago
• Paul Lundy
• Antony Valoppi
• Trevor Brumfield
• Aaron Therol of Typewriter Connection
• Bob Marshall of Typewriter Muse
• See also: https://writingball.blogspot.com/2024/05/want-to-run-typewriter-shop.html

Consider a trip to QWERTY Fest which is coming up soon.

Good Luck

https://odysee.com/@SelectricRepair:4

additional details at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdFFGliwobPvqE8c03J7AtWQJSnxp_wfv

https://app.box.com/v/selectric

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdFFGliwobPvqE8c03J7AtWQJSnxp_wfv

moved videos to https://odysee.com/@SelectricRepair:4

Typewriter Repair Tools Reference: 1960 Ames Catalog<br /> by [[Ted Munk]]<br /> accessed on 2025-08-05T08:14:59

Use and maintenance

The use and maintenance details you might be looking for: https://boffosocko.com/2025/06/06/typewriter-use-and-maintenance-for-beginning-to-intermediate-typists/

Typewriter Manuals

In case you need a manual: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html Your specific manual may be helpful for the tiny specifics like where the carriage lock is or how to properly thread your ribbon, but all the "good" stuff may be in much older manuals for other machines, especially in the 1920s by which time most typewriter technology and features were roughly standardized. Later manuals became less dense as it was assumed that newer users had friends/family/teachers to show them the "missing manual" portions for how to use them.

Typewriter repair

If you need to or decide to (for fun) go down the repair rabbit hole: https://boffosocko.com/2024/10/24/learning-typewriter-maintenance-and-repair/

from reply to u/FarInsect3003 at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1mggp8g/olivetti_lettera_32_uppercase_smudge/

reply to u/MarkC64 at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1lyq6o8/smith_premier_model_50_60_help_needed_plz/ on typewriter manuals

While it's nice to have the exact manual for your typewriter or even something close enough, there isn't a huge amount of variability in typewriter functionality by the time your machine was built, so pick almost any manual you like and you're probably good to go: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html

Because of the disparity in general knowledge as typewriters became more ubiquitous in society, manuals from the 1930s are going to have lots more detail in them than the manuals from the 1960s.

If you need more help on general usage and functionality try some of the films at: https://boffosocko.com/2025/06/06/typewriter-use-and-maintenance-for-beginning-to-intermediate-typists/

https://archive.org/details/typewriterephemera

Typewriter ephemera on the Internet Archive<br /> Collected by Otto aka u/Koponewt

manuals for the Olympia SG1 typewriter

The Hermes 3000 repair manual has a really good section on type alignment including tools, according to Joe Van Cleave. (9:17)

https://selectric.org/selectric/

Triumph Adler Tippa / Tippa S / Contessa De Luxe Service Manual - T.A. Vertriebs-GmbH Nürnberg<br /> by [[T.A. Vertriebs-GmbH Nürnberg]]

https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1h4b3aw/is_there_a_source_that_exists_that_sells_or/

If you need them for basic functionality, often you can find the manuals of the original manufacturers' models for rebrands (example: the Sears Tower machines which were really just rebrandings of the Smith-Corona 5 series).

Additionally, after the 1930s there really wasn't a lot of new functionality, so almost any manual will help you to get you where you need to go, though there are some small differences in locations of things like carriage locks which can be helpful to know about and whose placement moved around on various machines.

You might also notice that as typewriters were more ubiquitous in the 60s and 70s their manuals got thinner and thinner with less detail. If you do find a specific manual, you're unlikely to find very much in it.

The Davis Brothers have some history on the Commodore line which was related to some of the Sears Chevron line. Polt does have two Commodore manuals which may be close to your machine: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html

Crash course on typewriter maintenance and repair

A list of resources and references for the budding typewriter repair person. There is a lot here that I've compiled and consumed over the last six months, so don't be overwhelmed. Half the battle is figuring out where to find all these things, so if nothing else, this should shave off a month of reading and researching.

Basic Introductory Material

Get a notebook and be ready to take some notes so you'll remember where you found the random information you're bound to pick up over time and are able to occasionally review it.

Work your way through Sarah Everett's excellent Typewriter 101 videos (at least the first five): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJtHauPh529XYHI5QNj5w9PUdi89pOXsS

Read Richard Polt's book which is a great overview to the general space:<br /> Polt, Richard. The Typewriter Revolution: A Typist’s Companion for the 21st Century. 1st ed. Woodstock, VT: Countryman Press, 2015.

Next watch the documentary California Typewriter. Documentary. Gravitas Pictures, 2016. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5966990/. It has some interesting subtle material hiding within it, but it will give you a good idea of where you're headed off to.

Get a machine (or four) you can practice on. Get a flat head screwdriver and maybe a small adjustable wrench. Buy some mineral spirits and a small headed toothbrush and clean out your first machine. Buy some light sewing machine oil and try oiling it. Search YouTube for videos about how to repair anything that may be wrong with it.

Basic restoration advice: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-restoration.html

On colloquial advice for degreasing, cleaning, and oiling manual typewriters https://boffosocko.com/2024/08/09/on-colloquial-advice-for-degreasing-cleaning-and-oiling-manual-typewriters/

Repair Manuals

Create an account on typewriterdatabase.com which will give you some additional access to catalogs, manuals, and dealer catalogs.

They also have some openly accessible material like:<br /> * https://typewriterdatabase.com/manuals.php

Printed manuals: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&contributor=Ted+Munk&page=1&pageSize=50 PDF manuals: https://sellfy.com/twdb

Ted Munk's website also has a plethora of ephemera that is often useful * https://munk.org/typecast/

Richard Polt's list of service manuals, which also includes some correspondence course typewriter repair classes: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html#servicemanuals

Tools

In rough order of increasing complexity:

• Typewriter Tool Kit from the DOLLAR TREE by Just My Typewriter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-7E4fM6gBw
• Some simple basics and where to get them: https://boffosocko.com/2024/08/11/adding-to-my-typewriter-toolset/
• Typewriter tools of the trade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5bKk93rtxs
• Lucas Dul's Toolset presentation: https://virtualhermans.com/lucas-dul
• Tour of an advanced hobbyist/semi-pro shop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZjf6InMlgU

Tools can be expensive, so start out small with just a few things and expand as you need them. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish with a single thin bladed flathead screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, a rag, a bottle of Simple Green cleaning solution, and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol.

Videos

Subscribe to and become acquainted with YouTube channels like the following:

• Duane Jensen's Phoenix Typewriter https://www.youtube.com/@phoenixtypewriter2136
• Gerren Balch's HotRod Typewriter Company https://www.youtube.com/@HotRodTypewriter
• Joe Van Cleave https://www.youtube.com/@Joe_VanCleave
• Sarah Everett's Just My Typewriter https://www.youtube.com/@JustMyTypewriter

While watching a variety of videos is great, as you're doing specific repairs search YouTube and you're likely to find full demos of the repairs you're doing yourself.

I've compiled a playlist of videos for repair of an Olympia SM3 which, while specific to the SM3, is a an excellent outline/overview of how to disassemble a portable typewriter, where many of the adjustment points are as well as an outline of the order to do them in.

If you're not a good typist or don't have experience in the area, try out some of the following short films which will also provide some useful historical perspective:

• Basic Typing: Methods. Vol. MN-1512a. United States Navy Training Film, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztyzGit1dTI.
• Basic Typing: Machine Operation. Vol. MN-1512b. United States Navy Training Film, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-REJEArnjE.
• Advanced Typing: Shortcuts. Vol. MN-1512c. United States Navy Training Film, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUJfCfqgsX0.
• Advanced Typing: Duplicating and Manuscript. Vol. MN-1512d. United States Navy Training Film, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ve5JnTUzvo.
• Maintenance Of Office Machines. Vol. MN-1513. United States Navy Training Film, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocdxgkxKAKo.

Internships & Apprenticeships

If you have the time and flexibility try arranging an internship or apprenticeship with a local typewriter repair shop. Meet your local repair people even if you can't spend the time on an internship. You'll learn a lot and create relationships with businesses who will more easily swap/supply you with machines they're parting out or access to tools which may otherwise be difficult to source.

• https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html

Podcasts

• Austin Typewriter Ink https://www.austintypewriterink.com/ati-the-podcast.html
• Charm Type Repair https://charmtypepodcast.podbean.com/

Some useful Bibliography

• Athey, Ralph S. Typewriter Repair Training Course. Tarentum, PA: Typewriter Repair Training, 1957. https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/AtheyTypewriterRepair.pdf.
• Atkinson, Annelise. Typewriter SOS: The DIY Guide to Fixing Common Problems with Typewriters, 2014. https://www.amazon.com/Typewriter-SOS-Fixing-Problems-Typewriters/dp/1520902700/.
• Hausrath, Alfred H., and Eugene L. Dahl. Typewriter Care. Edited by Walter K.M. Slavik. Federal Work Improvement Program United States Civil Service Commission and Government Division, U.S. Treasury Department, 1945. http://archive.org/details/twcare-1945.
• Jones, Clarence LeRoy. The Manual Typewriter Repair Bible. Edited by Theodore Munk. The Typewriter Repair Bible Series, 2017. https://www.lulu.com/shop/ted-munk/the-manual-typewriter-repair-bible/paperback/product-1vgk72jp.html.
• Kasten, R. M. “First Aid for Typewriters.” Popular Science Monthly, May 1941.
• Kravitz, Bryan. Hints for a Happy Typewriter. Bryan Kravitz, 1983. https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/Hints-Happy-TW.pdf.
• Hutchison, Howard. The Typewriter Repair Manual. 1st ed. Blue Ridge Summit, Pa: Tab Books, 1981. https://www.amazon.com/typewriter-repair-manual-Howard-Hutchison/dp/0830600345.
• Munk, Theodore. “The Typewriter Database,” 2012. https://typewriterdatabase.com/.
• Pearce, H. G. Complete Instructions: How to Repair, Rebuild, and Adjust Underwood Typewriters With Handy Reference for Locating Trouble Quickly. Bridgeport, CT: Typewriter Mechanics Publishing Co., 1920. https://johnesimmons.com/Typewriter/Articles/Manualpdf/Underwood_Repair_Manual.pdf.
• Polt, Richard. “The Classic Typewriter Page : All About Typewriters,” 2009. https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/index.html.
• Scadden, David T. Approved Home Study Course in Typewriter Repair and Service. Little Falls, NJ: Typewriter Repair School, 1959. https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/homestudycourse.pdf.

Good luck on your journey!

reply to u/fontinalispluma at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1gaza5x/learning_typewriter_maintenance_and_repair/

I just got a 1950 version of this KMG this week in medium rough shape too. (My 7th Royal and my 2nd Standard)

Looks like a Royal KMG with the Henry Dreyfuss glass tombstone keys in Gray Frieze paint. https://typewriterdatabase.com/Royal.KMG.72.bmys

Mine has some minor carriage issues that I'm hoping clear up with some cleaning. Otherwise it may need some tools and internal repair work and/or parts. If yours is generally working, a good cleaning and oiling should get you going: https://boffosocko.com/2024/08/09/on-colloquial-advice-for-degreasing-cleaning-and-oiling-manual-typewriters/

Diagram of parts: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalKMGdiagram.jpg

Manual of the prior model KMM which preceeded it, so the functionalilty should be almost exactly the same: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalKMM.pdf (Royal Standard internals were almost exactly the same from the Ten (1909) through the FP/Empress (1966).)

Home Study Course in Typewriter Repair and Service: ca. 1959, published by the Typewriter Repair School in Little Falls, New Jersey. Focuses on the Royal KMM among others: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/homestudycourse.pdf

See also:<br /> - https://typewriterdatabase.com/manuals.php - https://typewriterdatabase.com/1968-Ames_Standard_SVC.royal-repair.manual - https://typewriterdatabase.com/1960-Ames_Gen_Cat_10-March.royal-parts-01.manual

Searching on YouTube for cleaning and repair advice should help out a lot. Phoenix Typewriter has some solid videos on related models (search also the Royal X (ten), KH, KHM, KMM, KMG, HH, FP, and Empress which are all roughly the same internals with slightly different body styles.)

If you need some basic typewriter 101, try: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJtHauPh529XYHI5QNj5w9PUdi89pOXsS

reply to u/MajesticWear5478 https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1g1i440/tips_for_cleaning_and_fixing_a_1949_royal/#lightbox

https://oldbobsoldtypewriters.com/manuals-and-repair-guides/

A wide variety of typewriter manuals are available here: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html

Keep in mind that most typewriters are so similar in functionality that even an adjacent manual will help a lot if you have no experience.

1938 Corona Zephyr Typewriter Service Adjustment Methods by [[Theodore Munk]]

Common Typewriter Problems and Fixes

A short pictorial primer for quick repairs of many common typewriter problems including:<br /> - stripping a typewriter<br /> - cleaning and oiling - carriage not moving<br /> - ribbon reverse not working<br /> - bell not working - characters out of alignment<br /> - inconsistent margin<br /> - space bar jumping/inconsistent

https://typewriterdatabase.com/manuals.php

AMES OAMI Mechanical Training Manual for Standard and Portable Typewriters<br /> By: Clarence Leroy Jones<br /> In 3 Volumes plus Addendum - Published 1945<br /> Volume Three: Noiseless Typewriters<br /> By: Byron L. Wolfe, Illustrations by: R. J. Tiller & Jack Lewis<br /> https://typewriterdatabase.com/1945-AMES-OAMI-MechanicalTrainingMan.v3-noiseless.manual

https://www.classictypewriter.com/typewriter-manuals

The Manual Library<br /> https://archive.org/details/manuals?tab=collection&query=typewriters

Typewriters:<br /> https://archive.org/search?query=%28typewriter%29+AND+-title%3A%28reading+room%29+AND+collection%3A%28manuals%29&page=2

https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html

https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/

“The Remington Noiseless Way.” Remington Rand Inc., ca 1940. From the Peter Weil Typewriter Archives. https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RemingtonNoiseless10.pdf.