11 Matching Annotations
  1. Aug 2025
  2. Jul 2025
  3. Jun 2025
  4. May 2025
    1. SCM Electric Typewriters by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

      Tips for cleaning the Smith-Corona 6 series electric typewriters and details about how they work.

      S-C also made this series of typewriter for both Sears and Singer under their branding. (including the Singer Electric in this video.)

      The belts on the electric motor and cams was originally a rubber 'V' belt which is no longer manufactured. Using 1/8" round cross-section o-rings of appropriate sizes (for water cannister applications) is the recommended replacement, however one may need to slightly move the drive motor down a bit so that the belt doesn't hit the frame of the typewriter and thereby destroying it over time.

      Cleaning and lubricating the drive motors and moving pieces before using may help before trying out a typewriter which has been sitting for long periods of time.

      Some later models had an electric return, which can tend to be violent. Electro 220 and Coronet Automatic 12 have an additional clutch and draw band (and lack of return lever on the carriage) for their electric returns.

  5. Apr 2025
  6. Feb 2025
    1. Smith-Corona electric typewriters were designed to be turned on and run all day. As a result, old machines which have v-belts with odd grooves in them from sitting so long will sometimes have a recurring thump sound. This can be remedied by running the machine for several hours at which point the belt will warm up and remove the crease. Naturally, one might also remove the belt, warm it up using other means as a method of removing age-related creasing.