Restoring a 1937 Typewriter

This typewriter is a 1937 LC Smith model 11 that I picked up at a flea market.   It had a number of problems, such as the carriage would hang (and when it didn't hang it squeaked), the space bar only worked randomly, shifted characters did not type on the same line as non-shifted characters, some of the key tops were unreadable, and the entire machine was filthy -- inside and out.

But the price was right -- $15.  And, it looked like all the parts were there.  So, I brought it home to see if I could get it back to something of the machine it once was.

Step 1: Tools and supplies required

I have no specialized tools to work on typewriters, so I make do with what I have in my little shop.  From a tool perspective, I used the following:
- precision screwdrivers (gunsmith screwdrivers)
- needle nosed pliers
- a 5/16th combination wrench
- a small brass hammer
- air compressor (for blowing out cobwebs)

In terms of supplies:
- Q-tips (about 250 of them)
- coarse automotive rubbing compound
- fine automotive rubbing compound
- automobile wax
- alcohol
- acetone
- metal polish
- and more rags than I could count

Comments

[instructascott]

Ahh i see. i thought it had something to do with the colour. this however makes more sense. i've bought a typewriter today. its from new york. remington number 12. it's gonna need a very big clean up though. thanks for your help

[instructascott]

may i ask why you had to use different coloured rubbing compounds?

[knife141]

The white compound is much finer than the red. I start with the red, then move to the white. It's sort of like starting out with rough sandpaper and moving to finer.

[snayl]

Very nice work, sir. I have collected a few old typewriters myself, in various states of wear, and your instructable has given me enough information (and inspiration) to try to clean them myself, instead of looking for a typewriter repairman somewhere (or just leaving them be). Many thanks!

[knife141]

Good luck! Restoring old typewriters can be both fun and frustrating! My approach is to first fix the mechanical problems, then work on cleaning. You can put a lot of hours in an old typewriter, but if you enjoy the satisfaction of bringing an old machine back from the dead, it can be very satisfying. Again, good luck & thanks for the comment.

[pfred2]

I see you waxed your project when you were done. I wax a lot of stuff myself to protect it. One other thing I do often is I spray stuff with a clear over coat of spray paint. I can hardly see it on bare metal but it gives a durable protective coating to surfaces.

Stuff I have in my garage now for that is called Krylon Acrylic Crystal Clear. Wax works, but the spray holds up better.

I buy lots of old junk myself and restore it. I find the task very rewarding. Like you said you can't think about the time if you are doing something you enjoy.

I think you did a great job and the machine you revived looks fantastic!

[knife141]

Thanks, pfred2! I use wax to protect a lot of stuff, too -- Johnson's paste wax for wood, auto wax for metal. I used to use some really expensive wax ($20 for just a few ounces), but I find the regular stuff seems to hold up just as well. I'll have to give the Krylon Acrylic Crystal Clear a try. Thanks again.

[pfred2]

Be aware it is paint, just a clear colorless one. If you lay it on really thick it may seem like there is a plastic coating on everything. But I find a thin even coat is kind of nice over bare metal. Can be hardly noticeable.

Where I live it is a constant battle fighting rust and sometimes just wax doesn't cut it. But I know often it isn't right to paint some metal pieces a color either. So the clear coat is kind of a compromise in between to me.

Basically I guess this spray is a bit like car clear coat in a can. Which really puts it squarely between wax and paint doesn't it? I just figured I'd throw it out there.

[knife141]

Thanks for the info. This sounds like it could come in handy for some of my projects. I appreciate you taking the time to educate me about it. I'm going to give it a try.

[pfred2]

Sure np. Just like the instructions say try it in an unobtrusive area first to see how you like it. Here Fido!