The Royal 440 went to an art space for youth.
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| typed on a random piece of paper i found at goodwill and used to test keys |
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| Actually - duh - the feel is most like my 1942 underwood |
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| missing the back panel too - guess i'd have to knock it down to $500 LOL |
Worth it for the logo, no doubt. Love it.
ReplyDeleteHello. I have this typewriter. I've just uploaded a photo on to Flickr and added this to a previous blog post about it. I hope this shows you what the ribbon covers look like.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/angelacallanan/6065657746/in/photostream
http://preciouslittlebirdy.blogspot.com/2009/11/underwood-typewriter.html
By the way do you know if there is a manual available anywhere for this model Underwood? I was doing a search for one and that's how I found your blog. I can't seem to get the ribbon in right, and the spools don't move when you type. I have a few manual typewriters and have found that once you get the ribbon in the right way the spools start moving. Unless there is something else wrong with it, but I doubt it.
Are you talking a user's manual or a repair manual? I'm sure either one could be had somewhere online. I do know that some of those repair manuals can be tough reading, even for me. You can go to "Typewriter Talk" and they should be able to steer you in the right direction. Usually, there will be more than one person who has his or her slant on what you might need. And yes, like you and another poor soul I sometimes write to about all things typewriter, I pester the fire out of these people too. See ya there!!
DeleteAre you talking a user's manual or a repair manual? I'm sure either one could be had somewhere online. I do know that some of those repair manuals can be tough reading, even for me. You can go to "Typewriter Talk" and they should be able to steer you in the right direction. Usually, there will be more than one person who has his or her slant on what you might need. And yes, like you and another poor soul I sometimes write to about all things typewriter, I pester the fire out of these people too. See ya there!!
DeleteI'll get some pics up later. They do seem to be special spools, similar to mid-50's Royals and Remingtons. Do you see that knob on the side toward the bottom? Twist it to see if your spools turn. It also functions as the reverse switch.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much. I took off the 2 side panels this evening and had a good look at mine. I thought there was something missing from mine and now I am sure since you pointed it out in the photo. There is a hole in the right side panel but there is no knob on it like in your photo. I could see a thread for some sort of nut that should have been there.
ReplyDeleteI took some photos earlier, it wasn't easy. This is a view through the right hand panel. On yours the knob probably goes on at the end of the rod so you can twist this for the spools. This is missing on mine.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelacallanan/6067669240/in/photostream
I had the typewriter for free so I can't complain. Thanks very much for your help - you've solved the mystery :-) It doesn't look like too complex a fitting maybe I could get a nut to fit? The thread however is inside about an inch from the end.
You're missing more than just the knob and the nut that holds it on--you're missing the whole ratchet wheel that goes on that side. The two pawls are still there, but the ratchet wheel, adapter nut, and the knob are all missing. Just take a look at some other Underwood 150 typewriters out there and you'll see a ratchet wheel where one ought to be on yours. You may be able to pick up the machine for a few bucks. It would only be a matter of unscrewing the wheel and attaching it onto your machine. Try it both ways. It could be right or left-handed threads--Underwoods are funny about this.
DeleteI would ask the Yahoo typewriters group, someone may have a knob that would fit.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Will check it out.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be a pest ;-) Any ideas where to get ribbons for the 150? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAny half-inch nylon ribbon from a computer cartridge will do, as long as you have your old spools (in your case, either the spool cores or a way to tie a knot on each end of the ribbon and slip it through the slots on the ribbon shafts) Just remember if you're buying a computer cartridge, ask for one with half-inch nylon ribbon. Roll the ribbon until you see a diagonal splice in the middle. Cut with a knife or scissors. Tie a knot at one end, leaving very little tag on the end so it will fit inside the slot on the shaft. Wind the ribbon on (when you get the parts put into your typewriter) with the ribbon cover closed (on this particular model, the spool cover acts as the "top half" of the "spool") when you get this wound on, tie a knot on the other end the same way and put it in that slot of the other ribbon shaft. If you need other help, try the "Typewriter Talk" blog. Register as a member, and this site can answer just about any question you would have about your machine. Good luck.
Deletebest place is Jay Respler of Advanced Business Machines - he sells them online specifically for the machine you have.
ReplyDeleteI bought one just like this not too long ago for about $40--and it HAD the two ribbon covers AND the back plate. It's got some light rust in it, and it's stickier than all getout. Looking at the scale, the carriage looks like it centers at fifty, so it must be a pica type. Mine's elite type--it centers at sixty. If you look around, you might find a parts typewriter that will have the ribbon covers and the back plate. There are two kinds of top ribbon covers--the early kind that doubles as the top of the "spool." With these, you either use a core-type spool or you tie a knot at each end of the ribbon, leaving little to no tag at the end and sliding that into the empty slot in the ribbon shaft. The second type of ribbon cover is shorter and lighter without the extra piece of metal on the inside. Sometimes, you'll find one with a tag that says, "When ordering ribbons, specify Underwood 150 flanged spools." These kinds of spools are much like the core-type, only they have an upper and lower flange. As far as the ribbon shaft goes, either the core or the flange type of spool will work. Remington has used these types of spools since the 1930s and well into the 1970s. Underwood adopted its use in their electric typewriters in 1947 and their manuals in 1953. I hope I helped. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI bought one just like this not too long ago for about $40--and it HAD the two ribbon covers AND the back plate. It's got some light rust in it, and it's stickier than all getout. Looking at the scale, the carriage looks like it centers at fifty, so it must be a pica type. Mine's elite type--it centers at sixty. If you look around, you might find a parts typewriter that will have the ribbon covers and the back plate. There are two kinds of top ribbon covers--the early kind that doubles as the top of the "spool." With these, you either use a core-type spool or you tie a knot at each end of the ribbon, leaving little to no tag at the end and sliding that into the empty slot in the ribbon shaft. The second type of ribbon cover is shorter and lighter without the extra piece of metal on the inside. Sometimes, you'll find one with a tag that says, "When ordering ribbons, specify Underwood 150 flanged spools." These kinds of spools are much like the core-type, only they have an upper and lower flange. As far as the ribbon shaft goes, either the core or the flange type of spool will work. Remington has used these types of spools since the 1930s and well into the 1970s. Underwood adopted its use in their electric typewriters in 1947 and their manuals in 1953. I hope I helped. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI have one that seems complete. The issue I am having is when you strike a key the ribbon assembly does not raise, therefore the ribbon is not being struck.
ReplyDeleteAny ideas??
After a 7-month search, I recently acquired a 1954 UNDERWOOD SX-150 (Serial No.7529815). It was an eBay auction item, and it had to be shipped from Idaho to my home in California. Thankfully, it was packed very well and survived the shipping via FedEx Ground with no damage. This one has the hinged ribbon spool covers, but it came without the spools. There was about 2-1/2 feet of old dried-out ribbon wound onto its ribbon cores. I found and ordered the proper ribbon spools with new ribbon from an eBay dealer.
ReplyDeleteI am searching for an Instruction manual for my 1955 UNDERWOOD Model 150... which is sometimes referred to as a "Model SX-150"). There appears to none available anywhere at this time. The only thing that I could find is a photo of its cover, which I cannot add to this message. To see the photo, google "UNDERWOOD Model 150 Instruction manual" and then click on "Images". the photo of the manual's cover will appear in the second row (below the ads) of the image results.. it is the fourth photo from the left...
ReplyDeleteGlory Be! I finally acquired an original hard-copy "Operating Instructions" booklet/manual for my Underwood Model 150!
ReplyDelete