Typewriter Support
Something not typing right?
Every machine that leaves our bench is cleaned, adjusted and tested. Machines still travel badly, ribbons still run dry, and a typewriter that sat in an attic for thirty years has opinions. Most faults have a simple cause. Start below.
Describe your problem
Read the care guide
Before you reach for the oil
Most sticking keys are not dry. They are the opposite: decades of old oil, thickened into varnish and holding dust. Adding fresh oil to a sticky segment usually makes it worse within a month. If a machine feels sluggish across many keys at once, that is a cleaning job, not a lubrication one — and it is one of the most common reasons a typewriter arrives on our bench.
Find the fault
Work through the symptom that matches yours. If nothing here fits, or a step makes things worse, stop and write to us.
A key sticks, or two typebars clash and stay up
Lift the stuck bars apart gently by hand — never force the keys down from the top. If it happens with one specific bar, look for grime at the pivot where the bar meets the segment. If it happens across the whole keyboard, or the bars return slowly, the segment needs cleaning rather than oiling. Typing fast on a machine that has sat unused for years also causes clashes until the mechanism loosens up.
The letters print faintly, or not at all
Check three things in order. Is the ribbon still inked, or has it been running on the same worn stretch? Is the colour selector set to a used half of a two-tone ribbon, or accidentally on stencil? Is the ribbon actually threaded in front of the typebars rather than behind them? A tired ribbon is by far the most common answer. Universal ribbons and metal spools are in stock.
The ribbon doesn't advance, or won't reverse
Watch the spools while you type a line. If neither turns, the drive is disengaged or jammed. If one turns until it stops and never flips direction, the reverse mechanism isn't tripping — on most machines this is triggered by an eyelet or the ribbon running out, and a ribbon wound without its metal eyelets will simply run to the end and stall. Re-spooling onto original spools solves this more often than you'd expect.
The carriage won't move at all
Check the carriage lock first — most portables have one for transport, and it is easy to forget after unpacking. Then check the margin release: if you have typed to the right margin, the carriage will refuse to advance until you press it. Only after both of those should you suspect the escapement.
The carriage moves, but not one space at a time
Skipping, double-spacing or running free are escapement symptoms. Try a slower, more deliberate stroke first — a glancing or half-pressed key can fail to trip the escapement cleanly. If it persists regardless of how you type, it needs adjustment on a bench. Please don't try to correct escapement geometry at home; it is easy to bend something expensive.
Paper slips, feeds crooked, or the line spacing wanders
Check that the paper release lever is fully closed — half-engaged is a classic cause of drift. If the paper still slips, run a finger along the platen: a hardened, glazed or flat-spotted roller no longer grips. Platens dry out with age and can be recovered. Storing a machine with paper left in it is the usual culprit behind flat spots.
It came from us and something isn't right
Write to us and say what the machine is doing. Every machine we sell carries a one-year warranty, and shipping damage is our problem to solve, not yours. Photographs of the machine and the packaging help enormously if the box took a hit. Warranty terms.
Guides and manuals
Everything below is free and already written. Start here before booking any service.
Quick care checklist
The short version: what to do weekly, monthly and before storing.
Open the checklist →
Maintenance guide
Cleaning, storage climate, carriage handling and what not to use.
Read the guide →
Spare parts
Original parts, 3D-printed replacements and hard-to-find pieces.
Browse parts →
Still stuck
Tell us what it's doing
Describe the symptom in your own words — you don't need the correct terminology. A short video of the machine misbehaving is worth ten paragraphs. We answer from the workshop in Fuengirola, in English, Spanish or Polish.
Contact the workshop
If it needs the bench rather than an email, see online diagnostic support or our repair services and prices.
Read Essential Maintenance and Best Practices
Maintaining a Smooth Operation
Used sparingly and in the right places, oil keeps a typewriter running and helps prevent rust. Used generously, it is the single most common cause of the sticky machines that arrive on our bench. The right product in the right quantity matters more than the amount.
Choosing the Right Product
- Odorless mineral spirits are an excellent choice for cleaning. They are a solvent rather than a lubricant, so they flush out old oil and grime instead of replacing it.
- Lightweight, high-grade oils like sewing machine oil or spindle oil are suitable for lubricating moving parts, applied one drop at a time.
- Gun oil is another option, but be cautious not to over-oil the machine.
- Specialized typewriter lubricants have emerged, offering benefits like being odorless, non-toxic, and capable of penetrating intricate parts.
- Never oil the segment, the slots the typebars pivot in. That is the one place where oil attracts dust and causes the sticking it is meant to cure.
Preventing Damage from Leaving Paper in Your Typewriter
Leaving paper in a typewriter for extended periods can cause damage to the rollers and platen. Release the tension on the rollers before storing the typewriter to prevent flat spots on the rubber.
Best Practices for Moving and Using the Typewriter Carriage
- Avoid slamming the carriage, as this can damage the escapement mechanism.
- Use a smooth, controlled motion when returning the carriage to start a new line.
- Regularly check and reset the margins to ensure the carriage is moving smoothly.
- Secure the carriage when transporting or storing the typewriter.
Properly Releasing Roller Tension for Long-Term Storage
- Release the tension on the rollers before storing the typewriter to prevent flat spots on the rubber.
- Use the paper release lever or consult the owner's manual for specific instructions.
Keeping it Clean: Tools and Techniques for Typewriter Hygiene
- Use soft brushes, compressed air, and cleaning cloths to remove dust and debris from the internal mechanisms.
- Clean the exterior surfaces with a damp cloth and mild dish soap.
- Avoid using wax on typewriters with a crinkle paint finish.
- Use rubbing alcohol or a metal polish to clean and polish chrome or nickel-plated parts.
The Ideal Climate: Temperature and Humidity Ranges for Typewriter Storage
- Store typewriters in a room with a stable temperature between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 4 to 27 degrees Celsius).
- Maintain a relative humidity level between 30% and 50% to prevent rust and corrosion.
The Rhythm of the Keys: Frequency and Duration of Typewriter Use for Optimal Health
- Regular and frequent use is the best form of maintenance for a typewriter.
- Make an effort to type a page or two every month or two to keep the parts moving freely and in good condition.
- Recognize the signs of disuse and address any potential issues before they become significant.
