This is by far the best introduction video. I found it extremely helpful with my 1941 Royal KMM I recently found. With this video I am now able to use my Royal KMM properly. Thanks so Much!!
My grandfather made his living working on typewriters for over 65 years. After he passed away I took an old Royal typewriter out of his shop. One of the belts is broken on it and it looks to have been spray painted at some point. Typewriters are special to me because of him and I recently was gifted a Royal KMM by a friend. It appears to be in good working condition, but it has some cosmetic defects with some paint missing, very little rust. Great video!
Love this overview. Thank you for taking the time to make it. I’m almost 40 and just yesterday purchased my first ever typewriter - a 1947 Royal Quiet De Luxe. Very exciting day!
Agreeing with dingoblue on this one, just picked up a royal typewriter for free with almost 0 problems (save for dirt and grime) and I think I understand what ive gotta do to fix the messed up margins, you're a blessing!
Awesome video and I can't thank you enough for posting it! My fiancée gave me an identical Royal KMM last night as a gift. It's been 30 years since I did any work on a manual typewriter and never on one from this particular era. Every one of the questions I had last night got answered in just more than 14 minutes, including where to find the serial number! Pretty sure mine is 1944-1946 but now I can find out for sure. Gotta agree with others... the music is a very nice touch!
THANK YOU!!!!! My husband found one of these beautiful machines sitting in his mother’s attic and it is truly a dream come true for me but I didn’t know what the bars on the front meant and it was driving me crazy!! Now I just have to figure out why the bell doesn’t work consistently - otherwise it’s an incredible typewriter. Thank you so much for this!!
Teressa - the pivot on the bell’s striker is most likely gummed up from old dried lubricant; clean it with mineral spirits, lacquer thinner or a chemical degreaser, then give it a squirt of oil
I just found 1941vintage royal companion typerwriter for 5$ from flea market. Mint condition. I'm 36 and excited about finishing a childhood dream of becoming a writer. This video helped me tremendously. Thank you truly.
You made my day! My Grandparents had this in their home since I was a kid, and I always left notes on there. They kept them for me to revisit each time I saw them. I have desperately wanted to use it in the past but could not properly clean, etc. Thank you, they meant the world to me.
I really want this one, I just put a ribbon on an old full sized Underwood No. 5 from the 20's- 30's. And I now love full sized typewriters, i used to only type with small portable ones, but desktop ones are so much more fun and easier to use.
Just got me my first typewriter and hes a big steel boss, older than my grandmother Lol. I was having some issues with setting the margins and you helped me so much. Thank you for the crystal clear instructions.
I thought something was wrong with my typewriter and by just watching this video I found out what was wrong with it! Thank you so much! Now I just need to figure out what’s wrong with my bell
I’ve cleaned up one I picked up and it’s working like a champ now. Except the carriage occasionally loses some advancing force as it approaches the right margin. It’ll skip a space, overlap type, etc. right around the bell ring. Usually another round of mineral spirits and compressed air to the margin control will get it working again for a few days, but it’ll start slowing down again. Pretty sure someone refinished it at some point, because the paint texture isn’t uniform. Might try my hand at applying a crinkle finish, but that’s a project for another day.
Very awesome and classy way to introduce a vintage typewriter. I just found a Royal KMM from 1939 for only $15 at a thrift store. However, whenever I type on it, the carriage doesn't move. I noticed that small piece of a ribbon, I believe responsible for pulling the carriage to the left, is ripped in half. I will investigate...
I have an old Royal typewriter very similar to this one. Somehow I've locked up all the keys/spacebar. It worked when we initially brought it home from an auction - can you advise on how maybe how I've done this and how I might release the keys? Thanks! I enjoyed your video!
Could you do a brief cleaning tutorial? I just bought a royal kmm typewriter and I feel like I have to be real staccato like with the “a” key and it seems to stick sometimes. I also have a question the ding that the typewriter makes.
@@nellyworsencroft7657 Let me know when you find out. I bought a KMG at a thrift store. The owner was a young man who had no idea of how to even set it up, or type on it. said he knew how to type, but he could keyboard. That's okay, but somebody gave me a brand new machine -not a Royal- for Christmas one year. I was 10. I self taught myself, and when I started to college, I had to type everything. Had to take typing for two semesters. I still like the machines that make a guy create lots of colorful words when replacing a ribbon. Tom Hanks has a collection of typewriters.
I think I seen this exact typewriter and an antique shop today. I really wanted it. It was like $68 and something I’ll probably have to get the ribbon for it. I may go back and get it when I get paid. I love typewriters.
@@mirandamcwhorter8247 if the basic functions check out, then a rust-free KMM under $100 is a good deal…snatch it up :) ink ribbon is plenty & cheap; i have it in 12 different color combinations!
Awesome video! I had already watched it and you replied to my problem thank you. I will try the margin stops again. The carriage is stuck slightly to the left and it it solid frozen. I looked in there and did see the strap is in tact there is a little lever that i can see that might not be catching , however, me not knowing or even looking at a typewriter since 1977 typing class I really have no idea. Your other link was great to thank you, there is a place in Costa Mesa Ca which may be my nearest place to go if I cant get it moving with some more trouble shooting. Thank you so much for your help and fast response!!!❤
I recently got a old royal KMM type writer, but the part that holds the paper moves but stops moving unless you push on it. Do you know how I could fix that?
I have a 1940's kmm Royal desktop typewriter and the carriage seems to drag itself to the left. I can push it to the right but if I push it slightly back to the left, around the middle mark, it shoots left quickly. Idk how to fix that just yet but the drawband looks fine. The platen doesn't want to move either unless you force it, which I do not like attempting. I guess it could be rusty but I'm not entirely sure. I just received it a day ago so I'm currently cleaning it up and checking everything out.
Hey there! Thank you for all the information on this. I got one over the weekend at a yard sale. I’m a bit sad the keys don’t seem to work. They move half way up but not all the way. Is there a lock system for it? Let me know if you know anything about it please. Thank you so much!!
there is, the end-of-line lock; it is designed to kick in once the right margin is reached, preventing the typist from chewing a hole through the paper & ribbon by typing repeatedly in one spot. It is supposed to disengage once either the margin release key is pressed or the carriage is returned, but with age & dried lubricants they tend to get stuck. Yours most likely needs cleaning(NOT more lubricant, which might work for a short while but will harden again if the old lubricant is not removed). there is a service manual online for this model containing has several diagrams which might be helpful getting an idea of what is going on, found at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalService.pdf
I recently Got a Royal typewriter. However my does not advance the carrige end it seems as though my carriage locks do not allow me to move the carriage like yours do. Anything you do to help me would be greatly appreciated
Nice machine! Great point about relieving the pressure on the feed rollers for long term storage. I get machines all the time where the feed rollers are literally flat on one side, then they don't work, sometimes "AT ALL!" ;-( , paper just goes all wonky even when you do get it in there, as the roller is just sliding, not rolling. Sometimes you can fix them with available rubber hose, sometimes not so much. I've got to get a grinding jig made to be able to size them correctly, IF you can find hoses without the internal "bracing".
Thank you for this video. About an hour prior to finding your video I ordered a ‘46 KMM for a book I’m writing. My laptop is shot and I love the tactile experience of a typewriter. Do you have any suggestions for paper to use? If I remember correctly, in the ‘80s-when I was a kid-I tried to run printer paper through my typewriter and it would never feed correctly.
nice! modern print/copy paper is usually 20lb, which definitely is not ideal; if it’s all you have, be sure to use two pieces. i personally use 28lb, which has a nice thickness to the touch and allows for better print quality and excellent feed/registration…also, you can usually find it at walmart :)
Hi ... I have a royal TYPEWRITER similar to the one you have ... Is just a gray color . When I press the keys won't slice or go ....do you know what could be?
howdy! unfortunately there is a staggering number of things it could be - it’s like asking why a car from the 1940’s doesn’t just start right up & drive :) your best bet will be to take it in to a technician for a tune up! there is a list of repair shops at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
Im working with this exact same model. There’s tension, line lock is fine, tab keys work, letter keys and space bar work but the carriage doesn’t advance with the keys or space bar, just tab. Any ideas?
I want to disassemble my KMM and give it a paint job but im terrified to take it apart is it pretty straight forward to remove the main portion of the body
Savannah Sparkes - you >should< be terrified :) the ribbon cover, flanges, and carriage plates are easy enough, but the main body IS the typewriter - you can't remove it. paintjobs are an art of their own.
TypewriterJustice I shall take a leap of faith and tape/cover everything I don't want coloured and do the little bits and bobs by hand. Should be quite the project.
Savannah Sparkes - if you DO end up disassembling anything, remember to take lots of pictures of it before and during the process, and put screws back into the holes they came out of as you go! a good paint job can be tricky(especially if there's rust) but it's totally doable! feel free to email me directly if you have any questions - typewriterjustice@gmail.com
Have you ever had to fix the tabulator on one of these? My tab button is loose, doesn't tab and doesn't come back up. Where is the connection I should be looking for ya think? I believe it's connected to my margin release somehow, 'cause that doesn't work either. Help!
George/Cindy Austria - you can access both mechanisms fairly easily by removing the cover at the rear of the carriage. most likely they are dirty, and will require cleaning and fresh lubricant
@@TypewriterJustice I removed the cover where the serial number is and saw that the tabulator linkage is disconnected. However, the last link between the turn buckle and the tabulator arm is missing. Is that just a threaded rod with a hook on the other end? I can see were it needs to connect, but I'm missing the rod, if that's what it is.
@@nellyworsencroft7657 Haha. Thanks but I’ve found a supplier on amazon. Still enjoy typing stuff. Mostly use it to type up recipes. ;) thanks for the response!
Well, just got one in Germany, probably served for the armed forces cause it has an american keyboard . Built in 45 and this video helped me a lot. Thx.
i found one of these in the trash and its been working well, but its heavy, one thing though, the carriage return lever got bent down by accident, i thought the machine was ruined but i managed to bend it back up, that lever is the only weak spot on these, otherwise they are solid machines
I have my dads royal...Looks exactly like this. I use to do homework on it in the 70's. Needs reconditioned but still in good shape...keys still work,,, well somewhat, needs new springs.
David Anderson - yep, but it will cost more than you paid for the machine(and it is worth every penny). look up JJ Short in Macedon NY, info is on their website
pmcall221 spring steel doesn’t degrade under tension over time(which is precisely why we make springs out of it) so it really doesn’t matter where you set the margins. What DOES matter is making sure you engage the paper release, so your feed rollers are detensioned & wont get flat spots from resting against the platen - very important!!
My son ran over after watching you do the carriage return while my daughter was typing on our new royal and we cannot get it to move now. Any suggestions??? Please help! The keys won't even type. I'm hoping he engaged some sort of lock? Thanks!
first off, if you havent already you should download and read the owners manual for your machine; most of them can be found at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html for free. If that doesnt help, feel free to email me some photos of your machine(so i know which model you have) and we'll see what can be done. my email is typewriterjustice@gmail.com
Thank you. I finally figured it out! turned out the margins lock werent on so when he carriage returned it pushed the left margin setter all the way to the right margin setter so the margin was 0! It is working now. I will check out the manual link you gave. It is a Royal KMM. We enjoyed your video.
Alright anybody ? Why is my carriage stuck about three inches left of center. Is it a tab that just won't release or some other do dad that locks it up ? Is it gremlins holding hands ? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
assuming that it’s not just that your margins got moved by accident, then it’s hung somewhere…maybe the escapement, maybe the tabulation, maybe a foreign object - hard to say without seeing it. wiggle things. jiggle things. pick up the ass end of the machine so the rear feet are about 1 inch off your table/desk and drop it a few times (seriously, you won’t hurt it) in case you’re unfamiliar with that exact model, the owners manual can be viewed at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalKMM.pdf and also there is a list of repair shops at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
nope! those are typically just on portable models. if your carriage isn’t moving, try the margin release key(MAR REL, right edge of keyboard) to see if that clears it; the KMM has ‘Magic Margins’ which are often mishandled. The owners manual for the KMM can be viewed at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalKMM.pdf
Great radio voice and love typewriters. I have this machine. Got it free from an antique shop. It didn’t work so she gave it to for nothing. I have to start working on it.
most of the time, typewriters in antique malls don’t work but their sellers don’t know/care enough about them to ever do anything about it(except maybe overcharge LOL) - seriously, what a lucky break! fwiw, there is very little that can actually kill a KMM so i doubt your machine is actually broken; it most likely just needs cleaning & adjusting. Whether you are looking to learn how to do this work yourself or to find a repair shop or online community to help, a great place to start is site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/indexmobile.html aka The Classic Typewriter Page. it’s difficult to overstate the magnitude of resources available on that site; dig deep :)
Have you had the chance to use a Royal Empress? I'd love to see review on these as I have been considering getting one but have never had the opportunity to try one out.
Yes, I have a 1963 model-Aztec blue, 16” carriage. Wonderful touch and print. Plastic carriage handle very gossamer. Need to find a metal one, but you have to file or grind the base if you use an FPS handle. Otherwise, very good machines.
I got a Royal KMM 1939 last Friday. The only issue with it (The MAGIC MARGINS WORK!) are the inserts within the keys that are 98% - 99% faded out. I can get the inserts, whether they will be white on black or black on white, however, I need those two tools, to pop the rings, and the crimper to crimp them back. Outside of this one thing, this typewriter is a BEAUTY! (BTW, here it is! I registered it in the Typewriter Database. typewriterdatabase.com/1939-royal-kmm.6201.typewriter )
Hello my KMM is a brazilian version that on the keyboard has the letter "ç" that we use in our alphabet, its serial number is KMM92R3782331 how would you know the year of manufacture approximately?
Geez, there seems to be a lot to using a typewriter. I am hoping to get one soon to write notes and info on my Genealogy research and put the pages in my Genealogy book binder!
not sure what you mean by 'cartridge'...look at the back left of your machine just below the carriage near the bearing rails & tell me what the serial number is on your machine. should be some letters first, then some numbers
The three best websites i know of that might help the most are machinesoflovinggrace.com site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-collection.html and typewriterdatabase.com/ Poke through those long enough, and not only will you find your typewriter, but you'll also probably find fifteen others that you didn't know existed but now you have to have. Seriously, I think Alan Seavers, Richard Polt, and Ted Munk are directly responsible for the ridiculous amount of typewriters I have in my house right now. You have been warned. The vast overwhelming majority of typewriters take a standard 1/2 inch ribbon, though there are some models of Royals which take a 9/16 inch ribbon(and even those can slog through the day with a 1/2 inch ribbon - i've never done my homework on exactly which models, so if you figure it out, let me know LOL) Ribbons are cheap, less than $10 USD on eBay, so i'd recommend buying a standard 1/2 inch ribbon and sticking it in there to see if it works...which there's a 99% chance it will. If it DOESN'T work, well, that's a good excuse to buy another typewriter - wouldn't want that ribbon going to waste, eh? If none of this leads you in the right direction, feel free to email a couple pictures of your typewriter to typewriterjustice@gmail.com and i can probably suss it out for you :) Best of luck, mate!
Update: thanks to your help, I was able to determine that my typewriter is a 1958 Royal Quiet Deluxe. Thanks so much! My final question: do you know what kind of ribbon it takes? I still can't figure that out, lol! Thanks again!
I'm Wondering if the Remingtom KMC (Model 17) Is Better than the Royal KMM. Any thoughts? I'm willing to buy one of these machines in the Future after i get the Hermes 3000.
well, there is no locking function on this model other than the line lock(the mechanism which engages to keep you from typing over and over in the same spot at the end of a line) and that mechanism is supposed to reset every time you return the carriage, so regardles of exactly what is going on your machine has at least a minor issue, possibly a major one. Without a video or a more detailed description of exactly what is(and isn't) happening when you attempt to type I can't tell you much more than that. If you aren't very mechanically inclined, i would suggest you take it to a local repairman; a good place to start is the list on Richard Polt's site, found at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
hello! i am so glad you posted this video on this machine! i have a KMG 4510782 model and i am having some trouble learning how it works. i got it at an antique store for next to nothing and it still works really well, and i'm so so eager to get it working, there is a TON of dust all over it, too. i need some help with cleaning and figuring out how to type on note cards, etc. is there any way to contact you directly or could you possibly post a video on how to type on envelopes or note cards? also. i live in brooklyn new york, and i'm sure it's likely there's someone out here who loves typewriters, but i'm having a difficult time finding them. if you happen to know anyone could you possibly share their info? i hope this wasn't too much to ask. thank you again for sharing these videos. typewriters are amazing.
welcome to the crowd! probably the best place to start is Richard Polt's website, The Classic Typewriter Page. There are several shops in NYC, so you're in luck so far as that goes...here is a link where you can look them up and find one convenient for you site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
there is also a wealth of cleaning & maintenance info on that same site...including free pdf files for the owners manual for your machine. poke around, you wont regret it.
all the models in this design family use the same specialized spool, but the ribbon itself is a standard 1/2 inch(13mm) which is readily available online; as long as you have the proper spools, you can buy any standard typewriter ribbon and transfer it over onto your spools :)
Ross Landis - NO, because unless you have a serious mechanical reason for removing the carriage on a typewriter, you should avoid it like the plague. It not required for cleaning, and there arent many things inside you cant reach by other means. LEAVE YOUR CARRIAGE ALONE!!
Derpy Matt -on this machine, the bell works fine. if yours isnt working, it could very well be an issue of cleaning & tuning rather than something actually being 'broken' so dont give up!
ain’t got no gas in it ;) if you’ve ruled out obstruction by a foreign object, it’s likely out of adjustment back at the escapement rocker plate…and that’s where it gets tricky. all of the motions of the escapement & the space bar are visible on this model, so in theory you can wiggle the keys & spacebar until you figure out how it’s supposed to work(as well as how it isn’t) but if that doesn’t pan out, there is a list of repair shops at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
it's certainly one of my favorite models, both to work on and to use - crazy good engineering, solid manufacturing, classic good looks, and smooooth operation
Do you think you could help me find my brand and year? I tried to type the serial number in on the website and it wouldn't work for me. The number is Kmm 2479056. Thank you!
You're so amazing ! I recently got a royal and i'm taking it apart and reassembling it to learn about these machines so thank you for explaining! Also your voice is very similar to a gaming youtube named swimmybird! The resemblance is uncanny! anyways, thank you for the video!
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This is by far the best introduction video. I found it extremely helpful with my 1941 Royal KMM I recently found. With this video I am now able to use my Royal KMM properly. Thanks so Much!!
My grandfather made his living working on typewriters for over 65 years. After he passed away I took an old Royal typewriter out of his shop. One of the belts is broken on it and it looks to have been spray painted at some point. Typewriters are special to me because of him and I recently was gifted a Royal KMM by a friend. It appears to be in good working condition, but it has some cosmetic defects with some paint missing, very little rust. Great video!
Love this overview. Thank you for taking the time to make it. I’m almost 40 and just yesterday purchased my first ever typewriter - a 1947 Royal Quiet De Luxe. Very exciting day!
Agreeing with dingoblue on this one, just picked up a royal typewriter for free with almost 0 problems (save for dirt and grime) and I think I understand what ive gotta do to fix the messed up margins, you're a blessing!
Awesome video and I can't thank you enough for posting it! My fiancée gave me an identical Royal KMM last night as a gift. It's been 30 years since I did any work on a manual typewriter and never on one from this particular era. Every one of the questions I had last night got answered in just more than 14 minutes, including where to find the serial number! Pretty sure mine is 1944-1946 but now I can find out for sure.
Gotta agree with others... the music is a very nice touch!
I remember this Royal Typewriter, who are used for the film "Deadline" an Canadian horror film!
THANK YOU!!!!! My husband found one of these beautiful machines sitting in his mother’s attic and it is truly a dream come true for me but I didn’t know what the bars on the front meant and it was driving me crazy!! Now I just have to figure out why the bell doesn’t work consistently - otherwise it’s an incredible typewriter. Thank you so much for this!!
Teressa - the pivot on the bell’s striker is most likely gummed up from old dried lubricant; clean it with mineral spirits, lacquer thinner or a chemical degreaser, then give it a squirt of oil
I just found 1941vintage royal companion typerwriter for 5$ from flea market. Mint condition. I'm 36 and excited about finishing a childhood dream of becoming a writer. This video helped me tremendously. Thank you truly.
I just bought a Royal KMM myself, so I look forward to learning about it.
You made my day! My Grandparents had this in their home since I was a kid, and I always left notes on there. They kept them for me to revisit each time I saw them. I have desperately wanted to use it in the past but could not properly clean, etc. Thank you, they meant the world to me.
I really want this one, I just put a ribbon on an old full sized Underwood No. 5 from the 20's- 30's. And I now love full sized typewriters, i used to only type with small portable ones, but desktop ones are so much more fun and easier to use.
Just got me my first typewriter and hes a big steel boss, older than my grandmother Lol. I was having some issues with setting the margins and you helped me so much. Thank you for the crystal clear instructions.
I thought something was wrong with my typewriter and by just watching this video I found out what was wrong with it! Thank you so much! Now I just need to figure out what’s wrong with my bell
Thanks so much! I'm getting out my mother's 1940s Royal and needed a refresher.
I’ve cleaned up one I picked up and it’s working like a champ now. Except the carriage occasionally loses some advancing force as it approaches the right margin. It’ll skip a space, overlap type, etc. right around the bell ring.
Usually another round of mineral spirits and compressed air to the margin control will get it working again for a few days, but it’ll start slowing down again.
Pretty sure someone refinished it at some point, because the paint texture isn’t uniform. Might try my hand at applying a crinkle finish, but that’s a project for another day.
I just got a 1953 Royal Quiet De Luxe. This video was super helpful! I am now storing it with the paper release with it disengaged.
I just picked one of these up and it needs some profound love. The how-to is very lovely. Thank you so much!
they are truly the tanks of the typewriter world, effectively indestructible 💛
Very awesome and classy way to introduce a vintage typewriter. I just found a Royal KMM from 1939 for only $15 at a thrift store. However, whenever I type on it, the carriage doesn't move. I noticed that small piece of a ribbon, I believe responsible for pulling the carriage to the left, is ripped in half. I will investigate...
I have an old Royal typewriter very similar to this one. Somehow I've locked up all the keys/spacebar. It worked when we initially brought it home from an auction - can you advise on how maybe how I've done this and how I might release the keys? Thanks! I enjoyed your video!
Could you do a brief cleaning tutorial? I just bought a royal kmm typewriter and I feel like I have to be real staccato like with the “a” key and it seems to stick sometimes. I also have a question the ding that the typewriter makes.
Dude....Django Reinhardt in the background made this even better.
it makes the typewriters feel at home ;)
TypewriterJustice gah so true. I have a 1948 KMM that I use. so glad to see someone else as excited about these royals as I am.
Anthony J Man i was thinking the same thing lol
Also, where can i buy the ribbon for my typewriter? I have a KMG.
@@nellyworsencroft7657 Let me know when you find out. I bought a KMG at a thrift store. The owner was a young man who had no idea of how to even set it up, or type on it. said he knew how to type, but he could keyboard. That's okay, but somebody gave me a brand new machine -not a Royal- for Christmas one year. I was 10. I self taught myself, and when I started to college, I had to type everything. Had to take typing for two semesters. I still like the machines that make a guy create lots of colorful words when replacing a ribbon. Tom Hanks has a collection of typewriters.
Just purchased a KMM 1946 vintage. Thanks for a great overview!
I think I seen this exact typewriter and an antique shop today. I really wanted it. It was like $68 and something I’ll probably have to get the ribbon for it. I may go back and get it when I get paid. I love typewriters.
@@mirandamcwhorter8247 if the basic functions check out, then a rust-free KMM under $100 is a good deal…snatch it up :) ink ribbon is plenty & cheap; i have it in 12 different color combinations!
Awesome video! I had already watched it and you replied to my problem thank you. I will try the margin stops again. The carriage is stuck slightly to the left and it it solid frozen. I looked in there and did see the strap is in tact there is a little lever that i can see that might not be catching , however, me not knowing or even looking at a typewriter since 1977 typing class I really have no idea. Your other link was great to thank you, there is a place in Costa Mesa Ca which may be my nearest place to go if I cant get it moving with some more trouble shooting. Thank you so much for your help and fast response!!!❤
Hey, I was wondering what ribbon you would recommend for a KMG Royal circa 1949. Thanks so much for your help!
assuming you have proper spools, any half-inch(13mm) ribbon will work
I recently got a old royal KMM type writer, but the part that holds the paper moves but stops moving unless you push on it. Do you know how I could fix that?
I have a 1940's kmm Royal desktop typewriter and the carriage seems to drag itself to the left. I can push it to the right but if I push it slightly back to the left, around the middle mark, it shoots left quickly. Idk how to fix that just yet but the drawband looks fine. The platen doesn't want to move either unless you force it, which I do not like attempting. I guess it could be rusty but I'm not entirely sure. I just received it a day ago so I'm currently cleaning it up and checking everything out.
Hey there! Thank you for all the information on this. I got one over the weekend at a yard sale. I’m a bit sad the keys don’t seem to work. They move half way up but not all the way. Is there a lock system for it? Let me know if you know anything about it please.
Thank you so much!!
there is, the end-of-line lock; it is designed to kick in once the right margin is reached, preventing the typist from chewing a hole through the paper & ribbon by typing repeatedly in one spot. It is supposed to disengage once either the margin release key is pressed or the carriage is returned, but with age & dried lubricants they tend to get stuck. Yours most likely needs cleaning(NOT more lubricant, which might work for a short while but will harden again if the old lubricant is not removed). there is a service manual online for this model containing has several diagrams which might be helpful getting an idea of what is going on, found at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalService.pdf
How about those little metal tabs where the ribbon goes through?
I recently Got a Royal typewriter. However my does not advance the carrige end it seems as though my carriage locks do not allow me to move the carriage like yours do. Anything you do to help me would be greatly appreciated
Nice machine! Great point about relieving the pressure on the feed rollers for long term storage. I get machines all the time where the feed rollers are literally flat on one side, then they don't work, sometimes "AT ALL!" ;-( , paper just goes all wonky even when you do get it in there, as the roller is just sliding, not rolling. Sometimes you can fix them with available rubber hose, sometimes not so much. I've got to get a grinding jig made to be able to size them correctly, IF you can find hoses without the internal "bracing".
I have an H model with accounting keys. Can you please show how to use these keys and what they are for? Thanks
I have one of these, but the 1/2 and 1/4 key doesn't work. The link is missing and I don't think it's ever been there.
Thank you for this video. About an hour prior to finding your video I ordered a ‘46 KMM for a book I’m writing. My laptop is shot and I love the tactile experience of a typewriter. Do you have any suggestions for paper to use? If I remember correctly, in the ‘80s-when I was a kid-I tried to run printer paper through my typewriter and it would never feed correctly.
nice! modern print/copy paper is usually 20lb, which definitely is not ideal; if it’s all you have, be sure to use two pieces. i personally use 28lb, which has a nice thickness to the touch and allows for better print quality and excellent feed/registration…also, you can usually find it at walmart :)
Hi ... I have a royal TYPEWRITER similar to the one you have ... Is just a gray color .
When I press the keys won't slice or go ....do you know what could be?
howdy! unfortunately there is a staggering number of things it could be - it’s like asking why a car from the 1940’s doesn’t just start right up & drive :) your best bet will be to take it in to a technician for a tune up! there is a list of repair shops at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
Im working with this exact same model. There’s tension, line lock is fine, tab keys work, letter keys and space bar work but the carriage doesn’t advance with the keys or space bar, just tab. Any ideas?
yes, but i need more info - email me typewriterjustice@gmail.com
I want to disassemble my KMM and give it a paint job but im terrified to take it apart is it pretty straight forward to remove the main portion of the body
Savannah Sparkes - you >should< be terrified :) the ribbon cover, flanges, and carriage plates are easy enough, but the main body IS the typewriter - you can't remove it. paintjobs are an art of their own.
TypewriterJustice I shall take a leap of faith and tape/cover everything I don't want coloured and do the little bits and bobs by hand. Should be quite the project.
Savannah Sparkes - if you DO end up disassembling anything, remember to take lots of pictures of it before and during the process, and put screws back into the holes they came out of as you go! a good paint job can be tricky(especially if there's rust) but it's totally doable! feel free to email me directly if you have any questions - typewriterjustice@gmail.com
Have you ever had to fix the tabulator on one of these? My tab button is loose, doesn't tab and doesn't come back up. Where is the connection I should be looking for ya think? I believe it's connected to my margin release somehow, 'cause that doesn't work either. Help!
George/Cindy Austria - you can access both mechanisms fairly easily by removing the cover at the rear of the carriage. most likely they are dirty, and will require cleaning and fresh lubricant
@@TypewriterJustice I removed the cover where the serial number is and saw that the tabulator linkage is disconnected. However, the last link between the turn buckle and the tabulator arm is missing. Is that just a threaded rod with a hook on the other end? I can see were it needs to connect, but I'm missing the rod, if that's what it is.
thank you so much!!! i have this typewriter and ur video was so helpful. im lucky the magic margins on mine work perfectly
I like the way you make your reviews: simple and enjoyable.
If so, could you please point me in the right direction of finding the ink ribbons.
Did you figure out where to get ink ribbons?
yup, some people on Amazon. Want a link?
@@haroldfarthington7492 i do!
@@nellyworsencroft7657 Haha. Thanks but I’ve found a supplier on amazon. Still enjoy typing stuff. Mostly use it to type up recipes. ;) thanks for the response!
Well, just got one in Germany, probably served for the armed forces cause it has an american keyboard . Built in 45 and this video helped me a lot. Thx.
i found one of these in the trash and its been working well, but its heavy, one thing though, the carriage return lever got bent down by accident, i thought the machine was ruined but i managed to bend it back up, that lever is the only weak spot on these, otherwise they are solid machines
How would you fix a return arm that hits and scratches the cover?
Ernesto Ibarra - bend it up! grab the arm near the pivot point with a pair of pliers, then use your hand to bend the end of the arm up
@@TypewriterJustice Thanks for your prompt reply! I tried it and it worked!!
This was really helpful! My right margin got pushed over and I couldn't figure out how to fix it!! Thanks!
I have my dads royal...Looks exactly like this. I use to do homework on it in the 70's. Needs reconditioned but still in good shape...keys still work,,, well somewhat, needs new springs.
By the way, the only thing that doesn't work on my Royal MM11 is the TAB Set. Any ideas on how to fix?
I bought my refurbished KMM in 1970 for $59.50 + tax. It's still going strong, but the platen is hard as a rock. Can it be replaced?
David Anderson - yep, but it will cost more than you paid for the machine(and it is worth every penny). look up JJ Short in Macedon NY, info is on their website
For long term storage where should the magic margins be set that put the least strain on the springs
pmcall221 spring steel doesn’t degrade under tension over time(which is precisely why we make springs out of it) so it really doesn’t matter where you set the margins. What DOES matter is making sure you engage the paper release, so your feed rollers are detensioned & wont get flat spots from resting against the platen - very important!!
Just bought one of these machines and I am ecstatic for this tutorial. Thank you so much! Sadly my Serial Number is not readable on the back :(
My son ran over after watching you do the carriage return while my daughter was typing on our new royal and we cannot get it to move now. Any suggestions??? Please help! The keys won't even type. I'm hoping he engaged some sort of lock? Thanks!
first off, if you havent already you should download and read the owners manual for your machine; most of them can be found at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html for free. If that doesnt help, feel free to email me some photos of your machine(so i know which model you have) and we'll see what can be done. my email is typewriterjustice@gmail.com
Thank you. I finally figured it out! turned out the margins lock werent on so when he carriage returned it pushed the left margin setter all the way to the right margin setter so the margin was 0! It is working now. I will check out the manual link you gave. It is a Royal KMM. We enjoyed your video.
Alright anybody ? Why is my carriage stuck about three inches left of center. Is it a tab that just won't release or some other do dad that locks it up ? Is it gremlins holding hands ? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
assuming that it’s not just that your margins got moved by accident, then it’s hung somewhere…maybe the escapement, maybe the tabulation, maybe a foreign object - hard to say without seeing it. wiggle things. jiggle things. pick up the ass end of the machine so the rear feet are about 1 inch off your table/desk and drop it a few times (seriously, you won’t hurt it)
in case you’re unfamiliar with that exact model, the owners manual can be viewed at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalKMM.pdf and also there is a list of repair shops at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
Grocery list i love it man im in love with these machines
What exactly is it that you have your writer sitting on top of?
Is there a lock mechanism for the carriage?
nope! those are typically just on portable models. if your carriage isn’t moving, try the margin release key(MAR REL, right edge of keyboard) to see if that clears it; the KMM has ‘Magic Margins’ which are often mishandled. The owners manual for the KMM can be viewed at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalKMM.pdf
Great radio voice and love typewriters. I have this machine. Got it free from an antique shop. It didn’t work so she gave it to for nothing. I have to start working on it.
most of the time, typewriters in antique malls don’t work but their sellers don’t know/care enough about them to ever do anything about it(except maybe overcharge LOL) - seriously, what a lucky break! fwiw, there is very little that can actually kill a KMM so i doubt your machine is actually broken; it most likely just needs cleaning & adjusting. Whether you are looking to learn how to do this work yourself or to find a repair shop or online community to help, a great place to start is site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/indexmobile.html aka The Classic Typewriter Page. it’s difficult to overstate the magnitude of resources available on that site; dig deep :)
Have you had the chance to use a Royal Empress? I'd love to see review on these as I have been considering getting one but have never had the opportunity to try one out.
alas, i've not had the please - they sure are pretty, though...and BIG!!
Yes, I have a 1963 model-Aztec blue, 16” carriage. Wonderful touch and print. Plastic carriage handle very gossamer. Need to find a metal one, but you have to file or grind the base if you use an FPS handle. Otherwise, very good machines.
I got a Royal KMM 1939 last Friday. The only issue with it (The MAGIC MARGINS WORK!) are the inserts within the keys that are 98% - 99% faded out. I can get the inserts, whether they will be white on black or black on white, however, I need those two tools, to pop the rings, and the crimper to crimp them back. Outside of this one thing, this typewriter is a BEAUTY! (BTW, here it is! I registered it in the Typewriter Database. typewriterdatabase.com/1939-royal-kmm.6201.typewriter )
Hello my KMM is a brazilian version that on the keyboard has the letter "ç" that we use in our alphabet, its serial number is KMM92R3782331 how would you know the year of manufacture approximately?
Gabriel Cantarelli - according to the Typewriter Database, your machine is from 1948. Cheers!
@@TypewriterJustice Thank you! helped me a lot!
may i ask how the first Song is called that played in the backround
it really adds to this video really good
Five years later… but it’s Le Mer (Beyond the Sea) by Django Reinhardt.
Thank you anyways! Very nice song
Geez, there seems to be a lot to using a typewriter. I am hoping to get one soon to write notes and info on my Genealogy research and put the pages in my Genealogy book binder!
Where can I find the ribbon with the reverse mechanism??
ebay or Etsy, though you can add grommets/eyelets to any ribbon
I came for the typewriter info but stayed for that .5L stoneware German beer mug. At this type of year I hope it is filled with Oktoberfest!
ha! love that thing :) over a decade, and i still use it almost every day(though mostly for coffee & tea)
Great video - do I hear Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt?
thanks! yes indeed - best players ever :)
i just recently purchased one of these and it seems to be exactly the same but the cartridge on mine is WAY bigger.....
not sure what you mean by 'cartridge'...look at the back left of your machine just below the carriage near the bearing rails & tell me what the serial number is on your machine. should be some letters first, then some numbers
whoops i meant to say carriage
Alexis Speiser - ahhh, that makes much more sense. yah, they came in a (cough) WIDE variety of carriage widths ;)
aaayyy i sed what you did there ;D
Awesome video! Question: how do I find out what model my Royal is? I want to know what kind of ribbon it takes.
The three best websites i know of that might help the most are machinesoflovinggrace.com site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-collection.html and typewriterdatabase.com/ Poke through those long enough, and not only will you find your typewriter, but you'll also probably find fifteen others that you didn't know existed but now you have to have. Seriously, I think Alan Seavers, Richard Polt, and Ted Munk are directly responsible for the ridiculous amount of typewriters I have in my house right now. You have been warned.
The vast overwhelming majority of typewriters take a standard 1/2 inch ribbon, though there are some models of Royals which take a 9/16 inch ribbon(and even those can slog through the day with a 1/2 inch ribbon - i've never done my homework on exactly which models, so if you figure it out, let me know LOL) Ribbons are cheap, less than $10 USD on eBay, so i'd recommend buying a standard 1/2 inch ribbon and sticking it in there to see if it works...which there's a 99% chance it will. If it DOESN'T work, well, that's a good excuse to buy another typewriter - wouldn't want that ribbon going to waste, eh?
If none of this leads you in the right direction, feel free to email a couple pictures of your typewriter to typewriterjustice@gmail.com and i can probably suss it out for you :) Best of luck, mate!
TypewriterJustice thanks so much, brother! I sent you an email! Let me know if you've received it.
Update: thanks to your help, I was able to determine that my typewriter is a 1958 Royal Quiet Deluxe. Thanks so much! My final question: do you know what kind of ribbon it takes? I still can't figure that out, lol! Thanks again!
I'm Wondering if the Remingtom KMC (Model 17) Is Better than the Royal KMM. Any thoughts? I'm willing to buy one of these machines in the Future after i get the Hermes 3000.
Both are good machines, but I have always been a Royal man myself.
Is the same typewriter on the "Murder, she wrote" opening theme... Great machine
Jessica Fletcher had a KMM, but I doubt very much this is THE typewriter. Ya never know though!!
I have one of these and they keys seem to be locked to where it won't type.. What do I do to fix this?
well, there is no locking function on this model other than the line lock(the mechanism which engages to keep you from typing over and over in the same spot at the end of a line) and that mechanism is supposed to reset every time you return the carriage, so regardles of exactly what is going on your machine has at least a minor issue, possibly a major one. Without a video or a more detailed description of exactly what is(and isn't) happening when you attempt to type I can't tell you much more than that. If you aren't very mechanically inclined, i would suggest you take it to a local repairman; a good place to start is the list on Richard Polt's site, found at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
hello! i am so glad you posted this video on this machine! i have a KMG 4510782 model and i am having some trouble learning how it works. i got it at an antique store for next to nothing and it still works really well, and i'm so so eager to get it working, there is a TON of dust all over it, too. i need some help with cleaning and figuring out how to type on note cards, etc. is there any way to contact you directly or could you possibly post a video on how to type on envelopes or note cards? also. i live in brooklyn new york, and i'm sure it's likely there's someone out here who loves typewriters, but i'm having a difficult time finding them. if you happen to know anyone could you possibly share their info? i hope this wasn't too much to ask. thank you again for sharing these videos. typewriters are amazing.
welcome to the crowd! probably the best place to start is Richard Polt's website, The Classic Typewriter Page. There are several shops in NYC, so you're in luck so far as that goes...here is a link where you can look them up and find one convenient for you site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
there is also a wealth of cleaning & maintenance info on that same site...including free pdf files for the owners manual for your machine. poke around, you wont regret it.
What type of ribbon is used on this typewriter?
all the models in this design family use the same specialized spool, but the ribbon itself is a standard 1/2 inch(13mm) which is readily available online; as long as you have the proper spools, you can buy any standard typewriter ribbon and transfer it over onto your spools :)
Thanks for this instructional video. My old Royal MM11 can now be properly appreciated.
Excellent video lot of good info
I have one of these, dude... Is it possible to buy the ink? Just got mine and pretty excited.
DanTheGamer Inked ribbons are readily available on eBay and Amazon
Could you do a video on how to remove and reinstall the carriage on a KMM?
Ross Landis - NO, because unless you have a serious mechanical reason for removing the carriage on a typewriter, you should avoid it like the plague. It not required for cleaning, and there arent many things inside you cant reach by other means. LEAVE YOUR CARRIAGE ALONE!!
Thanks for the advice. Appreciate it. Unfortunately, mine is already off.
Ross Landis - in that case, refer here site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
Wow...This must have been updated since the last time I checked. Thanks!
Is there a bell silencer... Or is it broken
Derpy Matt -on this machine, the bell works fine. if yours isnt working, it could very well be an issue of cleaning & tuning rather than something actually being 'broken' so dont give up!
TypewriterJustice I fixed it man I was pumped lol
Loved all the information provided and his voice is perfect but the video was very shaky. I learnd a lot tonight. 😉
What does it mean that mine has an extra row of keys, 1, 10, 100, 1,000, 10 TH’s, etc?
your machine has ‘decimal tabulation’ which was a modification commonly found on machines used for spreadsheets & accounting
How does one know when to change the ribbons?
it’s a bit subjective, but the ink ribbon should be changed whenever the print quality on a properly tuned & adjusted machine is unacceptably light
Hey quick question. Does the ribbon advance right to left or left to right?
Both ways. Either the switch on the left side can change it or the drop tabs on the ribbon reel will do it (When it reaches the end of spool)
Space bar won't work what's the possible problem please
ain’t got no gas in it ;)
if you’ve ruled out obstruction by a foreign object, it’s likely out of adjustment back at the escapement rocker plate…and that’s where it gets tricky. all of the motions of the escapement & the space bar are visible on this model, so in theory you can wiggle the keys & spacebar until you figure out how it’s supposed to work(as well as how it isn’t) but if that doesn’t pan out, there is a list of repair shops at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html
I have same model but thats not working properly
I have one. Wonderful machine!
This Typewriter is Flipping cool!!
it's certainly one of my favorite models, both to work on and to use - crazy good engineering, solid manufacturing, classic good looks, and smooooth operation
+TypewriterJustice yeah! I have a avocado green Lettera 32
+TypewriterJustice also is that Charles Trenet in the background?
+Nicolas Henshilwood it's Django Reinhardt :)
+TypewriterJustice Oh Ha Ha well it sounds a lot like La Mer
is there lead in that thing?
nope
how much do these cost in good typing condition
Not sure about any Royal kmms with a SN on the left side.
Does this also apply to the KMG?
pmcall221 yep
Where do you buy your ink for this model?
I just bought a generic ribbon on ebay and wound the new ribbon onto the original reels.
Do you think you could help me find my brand and year? I tried to type the serial number in on the website and it wouldn't work for me. The number is Kmm 2479056. Thank you!
Destiny Nebeker - sure thing! it can be a little confusing at first :) Your typewriter is a Royal "KMM"(brand/model, respectively) made in late 1939.
I have a model KMG, is it similar?
DanTheGamer The "G" in KMG stands for gray
Having a hard time finding the year for my Royal KMM-3771445.
I bet you could make a very accurate impression of postal guy's voice
You're so amazing ! I recently got a royal and i'm taking it apart and reassembling it to learn about these machines so thank you for explaining! Also your voice is very similar to a gaming youtube named swimmybird! The resemblance is uncanny! anyways, thank you for the video!
Do you know what screw size or where to find one for the return key/arm that connects to the spacing lever.
Please tell me you are the guy with the Dog who talks and the cat treats. Your voice sounds just like his!!
Boss_Hoss _Cigars - sounds fun, but that’s not me. post a link? i’d love to check it out
Great video! Thanks 😊
Thank you! I just received a KMM from Santa and couldn't find the serial number. It's KMM-3355824 (thanks to your video!). :)
Every since computers been made, u click, type, & stroll