Thank you for this video. I've just started renovating my Bluebird typewriter (the export name used by Torpedo) and this is really helpful. I also enjoyed hearing you wax lyrical about the build quality of this decades-old workhorse. It reminds me of my experience of renovating my interwar Zeiss cameras and 1947 Singer sewing machine. Sound build quality of moving parts and satisfying haptics. And generally all they require is a good degreasing and then using them to keep the moving parts going...
Good stuff. I recently bought a Torpedo 18B that arrived missing the H slug. Forced me to go beyond my comfort zone and rob an H from a Brother machine with similar typeface, solder off and on the slug, and learn to accept a slightly low h! Someday I'll replace the platen!
Great work Joe! If the height of the two substitute keys is a problem, consider making replacements with a glued together sandwich of thin, good quality plywood, with a piece of metal in bewtween to take the impact of typing and prevent splitting. You can cut the wood to get pretty close to the original shape, and sand the replacements to get a more accurate match.
excellent vid, interesting to see you do a major service on an old typewriter, fairly rare on youtube. Thank you for the channel. I'd never used a typewriter before but bought an Olivetti Lettera 32 a couple of weeks ago on Ebay. Got it quite cheaply, is in mint condition ... it could've left the factory yesterday. I was very lucky. Anyway, I had no idea that using an manual old typewriter was such a satisfying thing to do. It's quite a different experience to any other form of writing. I'm now addicted to creating stuff on this wonderful little machine.
Wow Joe, you really transformed that typewriter! You must be really fond of this Torpedo to have treated it to a new JJ Short platen. I could almost smell the fresh platen rubber as you unwrapped the package, LOL Great video as always my friend!
Great structured video! Parts in bags works for me. I've had little parts roll off of the workbench, bounce off my shoe and hide under the bench mixed in sawdust! Sandwich meat plastic tubs work as well for storing parts..(my truck clutch job). Christmas is approaching us quickly! You could set up a tent next to Weems art tent and sell some of your typewriters. What is PB Blaster normally used for? Car stuff? I might have some! good for cleaning gun parts? If you ever make an post apocalyptic movie, your typewriters could be used by surviving groups to relay messages. Hmmm.. My prospecting friend is known around the world (this one) for his model train expertise. You are world renowned for your typewriter knowledge! Thanks!
Great job! I'm afraid there would be too much cursing involved for me to try this. I don't care about cosmetics, either. I just want a machine that works well.
Nice job Joe, i think it's a model 18 (from the 50's) it looks indeed like a Olympia but not a Olympia.. Torpedo was overtaken by Remington Rand in 1931 and from 1964 the Torpedo's were manuafactured in the city where i live ('s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands). Greetings!
Hi Joe, another great video, I am definitely one of the people who greatly appreciates your contributions to the community, thank you!! So, I see you seriously dove into the escapement work, indeed brave and bold. My new machine seems to work great, except the quiet return spring doesn't function. It is in there, seems basically in the right place, but it has no leverage. A returning carriage moves it over and it hits the pawl, but can't push it sufficiently. I can probe in and wiggle it by hand, so I think it isn't really mounted properly in the escapement. I have never dared such depths, and don't want to break what's working. Do you have a torpedo 18 service reference? Any pointers on how to fix this without risk? Thanks!
Nice video - brave work removing part of the escapement. Do you know where the tab brake is on the 18b? I'm trying to fix a sluggish tab on the same model and looking for any info I can find. Thanks
Hi Joe, Another great video. Thanks! I just found the same Torpedo that you are working on. Much of the same issues, although not sure if I need to have the platen re-covered, yet. My question is this. Is there a specific order to the dis-assembly of the frame, casing, feet etc? I need to de-gunk the internals also . Keys stick, "white rust" all over the metal parts. The line spare is slipping, not clicking in, etc. I plan to bag and label all the bits, just need to know if there is a best way/order to taking it apart. Thanks again. Your advice is always appreciated.
The type bars on my typewriter have started to squeak, they aren’t sluggish but the squeaking makes me think they need to be cleaned or something? Any thoughts on what I should do Joe?
I just purchased a Torpedo 18b at the local Habitat a humanity store for $10 and am in love. Same color as yours shown here. I’d say in mint condition. Was missing a ribbon, ordered that, but I notice the ribbon doesn’t rise and fall like it should, so you can’t see the letter that you just typed. It rises fine, but doesn’t fall the way. Ideas?
Try cleaning the metal guides that the ribbon guide moves up and down on. Use cotton buds and alcohol. Try to keep the alcohol away from the ribbon, it may help to remove the ribbon first.
Thank you for this video. I've just started renovating my Bluebird typewriter (the export name used by Torpedo) and this is really helpful. I also enjoyed hearing you wax lyrical about the build quality of this decades-old workhorse. It reminds me of my experience of renovating my interwar Zeiss cameras and 1947 Singer sewing machine. Sound build quality of moving parts and satisfying haptics. And generally all they require is a good degreasing and then using them to keep the moving parts going...
Good stuff. I recently bought a Torpedo 18B that arrived missing the H slug. Forced me to go beyond my comfort zone and rob an H from a Brother machine with similar typeface, solder off and on the slug, and learn to accept a slightly low h! Someday I'll replace the platen!
Great video Joe, thanks
Incredible work Joe! You did an amazing job, and you are awesome!
Great work Joe! If the height of the two substitute keys is a problem, consider making replacements with a glued together sandwich of thin, good quality plywood, with a piece of metal in bewtween to take the impact of typing and prevent splitting. You can cut the wood to get pretty close to the original shape, and sand the replacements to get a more accurate match.
excellent vid, interesting to see you do a major service on an old typewriter, fairly rare on youtube. Thank you for the channel. I'd never used a typewriter before but bought an Olivetti Lettera 32 a couple of weeks ago on Ebay. Got it quite cheaply, is in mint condition ... it could've left the factory yesterday. I was very lucky. Anyway, I had no idea that using an manual old typewriter was such a satisfying thing to do. It's quite a different experience to any other form of writing. I'm now addicted to creating stuff on this wonderful little machine.
Wow Joe, you really transformed that typewriter! You must be really fond of this Torpedo to have treated it to a new JJ Short platen. I could almost smell the fresh platen rubber as you unwrapped the package, LOL Great video as always my friend!
Great structured video! Parts in bags works for me. I've had little parts roll off of the workbench, bounce off my shoe and hide under the bench mixed in sawdust! Sandwich meat plastic tubs work as well for storing parts..(my truck clutch job). Christmas is approaching us quickly! You could set up a tent next to Weems art tent and sell some of your typewriters. What is PB Blaster normally used for? Car stuff? I might have some! good for cleaning gun parts?
If you ever make an post apocalyptic movie, your typewriters could be used by surviving groups to relay messages. Hmmm.. My prospecting friend is known around the world (this one) for his model train expertise. You are world renowned for your typewriter knowledge! Thanks!
Great job! I'm afraid there would be too much cursing involved for me to try this. I don't care about cosmetics, either. I just want a machine that works well.
Nice job Joe, i think it's a model 18 (from the 50's) it looks indeed like a Olympia but not a Olympia.. Torpedo was overtaken by Remington Rand in 1931 and from 1964 the Torpedo's were manuafactured in the city where i live ('s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands). Greetings!
Hi Joe, another great video, I am definitely one of the people who greatly appreciates your contributions to the community, thank you!! So, I see you seriously dove into the escapement work, indeed brave and bold. My new machine seems to work great, except the quiet return spring doesn't function. It is in there, seems basically in the right place, but it has no leverage. A returning carriage moves it over and it hits the pawl, but can't push it sufficiently. I can probe in and wiggle it by hand, so I think it isn't really mounted properly in the escapement. I have never dared such depths, and don't want to break what's working. Do you have a torpedo 18 service reference? Any pointers on how to fix this without risk? Thanks!
Thank you! I don't know of a service manual for the Torpeo, unless Ted Munk has one for sale.
Nice video - brave work removing part of the escapement. Do you know where the tab brake is on the 18b? I'm trying to fix a sluggish tab on the same model and looking for any info I can find. Thanks
Hi Joe, Another great video. Thanks! I just found the same Torpedo that you are working on. Much of the same issues, although not sure if I need to have the platen re-covered, yet. My question is this. Is there a specific order to the dis-assembly of the frame, casing, feet etc? I need to de-gunk the internals also . Keys stick, "white rust" all over the metal parts. The line spare is slipping, not clicking in, etc. I plan to bag and label all the bits, just need to know if there is a best way/order to taking it apart. Thanks again. Your advice is always appreciated.
The type bars on my typewriter have started to squeak, they aren’t sluggish but the squeaking makes me think they need to be cleaned or something? Any thoughts on what I should do Joe?
Flush the slots of the segment with isopropyl alcohol and work the keys. They shouldn't need lubricants. Maybe some residue in there.
I just purchased a Torpedo 18b at the local Habitat a humanity store for $10 and am in love. Same color as yours shown here. I’d say in mint condition. Was missing a ribbon, ordered that, but I notice the ribbon doesn’t rise and fall like it should, so you can’t see the letter that you just typed. It rises fine, but doesn’t fall the way. Ideas?
Try cleaning the metal guides that the ribbon guide moves up and down on. Use cotton buds and alcohol. Try to keep the alcohol away from the ribbon, it may help to remove the ribbon first.
@@Joe_VanCleave thank you, I will give it a try.
How much does it cost to have the platen re-rubbered (is that a word?) :-)
Roughly $80 depending on shipping.
Hey man, would love to work with you hit me up