Just bought one from goodwill auction for $27. I haven’t used a typewriter since I was a kid so I was nervous to take the leap. I appreciate your videos as I’m just starting to learn. Excited to get my typewriter in the mail and test everything. Wish me luck!
I remember this was in my father's office. I learned typing on it. Still remember the office with multiple typewriters blazing at the same time ... it was music to the ears!!!
Nice to hear good comments for the Galaxie 12. I have a Classic 12 myself-which I understand is almost similar to the Galaxie 12-which I had bought brand new about a decade ago. It works perfectly and I'm glad I hadn't let it go. The key action, as I've realized working with other manuals now, is just so smooth and light and really makes for a perfect daily machine for longform writing.
I was looking for a typewriter with the tab set and clear feature (for screenwriting). The only place I could find selling these was in the States (I live in the UK). In the end I bought the Smith-Corona Classic 12. The design of these machines is not only amazing but beautiful too. Mine cost a lot more than your $15 - plus I paid over $60 in postage - but when you buy something of this quality then it seems worth it. The Classic 12 has a half-space key to the left of the spacebar. BTW thanks for a great series of videos. I'm enjoying watching them.
I have the same machine but with a grey tone keyboard instead of the light blue. I love how it's one of the last manual typewriters before they moved to the electric era. Thank you for this video, I wasn't aware of all its features and you demonstrated them very well.
This is my all-time favorite style of machine. I have two Classic 12's, one pica and one elite. Also two Electras - a 120 (elite) and 220 (pica) - the electric counterparts of the same mechanical design. Got my wife a Coronet (slightly older electric, but essentially the same build). And, we both have Smith-Corona ultra portables - me, a 1954 Skyriter, and her, a 1966 Corsair Deluxe. Despite the bad press given to the Corsair, hers is very nice and a joy to type on. None of the machines mentioned have ever needed ANY work, outside of a routine cleaning. The best part - they're all dirt cheap compared to the more collectible brands - but we chose ours to USE, not to look at or sell. :)
I bought a mint condition one in the eighties and still have it. I do prefer the S-C electrics but this is an awesome machine. I keep saying on some outlets that these aren't considered as well made as the humpy fifties, but I still think of this, as a child of the sixties, as the 'Chevy' machines for Americans. Maybe not as twee and precious as some Euro machines, but as a former pro typist, these will, as John Cameron Swayze said of the Timex, "take a licking and keep on ticking"!
I never could figure out what that de-jammer button was; I've had a classic XII for months and now I know what that one key does. Thanks for the videos. They help new enthusiasts like me know my machines.
What a great video Joe. I have a feeling you keep paper in your vehicle at all times now! I am, as I type this anxiously awaiting my eBay order of the same machine which is supposed to arrive on Friday. Exactly like yours except mine is a two-tone gray. I’ve been wanting one of these machines for quite some time now, and can’t wait to throw my first sheet of paper in it and start typing. Thanks again for the great videos, I try to watch everyone of them.
Hi Joe, thanks for the great video review. I have had a Galaxie 12 for several years but just recently got into using for serious writing. What's the best way to clean up the inside and plastic?
I have the Galaxie Deluxe from 1964, in Storm Grey and white keys, the Deluxe models are exactly like yours, except the carriage is shorter, it's I guess standard size. Yes, mine is an awesome friend and workhorse, crisp typing, my hands won't wear out, or as easily as my other machines, been favoring this lately this past month, over an electric, if that tells you something, these are very special machines for writing. You can type pretty quick, I've been clocked at 100-120 wpm, and it's hard to get a jamb, it happens but hard to do, which is why I think they put the typeface release on it they knew it can type quick, and people will type quickly on them, I find between 80 and 100 wpm I don't jamb up which for a mechanical typewriter is pretty quick. And I think about as fast as you'd want to go, 100 wpm might be its limit, I tend to jam up a bit more often when I really get going faster than that. But again good thing the release is there no need to touch the typeface and you miss it when on another machine. Also my Deluxe, my carriage operations the levers like line spacing, End of page, (love it lol) or metal as in I don't have plastic covers on the carriage levers and switches. And yet it doesn't look like it's missing anything so I am going to boldly say the Deluxe doesn't have those. Nonetheless it's a formable force to write with. Very fun, and pleasing, a Pica type is mine, if writing a novel this is a very good choice and companion to have a long for the journey! I wish I spent 15 bucks, mine was 64 US dollars and worth it, I have since looked for one as good as mine is in condition and I can't find one under 200 dollars so I'm not complaining. All I did to mine was a full cleaning. Thanks for reading be well all very nice video Joe.
I paid $20 for mine “not working.” Took a chance on it and fortunately nothing is broken, just frozen parts. I have it 100% working now. Identical to the one in the video except color. Mine is yellow, dates to approximately 1975. Smith Corona quality same since the 1930s. Mine came in the later plastic case but has the holes in the back for the case in the video. The last few years deleted that hole.
I found one at a scrap yard and it belobged to Marvin Glazer whose family founded something that would later become the pepsi bottling company in Ft Worth. A piece of history because the case the typewriter came in had some letters in it which i could figure this out from. I have cobtacted the family to see if they want it back because its kind of an heirloom thing but it is most definitely a fine machine and i absolutely am in love with it even tho i am a trucker not a writer...just beutiful
Hi Joe, I have one galaxie, it has the "SET" and "LC" on the left side , but I also have a classic 12 which has half space and power space classic 12 also have set/clear key as same as your galaxie, so my question is : what's the difference between galaxie 12 and classic 12 ? they are pretty similar from my viewpoint.
I've gotta say, coming back to this video and thinking about my collection, I don't think it's coincidence these machines make up a good quarter of my collection - I dare say any 6 series SCM is THE machine for me. Oddly most of mine are electric, but that's just the nature of what people in Memphis bought, it would seem. Absolutely LOVE them though, manual or electric! I really think they are, all around, the best, at least for me!
Greetings to you. The other day I acquired a Smith Corona Karmann Ghia Super G (blue/turquoise color) portable typewriter made in the 1970's. In my excitement, I have been looking around on RUclips and found your videos. Thank you! I appreciate what I am seeing thus far, and you give great help. Thank bunches. One reason I think I got this so cheap was the return lever was jammed into the side (it turned out to be fine), and then I realized the ribbon area cover is missing (likely due to the lever being stuck near that space) and even more the little thing to the right of the keys does not have a switch nor indicators for changing the position where one can choose between the red ink or black ink and in my case the corrective tape and the black ink. Also, the typewriter I got requires smaller spools to fit and is not the diameter width of 1 15/16 but about 1 11/16, but both take the one half inch ribbon width. Mine came with a ribbon that was severed somewhere in the middle of the length, and someone had tried to mend it with clear tape but it is in two pieces. It is sad though as this ribbon seems to be in great shape except the broken area. I am wondering if you know perhaps a way where I can still use this ribbon to test the typewriter, like perhaps mend it with a thin glue, let it dry, and see? Would that even work? I do have a number of types of glues. The other problem of course is the area that should have this switch to allow me to change from the corrective tape to the black ink. It appears that this switch and indicator plate is simply gone, and just the black metal part there which seems to also act as the structure to hold it in the case (perhaps) is just there. Amazingly, however, this machine looks to be in great shape for the most part, and it doesn't even make sense that this switch piece would be just gone. Thus far, I don't know of any other issues it might have. Do you have any advice for this? I am not quite sure if this is a lost cause as far as using a dual ribbon...and I do not know if just a black ink ribbon is available for these machines. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so very kindly. By the way, it does seem to have some keys that you mention above, like the UN-jamming key and the adjoining space bar key that advances very quickly too. I think that your typewriter holding eleven inch wide paper was super fantastic for its day because people had access to 11x17 inch paper at the time. About a year ago, I bought a Royal typewriter and it still has major issues due to stuck keys...I have not given up on it yet, but I have been thinking about this issue as it seemed at the time when I was looking online that other typewriters just like it had the exact same stuck keys per the photos online, and I began to wonder if per chance and even what I remembered was there was a trend to self ink per a certain purchase the ribbons again, and I am thinking per chance what if these re-inked ribbons were raining down a powder like dry substance onto the letters below the ribbon where when typing it hit the ribbon shaking it out--perhaps the ink was drying on the ribbon like that which caused so much grunge on the metal parts below? God bless you in Jesus' Name.
To test the machine with the existing ribbon, just unthread the remaining ribbon off the shorter of the spools, then attach the end of the ribbon from the other spool to the now empty spool. You can get replacement spools pretty easily. I order mine online from Amazon (just search for typewriter ribbon). There are all-black ribbons available, which is what I normally use. You can flip the ribbon over (by swapping the spools left-to-right) and use the other edge to double the life. There are also ribbons with one half black and the other half a correcting ribbon. I don't recommend those, the white correction stuff flakes off into the machine. For corrections, it's better to use a cartridge of correction tape by hand. So I wouldn't recommend trying to get the correction ribbon feature working, just use it with a new black ribbon and use a correction tape cartridge. Good luck!
Dear Mr. Joe Van Cleave, Thank you so very kindly for replying to my message. I so very much appreciate everything. Thank you. I did do just that...put half of the ribbon on and remove the other portion. It worked great once I figured out how to install it. However, the ribbon must be very old/dry as it is very faint on the paper, and I discovered my typing is in italics!!! Wow. Who would have thought? But I did notice it had unusual font, but wasn't sure what it was. But it looks really cool. I also looked online for plain black ribbon and am about to make a purchase. I do see that these smaller spools were made for various machines, not just the one I bought--so that is great. Thanks bunches for sending me in the right direction; I totally agree with you. Thanks again...for your time and everything. God bless you. P.S. I see that correction tape is hard to find and what is out there is expensive...but you know what? Years ago when I typed memos, etc., in an office, if I had already removed it from the typewriter and noticed a fixable error, I would just take a pink pearl eraser and carefully erase it, put it back in, realign it, and type there. I think some people in the office were astonished that this was possible (back then), and there was no evidence an error had been there. The machine I used really did erase with an eraser if it was caught in a short time--especially on great paper used for letters. These were the IBM's electric ones...but I think I was doing this with other ones prior to that too. Hard to remember all the details. But if one is familiar and pays attention where exactly it types on the paper, reinstalling the paper to the exact position where the rest of the text is so your retype in the exact space is correct on the text line and centered between the empty space that is erased... gets easier and easier as one attempts this kind of fix. Now this ribbon that I am about to buy...I have no idea how permanent it is, if it is archival ink or not...I am clueless. Grin. But then again, I can't recall anywhere what this ink is as far as durability, etc. nor ribbon of old. Not sure. But thanks again for all your help. Thanks.
I'm glad you got the ribbon sorted. Typewriter ribbon ink is kind of like ballpoint pen ink in terms of ease of erasing. Really depends on the paper. Some rag-like newsprint paper can take erasing, but to the point that you're really removing some of the paper to get the ink off. The correction tape cartridges are sold in office supply stores, they're pretty common. You just roll the platen up on space, lift up the paper bale and roll the white erasing film over your errant character.
Greetings to you! Today I got the black only inked ribbon I had ordered, and I had a lot of success getting it installed, except one thing. On my machine, the area where the ribbon is close to the paper, there are two folded metal parts on each side where the ribbon should be inserted into, top of the ribbon and bottom of ribbon on each side. Well, I got my fingers all black trying to squish it into these two places, but thus far only managed to get in the bottom sections, as I was a little weary of squishing the ribbon there and possibly damaging the ribbon by doing so...thereby...I am wondering if you have a video demonstrating how to get the ribbon into those slots? Is there a better way of doing this? I am not sure. This squishing the ribbon business doesn't seem logical or is it? I would appreciate any advice on how to do this properly. Thank you so very kindly. Also, here in your video above, you showed the switch for H, M, L indicators...I think mine has the same feature. Do I understand you correctly? Is this to make typing print stronger when striking the keys and having better results? Which position would give the best results if the print is not so strong? And does this indicate that the machine needs certain cleaning somewhere if the print is not so great? As you probably can tell, I am not certain if the problem is this or that the ribbon is not quite performing the best it can because of not having the ribbon in those two metal slots as they should be. I would appreciate knowing these things and your help. Thank you so very kindly for everything.
You need to squish the ribbon a bit to get it through the slot into the ribbon vibrator. The ribbon should be closest to the platen roller between the two central guides. I'll do a video about replacing ribbons. The High, Medium, Low setting for the touch adjustment (i.e. how hard the keys feel) rarely makes any difference, with machines that are old and have hardened grease and lubricants.
Do you know what year this SCGD-12 is ?? It seems like on the typewriter data page the smith corona galaxie deluxe 12 none of them have any precise year dates they all just say 196x. I have one but i need to adjust the space bar carriage adjustment because when you push down on the space bar the carriage advancement moves about a half second after you push the space bar.
The TWDB website is an ongoing attempt at contemporary archeology, in the sense that we just don't know everything yet. Some company records have been available, such as sales records through old distributors, but often it's a case of sifting for clues and comparing various machines. The more people record their machine's serial numbers, the more complete the database will be, hopefully eventually resulting in more complete data records. I think Ted Munk sells a reprint of the 1960s-era Smith-Corona service manual, that covers your model.
Hello. Thanks for the video. Just found one of these today for $12.50. One problem I'm having is this... typing in the lower case, occasionally it will skip forward. i.e. The qui ck brown fox j umps over... I don't seem to have the same issue with the upper case. Do you have an idea why it might be jumping a space? Again, thanks for the video. I subscribed.
Usually the skipping spaces problem is something to do with the escapement mechanism, that system deep in the machine that regulates the movement of the carriage with each character typed. If I recall, this is a segment shift machine, meaning the shifting between lower and upper case is carried out by the movement of the segment up and down, rather than the carriage. All of the letter keys operate a common universal bar, which in turn operates common functions like advance the escapement, raise the ribbon and advance the ribbon spools. One of these is binding or not moving smoothly, causing the escapement to slow down and not operate properly. I'd start by cleaning, degreasing and refilling the escapement, the bearings for the shifting movement of the segment and the ribbon vibrator and ribbon spool shafts. Basically all the things that move when a letter is typed. There's some interaction causing the escapement to not function properly.
Brilliant video. I've just ordered one of these and I was hoping the platen would fit my SC super but it looks like the end is different :( sadly my super had a very hard platen. I haven't received it in the post yet. Always a gamble buying on line I know. Thanks for the great video.
There's Turboplaten on eBay: www.ebay.com/itm/UPGRADE-YOUR-TYPEWRITER-WITH-A-TURBOPLATEN-SMITH-CORONA-ROYAL-OLYMPIA-HERMES/332626660129?hash=item4d72180b21:g:GjoAAOSw2KBa2imW My Olympia SM7 could probably stand a platen renewal, but I haven't figured out how to remove it from the machine and I'm partial to SM9's for the most part.
Very similar, if not exactly the same, mechanism. There is always sample-to-sample variation. Check it out for functionality before you buy. If it's in good shape, get it!
Thanks for this excellent review of the Galaxie 12 Joe. Especially the part where you demonstrate the ease by which the platen roller can be removed, a major advantage of this particular machine in my opinion. Question for you, does the ribbon direction "auto reverse" when the spool is empty, or when you notice the type quality fading, do you have to pull back the lid to manually reverse the direction of the ribbon? Sorry if it was in the video and I missed it...
I received this exact type writer as a gift & I love it ! Everything works good but it could use some cleaning from the inside . Is there a manual you recommend that will instruct me in how to clean it &I how to replace the ribbon for when it's needed ? Also, thank you for this video i learned so many new things from it . :)
There's a Facebook typewriter maintenance group that could be helpful. You might check out Richard Polt's book The Typewriter Revolution, it has a section on maintenance. This book is essential for all typewriter collectors and users.
Enjoyed this video, especially as I recently acquired a standard-carriage Galaxy 12 a few days ago. Needs lots of clean up on the inside but the outside is pristine. Unfortunately the platen feels pretty hard. How is the platen in yours?
I have the same one only it’s a two tone beig3 & brown. It seems that my machine can only take a certain type of ribbon. The center of the ribbon disengages and stays inside the typewriter. Is that the way they are?
@@johnlennon1049 There were universal ribbon spools where the center would pop out for use in other format machines. Try pulling the center part off the rotating shaft that turns the spool.
@@Joe_VanCleaveThank you Joe! Finally got it off without damage to the shaft. Had to use a curved needle nose pliers plus with my other hand pulled it off. You are the best. You are up there with Duane Jensen “Phoenix Typewriter.”
For the life of me I can not figure out how to replace the ribbon in my Sterling, which has the same ribbon vibrator as this Galaxy Twelve. I am flummoxed and frustrated.
I think there are metal spring-loaded arms on either ribbon spool that keeps the ribbon pressed into the pack. You have to flip those arms out of the way to remove each spool.
ALSO, my Galaxie arrived today, also in good condition, Starmist Blue. The original Galaxie series (not XII or Deluxe, just Galaxie). The serial is 289999X -- (preceded by something.. T -- maybe 6T - I will look). So I think it is 1959 or 1960 vintage. Hard to tell the TWDB is a bit unclear. Types wonderfully, but I am so blown away by my Royal Mercury I can't take my eyes off it. IN TRANSIT: Lettera 35L; a 2nd Studio 45 teal with case (I'm keeping the case and selling the typewriter); and WAITING TO SHIP: two Hermes Baby models in pristine condition from Spain, one green, one orange with green keys, original paint, not customized. Will report back.
You can find them on Amazon, for example: www.amazon.com/Typewriter-Olivetti-Olympia-Typewriters-America/dp/B00266A4FM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510323387&sr=8-3&keywords=typewriter+ribbons+for+old+typewriters No relation to the seller.
Assuming it's in good operating order, check the ribbon to see how dark of an imprint it makes, perhaps the ribbon will need to be changed. Then learn the basic controls of the machine. When you start typing, use your index fingers, instead of touch-typing, until you build up finger strength. The technique for typewriter entry is different than keyboarding into a computer. You need to "hover" slightly above the keys, then give the keys a good, snappy force. It's the velocity of the typeslug hitting the ribbon that makes a good imprint. You may find yourself typing slower on a typewriter at first. Just be patient. And have fun!
"tailgate typing" sounds like a captain beefheart song. your name and appearance is similar to him and now you're saying things like "tailgate typing." i wonder if he liked typewriters too.
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I am so excited! I am getting one of these for Christmas! Just getting into the world of typewriters, and this will be an amazing first machine!
Just bought one from goodwill auction for $27. I haven’t used a typewriter since I was a kid so I was nervous to take the leap. I appreciate your videos as I’m just starting to learn. Excited to get my typewriter in the mail and test everything. Wish me luck!
Good luck!
What a beautiful typewriter. I've never seen an "unjamming" key - great. Thank you for showing this precious.
I remember this was in my father's office. I learned typing on it. Still remember the office with multiple typewriters blazing at the same time ... it was music to the ears!!!
Nice to hear good comments for the Galaxie 12. I have a Classic 12 myself-which I understand is almost similar to the Galaxie 12-which I had bought brand new about a decade ago. It works perfectly and I'm glad I hadn't let it go. The key action, as I've realized working with other manuals now, is just so smooth and light and really makes for a perfect daily machine for longform writing.
I was looking for a typewriter with the tab set and clear feature (for screenwriting). The only place I could find selling these was in the States (I live in the UK). In the end I bought the Smith-Corona Classic 12. The design of these machines is not only amazing but beautiful too. Mine cost a lot more than your $15 - plus I paid over $60 in postage - but when you buy something of this quality then it seems worth it. The Classic 12 has a half-space key to the left of the spacebar. BTW thanks for a great series of videos. I'm enjoying watching them.
I have the same machine but with a grey tone keyboard instead of the light blue. I love how it's one of the last manual typewriters before they moved to the electric era. Thank you for this video, I wasn't aware of all its features and you demonstrated them very well.
*"I'M STOKED!"* made my heart smile! 😊❤️
This is a solid machine!! Very impressed
how easily suitable it was to clean & maintain.
Especially with The platen, awesome video!!!
This is my all-time favorite style of machine. I have two Classic 12's, one pica and one elite. Also two Electras - a 120 (elite) and 220 (pica) - the electric counterparts of the same mechanical design. Got my wife a Coronet (slightly older electric, but essentially the same build). And, we both have Smith-Corona ultra portables - me, a 1954 Skyriter, and her, a 1966 Corsair Deluxe. Despite the bad press given to the Corsair, hers is very nice and a joy to type on. None of the machines mentioned have ever needed ANY work, outside of a routine cleaning. The best part - they're all dirt cheap compared to the more collectible brands - but we chose ours to USE, not to look at or sell. :)
Enjoyed the video. I have this exact model that my parents gave me for my high school graduation. Still looks and works great after 45 years!
I bought a mint condition one in the eighties and still have it. I do prefer the S-C electrics but this is an awesome machine. I keep saying on some outlets that these aren't considered as well made as the humpy fifties, but I still think of this, as a child of the sixties, as the 'Chevy' machines for Americans. Maybe not as twee and precious as some Euro machines, but as a former pro typist, these will, as John Cameron Swayze said of the Timex, "take a licking and keep on ticking"!
I inherited one from my grandfather and absolutely love it. I cleaned it, oiled it and replaced the ribbon and now works like new
I have a blue one as well with the older decals and without the top tab bar. I agree they are nice sturdy machines and fun to type on
I never could figure out what that de-jammer button was; I've had a classic XII for months and now I know what that one key does. Thanks for the videos. They help new enthusiasts like me know my machines.
Beautiful machine...i found a similar machine to this...but electric...in top condition at a thrift store for $10!!!! It works very well!
What a great video Joe. I have a feeling you keep paper in your vehicle at all times now! I am, as I type this anxiously awaiting my eBay order of the same machine which is supposed to arrive on Friday. Exactly like yours except mine is a two-tone gray. I’ve been wanting one of these machines for quite some time now, and can’t wait to throw my first sheet of paper in it and start typing. Thanks again for the great videos, I try to watch everyone of them.
Thanks! Used the instructions for my new Smith Corona Classic 12
Hi Joe, thanks for the great video review. I have had a Galaxie 12 for several years but just recently got into using for serious writing. What's the best way to clean up the inside and plastic?
I have the Galaxie Deluxe from 1964, in Storm Grey and white keys, the Deluxe models are exactly like yours, except the carriage is shorter, it's I guess standard size.
Yes, mine is an awesome friend and workhorse, crisp typing, my hands won't wear out, or as easily as my other machines, been favoring this lately this past month, over an electric, if that tells you something, these are very special machines for writing. You can type pretty quick, I've been clocked at 100-120 wpm, and it's hard to get a jamb, it happens but hard to do, which is why I think they put the typeface release on it they knew it can type quick, and people will type quickly on them, I find between 80 and 100 wpm I don't jamb up which for a mechanical typewriter is pretty quick. And I think about as fast as you'd want to go, 100 wpm might be its limit, I tend to jam up a bit more often when I really get going faster than that. But again good thing the release is there no need to touch the typeface and you miss it when on another machine.
Also my Deluxe, my carriage operations the levers like line spacing, End of page, (love it lol) or metal as in I don't have plastic covers on the carriage levers and switches. And yet it doesn't look like it's missing anything so I am going to boldly say the Deluxe doesn't have those.
Nonetheless it's a formable force to write with. Very fun, and pleasing, a Pica type is mine, if writing a novel this is a very good choice and companion to have a long for the journey!
I wish I spent 15 bucks, mine was 64 US dollars and worth it, I have since looked for one as good as mine is in condition and I can't find one under 200 dollars so I'm not complaining. All I did to mine was a full cleaning.
Thanks for reading be well all very nice video Joe.
What's the difference between this galaxie 12 and classic 12 typewriter? And which should I pick up if I had to choose between these two typewriter.
Excellent video! I just bought this exact model and color on ebay, getting it in 4 days, can't wait...😊
I paid $20 for mine “not working.” Took a chance on it and fortunately nothing is broken, just frozen parts. I have it 100% working now. Identical to the one in the video except color. Mine is yellow, dates to approximately 1975. Smith Corona quality same since the 1930s. Mine came in the later plastic case but has the holes in the back for the case in the video. The last few years deleted that hole.
I found one at a scrap yard and it belobged to Marvin Glazer whose family founded something that would later become the pepsi bottling company in Ft Worth. A piece of history because the case the typewriter came in had some letters in it which i could figure this out from. I have cobtacted the family to see if they want it back because its kind of an heirloom thing but it is most definitely a fine machine and i absolutely am in love with it even tho i am a trucker not a writer...just beutiful
That’s a great story! I hope you get many years of happy use. Also, I believe we can all be writers - even truckers! Stay creative!
Hi Joe, I have one galaxie, it has the "SET" and "LC" on the left side , but I also have a classic 12 which has half space and power space classic 12 also have set/clear key as same as your galaxie, so my question is : what's the difference between galaxie 12 and classic 12 ? they are pretty similar from my viewpoint.
Smith-Corona made many different variations on the Galaxie design!
You can say me how change the rippon ? Thanks and thanks for the Video ...
I've gotta say, coming back to this video and thinking about my collection, I don't think it's coincidence these machines make up a good quarter of my collection - I dare say any 6 series SCM is THE machine for me. Oddly most of mine are electric, but that's just the nature of what people in Memphis bought, it would seem. Absolutely LOVE them though, manual or electric!
I really think they are, all around, the best, at least for me!
I agree about the 5 & 6 series in general, they make up the majority of my collection.
Greetings to you. The other day I acquired a Smith Corona Karmann Ghia Super G (blue/turquoise color) portable typewriter made in the 1970's. In my excitement, I have been looking around on RUclips and found your videos. Thank you! I appreciate what I am seeing thus far, and you give great help. Thank bunches. One reason I think I got this so cheap was the return lever was jammed into the side (it turned out to be fine), and then I realized the ribbon area cover is missing (likely due to the lever being stuck near that space) and even more the little thing to the right of the keys does not have a switch nor indicators for changing the position where one can choose between the red ink or black ink and in my case the corrective tape and the black ink. Also, the typewriter I got requires smaller spools to fit and is not the diameter width of 1 15/16 but about 1 11/16, but both take the one half inch ribbon width. Mine came with a ribbon that was severed somewhere in the middle of the length, and someone had tried to mend it with clear tape but it is in two pieces. It is sad though as this ribbon seems to be in great shape except the broken area. I am wondering if you know perhaps a way where I can still use this ribbon to test the typewriter, like perhaps mend it with a thin glue, let it dry, and see? Would that even work? I do have a number of types of glues. The other problem of course is the area that should have this switch to allow me to change from the corrective tape to the black ink. It appears that this switch and indicator plate is simply gone, and just the black metal part there which seems to also act as the structure to hold it in the case (perhaps) is just there. Amazingly, however, this machine looks to be in great shape for the most part, and it doesn't even make sense that this switch piece would be just gone. Thus far, I don't know of any other issues it might have. Do you have any advice for this? I am not quite sure if this is a lost cause as far as using a dual ribbon...and I do not know if just a black ink ribbon is available for these machines. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so very kindly. By the way, it does seem to have some keys that you mention above, like the UN-jamming key and the adjoining space bar key that advances very quickly too. I think that your typewriter holding eleven inch wide paper was super fantastic for its day because people had access to 11x17 inch paper at the time. About a year ago, I bought a Royal typewriter and it still has major issues due to stuck keys...I have not given up on it yet, but I have been thinking about this issue as it seemed at the time when I was looking online that other typewriters just like it had the exact same stuck keys per the photos online, and I began to wonder if per chance and even what I remembered was there was a trend to self ink per a certain purchase the ribbons again, and I am thinking per chance what if these re-inked ribbons were raining down a powder like dry substance onto the letters below the ribbon where when typing it hit the ribbon shaking it out--perhaps the ink was drying on the ribbon like that which caused so much grunge on the metal parts below? God bless you in Jesus' Name.
To test the machine with the existing ribbon, just unthread the remaining ribbon off the shorter of the spools, then attach the end of the ribbon from the other spool to the now empty spool.
You can get replacement spools pretty easily. I order mine online from Amazon (just search for typewriter ribbon).
There are all-black ribbons available, which is what I normally use. You can flip the ribbon over (by swapping the spools left-to-right) and use the other edge to double the life.
There are also ribbons with one half black and the other half a correcting ribbon. I don't recommend those, the white correction stuff flakes off into the machine. For corrections, it's better to use a cartridge of correction tape by hand.
So I wouldn't recommend trying to get the correction ribbon feature working, just use it with a new black ribbon and use a correction tape cartridge.
Good luck!
Dear Mr. Joe Van Cleave, Thank you so very kindly for replying to my message. I so very much appreciate everything. Thank you. I did do just that...put half of the ribbon on and remove the other portion. It worked great once I figured out how to install it. However, the ribbon must be very old/dry as it is very faint on the paper, and I discovered my typing is in italics!!! Wow. Who would have thought? But I did notice it had unusual font, but wasn't sure what it was. But it looks really cool. I also looked online for plain black ribbon and am about to make a purchase. I do see that these smaller spools were made for various machines, not just the one I bought--so that is great. Thanks bunches for sending me in the right direction; I totally agree with you. Thanks again...for your time and everything. God bless you. P.S. I see that correction tape is hard to find and what is out there is expensive...but you know what? Years ago when I typed memos, etc., in an office, if I had already removed it from the typewriter and noticed a fixable error, I would just take a pink pearl eraser and carefully erase it, put it back in, realign it, and type there. I think some people in the office were astonished that this was possible (back then), and there was no evidence an error had been there. The machine I used really did erase with an eraser if it was caught in a short time--especially on great paper used for letters. These were the IBM's electric ones...but I think I was doing this with other ones prior to that too. Hard to remember all the details. But if one is familiar and pays attention where exactly it types on the paper, reinstalling the paper to the exact position where the rest of the text is so your retype in the exact space is correct on the text line and centered between the empty space that is erased... gets easier and easier as one attempts this kind of fix. Now this ribbon that I am about to buy...I have no idea how permanent it is, if it is archival ink or not...I am clueless. Grin. But then again, I can't recall anywhere what this ink is as far as durability, etc. nor ribbon of old. Not sure. But thanks again for all your help. Thanks.
I'm glad you got the ribbon sorted. Typewriter ribbon ink is kind of like ballpoint pen ink in terms of ease of erasing. Really depends on the paper. Some rag-like newsprint paper can take erasing, but to the point that you're really removing some of the paper to get the ink off.
The correction tape cartridges are sold in office supply stores, they're pretty common. You just roll the platen up on space, lift up the paper bale and roll the white erasing film over your errant character.
Greetings to you! Today I got the black only inked ribbon I had ordered, and I had a lot of success getting it installed, except one thing. On my machine, the area where the ribbon is close to the paper, there are two folded metal parts on each side where the ribbon should be inserted into, top of the ribbon and bottom of ribbon on each side. Well, I got my fingers all black trying to squish it into these two places, but thus far only managed to get in the bottom sections, as I was a little weary of squishing the ribbon there and possibly damaging the ribbon by doing so...thereby...I am wondering if you have a video demonstrating how to get the ribbon into those slots? Is there a better way of doing this? I am not sure. This squishing the ribbon business doesn't seem logical or is it? I would appreciate any advice on how to do this properly. Thank you so very kindly. Also, here in your video above, you showed the switch for H, M, L indicators...I think mine has the same feature. Do I understand you correctly? Is this to make typing print stronger when striking the keys and having better results? Which position would give the best results if the print is not so strong? And does this indicate that the machine needs certain cleaning somewhere if the print is not so great? As you probably can tell, I am not certain if the problem is this or that the ribbon is not quite performing the best it can because of not having the ribbon in those two metal slots as they should be. I would appreciate knowing these things and your help. Thank you so very kindly for everything.
You need to squish the ribbon a bit to get it through the slot into the ribbon vibrator. The ribbon should be closest to the platen roller between the two central guides. I'll do a video about replacing ribbons.
The High, Medium, Low setting for the touch adjustment (i.e. how hard the keys feel) rarely makes any difference, with machines that are old and have hardened grease and lubricants.
Nice video! I bought one of these from online, I know it was risky but when it came it worked pretty good. Good price too, I got it for $20.
Is it available for $20?
From which online site???? answer me plzzz
Do you know what year this SCGD-12 is ?? It seems like on the typewriter data page the smith corona galaxie deluxe 12 none of them have any precise year dates they all just say 196x. I have one but i need to adjust the space bar carriage adjustment because when you push down on the space bar the carriage advancement moves about a half second after you push the space bar.
The TWDB website is an ongoing attempt at contemporary archeology, in the sense that we just don't know everything yet. Some company records have been available, such as sales records through old distributors, but often it's a case of sifting for clues and comparing various machines. The more people record their machine's serial numbers, the more complete the database will be, hopefully eventually resulting in more complete data records.
I think Ted Munk sells a reprint of the 1960s-era Smith-Corona service manual, that covers your model.
Hello. Thanks for the video. Just found one of these today for $12.50. One problem I'm having is this... typing in the lower case, occasionally it will skip forward. i.e. The qui ck brown fox j umps over... I don't seem to have the same issue with the upper case. Do you have an idea why it might be jumping a space?
Again, thanks for the video. I subscribed.
Usually the skipping spaces problem is something to do with the escapement mechanism, that system deep in the machine that regulates the movement of the carriage with each character typed. If I recall, this is a segment shift machine, meaning the shifting between lower and upper case is carried out by the movement of the segment up and down, rather than the carriage. All of the letter keys operate a common universal bar, which in turn operates common functions like advance the escapement, raise the ribbon and advance the ribbon spools. One of these is binding or not moving smoothly, causing the escapement to slow down and not operate properly.
I'd start by cleaning, degreasing and refilling the escapement, the bearings for the shifting movement of the segment and the ribbon vibrator and ribbon spool shafts. Basically all the things that move when a letter is typed. There's some interaction causing the escapement to not function properly.
Need help! My carriage won’t catch. It moves freely but sits all the way to the left. Carriage release issue? Help!
Brilliant video. I've just ordered one of these and I was hoping the platen would fit my SC super but it looks like the end is different :( sadly my super had a very hard platen. I haven't received it in the post yet. Always a gamble buying on line I know. Thanks for the great video.
There's Turboplaten on eBay:
www.ebay.com/itm/UPGRADE-YOUR-TYPEWRITER-WITH-A-TURBOPLATEN-SMITH-CORONA-ROYAL-OLYMPIA-HERMES/332626660129?hash=item4d72180b21:g:GjoAAOSw2KBa2imW
My Olympia SM7 could probably stand a platen renewal, but I haven't figured out how to remove it from the machine and I'm partial to SM9's for the most part.
Great video, thanks for the information.
how do you think this compares to the Galaxy Deluxe? Asking because there's a Deluxe for sale I'm thinking of getting. Thanks!
Very similar, if not exactly the same, mechanism. There is always sample-to-sample variation. Check it out for functionality before you buy. If it's in good shape, get it!
Thanks for this excellent review of the Galaxie 12 Joe. Especially the part where you demonstrate the ease by which the platen roller can be removed, a major advantage of this particular machine in my opinion. Question for you, does the ribbon direction "auto reverse" when the spool is empty, or when you notice the type quality fading, do you have to pull back the lid to manually reverse the direction of the ribbon? Sorry if it was in the video and I missed it...
All the Corona/Smith-Corona machines since the Corona 4 in the 1920s have auto-ribbon reverse using eyelets at each end of the ribbon.
@@Joe_VanCleave Okay, thanks Joe. That's helpful to know.
Just bought one of these on eBay!
I received this exact type writer as a gift & I love it ! Everything works good but it could use some cleaning from the inside . Is there a manual you recommend that will instruct me in how to clean it &I how to replace the ribbon for when it's needed ? Also, thank you for this video i learned so many new things from it . :)
There's a Facebook typewriter maintenance group that could be helpful. You might check out Richard Polt's book The Typewriter Revolution, it has a section on maintenance. This book is essential for all typewriter collectors and users.
Enjoyed this video, especially as I recently acquired a standard-carriage Galaxy 12 a few days ago. Needs lots of clean up on the inside but the outside is pristine. Unfortunately the platen feels pretty hard. How is the platen in yours?
It's not too bad, not enough to yet warrant the cost of replacement ... although they're easy to remove in these machines.
I have the same one only it’s a two tone beig3 & brown. It seems that my machine can only take a certain type of ribbon. The center of the ribbon disengages and stays inside the typewriter. Is that the way they are?
Is it a cartridge style ribbon?
@@Joe_VanCleavenope. Regular spools but the center stays on the spindle.
@@johnlennon1049 There were universal ribbon spools where the center would pop out for use in other format machines. Try pulling the center part off the rotating shaft that turns the spool.
@@Joe_VanCleaveThank you Joe! Finally got it off without damage to the shaft. Had to use a curved needle nose pliers plus with my other hand pulled it off. You are the best. You are up there with Duane Jensen “Phoenix Typewriter.”
One of my favorites.
For the life of me I can not figure out how to replace the ribbon in my Sterling, which has the same ribbon vibrator as this Galaxy Twelve. I am flummoxed and frustrated.
I think there are metal spring-loaded arms on either ribbon spool that keeps the ribbon pressed into the pack. You have to flip those arms out of the way to remove each spool.
Hi Joe. Thanks for the response. I figured it out (finally). "All's well that ends well." Cheers. David.
I have a one handed typewriter Smith Corona circa 1972.
This was really useful, thanks
ALSO, my Galaxie arrived today, also in good condition, Starmist Blue. The original Galaxie series (not XII or Deluxe, just Galaxie). The serial is 289999X -- (preceded by something.. T -- maybe 6T - I will look). So I think it is 1959 or 1960 vintage. Hard to tell the TWDB is a bit unclear.
Types wonderfully, but I am so blown away by my Royal Mercury I can't take my eyes off it.
IN TRANSIT: Lettera 35L; a 2nd Studio 45 teal with case (I'm keeping the case and selling the typewriter); and WAITING TO SHIP: two Hermes Baby models in pristine condition from Spain, one green, one orange with green keys, original paint, not customized.
Will report back.
I have this exact model and color. I am in need of a new ribbon. Any hint of finding a ribbon?
You can find them on Amazon, for example:
www.amazon.com/Typewriter-Olivetti-Olympia-Typewriters-America/dp/B00266A4FM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510323387&sr=8-3&keywords=typewriter+ribbons+for+old+typewriters
No relation to the seller.
Thank you!
I got one too!
Great find!
Where would I find the serial number on the Galaxie 12?
How can I buy it??? How much it cost??? Plz reply sir......
Does this model have a half space?
I don't believe the series 5 or 6 Smith-Coronas have the half-space feature.
@@Joe_VanCleave Several of the series 6 models have half space. For example, the Classic 12 and Electra 220.
How does this machine compare to the Galaxie Deluxe?
Am going to try and get it tomorrow any tips (will be my first typewriter)
Assuming it's in good operating order, check the ribbon to see how dark of an imprint it makes, perhaps the ribbon will need to be changed. Then learn the basic controls of the machine. When you start typing, use your index fingers, instead of touch-typing, until you build up finger strength. The technique for typewriter entry is different than keyboarding into a computer. You need to "hover" slightly above the keys, then give the keys a good, snappy force. It's the velocity of the typeslug hitting the ribbon that makes a good imprint. You may find yourself typing slower on a typewriter at first. Just be patient. And have fun!
"tailgate typing" sounds like a captain beefheart song. your name and appearance is similar to him and now you're saying things like "tailgate typing." i wonder if he liked typewriters too.
I. Have. A. Manual. One. Like. It. It. Was. My. Mothers. I. Love it.
Thanks for the great video! btw, you might change "Galaxy" to "Galaxie".
Done, thanks.
Does it not go “Ding”?
The right margin was set all the way to the right side of the carriage, hence no bell.
Ah, I bought one and I LOVE it, really good review!
How about a wards signature 300
Nice! :)