The Underwood #6 Typewriter
So, a week ago I purchased a typewriter. Not the sort of thing you’d expect a young computer/network engineer to do, to be sure.
However, in keeping with my desire to slow down and become more focused in life, I thought it might be fun to try to write without getting easily distracted, as I do on the computer. To that end I started researching typewriters. I find that hand-writing everything tends to tire my hands out quickly, and my quality/readability rapidly degrades. By using a typewriter I can focus on one thing: writing. At the same time I retain the efficiency and speed of typed text – for the most part.
I spent several days researching typewriter makes and models. Since I tend toward older equipment (just look at some of my radio posts!) I opted for a manual model. Something simple, yet elegant. I finally decided on an Underwood as they were reported to be fairly fast machines. I was able to find one on eBay for $95 plus shipping, with came to about $25. All in all not bad for a unit from 1936 that weighs between 30 and 40 lbs. Once I got the machine home (which took a week with UPS), I was able to start cleaning it up. Aside from a bent platen shaft (which I was able to fix pretty well, but I couldn’t remove the platen to fix it perfectly – you can’t tell it was bent now though) the machine arrived in nice shape.
I’ve purchased three ribbons, and it had the original metal spooled ribbons in it (or at least similar vintage ones) so I should be set for awhile. I can, of course, re-ink the ribbons or just buy ribbon material sans spools. I’m pleased at the parts availability though, this is the power of the Internet – one can easily find even obscure parts. I will admit to having had to read the manual (for an Underwood #5) to figure out the ribbon mechanism, it kept bunching up vertically as I’d type, which wouldn’t do at all.
The Underwood typewriters support single, double, and triple spacing (easily adjusted through a small lever) as well as tabulation (need to learn how to use it!) and dual color (black/red) ribbons. I suppose if I were to do accounting the dual-color might be useful. When I was cleaning it, I’m pretty sure someone used green in it for a long period of time as the ribbon rollers were caked with green ink. The Underwood makes for nice typing once you get a rhythm going, and since it’s in splendid shape I should get quite a bit of use out of it for a long time to come.
Now I’m contemplating getting an IBM Selectric for the office…but I think I’ll wait to see how I make out with this manual model first.
That’s all for now
-Adam
Edit: May 8, 2010
I’ve added a picture of the typewriter ribbon path for any inquiring minds that may have issues with ribbon binding, tearing, etc.
Please note that the spring loaded paper guides are in their down position to allow you to better see the ribbon.
You can click the picture for the full size view!
hi Adam!
Very nice machine you have! How did you get the ribbon to stop bunching up? Mine does it when on the darkest setting but not medium or light. Drop me a line if you have the time. Thanks, Kerry
Hi Kerry,
You’ll generally find that as long as the takeup reel is spinning, the ribbon tracks are clean, and if it’s threaded properly there should be no binding whatsoever. It took me several tries to thread the ribbon properly, and I had found a manual online that helped. I’ve attached a picture to this article that shows my ribbon track that works.
Thanks for reading!
-Adam
Adam: I have a Underwood’s model 6 typewriter. When I push down on any of the five decimal tabulators above standard key keyboard the carriage go all the way to the left before stoping. Is this right? My typewriter seem to have only capital letters. I push down on the shift lock key and I still only get capital letters. Shift key on the left side releast the shift lock key. The shift key on the right seem not to be working. The typewriter was made in 1934. It is a early version of the No.6 because it has a glossy black finish and has glass key tops. On one of the sides is a label: “U.S.A.” “Watervliet Arsenal” “Ser. N0. xxxxxx”. Any information you can e-mail me will be helpful. Thank for taking time to read my e-mail. Bill
Hi Bill,
Sorry for the delay in responding! My Model 6 does not have decimal tabulators, so I can’t verify operation, but here’s my guess: if I understand correctly, the decimal tabulator is supposed to provide automatic columns for accounting, billing, etc. I believe pressing one of the buttons SHOULD move the carriage, however, it should stop before finishing its full travel. If you look round the back of the machine, there should be a long bar with notches cut in it that SHOULD have little clips that are pushed up when you activate a tab. This is how the customizable tabbing setup on my Underwood works, and I believe the decimal one is similar. If it’s not pushing the little clips through that bar, the carriage won’t stop in the right place. Mine was very dirty and needed some cleaning to operate smoothly. As to the shift issue, it could be that it was a specialized typewriter (especially since it shows being used in the Watervliet arsenal) – either that or your carriage is stuck up – and I don’t mean in an arrogant way! I’d have to look at my unit to see how the shift mechanism runs, thankfully I had no problems with that.
You can find a picture of the decimal tabulating attachment here: http://www.officemuseum.com/MBHT_1911_Underwood_decimal_tabular_attachment.jpg
Hope that’s of some help!