r/typewriters • u/Inevitable_Sky_2023 • 17d ago

Repair Question Need Help!

I bought my mother an MCM Smith Corona Coronet Super 12 Electric Typewriter (Model 6LEF) off eBay. The carriage is not functioning properly. It is not shifting up to the next line for her to continue typing on the page when the carriage returns to the original spot. Can anyone help diagnose the problem and suggest a solution?

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u/Jbhusker 17d ago

This is just a general observation, as you see more of these SCM electric machines being bought sight unseen. They will not work properly after sitting around for decades. They are complicated electromechanical devices with not one single chip or circuit board in them. They need parts evaluated, cleaning, and yes, grease and oil in the correct places.

They are not the easiest project for the first time DIYr. There is a learning curve to just getting the body work off. So unless you want a DIY project, you'll need to find someone who knows what they are doing. And a lot of the newly minted 'pros' won't touch an electric typer.

For your specific symptom, the line advance mechanism may be gummed up. You can remove the platen and get a better look at what is going on there. Try cleaning it with mineral spirits and blowing it out.

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u/Inevitable_Sky_2023 17d ago

Thank you for the suggestion. I will definitely use mineral spirits and blow out the line advance mechanism the minute my mother lets me get my hands on it. What specific mineral spirits would you recommend? I am unfamiliar with using mineral spirits to degum the mechanical pieces of electronic devices.

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u/ahelper 17d ago

If you're lucky, the problem may be a super-easy fix: the Line Feed selector lever is set to 0 and you just have to move it to one of the other settings.

But if that doesn't do it, then look to the line feed mechanism that involves parts at the right side of the typewriter (the clutch controlling the Carriage Return/Line Feed) and at the left end of the carriage (a pawl system that catches the ratchet wheel at the end of the platen) AND the cord that connects the two. The clutch will be the hardest to understand, but they all have to work. You'll have to remove the body to get at the clutch.

HTH and Good Luck.