Smith-Corona Typewriter Not Working?

I have a Smith Corona electric typewriter that has recently stopped working. It turns on, but seems like there is no power going to the keys.

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Louise B.
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April 13, 20160 found this helpful

Typewriters are an obsolete technology, and you are going to have a heck of a time finding anyone who can fix it. Since you are asking questions online, why don't you just switch over to your keyboard and a printer?

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dlhsmalls

September 4, 20160 found this helpful

Is this really your answer??

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jeffhendrie

February 28, 20170 found this helpful

Best Answer

I should direct you to Richard Polt, as well as Lady Gaga (the famous one of the two) who both use typewriters; also, let me advise you towards reading what some of the people on Mr. Polt's website think about typewriters, and why they still use them. To answer your question in a shorter time than it would take for you to read the plethora of information on Mr. Polt's site, though: It's a different reason for each person; me for example, it's the nostalgia, the sound, sometimes the musty smell of old ink ribbons, grease, and oil that some of my typewriters are absolutely drenched in (older electrics) or that they're just dabbed with (manual typewriters). Also, I'm old fashioned: and thus prefer something that's consistently reliable (over 60% reliable), where as printers run out of ink faster, require a connection to the computer, take up extra space; computers take time to boot up, they crash, sometimes the file doesn't save properly, or doesn't save at all; I can type faster on typewriters, and some manual typewriters you can knock off a table on accident, pick them up again, and they'll still work (I did this on accident once, and I hope never to do it again.) Also, you don't need to wait for the work to be printed, because it's being printed and edited as you operate the machine (especially if you have a correction-typewriter, which will erase mistakes when you hit the backspace key, as the backspace functions on a computer). I prefer reliability, and quality, over the 2 or 3 seconds per page that a computer saves you. Also, typewriters force you to think, as well as learn how to spell, use punctuation, and how to use grammar. Whenever I type something on a typewriter, I sit down and review and revise the work; with a dictionary and thesaurus next to me, or in my lap--and that should be something you do, even on a computer, because spell-check still isn't perfect, and will not always help you.-- This is why I use a typewriter; some people may feel the same, or similar, some may feel differently.

Also, finding someone to fix the typewriter isn't always as hard as you think: especially with manual typewriters. With a manual typewriter, all you need to fix it, are tools, guesswork, and some common sense... and patience. For the question of a power issue in the keys: What model Smith Corona is it? Sometimes wiring will go bad between the transformer and keyboard... and sometimes the machine needs re-greasing and re-oiling, to free up the mechanism; or in a more modern, worst-case scenario: the keyboard might be dead entirely (if it's a daisy-wheel typewriter). The old mechanical-electric typewriters (essentially a manual typewriter with a motor attached) need a some of grease and oil over the years to keep going; and more regular use than a manual typewriter, which typically can sit a long time without use. Best thing to do with the keyboard not working, is look for typewriter repair shops in your locale; they usually know something, and they're usually someone who worked on them "when they were still new". Also, a final word to Louise: NOTHING is obsolete; because there will always be somebody who still can use it for something. Tube radios are outdated, but not obsolete; typewriters are outdated, but not obsolete: you can always type addresses onto post cards or envelopes with a typewriter; computers can't do that; because envelopes are too small for them to print on.

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ekermes

October 25, 20160 found this helpful

My Smith Corona electric typewriter was working yesterday, today the lock button is flashing & I don't know what to do or what it means.

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compufly

November 27, 20180 found this helpful

On mine, when the lock button flashes, it means that the top cover is not closed properly.
The carriage also moves to the "park" position and stays there.

Check the cover switche(s) and their mechanisms.

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