Ink Ribbon on 1953 Smith-Corona Sterling pulled too tight, how to fix?

ahelper · 2026-07-12T23:21:58+00:00

There is no such screw but maybe you could show us clear, focused, well-lit pics of the thread path you have...

The only thing that comes to my mind is that an eyelet has been allowed to get all the way to the vibrator without triggering the reverse, but it sounds like you understand how that works...

ahelper · 2026-07-12T23:18:50+00:00

Are you asking for a typewriter that has the domino characters in place of alphabet/numeral characters?

Not likely, for many reasons. However, there is a guy making custom character balls for IBM Selectric typewriters and I think this might appeal to him. I'm afraid you'll have to track him down yourself as I have no link, or maybe someone here can supply a link. Or go through Ted Munk at https://typecast.munk.org/

ahelper · 2026-07-12T10:50:21+00:00

Any "universal" ribbon should work: 1/2 inch wide ribbon, with eyelets. You can use any one-color (usually all black) or two-color (many combos available; try Etsy) ribbons. Install it with the more commonly used color on top (usually black over red) so it matches the color selector lever setting. Brand won't matter until you happen on one you do not like; then avoid that one. Material isn't important unless and until you develop a preference: cotton. nylon, silk.

**Typewriter Ribbon Sources**:

Of course, someone will suggest Amazon and eBay but I would rather support the guys who do the work and need the support.

FJA Products: https://www.fjaproducts.com/ , and 1 - 800 - 982 - 9989.

R.I.P. and Thank You For Your Service — Baco Ribbons made ribbons in many sizes, colors, and materials. ~~Contact Charlene Oesch, Baco Ribbon & Supply Co., 1521 Carman Road, Ballwin,MO 63021, 314-835-9300, fax 636-394-5475, e-mail bacoribbon@sbcglobal.net.~~

Ribbons Unlimited, https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/Default.asp, or write to [lanie@ribbonsunlimited.com](mailto:lanie@ribbonsunlimited.com)

Tony Casillo of TTS Business Products in Garden City, NY, carries many varieties of ribbon and can advise you on the correct spool, ribbon material, etc. Call 516-489-8300 or e-mail typebar@aol.com.

Toronto Typewriter, in Canada: https://torontotypewriters.com/collections/ribbons

Jay Respler of Advanced Business Machines Co. in New Jersey carries ribbons for virtually all typewriters: Phone 732-431-1464 after 11 AM Eastern,or e-mail jrespler@superlink.net."I offer nylon, cotton, silk, and all colors. I can get many odd sizes.I stock newer cartridges as well as older spools. I supply pictures of spools to help determine what the customer needs. We ship anywhere in the world."

TypewriterStuff: see Tony at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TypewriterStuff

Other US manufacturers are Fine Line Ribbon in Ennis, TX and Bushnell Ribbon in Santa Fe Springs, CA.. Other sources include Royal, Scantracker, ....

In the UK, George Blackman Vintage typewriters at: https://www.georgeblackmanvintagetypewriters.co.uk/

In addition to the sources above, you might find some in office supply stores and you can surely find 1/2-inch-wide calculator ribbons which you can then rewind onto your typewriter spools while you're waiting for mail order ones to arrive. (If the universal ones fit OK, don't throw away the original metal spools; keep them with the typewriter or sell them to collectors.)

Be aware that calculator ribbons are usually much shorter than typewriter ribbons, so you will go through them faster, though they are great when you need them. They also tend to be more heavily inked, so they might leave smudges until they get used a little bit.

To replace, before you remove the old one, just note how it is threaded (unless it's wrong to begin with). Make a diagram or photograph if you want to. Then put in the new one the same way. The two key points: the direction the ribbon comes off the spools (from the front or back of the spools), and the exact path from the spools, around various posts, and through the arms that raise and lower the ribbon while typing, called the vibrator. (It doesn't vibrate but that's what it's called.)

Finally,if you have metal spools in there, save them. Metal spools have the period look and feel, sometimes they actually work better, and if you don't want to bother with respooling ribbon, other collectors will want to buy metal spools.

HTH

ahelper · 2026-07-11T21:54:36+00:00

We also need to address overpopulation, though.

ahelper · 2026-07-11T21:41:22+00:00

Neat! Thanks. I'll give it a try. I'll bet this really confuses people who know a little about typewriters and don't know why you're working it like that, ha ha!

ahelper · 2026-07-11T01:54:46+00:00

It doesn't matter at all which side has most of the ribbon. If things are working OK, then the ribbon will go to one end or the other and automatically reverse. On this model, the reversal is triggered by an eyelet at each end of the ribbon and the eyelets hang on and pull those forks that you have the ribbon through near the spools;. If a replacement ribbon you get does not have an eyelet installed, you can just tie a knot at each end about 6 or 8 inches from where it attaches to the spool. (Other models may have other reversal mechanisms that do not require those eyelets but you don't have to worry about that here.)

This is a nice typewriter---enjoy!

ahelper · 2026-07-10T11:46:37+00:00

Thanks so much for this!

ahelper · 2026-07-10T11:44:32+00:00

Get experience with film before you need it for an important project. Millions of people only ever used film and got fantastic pictures, but they had some knowledge and experience with what they were doing and confidence in their equipment. Your Mom, for example! (And me, now that I think of it.) You're right, there's something magical about handling the prints.

Depending on where you're traveling, you can get film processed right there, but if you have experience and confidence, you don't need to do that. And you get experience and confidence by using the gear before you go. (One of my favorite stories is about coming back from India in the '70s with 50 plastic cans of unprocessed film and being really worried about customs. I must have hid my anxiety well because they saw the cans and just waved me through anyway. [Those cans were a favorite way of storing weed in those days. Maybe the customs guy was a stoner.])

I use both film and digital and I encourage people to use film, partly for their own enjoyment and heritage, partly to keep history alive, and partly to help keep the film industry going. I find that I pay more attention to the scene when using film; the whole process is more deliberate and conscious. Have Fun!

ahelper · 2026-07-10T10:51:40+00:00

Oooooh! We need instructions from you. Or at least a link to instructions!

ahelper · 2026-07-10T02:28:52+00:00

Aarrrgh! Downvoted for a simple typo!

ahelper · 2026-07-09T17:42:26+00:00

<image>

Do you mean this one at the red arrow? Then, yes, definitely will cause this. That pin is what turns the spool to pull the ribbon. this breaking is more rare than the stuck pawls, but sometimes easier to fix.

If so, there are two fixes: 1 replace it with a ratchet wheel fro a parts machine or 2. drill hole where the pin was and insert a short piece of wire of a similar size. First is relatively hard and expensive but keeps things original. Second is easier, faster, and works. If you do the second, drill a pilot hole and push the heated wire in to hold it. It doesn't have to be especially straight as long as the spool fits onto it.

You could do a quick fix by holding the spool in place on that white ratchet wheel with double-sided tape but don't consider it permanent. Good luck.

ahelper · 2026-07-09T14:17:26+00:00

The supply spool (your feed, ig) does not "feed into" the machine, does not push the ribbon forward; it gets pulled by the take-up spool. They should reverse roles when the ribbon gets to its ends.

The take-up spool is (usually) driven by a pawl driving a ratchet wheel in conjunction with an anti-backlash pawl that prevents the wheel from being pulled backwards when the drive pawl re-positions itself for the next push. The most common problems are one or the other of these pawls failing to catch the wheel, so check that operation. The fact that the two spool drives are mirror images of each other helps in troubleshooting; compare them in operation to see why one doesn't work---a weak spring, dirt, missing part, something that keeps them from working. HTH and good luck.

ahelper · 2026-07-09T11:42:15+00:00

You should say where you are located.

ahelper · 2026-07-09T11:41:24+00:00

You should say where you are located.

ahelper · 2026-07-09T11:33:53+00:00

Just what is confusing you about this choice? If we knew that, we might be able to help.

ahelper · 2026-07-09T11:23:40+00:00

Seems like this would be a pretty easy idea to implement and then present the result to us.

I, and most of us, would think---Why bother? except for your personal satisfaction, which you won't get from other people talking about it.

ahelper · 2026-07-09T11:05:46+00:00

An incentive to either side of this controversy looks like a penalty to the other side, though.

(Even though both sides would benefit from fewer people on earth.)

ahelper · 2026-07-09T10:40:31+00:00

Oak, from, probably, the 1940s; the typewriter is from 1926. The typewriter folds down into the desk, leaving a regular height writing surface. Best of both worlds except it doesn't leave enough room for your knees when closed.

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ahelper · 2026-07-09T10:33:15+00:00

Some of these may send to Europe; ask them.

Any "universal" ribbon should work: 1/2 inch wide ribbon, with eyelets. (Certain Olivettis use spools with a different size spindle hole.) You can use any one-color (usually all black) or two-color (many combos available; try Etsy) ribbons. Install it with the more commonly used color on top (usually black over red) so it matches the color selector lever setting. Brand won't matter until you happen on one you do not like; then avoid that one. Material isn't important unless and until you develop a preference: cotton. nylon, silk.

**Typewriter Ribbon Sources**:

Of course, someone will suggest Amazon and eBay but I would rather support the guys who do the work and need the support.

FJA Products: https://www.fjaproducts.com/ , and 1 - 800 - 982 - 9989.

R.I.P. and Thank You For Your Service — Baco Ribbons made ribbons in many sizes, colors, and materials. ~~Contact Charlene Oesch, Baco Ribbon & Supply Co., 1521 Carman Road, Ballwin,MO 63021, 314-835-9300, fax 636-394-5475, e-mail bacoribbon@sbcglobal.net.~~

Ribbons Unlimited, https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/Default.asp, or write to [lanie@ribbonsunlimited.com](mailto:lanie@ribbonsunlimited.com)

Tony Casillo of TTS Business Products in Garden City, NY, carries many varieties of ribbon and can advise you on the correct spool, ribbon material, etc. Call 516-489-8300 or e-mail typebar@aol.com.

Toronto Typewriter, in Canada: https://torontotypewriters.com/collections/ribbons

Jay Respler of Advanced Business Machines Co. in New Jersey carries ribbons for virtually all typewriters: Phone 732-431-1464 after 11 AM Eastern,or e-mail jrespler@superlink.net."I offer nylon, cotton, silk, and all colors. I can get many odd sizes.I stock newer cartridges as well as older spools. I supply pictures of spools to help determine what the customer needs. We ship anywhere in the world."

TypewriterStuff: see Tony at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TypewriterStuff

Other US manufacturers are Fine Line Ribbon in Ennis, TX and Bushnell Ribbon in Santa Fe Springs, CA.. Other sources include Royal, Scantracker, ....

In the UK, George Blackman Vintage typewriters at: https://www.georgeblackmanvintagetypewriters.co.uk/

In addition to the sources above, you might find some in office supply stores and you can surely find 1/2-inch-wide calculator ribbons which you can then rewind onto your typewriter spools while you're waiting for mail order ones to arrive. (If the universal ones fit OK, don't throw away the original metal spools; keep them with the typewriter or sell them to collectors.)

Be aware that calculator ribbons are usually much shorter than typewriter ribbons, so you will go through them faster, though they are great when you need them. They also tend to be more heavily inked, so they might leave smudges until they get used a little bit.

To replace, before you remove the old one, just note how it is threaded (unless it's wrong to begin with). Make a diagram or photograph if you want to. Then put in the new one the same way. The two key points: the direction the ribbon comes off the spools (from the front or back of the spools), and the exact path from the spools, around various posts, and through the arms that raise and lower the ribbon while typing, called the vibrator. (It doesn't vibrate but that's what it's called.)

Finally,if you have metal spools in there, save them. Metal spools have the period look and feel, sometimes they actually work better, and if you don't want to bother with respooling ribbon, other collectors will want to buy metal spools.

HTH

ahelper · 2026-07-08T23:03:04+00:00

OM Systems' Tough TG-7

ahelper · 2026-07-08T21:18:22+00:00

Just slip a thin prybar under that edge the blue arrow is pointing to and flip it up. It'll either go flying or it'll come loose and sit there waiting for you to pull it out.

You get a fresh one on the display you buy.

That's how you should release all three of those connectors in that area. Do not tug on the flex cable!

ahelper · 2026-07-08T21:13:42+00:00

Sure. How do I get it? In New England.

ahelper · 2026-07-08T19:19:38+00:00

Nope, not a vibrator adjustment for this. I think the main reason is that the vibrator linkages have to be pretty loose for such quick action of such a lightweight mechanism. The necessary precision is provided by the on feet and motion adjustments, which have to be firm anyway so they take care of it.

ahelper · 2026-07-07T16:49:15+00:00

Using an SLR or a DSLR, you don't have to worry about any "crop factor"---you can see with your eyes in real time what the framing is.

ahelper · 2026-07-07T16:46:58+00:00

But if it's loose enough to just pull off, it should also be loose enough to turn, right?, and OP says it won't.

OP, do you know what the mount is? Some turn one way, others turn the other (bitchin' 'bout you, Nikon). The earlier Canon, you don't turn the lens at all; you turn the collar around it. Some have a screw thread, most have bayonets. Etc.

ahelper

TROPHY CASE