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Wasted $80 on a 'restored' typewriter from an Etsy shop and it's basically a paperweight
I thought I was being smart, avoiding the expensive new models and going vintage. Saw this 1960s Smith-Corona listed as 'fully serviced and ready to type' for $80 plus shipping from some shop in Oregon. Sounded like a steal compared to the $300 ones on other sites. Took three weeks to arrive and the ribbon mechanism is completely jammed... keys stick like crazy, and the bell doesn't even ring. Emailed the seller twice and got nothing back. Ended up spending another $30 at a local repair guy just to hear him say the carriage needs parts that don't exist anymore. So now I've got a desk ornament I'm too stubborn to throw away. Anyone else fall for one of these 'restored' listings that were clearly just wiped with a rag and shipped out?
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evanpalmer6d agoOG Member
Does your local guy think a little oil might free any of it up?
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oscarwright5d agoTop Commenter
Actually I used to be in the "just spray some WD-40 on it and see what happens" camp for EVERYTHING. Thought oil was oil and you couldn't really mess it up. Then I watched a buddy carefully measure out some synthetic lube for a stuck valve and the difference was NIGHT and day. Really changed my mind on how much it matters what you put in there. Now I'm way more careful about using the right stuff for the specific job.
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