1960 Tower Chieftain III #3 YT167152
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Erik Bruchez (ebruchez)
Created: 10-26-2020 at 09:35PM
Last Edit: 08-18-2021 at 10:51PM
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Description:
I got this machine for free. It's essentially a Smith-Corona Skyriter.
UPDATE 2021-08-18: The machine was originally free because the keys were "sticky". And they really were. I tried all sorts of solvents but nothing truly worked: things got better, but after a while everything was completely sticky again. So I decided to dig deeper. The front of the machine has slots where the key levers hang. I suspected the stickiness might be in there. I used a coat hanger to build a follower wire and, with a punch, I pushed out the rods that hold the keys together. The bottom one didn't seem to be the issue. But the top one was. I pulled out one by one the key levers that didn't move freely. They were systematically coated with some sticky sap-like substance. Wiping it away solved the problem.
See the "Cleaning the sticky key levers" link below for pictures of the process.
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
Photos:
Hunter: Erik Bruchez (ebruchez)
Erik Bruchez's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 11371
I started collecting my first pre-WW2 standard typewriters in 2017. Since then I have added a few machines to my collection, which now ranges from the 1880s to the 1980s. As of 2024, I have more big standard (desktop) typewriters than portables, a few standard electrics, and some unusual machines like Varitypers, uncommon IBM machines, and more. I am not a pro restorer, but I have restored a few of my machines beyond simple cleaning.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Tower Chieftain III on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Tower Serial Number page and the Tower Chieftain III By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
