Another J.J. Short Platen installed on an Underwood Master

New one as I unpacked it

 Here are some photos of how I changed the platen with more step by step instructions than my Rhythm Touch post (11 April 2015).  Please review the photos first if you use these as a guide to help change a platen as some are out of order.

First remove the two screws on top of each end cover and remove the left end cover.  Then remove the right knob.  Remove the right end cover.  Next remove this collar. (No collar on my Rhythm Touch)

Collar

Then go to the left end and using a spring hook (or carefully use a screwdriver) pull back the line space ratchet dog and rotate the line feed release lever up as shown so it can be removed.  This is a bit different than my SS or Rhythm Touch.  On the SS there is room to remove the lever out the back beside the spring hook.

This is a better shot of the dog with the lever removed.  I started to pull the rod out.  Gently pull and twist the rod to remove it.  To start pull back on the dog lever as shown to relieve the tension against the ratchet gear.

I missed the image of the rod as it was remved.  Blogger is too flaky to even attempt to insert the photo.  This is the rod after I cleaned it with Scotch-Brite.  Steel wool could be used also.

Another out of position photo.  Blogger is not the most user-friendly blog application.  This photo belongs after the collar photo.  The first thing I did on the left end was to remove the right-most screw in the above photo.  Then I loosened the left one so the carriage release lever would hang free of the ratchet gear (also something I did not need to do with the Rhythm Touch).

This is the lever clear of obstructing rod removal.

I planned to put this photo atop the others to show the old platen.  This one is my fault for getting in the wrong position as I could not find it in my directory to put it where it belongs.  I already had photos cued in Blogger when I noticed this one.

Old on left.  New on right.  It is an optical illusion if the old one looks smaller.

After laying the platen in the carriage tray the rod is re-inserted starting the removal process in reverse.  Then put the collar back on and align the flat of the rod with the set screw.  I align the platen screws at the same time in the same position.  Tighten the collar screw and then the one on each end of the platen.

This is the new platen installed on the typewriter.

The entire process takes about 20 minutes including the time it took me to clean the dirt out of the carriage, polish the metal I missed in the first cleaning, and treating the bottom feed rollers with rubber rejuvenator.

I'm re arranging my lab at work. As soon as a bit of minor construction is completed and I get everything organized as I want this typewriter will return to the lab where I can use it for work.  

I also have my newest Hermes 3000 there.  I took that one in when I started last year.  Since it is a portable I can always find room for it.  When I need a typewriter I use it.  I only wish I had one nice typewriter with a real carriage instead of all these short ones.  I unloaded my Praxis 48 for an IBM Selectric-II because it had a short platen.  I hate file labels and writing on file tabs.  I love using a typewriter for that job.  I guess my first typewriter for 2016 will be another old Underwood full size machine with a full size platen (12 or 13 inch).  I love the 10 inch platens on portables, but office size machines need office size platens.

Replacing an Underwood Rhythm Touch (SS) Platen

This arrived in todays mail

In order to use what arrived today I first had to start here and remove it about a week or so ago.  Remove the two screws holding the cover and remove the cover.

The right knob gets removed first by loosening the two set screws.

Loosen the left screw

Loosen the right screw

Use a small screwdriver to hold back the ratchet dog from the line feed ratchet gear.  You can do it with just your fingers if you are brave enough should it slip and you get pinched.

Hold the platen with one hand and twist the shaft using the knob with your other hand while pulling on the knob at the same time.  The black knob not the variable spacer push button.  As you pull you will need to let go of the plaen and release the feed with a screwdriver until the gear passes.  Twist and pull on the line feed knob to help get the shaft out.  Also hold on to the little lever or it will fall. If it falls onto the work bench it will be fine. If it falls on the floor it may decide to hide from view.

This is the little lever that releases the feed dog.

This is where the semi-circular end rides

Original

Feed pressure rollers before removing to send off.  Also shown is the paper feed tray.  Note, every other metal section that fits under the paper tray has a rubber pad on it.

Last Saturday I took time to TRY my Oliver.  Also the Underwood skips when I bottom out the keys rather than properly press them.

The recovered platen

The recovered pressure rollers.  That is not a flat spot on the one small one.  It is a mark like a water mark.

The shaft and line feed are back together.  They go back to gether in reverse of taking them apart. 

The platen shaft has a flat for tightening the set screws against.  Align all the screws with the flat spot.

All finished in about 30 to 40 minutes including the time to take the photos.  After this photo was taken I rejuvenated the rollers on the paper bail and they are not so shiny any longer.

This is what the pressure rollers look like with the paper feed tray installed

This is what the paper feed rollers look like when the feed tray is removed.  The front rollers can be removed quite easily, but the larger ones under the paper tray take a bit if wiggling since they are spring loaded and fit quite tight.  All the rollers are easily removed by loosening the screws in the shaft collars. Note where and how the tiny rollers go on the front ones as they must be reassembled the same.

Not hollow ground, but quite useful around typewriters, especially loosening and tightening the right knob screws on this typewriter.

The two feed roller photos should be near the beginning.  I remembered to insert them too late.  Blogger is a pain to rearrange photos after insertion so they stay out of sequence.

I hope there is enough detail here to help anyone who wants to tackle an Underwood platen.  My 1941 M is the same as this 1947 SS.  I'm unsure how many others match.

Very highly recommended.
 http://www.jjshort.com/typewriter-platen-repair.php

Underwood Master or Champion?

The post card and the image above I think originate in the New York Public Library.  They are all over  on line so I do not know who to correctly recognize as the originating source.

Mine, missing some chrome.

Here's the link to the one that has plastic keys.  The keys even look like they may be dark green.

I thought I may be able to differentiate between Master and Champion by the pull tab on the type slug access door.  Then I found some sites with Underwood Master shown without the pull tab.  I'm sure there are variations between model years, and maybe even production runs.  I'm wondering whether mine is a Master, as I found M to designate that, or was the space bar changed some time in its life, or is that normal for the Master to have CHAMPION on the space bar. Remember in all the typing contests Underwood won. 

Another Typewriter Joins the Staff at Work

Thought is best to use some engineering paper since I was at work in the lab.
I was thinking of my SS when I typed SS.  I meant model S.

Under the sheet of styrofoam was a few sheets of high density foam and the entire machine was packed nicely with it too.  The basket was filled with balled plastic grocery bags and the entire machine stabilized in its foam encasement.  Excellent work.

The machine as it sits on the back section of my desk.  Also the H3k stored away in its house.

Dates to 1940

Wish mine had the fancy paper tray that Robert Messenger's has.  Mine needs some chrome too.

I really enjoy using my Underwoods.  They are the best, snappiest, fastest, easiest typewriters in my collection.

Our engineer intern now wants a typewriter.  I think I'll see what I can find on the to-be-repaired stack for him.  I know I have at least one repairable H3k.

I'll be sending this platen off to JJ Short when the other one comes back.  I could save a few dollars if I'd waited until I got this one.