The IBM Selectric is considered to be one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. I repair and refurbish these iconic machines to prime condition so others can use them and enjoy the Selectric "touch" that is beloved by so many. I now live in Nixa, MO, very near to Springfield, MO.
I just finished this IBM selectric 3 for a customer. It was a custom build because he wanted the Dvorak keyboard and the Selectric II style ribbon in Marlin blue. This machine came with the 210 bicycle ribbon and because it is harder to locate these days it makes sense to change it to the more available Selectric II style ribbon. Converting the ribbon was pretty straightforward. In addition to…
IBM Selectric III models were equipped with two different types of ribbons - the 1299095 SRS style, also used in Selectric II models and the 210 CRC "Bicycle" style on machines built between February 1982 through October 1984 (that's the official dates anyway). It was nicknamed "bicycle" since the outline of the ribbon cartridge looks like a bicycle. The 210 style was designed supposedly to…
As many of you may know, I've been reproducing the Cycle Clutch Pulley, also known as the Main Pulley or Main Hub for IBM Selectric typewriters for a few years now. This grew out of a necessity to source replacement pulleys for the Selectrics that I reconditioned. The original pulleys were injection molded nylon that crack from age. Many of these pulleys are 40 years old or older, so you can't…
I have recently moved to the Springfield Missouri area. Now that I'm settled in, I'm restarted my typewriter repair service. I specialize in IBM Selectric typewriters, but I have and can repair antique, vintage manual and electric typewriters and even electronic typewriters. I repair all kinds of typewriters, IBM or otherwise. I'm located about 6 miles south of Springfield in Nixa, Missouri.…
Here's a terrific IBM Selectric II with correction that I just finished. I gave it a complete overhaul including a chemical wash, synthetic lubrication, high mortality parts replacements, careful inspection and adjustment and numerous upgrades to make this machine like-new again. A beautiful machine, inside and out. Literally each and every part is cleaned, inspected and reconditioned or replaced,…
Just finished. This is a beautiful Mid-Size Raven Black Selectric II with Correction. This machine was previously reconditioned by IBM in 1981 and apparently not used much after that. But time has it's way with all things and over the last 30 or so years while it wasn't used, the oil and grease stiffened, causing it not to work. The first step to any successful reconditioning process is to remove…
Here's a beautiful Marlin Blue Correcting Selectric III that I just finished. What a great machine! A real closet queen that was a personal machine and saw very little use back in the day. It still needed lots of TLC to remove sticky, hardened grease and oil from years of just sitting around to return it to factory-perfect operation. This one is the best of the best. Produced near the end of…
Here's a Classic Blue Correcting Selectric II that I just refurbished. It was manufactured in 1973, the first year Correction was available. Due to it's early production, it has many parts that are stainless steel and high quality metal parts that were changed in later models to reduce cost. For example, it features the all-steel carrier transport that uses two steel cables to move the carrier,…
This is another machine that I've refurbished from my collection. Summer is my busy time around our place, so it took a little longer than normal. It takes me 25 to 30 hours to completely refurbish a Selectric from top to bottom and I have to find that time in short spurts when other things aren't pressing. I start my refurbishing process by carefully picking a machine from the dozens I have.…
FOR SALE: I refurbished this Selectric III and converted the keyboard to a Dvorak Simplified layout. You can read about the procedure I use to convert the keyboard here> https://ibmselectric.blogspot.com/2017/07/ibm-selectric-dvorak-keyboard.html It's important to me to retain the dual-velocity operation when changing the keyboard layout. Otherwise, the punctuation characters will strike harder…
Here's a great IBM Selectric III that I just refurbished. It was the pick of the litter before I started with very little use. Completely cleaned with a chemical wash to remove sticky, hardened grease and oil, then relubricated with synthetic oil and grease and key failure items upgraded to provide years of trouble-free service. All adjustments were checked and corrected as necessary to make it…
This is the IBM Personal Typewriter. I know, it's a confusing name because when people talk about them, they don't mean it's their personal typewriter, that's the name IBM gave to this model. Some people call it the Personal Selectric, but that's not the official name. This model was only made for about 2 years, starting in late 1982 and ending in 1984. It has a lot in common with the Selectric II…
Here's the Selectric III Dvorak conversion that I've been working on. It turned out better than I expected. It's painted Pearl White with a Black bottom, which was not a color that was normally available on Selectric III models. I chose this color combination due to the custom nature of this machine. The machine has been fully re-conditioned with a chemical wash, necessary parts replacement…
Due to interest in the procedure to convert an IBM Selectric keyboard layout to a Dvorak layout, I decided to give it a try and document the procedure I used. Before now there hasn't been much info online about how to do it and there have been lots of unanswered questions. Although it is pretty straightforward to do this conversion, I would suggest that only someone familiar with the IBM Selectric…
This is a extra nice Selectric II in Red that I just refurbished. It has been completely reconditioned with a chemical wash, necessary parts replacement, full lubrication with synthetic lubricants and adjustments checked and corrected. A new aluminum cycle clutch pulley has been installed for years of trouble-free service. It has a 15" platen, Error Correction and the wonderful Selectric "touch"…
Because of interest in converting a Selectric to a Dvorak keyboard, I'm working on refurbishing a Selectric III machine and converting the keyboard. My research shows IBM offered a Dvorak keyboard, but it varies slightly from the ANSI Dvorak keyboard. I've decided to utilize the ANSI Dvorak layout which switches the quote/double quote with the question/slash keys. Hopefully I will be done in a few…
I just finished this Autumn Red/Black Selectric III. What a great machine! This machine has been completely reconditioned and it looks, sounds and types like new. IBM Selectric III Dual-Pitch Correcting, model 6705 Lighted Margin Scale Freshly Cleaned, Lubed and Adjusted New Sound Insulating Foam Ready To Use Completely refurbished. This machine has completely chemically cleaned, re-lubricated…
Here's another great IBM Selectric II in Emerald Green that I just finished refurbishing. It has been fully reconditioned with a chemical wash, necessary parts replacement, synthetic oil and grease lubrication, adjustments checked and returned to factory specs and refinished in IBM Emerald Green. It has a 15" platen, Error Correction and the wonderful Selectric "touch" keyboard that everyone…
Here's another great IBM Selectric II in Pearl White that I just finished refurbishing. It has been fully reconditioned with a chemical wash, necessary parts replacement, synthetic oil and grease lubrication, adjustments checked and returned to factory specs and refinished in IBM Pearl White. It has a 15" platen, Error Correction and the wonderful Selectric "touch" keyboard that everyone loves. It…
Here's another great IBM Selectric II in Willow Green that I just finished refurbishing. It has been fully reconditioned with a chemical wash, necessary parts replacement, synthetic oil and grease lubrication, adjustments checked and returned to factory specs and refinished in the original color of IBM Willow Green. It has a 15" platen, Error Correction and the wonderful Selectric "touch" keyboard…
I've sold all the refurbished machines I had ready in the past few weeks, so I'm working diligently to get a few machines ready. My day job is keeping me busy, but I'll have at least a Selectric III ready in a few days. Stay tuned.
Here is another great Selectric III in Pebble Gray/Black that I just refurbished. IBM made some of the best typewriters of all time. This is a beautiful example in excellent condition with Extras. IBM Selectric III Typewriter with Correction Completely refurbished. This machine has completely chemically cleaned, re-lubricated with synthetic oil and grease, high wear parts replaced, adjusted to…
Here's another great IBM Selectric II in Classic Blue that I just finished refurbishing. It has been fully reconditioned with a chemical wash, necessary parts replacement, synthetic oil and grease lubrication, adjustments checked and returned to factory specs and refinished in the original color of IBM Classic Blue. It has a 15" platen, Error Correction and the wonderful Selectric "touch" keyboard…
This is a beautiful IBM Selectric II in Sandstone Beige that I just finished. Like all my machines, it has been completely reconditioned with a chemical wash to remove old oil and grease, new synthetic lubrication, new noise-reducing foam and new Sandstone Beige paint. All adjustments have been checked and corrected to factory specs. The main pulley has been sleeved to prevent future failure and…
Here's a great Selectric III in Autumn Red with a Black base that I just finished. Completely refurbished. This machine has completely chemically cleaned, re-lubricated with synthetic oil and grease, high wear parts replaced, adjusted to factory perfection and has new paint.The cycle clutch pulley has been sleeved to prevent future problems. New sound reduction foam installed for quiet operation.…