Doug DeHaven Found this S-Model Underwood in almost mint condition, and had to add this 32lb amazing typewriter to my collection. It has mechanical memory for storing tabs, and margins. It is the panicle of type writing of yore. What an amazing machine to use!
UPDATE: 7/26/2023 I tore it completely down and did a full restoration of the unit! What a massive project, with so many small parts that needed cleaned and polished. Remembering where everything went was the hard part! All the way at the end is a full video walkthrough of this amazing unit, and everything I learned in the process about it.
Here is a small assortment of all the tools used in the process of cleaning and polishing.
And here it is all back together!
Last here is a full video walkthrough of the restoration, and the features of this amazing typewriter!
Absolutely beautiful. I had a 1947, which I fully restored. It was my favorite typewriter. I experienced a burglary and it was the only thing that was stolen. I wish I could find another. If you ever decide to sell it, please let me know.
Thank you for the kind words! So sorry for you loss! They could not have made it far with how heavy they are! And for sure I can!
I just picked up the same exact model and I am looking for a manual or something to get me started. This is my first typewriter, and I am super interested in learning more! Your video was incredibly helpful for me to understand how it works. But I am not nearly as confident to start taking it apart lol. But I do want to clean it and make sure everything works as it should and fix what doesn’t. Do you have an instruction manual or anything that you went by in order to find out all of the information you know about this model? Thank you for all this information!
I watched a ton of videos on youtube, to learn as much as I could! Also found a few manuals that helped out.
Here is one,
https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/Underwood_Repair_Manual.pdf
Another,
https://ia800203.us.archive.org/25/items/TM10601/TM-10-601_text.pdf
Another one as well.
https://archive.org/details/TM10601/page/n3/mode/2up
If you google the term ‘Underwood Model S Service manual’ That may help get you on the right track!
For now your best bet, is to exercise all the moving parts, it will feel reparative, but like sore joints you need to work them to keep them moving right, be patient, and find a light machine oil, sewing machine oil, air tool oil, or if needed quick 3 in 1 oil, will all work to help get things moving again. Try not to use to much, just enough to get things moving!
Also, do lots of typing, it will be fun, but also help loosen up all the keys and joints!
any questions let me know, will do my best to help!
I also scanned in this book I have in my collection, may be helpful to you since this is your first typewriter!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yw7RWWv-bnIOqA8EdjSt93MuoHQlJdhT/view?usp=sharing