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I have a circa 1940's-50's Royal Desktop Typewriter. The ribbon that was already on it was rather worn and severely faded so I bought new ribbon for it. The only available ribbon was a red-black silk inked ribbon that is actually meant to be used with Smith-Corona typewriters made after 1963. But from what I've seen, the problem isn't the ribbon (even though I had no problems before I switched the ribbon out) but the issue is the typewriter itself. The spool holders are acting a bit tricky; when I flip the switch to have the ribbon change direction in output, only one of the spools does anything. For example: The right spool will output more ribbon as I type, but the left spool won't move at all; and then when I flick the switch again to change directions, the left spool will output ribbon but the right won't budge. Meanwhile I've been typing on the same piece of ribbon for so long that I wore a hole in it. I've taken the spools out and can see that even with them gone, the knobs they sit on do the same thing, only one moves. I'm not sure what to do, help!
Re: I have a circa 1940's-50's Royal Desktop Typewriter....
You have the ribbon on wrong. The ribbon dosen't feed off the spool but take up onto the spool. install the ribbon so that the moving spool is taking up the ribbon.
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Lift the carriage cover. Take note of the position of the ribbon in the ribbon guide and squeeze the ribbon cartridge sides while pulling straight up. When installing the new ribbon cartridge, make sure to seat it properly with the ribbon captured in the ribbon guide. Close the carriage cover.
most royal portables have a locking lever to lock the carriage in the center position try looking on the right side near the lower edge of the carriage
Sometimes they had a carriage lock for transporting it. Check for a little lift up lever thingy at the base of the carriage on the bar that goes across from one side to the other. Or just check around for any little levers that hold the carriage in place.
Cheers
Hi: The most likely problem is there is dirt inside the ribbon basket. This is the area where the type bar (this is the bar with the actual letter on it) ends. They all fit into a semi circle area. If you can find something very narrow and thin with a hook on it you can use it to clean out the areas where each type bar goes. Then try to lightly lube the entire basket right where the type barspivot with something light like sewing machine or 3 in 1 0il. As far as the ribbon reverse goes it might be as simple as making sure that the ribbon is being fed through the ribbon reverse forks which are usually located left of each ribbon spool.
Hi, I have a Royal Companion Portable from 1940's. I bought new ribbons at mytypewriter.com (select the "Royal Portable" ribbon). It fits. Anyway if it doesn't it's not an expensive mistake, but I researched this and apparently all vintage Royal Portables have the same standard ribbon. Worked out in my case. Good luck!
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