In Typewriter Video Series Episode 300, Joe installs a newly resurfaced Royal Mercury platen from JJ Short & Associates, and reflects on this "Time Machine" typewriter from 1971.
I had that same typewriter and loved it! I put a blue/green ribbon on it and gave it to my best friend for her granddaughters to learn the qwerty keyboard in a fun analog way. Great video. Loved it!
Hi Joe, Great Video. I have a Royal Signet I recieved for my birthday on 12/20/70 when I turned 11. I still have it and now I will replace the Platen, thanks to your video -- it's funny, I was wanting to sound-proof it also. My Signet is well used, except for the last 35 years or so. Also, JJ Short is only about 45 minutes from me.
I totally agree with you about these Silver Seiko line of typewriters, especially the Royal Mercury. Great & amazing typers!!! I now have 4 Royal Mercury typewriters and a Royal Signet (same machine but with single color without touch adjustor). They ALL types really well, clear imprints, snappy feel, and ultraportable. I'd take any one of them before the Hermes Rocket or the Olivetti Lettera 22.
Congrats for #300. always great content and entertaining too. I got a Royal 200 which might be the same machine and first i thougt negative about it, but now it is one of my favorites when hiking or biking .
I have a Royal 200 that is identical to this and it has an uneven platen and feed the paper wonky therefore by the time I'm 3/4 down the page, the page is on a tilt. This is a great tutorial and I'm keen to have a go at removing the platen and evening it up. Thanks heaps.
Happy 300th episode Joe! Love "1971" storytime towards the end... one of those "you can't make that up even if tried" type of stories with so many connections. "Type" pun not intended either!
My last typewriter purchase is a Hermes Baby from 1969. I swear the mechanism is a clone of your Royal Mercury. I just spent an hour figuring out how to pull the mechanism from the plastic shell. It is not easy. Daniel
Joe, there is a vile chemical called "Rubber Renue", manufactured by the MG Chemical Co, that restores and renews old dead rubber. I successfully restored the tooth on the platen of my 1952 SC Silent, which was hard as glass, with this stuff. You might want to try it sometime next time you have this issue, instead of the JJ Short route...
Hi Joe! I have one of these, although it's the Spanish keys variant. It's a fun machine. I need my platen resurfaced, how much did that set you back? And do they need just the platen, or any of the hardware (knob, etc.)?
I found an identical typewriter at my local 'leave and take' shed. It was in really good shape, so I am trying to get it cleaned up and working. The only issue seems to be that the ribbon feed mechanism isn't advancing the ribbon. Even with no ribbon installed, the white geared wheels do not turn. Do you have a video to address this? Thanks!
Congratulations on episode 300 Joe! What a beautiful new platen! Here's to MANY more episodes for this series!
Great way to mark the 300 episode milestone!
Congrats on the 300! Wow, quite the journey
Great video Joe! I sure enjoy your typewriter videos. God bless,stay healthy and creative😉
I had that same typewriter and loved it!
I put a blue/green ribbon on it and gave it to my best friend for her granddaughters to learn the qwerty keyboard in a fun analog way.
Great video. Loved it!
Congrats to you Joe, looking forward to the next 300, and In 1971 I was only 3 years old .
I just got a mercury of my own because of your review of it! Great typewriter, love it :)
Hi Joe, Great Video. I have a Royal Signet I recieved for my birthday on 12/20/70 when I turned 11. I still have it and now I will replace the Platen, thanks to your video -- it's funny, I was wanting to sound-proof it also. My Signet is well used, except for the last 35 years or so. Also, JJ Short is only about 45 minutes from me.
I totally agree with you about these Silver Seiko line of typewriters, especially the Royal Mercury. Great & amazing typers!!! I now have 4 Royal Mercury typewriters and a Royal Signet (same machine but with single color without touch adjustor). They ALL types really well, clear imprints, snappy feel, and ultraportable. I'd take any one of them before the Hermes Rocket or the Olivetti Lettera 22.
Congrats on your 300th épisode!!! What a super achievement!
Daniel
You rascal! You went there with the Mercury, didn't'cha? Fresh, new rubber. Now *that's* love. :D
I still have yet to do the Ted Munk sound insulation upgrade!
These are wonderful machines and I would love to have one with a new platen!
Congrats for #300. always great content and entertaining too. I got a Royal 200 which might be the same machine and first i thougt negative about it, but now it is one of my favorites when hiking or biking .
I have a Royal 200 that is identical to this and it has an uneven platen and feed the paper wonky therefore by the time I'm 3/4 down the page, the page is on a tilt. This is a great tutorial and I'm keen to have a go at removing the platen and evening it up.
Thanks heaps.
Happy 300th episode Joe!
Love "1971" storytime towards the end... one of those "you can't make that up even if tried" type of stories with so many connections. "Type" pun not intended either!
My last typewriter purchase is a Hermes Baby from 1969. I swear the mechanism is a clone of your Royal Mercury. I just spent an hour figuring out how to pull the mechanism from the plastic shell. It is not easy.
Daniel
Why 300?
Because you are a excellent teacher.
Joe, there is a vile chemical called "Rubber Renue", manufactured by the MG Chemical Co, that restores and renews old dead rubber. I successfully restored the tooth on the platen of my 1952 SC Silent, which was hard as glass, with this stuff. You might want to try it sometime next time you have this issue, instead of the JJ Short route...
Hi Joe! I have one of these, although it's the Spanish keys variant. It's a fun machine. I need my platen resurfaced, how much did that set you back? And do they need just the platen, or any of the hardware (knob, etc.)?
It was around $85 with shipping, and they don't want the knobs, just the platen itself.
I think I need one of those strap wrenches to open a bottle of orange juice! 🤣
I found an identical typewriter at my local 'leave and take' shed. It was in really good shape, so I am trying to get it cleaned up and working. The only issue seems to be that the ribbon feed mechanism isn't advancing the ribbon. Even with no ribbon installed, the white geared wheels do not turn. Do you have a video to address this? Thanks!