This machine was one heck of a challenge. If you watch the refurb video I made (if I ever get finished editing it and publish it) you’ll see that it was in very bad shape when I started. In fact, I generally would have labeled it as a parts machine. But my little Charlie Brown typewriter sat in a corner month after month, and when I was looking for something to record for my YouTube channel, this seemed like a good possibility.
Admittedly, I can’t sell it for a price that will cover the many hours that went into transforming this machine. So anyone who buys it is getting a deal. Not because there are no other LC Smith typewriters around that aren’t in better shape, but because I made sure that every last one of the mechanisms on this machine are in perfect working order—and are guaranteed to undergo a serious workout.
Now as for the condition—there was a lot of rust to start with, hence there are some rust pits throughout. Most of the paint is either chipped or worn. A few of the tab-activation parts had to be improvised, and the tab-stops are all missing (I believe this machine originally came with 5).
The rollers have been recreated. The platen itself has a fresh coating of rubber on it, but the original rubber is still intact, beneath the coating, and has no flat spots or cracks.
The letter movement and escapement is smooth, considering the age of the machine.
The ribbon color does work, but when typing in red, the ribbon doesn’t lift quite enough every time, and sometimes the tops of the letters have black in them (see the type sample).
If ordering outside the Cincinnati area, there'll be an added $30 for shipping. If you're local, call me and set up an appointment, and I can give you a full demonstration, along with a crash-course on using manual typewriters.
