February | 2015 | Type The Clouds

corona fix tools — five came out, two left here. The kirby grip was quite useful too.

I was lucky not to lose any of these little beggars in the carpet. Five key lever springs just decided to hop out. The key tops sagging in a lacklustre way alerted me to this unexpected bit of tweezering. Many bad words were spoken, as time and again over about 45 minutes, the spring was fixed at one end, and then came off. What to do but put on some lipstick and fix myself a gin and tonic without the gin before having another go.

empty spring hole. The plate over the top rows of keys had to come off to gain easier access. — empty spring hole. The plate under the top rows of keys had to come off to gain easier access.

depress affected key to get the spring back into the hole on the lever. Easier said than done!

This was really awkward, as the typewriter had to be continually upended and then put right way up to faff about with the springs.

All back in place with plate fixed back. Easier to get the plate back on than off.

Bingo. Very satisfying. I did think I was going to have to take it on a train journey to see the repair shop just over the county border. Having small hands definitely helped. But you need patience with these things, as you all know.

My tool kit contains a basic set of screwdrivers, a few old toothbrushes, a pair of scissors, pliers, and whatever I can find in my makeup bag. You don’t need much for an emergency fix, but I’m very glad I can take my typewriters for a train ride if I have to.