Restoration Project: 1930-31 Royal Typewriter - Model 10

April 10, 2024

I started by taking the bottom off and blasting it out with an air compressor and a garden hose, then the air compressor to dry it.  Mineral spirits and "Krud Kutter" became my friends, next, as I started working the keys and "key slugs."  It's amazing how much oxidation I was able to remove from the case. 

I'm not going to remove all of the parts and put it together; that would be way beyond my capabilities and my willingness to do this...but I'm expecting some parts and a new set of decals soon.  I'll put up some pix to show the progress. 

Mechanically, it does type - has the motion.  It never had a bell - but we found the bell inside the typewriter itself, so my husband reattached it, cleaned up the mechanism that 'pings' the bell, and it goes "DING" now. 

Pretty cool antique, really!  Kids are strangely attracted to it.  Every kid who has ever come over will "type" on it.  Wait until I get the new ribbon loaded, new rollers, etc. 

Typewriter restoration - a new hobby?  I don't really think so; but it's an interesting project.  (I sure as heck don't need any new hobbies!)