.Davis Typewriter Works

.Davis Typewriter Works

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Typing Technique and Typewriter Design

We've posted a new, pretty long (about 24 minute) video about something that's reaching epidemic proportions in typewriter enthusiast circles... and that is the phenomenon of "known typewriting problems" like skipping, shadowing, piling and so forth. 

We'd strongly suggest that those of you who really use your typewriters and are less than 40 years old watch this whole video. 

We have also got two common, one pretty unusual and one truly rare typewriter in this video for you collectors out there; there's something for everyone here.

Click here to see our latest video on Typing Technique and Typewriter Design.

Feel free to comment here, or on the video page itself; we hope you enjoy it and find it useful.

3 PM   1/11/2015

16 comments:

  1. That was a great video,mwell done and good advice.

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  2. Very well done. Required viewing for any one who wants to get and use a typewriter. I can still hear my typing teacher preaching on rhythm and even calling cadence.

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    1. And that's a key, isn't it? F.. T.. F.. space. F.. T.. F.. space. Must get that rhthym and never gallop your words, such as "the" or "for."

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  3. I mentioned something like this in a comment under your video, but it seems worth repeating here. You guys are every bit as entertaining as the Car Talk guys (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_Talk), so much so that I dub thee "Tap and Ding, the Escapement Brothers". And here I thought that I appreciated my machines. Evidently, I have barely begun to do so.

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    1. Thanks so much, Dan! We're flattered at the comparison, and very glad you enjoyed the video.

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  4. The Smith-Corona Series-5 Adjustment Manual referred to by Will and Dave in this video is now available for download to Typewriter Hunter-level members at the Typewriter Database ("Repair" section of the file library.)

    Follow along with Tap and Ding and adjust your machine to your unique typing touch! (:

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  5. I absolutely loved the video, and couldn't agree more! I also think that on top of proper typing rhythm, etc., you must get to know your typewriter to use it properly. Every single machine is slightly different, and, like a best friend, requires a little bit of "warming up."

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    1. VERY important. There is an adjustment period with any change of machine. This is why I always advocated having a "go to" standard machine, already on a typing table and ready to go for when you really want or need to do some work. A standard you're familiar with and can run like second nature. Great point.

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  6. warched your excellent video - although i don't qualify, agewise - and find it innovative and very well done. thanks a lot!

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    1. Thanks! We try to continue to break new ground so that we continue to reach further and further out from the core of "seasoned collectors" into the typosphere and beyond. These videos are a key component of that outreach effort. (The blog you're looking at was pretty new for seasoned collectors, as a concept, when we launched it in 2010.)

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  7. Entertaining and useful.

    I didn't realize that office machines got sent out for rebuilding after only 1-3 years!

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    1. It's true! We have a complete "rebuilt typewriters 101" video in the works that will tip off both seasoned collectors and new alike to the likelihood that the standard typewriter you're looking at - whatever that is - has been rebuilt or modified at least once. Glad you liked the video!

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  8. Thanks for an excellent video. As an 'enthusiast' that enjoys the tinkering with the machines it increased understanding of what is possible in typing and tuning a machine. Tnx :-)

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  9. What old typing book do you recommend?

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