Motor clutch slipping on Selectric

[brewer...@gmail.com]

Hi all. Recently picked up a selectric. Initially the machine wouldn't turn on, but once I removed the cover and manually rotated and broke loose the centrifugal clutch attached to the motor and belt, it turned on. Apparently they can get like this after sitting for a long time and accumulating gunk and what not. Anyways after I broke it loose the motor ran, but the clutch immediately started slipping in the belt when trying to engage. I cleaned the clutch off really thoroughly. I even compared it to another clutch I have on a different Selectric. They both look exactly the same in every way. And that clutch works. So I'm having a tough time believing that it's the clutch that's bad. Now the carriage on the machine is stuck all the way on the left side and I cannot pull it to the right to save my life. Basically I can't tell if the clutch isn't letting the inner shaft rotate because it's broken, or something in the inner shaft mechanisms are jammed up and that's what is causing the clutch to slip as it takes too much force for the clutch to handle. Is this happening because the carriage is stuck on the left side? And if so, how can I release it manually? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all!

[Foxs Mercantile]

On 10/25/2017 6:46 PM, brewer...@gmail.com wrote:
> Recently picked up a selectric.

Glad to see I'm not the only one with these things.
I have 5-6 of them, one I bought used in 1989.
I have a bunch of ribbons and assorted golf balls too.


--
Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi
http://www.foxsmercantile.com

[Clifford Heath]

On 26/10/17 10:46, brewer...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi all. Recently picked up a selectric. Initially the machine wouldn't turn on, but once I removed the cover and manually rotated and broke loose the centrifugal clutch attached to the motor and belt, it turned on. Apparently they can get like this after sitting for a long time and accumulating gunk and what not. Anyways after I broke it loose the motor ran, but the clutch immediately started slipping in the belt when trying to engage. I cleaned the clutch off really thoroughly. I even compared it to another clutch I have on a different Selectric. They both look exactly the same in every way. And that clutch works. So I'm having a tough time believing that it's the clutch that's bad. Now the carriage on the machine is stuck all the way on the left side and I cannot pull it to the right to save my life. Basically I can't tell if the clutch isn't letting the inner shaft rotate because it's broken, or something in the inner shaft mechanisms are jammed up and that's what is causing the clutch to slip as it takes too much force for the clutch to handle. Is this happening because the carriage is stuck on the left side? And if so, how can I release it manually? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all!
>

It sounds like gunky stuck bearings on whatever the clutch drives.
IIRC it's a roller, that drives any individual striker whose
friction pad touches it. You could try getting some Penetrene
into the bearings, but the right fix is to disassemble, clean
and lubricate it.

[brewer...@gmail.com]

Thanks for the advice sir! Where might these rollers be located on the machine?

[Clifford Heath]

I was wrong - the Selectric is a golf-ball mechanism, not
the older style of IBM electric typewriter. It doesn't have
the same kind of drive. Sorry for that.

Still, gunky bearings is still my best bet. Figure out what
turns fastest, and/or has greatest load, and lubricate it
well with light penetrating oil. Leave it a day or three to
soak, and if you can get the motor to run freely, leave it
running a while.

The only real problem with this is that light oil will wash
away the grease that's intended to keep the thing lubricated.
You should find a way to re-lube it properly.

Clifford Heath.

[brewer...@gmail.com]

Thanks for the input! Greatly appreciated!

[mhoo...@gmail.com]

heat is often a good solution, it will soften and liquify the dried grease. a hot air gun, or even a soldering iron can do the trick

[ehsjr]

Here's a video on the motor clutch - it might help:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfZS7hHBd7s

Ed

[Ivan Vegvary]

Back in the late '70s I was paying $12-1300 for used selectrics. Those were real dollars. Hurts to see them at garage sales for $5-10. Wonderful machines!

[Foxs Mercantile]

Some time ago, I read a wonderful article about them.
"The invention nobody needed."

After their introduction, it seemed like EVERY office
in the US replaced their old mechanical typewriters.

In my Junior year in high school I took a typing class.
Being good at it I was allowed to use one of the IBM
Selectrics. 65 WPM here we come!

You'll never fully appreciate doing a two column full
justification on a PC unless you've done it by hand
with a typewriter and a red pencil. ;-)