Public Service Announcement: Here’s your gentle maintenance reminder to clean the slugs on your typewriter to keep your type fresh and crisp.
Published by
Chris Aldrich
I'm a biomedical and electrical engineer with interests in information theory, complexity, evolution, genetics, signal processing, IndieWeb, theoretical mathematics, and big history. I'm also a talent manager-producer-publisher in the entertainment industry with expertise in representation, distribution, finance, production, content delivery, and new media. View all posts by Chris Aldrich
This morning. I use a kneadable art eraser to clean them every day and give them a thorough cleaning with mineral spirits a couple of times a month.
Thank you!
I don’t do enough typing on a particular machine to warrant a type slug clean, but every time I get a new machine, I do clean the type, and it always makes a world of difference.
The last slugs I cleaned were on a 1955 Imperial Model T, and the easiest way is with a piece of mounting putty, called Blue tack, but soon to be rebranded Black tack because of all the ink mixed in.
But that also reminds me that I should be doing it on the 4 loan machines I picked up for my next type in!
Check often, pick it out with a wooden toothpick as not to scratch the typeface. Dab with a paper towel for juicy ribbons if I notice splotching. Ive got an eagle eye for detail
Just today. I’m planning to give an Olympia SM2 with a freshly resurfaced platen, new rubber bushings, a fresh ribbon, a non-slip mat, and a felt mat to a close friend as a gift. The young lady was so happy to try a typewriter that I couldn’t resist. It’s her birthday and Christmas gift for the last years. The cleaning of the slugs was the last bit I could do for that machine. I hope it will see a bright future.
Probably once a month.
Idk what that is (I joined this sub because I have a typewriter, but I actually know little about them).