How to Remove the Left Platen Knob on a Smith-Corona 5-Series Floating Shift
A TCL friend asked if I had a left platen knob for an SCM 5-Series in my spare parts, and it happened I did, but it was not especially clear to me how to remove it from my parts machine – even after consulting the service manual. It told me to remove certain screws, but it was not made clear how, or what they looked like. I puzzled it out, though, and documented it:
Step 1: (see above) hold onto the variable knob (chromed conical knob) with something like the inner round part of a set of needle nose pliers while turning the inner nut clockwise with a 3/16″ wrench until knob unscrews off.
Step 2: Use 3/16″ wrench to remove nut (counterclockwise). Hold the other end of the variable shaft to prevent it from turning.
Step 3: With nut & knob removed, pull out variable shaft.
Step 4: With shaft removed, use flathead screwdriver to turn shaft collar screw counterclockwise to loosen and remove. Pull off the retaining collar and pull left knob out of assembly.
Step 5: If you’re sending the knob to someone, re-assemble the assembly so they have all the parts. Enjoy! (:
I love that kind of blog articles. Good information! Thank you from Germany.
Hello Ted,
Not really the place to ask but i’m desperate!.. i’m looking for a drive belt for the SMC poweriter.. i don’t think there is any left..
So..yes; i finally found a Poweriter that is in REALLY good condition: with the original powerbank, the original ‘changeble keys’ box (complete!) the original enveloppe with all the original papers etc. It works (yes: also on 220V!).. so happy.. but no belt..no typing.
hope to hear, i posted this also on Typepals forum.
Greetings!
Indro
this:
https://munk.org/typecast/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Screenshot_2021-09-08_20-17.jpg
thnx Ted, I think i need a toothed 20 inch drive belt?, so one pretty big toothed (and flat and wide) belt. i cant find a picture of it on the web but i’ll try to look one up
oh, then I dunno. sounds like unobtainium, but you might try the GolfBallTypewriterShop Facebook group.
Hi Ted,
Any idea on where to source a replacement left polished conical knob/nut like the one in your above photos? I recently acquired a 5TE that is missing that.
Thanks!
only off another machine, and I already gave that one away.
Thank you!
Hi Ted – I’m looking for that platen variable knob (Dome Shaped) would you happen to have a spare you can sell?
Already gave it away. Sorry (:
Thanks for replying. Do let me know if you encounter a parts unit with this still intact!:)