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Care, in six rules
What the bench tells everyone who buys, rents, or inherits. Follow all six and you may never need us, which is a strange thing for a repair shop to say.
Rule 1
Cover it
Dust is the enemy of the segment. A cloth cover, not plastic; machines need to breathe.
Rule 2
Oil by drops, not glugs
Two drops at the pivot points a year. More oil collects dust and makes a slurry.
Rule 3
Change the ribbon
When the print goes pale, not when the spool runs out. Pale print is a tired ribbon asking.
Rule 4
Lift by the base
Never by the carriage. The carriage is a hand, not a handle.
Rule 5
Type from the shoulder
Key levers are made for a relaxed hand. Pound from the wrist and you will meet the bench's opinion of it.
Rule 6
Listen to the bell
The bell lever tells you the margin is near. Honoring it saves type bars.
Printed copies of this page are free at the counter, typed, naturally.