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This IBM Selectric II was only $20 at a thrift store, what was I supposed to do, abandon it?!
Anyway, it powers on but is hella noisy and doesn't quite work.
I figure I'll spend some time debugging, and if I fail it's a lovely paperweight until I save up the cash to bring it to my pals at Berkeley Typewriter. I've never owned an electric typewriter myself (all of mine are manual, intentionally) so this will be be a unique adventure. #typewriter #IBMSelectric
@pleia2 You know there are STL files to 3D print new golf balls, right? Someone's even done a Comic Sans ball …
(That looks like quite some corrosion on your new toy's typeball. Is that your problem with it?)
@cstross I discovered them a couple months ago! My first thought was that I could make some interesting crafts with them, but now I'm excited about getting one printed with an unusual font to actually use 
@pleia2 Old Enochian type ball FTW. Iä! Iä! 
@cstross Cool story idea, accidentally summoning spirits with a typewriter 
@pleia2 You know about that time the KGB bugged the IBM Selectrics in a US embassy, right? https://www.cryptomuseum.com/covert/bugs/selectric/
@cstross I didn't know about this! Super clever, and keyloggers predating PCs is wild.
@cstross As for the problem, it's probably the shift clutch, which is a common problem on these. It requires at least cleaning of a key spring, maybe replacement, we'll see! 
@pleia2 Brings back memories of typing catalog cards in a library
@pleia2 so very cool I haven’t used one of those in years.
@pleia2
I passed on a Selectric 1 after the owner explained what needed repairing, much too expensive for me, but I still regret not getting a lovely paperweight. $20 is a steal.
@pleia2 I've heard it's one of the most complicated pieces of machinery ever made
@chrism Yep, when I was at WPM Typewriter in Philadelphia the owner talked me out of even looking at the Selectrics because they're such beasts to maintain, so I followed her advice that day.
But $20!!
I popped it open to poke around earlier, and already I'm starting to think I'm gonna need professional help 
@pleia2 well, you work at the right place! :)
@chrism Haha, if only, IBM doesn't even make the ribbons anymore! But there is a shop in Berkeley that can help me out, plus I need an excuse to visit the typewriter that Tom Hanks gave them a few months ago https://berkeleytypewriter.com/
@chrism @pleia2 they are but also super insanely brilliant designs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRCNenhcvpw
Anyway, I took some photos and have uploaded them to my Pixelfed here.
@Stoy Quite the find! I've managed to find and eBay a few new, sealed balls which I opened to use.
Collecting interesting type balls has proven more sustainable than typewriters (though I did end up with 10 of those...)