IBM Selectric User manual

‘Elm Selectric®Typewriter ‘Operating Instructions

©1967 International Business Machines Corporatl .

Contents
Preface
The Top of Your IBM “Selectric”
Typewriter
Multiple Copy Control Lever
Line Space Lever
Paper Release Lever
Paper Guide
Copy Guide and Copy Guide Scale
Paper Bail
Line Finder
Platen Knobs
Platen Variable
Page—End Indicator
Clear View Card Holder
Your IBM “Selectric”Typewriter
Keyboard
Margin Scale and Margin Stops
Margin Release Key
Tab Control (Set and Clear)
Tab Key
On/Off Control
Shift Keys and Shift Lock
Multiple Character Keys
Typamatic Keys
Index Key
Backspace Key
Carrier Return Key
Hyphen/Underscore
Space Bar
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13
14
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15
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16
17
18
18
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20
21
21
21
21
25
25
26
Typing Techniques
Centering
Partial Carrier Return
Tab Stops in Forms Typing
Making Corrections
Inside Your IBM “Selectric”Typewriter
The Carrier
Lever Action Elements
Type Pitch
Changing Typing Elements
To Remove an Element
To Replace an Element
Impression Selector
Stencil Control
Changing Ribbons on Your IBM “Selectric”
Typewriter
Changing aFilm Ribbon
To Remove aFilm Ribbon
To Install aNew Film Ribbon
Changing aFabric Ribbon
To Remove aFabric Ribbon Cartridge
To Install aFabric Ribbon Cartridge
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28
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29
30
30
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31
31
31
33
33
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34
34
34
34
35
35
35
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36
Care and Cleaning of Your IBM “Selectric”
Typewriter
Removing and Replacing the Platen
To Remove the Platen
To Replace the Platen
Cleaning the Erasure Dustpan
Removing and Replacing the Deflector
To Remove the Deflector
To Replace the Deflector
To Clean the Typing Element
Typewriter Maintenance
Typing Tips
Typing Cards and Labels
Drawing Vertical Lines
Line Return Without Vertical Spacing
Printing Vertical Columns
Reminders
Before You Begin
For Your Typing Ease
Typing Touch
Supplies
IBM “Selectric” Typewriter Supplies
and the IBM Supply Agreement
Typing Elements
Film Ribbons
Fabric Ribbons
Carbon Paper
Index

Refer to this photograph while reading the Operating Instructions to help
you locate the individual features of the lBM “Selectric” Typewriter.

Preface
The IBM “Selectric” Typewriter, featuring a small,
globe-shaped element containing all type characters,
makes typing fast and easy. The element skims across
the page typing out characters rapidly and evenly.
Type clash has been eliminated because typebars have
been eliminated. There is no carriage and, therefore,
no vibration or machine movement. This actually
provides more work area around your machine.
Type styles can be changed in seconds by lifting off one
element and replacing it with another. This versatility lets
you select the type style best suited to each typing job.
Your IBM “Selectric” Typewriter offers many features
that help make all typing jobs easier. The IBM Stroke
Storage System reduces typing errors by storing the
second of two rapidly typed characters until the first is
printed out. All service keys are within easy reach from
the keyboard control area, and an Impression Control
lets you adjust the impact of the typing element to suit
each application.
Whether you are using the Film Ribbon, or Fabric
Ribbon Cartridge, with the IBM “Selectric” Typewriter
you can expect your typing to be smoother, faster,
and have fewer errors than ever before.

The Top of Your IBM
“Selectric” Typewriter
The IBM ”Selectric” Typewriter has no
moving carriage. In fact, there is no carriage
in the traditional sense. There is nothing
to interfere with the work you are doing, or
bump other objects on your desk. This
actually increases the amount of usable
space around your typewriter.

Multiple Copy Control Lever
To allow space for additional copies, move
the Multiple Copy Control Lever from the
forward position toward the rear, one space
for every five copies. The weight of the
paper you use will affect the correct Multiple
Copy Control setting. This Lever adjusts the
platen to assure that the typing element
will strike squarely on the paper.
Line Space Lever
The inner Lever on the upper right side of
your typewriter is the Line Space Lever.
Line spacing of your choice, single or double,
is selected by moving this Lever to the
appropriate setting. The setting for single
spacing is indicated by one line, double
spacing by two.
Paper Release Lever
Move this Lever forward in order to reposition
or remove paper from the typewriter. When
you are ready to type, be certain that this
Lever is back, in the position furthest from you.

Paper Guide
To insert and align paper accurately, move
the Paper Guide to the desired location.
Square your paper pack. Insert the paper in
the slot behind the platen with the left edge
against the Paper Guide. The Paper Release
Lever should be back for this insertion. Use
the typamatic action of the Index Key to roll
the paper around the platen.
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Copy Guide and Copy Guide Scale
The Copy Guide prevents the refeeding of
paper around the platen and provides a flat
surface for erasing. The top scale of the
Copy Guide is marked off in inches and aids
in centering paper in the typewriter. The
bottom scale is the pitch scale and corre—
sponds to the Margin Scale. It is used to
determine the number of characters that can
be typed per inch. The number directly
under the one—inch marking represents the
number of characters per inch that can
be typed on your typewriter.
On the left and right side of the Copy Guide
there are small white horizontal brackets
indicating the correct placement for the left
and right paper edges when you wish to
center paper in the typewriter. The outer
edges of these brackets are for centering
81/2” paper (standard size). The inner edges
are used to center 8” paper.

Paper Bail
The Paper Bail holds paper firmly against
the platen. Pull the Paper Bail forward to
insert paper and push it back, against the
platen, to hold paper in typing position.
Line Finder
The Line Finder, located on the right end
of the platen, permits you to leave a
typewritten line and return again.
-Move the Lever forward before leaving the
typing line.
-Make your insertion or correction.
-Return to the approximate typing line and
return the Lever to its home position.
Moving the Lever forward enables you to type
anywhere on the page. Moving the Lever
back will reengage the normal spacing action
to permit areturn to the original typing
location. Touch the Carrier Return Key to
return to the correct typing alignment.
You will find this Lever useful in anumber
of operations:
-Erasing
-Typing superscriptsor subscripts
-Creating double underscores

Platen Knobs
The left and right Platen Knobs enable you
to rotate the platen manually in order to insert
paper or to change the position of the page
vertically.
Platen Variable
Variable platen action is achieved by pressing
in against the left Platen Knob—providing
free-rolling of the platen in either
direction. This enables you to permanently
change the position of the writing line and
aids when reinserting a page for corrections
or additions.
-Before setting the Page-End Indicator, align
the top edge of the paper with the writing
line on the Clear View Card Holder.
-Rotate the Indicator until the 2position (the
setting for standard—size paper) is in line
with the horizontal mark on the top of the
typewriter adjacent to the right Platen Knob.
When using other than 11” paper, add one
inch to the Indicator setting of two (2) for each
inch longer than 11”. For each inch shorter
than 11” subtract one inch from the Indicator
setting for standard-sizepaper.
Note: Remember that there is only ahalf inch
of space between 0and the number 4on
the Page-End Indicator. Therefore, when you
add 1to the number 4the setting will be 1/2.
The setting you arrive at when you add 1to
31/22 will be zero.
Page-End Indicator
The Page-End Indicator rotates in descending
numerical order (4, 3, 2, 1, 0) as you type.
It is calibrated in half inches. One complete
revolution of the platen equals 41/2”. Two
revolutions equal 9”. Since standard—size
paper is 11” long you must add 2” to the
9”, represented by the two revolutions of the
platen, to equal 11”. Therefore, when using
standard paper, set the Indicator on 2. When
you reach zero for the second time you
will be 41/2" from the bottom of the page. From
that point on the Indicator will show the
number of inches to the bottom of the page.

Ready Reference for Page—End Indicator
Settings. This chart recommends
the setting for all lengths of paper,
ranging from 3to 14 inches.
Length of Indicator
Paper (inches) Setting
3” 3
31/2”__________.31/2
4" _______4
4‘/2”_________0
5” ______ 1/2
51/2"_____1
6" 11/2
(WNW—#2
7” 21/2
7‘/2”________3
8” —__31/2
81/2"—_____4
9" _____0
91/2"—____ 1/2
10" ______1
101/2 "________1 1/2
11” 2
111/2"______21/2
12" ____3
121/2 ”________31/2
13” __—__4
131/2”____._O
14" ________ 1/2
Clear View Card Holder
Since you can see through this Card Holder,
the line of type is always visible. The Card
Holder, which is attached to the Carrier,
holds paper, cards and envelopes close to
the platen. Ablack vertical line stamped in
the top center of the Card Holder indicates
where the next character will print on the
paper. The horizontal line toward the lower
end of the Card Holder indicates the bottom
of the typing line. it is with this line that
the top edge of the paper is to be aligned
when you use the Page-End indicator.

Your IBM “Selectric”
Typewriter Keyboard
Typing is convenient and easy on the IBM
“Selectric” Typewriter. The gradual slope of
the keyboard places all keys within comfort-
able reach of the home row. The sculptured
keys invite anatural typing position.

Margin Scale and Margin Stops
The Margin Scale and Margin Stops are
located directly above the keyboard on the
front of your IBM “Selectrio” Typewriter.
The red arrow, called the Typing Position
Indicator, indicates the exact typing position.
These features make margin resetting a
very simple operation.
To change the left or right margin, push in on
the appropriate Margin Stop and slide it
to the correct position on the Margin Scale.
Use the Space Bar to move the Carrier out
of the way when setting amargin to the
right of the Carrier’s present location.
Margin Release Key
To space through the left margin, return the
Carrier to the left margin, then press the
Margin Release Key and backspace through
the margin. To type through the right margin,
after the keyboard has locked, press the
Margin Release Key and continue typing.

Tab Control (Set and Clear)
To set atab stop, move the Carrier to the
desired point on the writing line. Then press
the set end of the Tab Control.
To clear atab stop, tab to the stop you wish
to clear and press the clear (clr) end of
the Tab Control. If you wish to clear all
tab stops, move the Carrier to the extreme
right. Depress and hold down the Tab Clear
portion of the Tab Control while you depress
the Carrier Return Key. Your Carrier will
now move to the left margin clearing all
stops as it moves.
Tab Key
To move the Carrier to atab stop, touch the
Tab Key. Repeating this action will move the
Carrier to each preset tab stop on the writing
line. The Tab Key does not cause the Carrier
to stop at the right margin. if you wish to have
atab stop at your right margin, you must set
atab for that location.
0n/Olf Control
Located at the right side of the Keyboard,
the On/Off Control is the key which activates
your typewriter. Depress the top portion
to turn the motor On and the lower portion to
turn it Off. Ared band will appear at the
bottom of the Control when the motor is On.
This is to remind you to turn it Off when
the typewriter is not in use.

Shift Keys and Shift Lock
Depress either the left or right Shift Key
in order to type uppercase characters.
Depress the Shift Lock to keep the element
in uppercase position to permit you to type
extended sections of uppercase characters.
To release the Shift Lock depress the left
or right Shift Key.
Multiple Character Keys
On certain keys you will find two sets of
characters. On your IBM “Selectric” Type—
writer, there are two such Multiple Character
Keys. However, only one pair of characters
shown on each key is on any one element.
When you change elements, be sure to check
which of these sets of characters is on that
particular element.
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Typamatic Keys
The five Typamatic Keys—Index, Backspace,
Carrier Return, Hyphen/Underscore
and Space Bar—can save much typing time
and effort. Each of these is asingle action
key until it is depressed to its second level
and held there. This makes the key typamatic
—a repeat action key.
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Index Key
To space vertically from any point on the
writing line to any line on the page—depress
the Index Key. Depress lightly for single action.
Hold at the second level for typamatic
action. Paper insertion is easy and exact
when you drop the paper behind the
platen and then hold down the Index Key.
Backspace Key
Touch lightly to move the Carrier back one
space. To speed the Carrier typamatically
toward the left margin, depress and hold
the Backspace Key at its second level.

Carrier Return Key
To move the Carrier to the left margin and
advance the paper vertically, depress the
Carrier Return Key. For continuous vertical
spacing, hold the Carrier Return Key at
its second level.
Hyphen/Underscore
This key prints singly when touched lightly
and continuously when depressed to its
second level and held.
Space Bar
To advance the Carrier one space, touch and
release the Space Bar. For quick, smooth
typamatic movement across the page, depress
the Space Bar to its second level and hold.
The Space Bar will move the Carrier
through the right margin stop without
depressing the Margin Release Key.
Note: Certain keyboards are equipped with
aspecial print switch situated over the
On/Otf Control. When using an Optical
Character Recognition Element, or the Card
Punch Simulator Element, move the switch up
(toward the On position). When using all other
elements, move the switch back (toward
the Off position).
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Typing Techniques
Centering
Position standard-sizepaper (81/2” x11”)
so that the upper corners of the page are
evenly aligned with the outer edges of the
Paper Centering Guides on the Copy Guide.
Align paper that is 8" wide with the inner
edges of the Centering Guides. The white dot
above the inch scale indicates the center
of the page when you insert paper in this
manner.
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To find the center of any size paper, insert it
so that the extreme left edge is at “0” on the
Margin Scale. Note the number on the Copy
Guide at the right edge of the paper. Divide
this number by two to determine the center
of the paper.
-Clear all other tab stops before setting the
stop you will use as your centering guide.
-Move the Carrier to the center point of the
paper and set atab stop.
-From this center point, backspace once for
every two spaces to be typed. Disregard
single spaces left over in the count.

Partial Carrier Return
For aPartial Carrier Return, touch the Carrier
Return Key and then touch the Tab Key
immediately after the Carrier has passed the
set tab stop. This will send the Carrier
back to that tab setting immediately, without
the Carrier reaching the left margin stop.
With practice you will be able to stop the
Carrier at any preset tab stop along the way.
Tab Stops in Forms Typing
The tab action of the IBM “Selectric” Type—
writer enables you to type forms and all multi-
tab jobs fast and conveniently.
To speed forms typing:
Set margin stops.
Set tabs at the points on the form where data
is to be inserted most frequently.
The tab stops will save you time by allowing
you to move the Carrier to frequently-used
points quickly. You may find Partial Carrier
Returns useful in forms typing since it
enables you to go directly to apredetermined
point on the page.
To type information on the form where there
is no tab set:
'Tab to the nearest tab stop.
-Use the typamatic action of the Space Bar or
Backspace Key to reach the desired location.
The typamatic action of the Index Key is a
fast way to line-space to any vertical location
on the form.
Making Corrections
When making corrections, erase the incorrect
letter and locate the horizontal position of
the typing element by using either the black
line on the Clear View Card Holder or the
red arrow on the Margin Scale (just above the
keyboard). If you use the Card Holder as
your indicator, position the black line over
the point on the paper at which you want
to insert the new character. Be certain that
you are at the appropriate typing line, and
type the correct character.
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Inside Your IBM
“Selectric” Typewriter
The Carrier
The Carrier on your IBM ”Selectric” Type—
writer holds:
. The Clear View Card Holder
.The Typing Element
-The Ribbon and Ribbon Control Levers
-The Impression Control
The Carrier moves from left to right, carrying
the typing element across the writing line,
and is returned to the left margin when the
Carrier Return Key is depressed.