Smith Corona Electra 120 = Best Mechanical Electric Typewriter . . . Ever !

I have a corona electric which looks very similar. It's a beautiful machine! I love it! Made when quality MEANT SOMETHING.

Just bought an Electra 120 on the basis of this review, and am very satisfied. Thanks, Phoenix Typewriter.

Just bought one from Jot & Tittle. Can't wait to get it!

Love Smith Corona Typewriters!

I was given this same machine, new, in 1967 by my parents when I took Typing I. Mine was green and had black keys. Passed it on to my older sister when she went to college and she got two degrees as an undergrad and her master's thesis, all typed on this. Amazing typewriter.

Oh I can’t wait to get one!

Hey Duane, hope you're well man! I have a 1972 Electra 110 (smaller carriage) and it's a beast! Love it! Always imagined mine in a small office, maybe for a newspaper, sitting on a desk overlooking a street some early Monday morning wet and rainy as a journalist comes in with a coffee and the new McDonald's egg McMuffin sandwich, yes it came out in '72. Beautiful work horse, hell, it's a tank of a writing machine ❤

I own that exact model. Same color even. Absolutely love it. Duane speaks the truth!!!

Love your work! You are the greatest when it comes to caring for typewriters!

I just bought this model today based on your many YouTube recommendations. Needs a good cleaning due to eraser residue and Wite-Out flakes, but it came with no rust, both belts are in great condition, rugged case with key, and a like-new ribbon. The sole defect is the bell only works intermittently, but I and live without that. No complaints. This may be the best $10 I ever spent! I love flea markets!

You are responsible for me finding one of these. That's a 60s model in front of you. Off on the belt hunt and going to try O'Riley PSO# 237 and 153.

I have an Electra 120 and I love it. I only wish the platen wasn’t rock hard because it is LOUD, even using 3+ backing sheets. The speed you can type at on these machines is unbelievable...

WOW!

I have an electra, I think. I want to go to My storage space, and look for it, now. Thank You for the good video. Do You refurbish typewriters? I have several: three manuals, and an electric.

Thank you for a great little review of a great little typewriter. Question for the channel or for anyone who knows the answer: There is a dial on the bottom of the typewriter, right under the spacebar, which changes the touch pressure. Is there supposed to be a stopping point? Or is it supposed to be continuous (as mine currently is)?

The early ones used a heat sink. Don’t let it drop on your pad and make sure the feet are good. When did they go with a fan setup?

Thanks for all the helpful videos! Last month I was able to fix the draw cord and adjust the escapement track (rack?) on an Adler electric thanks to one of them.  Now I have a new problem. I just received an Electra 110 that with the basket shift stuck in full down (upper case) position, and the shift keys both feel like they're disengaged, not connected to anything inside. The basket feels sprung down very tightly when I try to pull it up with my fingers (with power off). I know it was working when shipped, due to the test sheet that was pictured on the seller's site, and which came with the machine. I also trust the seller, so I'm thinking that something got knocked loose or out of line during shipment. I'm guessing that if I take off the bottom pan and look inside, it might be something fairly obvious, and maybe even easy to fix, but I would be grateful if you might be able to give me a clue what to look for.

I got mine for $25

Personally I'm more a fan of the IBM Selectric, I've got a Selectric II and it's a total joy to type on, plus there's no way to jam it. It also has electric return, and correction. Plus, you can switch out the fonts.

How to work the carriage release lever