Royal Academy electric typewriter

[Alison.Giallanza]

Hi, I’m Alison, 66, in Wethersfield, CT. I inherited a Royal Academy electric typewriter. I replaced the drive belt and it now types and does all the things, but the lower case type is set too high and the tops of the letters fade out. I have some idea what needs to be adjusted - there are two very small nuts on each end under the platen that need to be loosened in order to adjust the alignment screws, but I need to find a very small wrench to fit the nuts. What size do I need? Fractions of inches? Metric? I’m guessing perhaps 6mm, but would like a more professional opinion, please.

 

[yuntik]

The little carriage alignment nuts are usually in the 5 to 6 mm range on the Royals, so your guess is right on target, a 6 mm or 1/4" thin wrench often does the trick, but tolerances vary a bit with age and wear. If you can, get a cheap set of small ignition wrenches or a precision metric set for typewriters and other old office gear

 

[phdezra]

Plus, Royal typewriters are known for being temperamental for "no reason". I have a QDL that drives me nuts sometimes.

 

[Alison.Giallanza]

The little carriage alignment nuts are usually in the 5 to 6 mm range on the Royals, so your guess is right on target, a 6 mm or 1/4" thin wrench often does the trick, but tolerances vary a bit with age and wear. If you can, get a cheap set of small ignition wrenches or a precision metric set for typewriters and other old office gear

I did it! Thank you yuntik, for your help. I ordered a set of Craftsman ignition wrenches that included a 5.5 mm wrench that was just right. One of the nuts fit the circular end better than the open end, but now the alignment looks good enough for government work!