About this Product
A 3D printed type ball for Selectric I and II typewriters, either 12 character per inch pitch or dual-pitch.
This ball features the Spencerian Script font from https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/spencerianscript.html, tweaked a bit to fix some printing issues (mainly, IBM's character layout doesn't really allow for a descending lower case z). All I can figure out from google is the typeface was apparently used on some Royal typewriters in the 60s. ¯\(ツ)/¯ But it's a really nice alternative to the IBM Script typeface, a bit looser and more fun I think.
The ball is printed with Sunlu ABS-like resin, and is very durable.
Disclaimer: These custom 3D-printed type balls are aftermarket parts designed for hobbyist and collector use. Use of these products is at your own risk! While every effort is made to ensure quality and fit, improper installation, mechanical wear, or variations between machines may result in damage to the typewriter. By purchasing or using a custom type ball, you acknowledge that the seller is not responsible for any damage, malfunction, or injury that may result from its use.
Austin Selectric Rescue
Meet the Maker
Hi! I'm Dave, a techy/engineery guy who recently discovered and fell in love with Selectric typewriters. I've been collecting unwanted Selectrics from Goodwill because I love getting them working again and I can't bear the thought of them going to the scrap yard, but now I have more than anyone should. I realized I'm basically a cat lady but for Selectric typewriters--I'm running a shelter for feral Selectrics. So the logical next step is to make it a rescue organization and put these noble machines up for adoption after getting them cleaned up and purring (sorry) again.
Once I'd collected most of the existing IBM type balls I wondered what it would take to make new ones. I assumed it would require injection molding, but through a random internet connection I found that UV resin-based printing can indeed produce a working type ball, and then I discovered that even the cheapest resin printers on the market do a respectable job. I spent the summer fine-tuning the design and now, after countless hours of testing, here they are!
