Olympia SM7 Typewriter - How to Remove and Repair a Stuck Tab Brake<br /> by [[The Write Typer]] YouTube<br /> accessed on 2026-03-03T23:50:21
Swelling pot metal or swollen cork can cause the tab brakes on the Olympia SM7 to seize up. One can file down the cork, or even remove one of the four brake elements and still have the system work. The brake drum is held in with an e-clip.
Addressing a COMMON FLAW in the Olympia SM7 typewriter that will ruin your day. Drawband Tab System<br /> by [[HotRodTypewriter]] on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2026-03-03T23:41:58
Remedies for frozen tab brake system on Olympia SM7 typewriters:<br /> Drill a hole and lubricate<br /> Remove all together<br /> Remove and attempt to adjust swollen cork and then attempt to reinstall (patience testing)
Although the 'Mazac' tab. brake shoe problem is common, I cannot say that I have seen this before on an SG1 margin. Interestingly, there is a similar 'exploding Mazac' problem on the ribbon reverse arm of the Olympia Model 8 post-war. The factory probably had no idea at the time that this 'easy to die cast' metal would do this in years to come.
via Tom Lucas (aka thetypewriterman), professional repair person at https://typewriter.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?pid=32384#p32384
re: cracking house on tab sets for SG1<br />
the disintegrating tab. brake shoes ! I have seen this on SM portables too - they have the same tab. brake. As a temporary measure, you could try filing the worst of the expansion off and re-fitting. You can also sometimes get away with having just three brake shoes instead of four.
via Tom Lucas (aka thetypewriterman), professional repair person at https://typewriter.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?pid=32375#p32375
