1963, Olympia SG1 - bishop restoration<br /> by [[Alessio Vescovo]]<br /> accessed on 2026-03-11T11:05:46

F-15 (minimum 55% wool) and F-55 (minimum 80% wool) black are the two industrial felts recommended for use as acoustic panels.

https://thefeltstore.com/blogs/news/sae-industrial-felt

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rq2mdw/my_lowtech_pageend_gauge_hack_no_pencil_marks/

Can I Rescue This 1957 Royal Quiet De Luxe Typewriter and Find It a New Home?!<br /> by [[Dynamically Typed]] on YouTube

One can use a hairdryer or heat gun at a medium setting to remove the white moldy-looking (it's not mold) outgassing/plasticizers found on old plastic typewriter keys.

The white gunky substances seen on the plastic keys of old, unmaintained typewriters generally isn't mold, but plasticizers coming out of the plastic. These can usually be cleaned off using simple household cleaning products or if necessary heavier cleaners (Goo Gone, alcohol, naptha, etc. - test these on hidden parts first to ensure they don't react with or destroy the plastic or remove the paint of the key letters) followed up by light waxes or polishes and buffing.

reply to u/KingCollectA at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rpr1ha/got_quite_lucky_finding_a_free_olympia_sg1_had_to/

Typically the SG1 has at least 3 serial numbers. Two matching ones on the main body (one hiding deep inside), and the third on the bottom portion of the carriage, which may or may not match the other two. (The carriages were meant to be easily swappable for machines with the same CPI/escapement sizes.) Removing the carriage will usually reveal the body serial number (typically a 7-XXXXXXXXX) format which you can compare with the grid of serial number ranges to see where yours fits in at https://typewriterdatabase.com/olympia.61.typewriter-serial-number-database.

I just got mine and have finished most of its servicing, though one or two small adjustments remain for it to be where I want it to be. Beyond this, it's been spectacular. See also: https://boffosocko.com/tag/Olympia-sg1/

https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rphrx8/just_finished_my_home_officetypewriter_garage/

The rule of thumb in art is that you should spend as much on the frame as you do for the painting. I'm glad that someone is attempting to do the equivalent for their typewriters. Nice work here!

<br /> via https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163194812329678/

You're welcome u/shapeless_nodule, even if you somehow didn't feel welcome by the quickest and most precise answer for which you could have hoped.

Given my general experience, you were highly unlikely to get the couple hours of free labor from internet strangers you were requesting to dig you out of the hole you made. Often requests like yours go unanswered for days, weeks, months...

I'm pleased to see exactly how far your "deeply indebted"-ness extended. About 8 minutes by my count. I'm especially glad that you left your post up in an attempt to help everyone else in the future who may search this sub for similar problems.

If you give up on it or feel like it's quicker and easier to go the professional repair route for help, try the list at https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html

Good luck with all those springs. The Brother Deluxe 220 is a great little machine.

Original post by u/shapeless_nodule at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rp5mh6/brother_deluxe_220_jp1_typewriter_request_for/

Hi All, In a fit overconfidence a couple of years ago, I bought a brother Deluxe 220 typewriter which worked fine other than being sticky. I duly tore it down, cleaned it up, oiled it, put it back together and... watched as nothing happened because somehow all of the springs had fallen out and were now sitting on my workbench. I then put it on a shelf and forgot about it, until starting a clearout last week. I would be deeply indebted to you if anyone who has this typewriter (or one of its sister models, as I understand it most of the JP-1 models are the same) take either some photos or a good video of exactly where all of the springs inside it connect to?

Reply: <br /> This is fairly steep ask, particularly when, for a few dollars, you can get the location of all the springs in the repair manual:<br /> - https://www.lulu.com/shop/ted-munk/the-brother-jp-1-typewriter-repair-bible/paperback/product-186kzqem.html?q=brother&page=1&pageSize=4 - https://twdb.sellfy.store/brother-typewriters/

The Secretary’s Day. 1947. Coronet Instructional Films. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOe0259_OuA (March 7, 2026).

Typewriter desks with top flip functionality shown in operation at 00:32 and 01:45 and closing it up at 10:24.

In addition to storing away the typewriter when not needed, these flip top desks also served as impromptu dust covers to keep dust out of them when not actively in use.

Jean Carroll as secretary and Marge Quinn as stenographer.

Paper sorter file in desk drawer at 00:55

Appointments and diaries

Definition of stenographer: responsible for dictation, transcription, typing, billing, filing, operate office machines like duplicators and calculators, occasional switchboard operation.

Filing here shown as a simple presumably recent correspondence file that is kept on hand in the secretary's desk drawer rather than in a nearby filing cabinet or centralized office filing cabinet. 03:29

"A good secretary doesn't rely on memory." (Instead she makes a permanent note.) timestamp 4:11

Placing a long distance phone call [8:31]

https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalFP.pdf

Advanced Typing - Shortcuts (1943)

Advanced Typing: Shortcuts. 16 mm. Vol. MN-1512c. United States Navy Training Film, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUJfCfqgsX0.

Correct typing posture: fingers curved<br /> arms sloping up<br /> light fast strokes<br /> steady rhythm

fast continuous motion of return lever<br /> using backing sheet (aka temping sheet ??)

Shortcuts:<br /> mise en place for office supplies (she doesn't use this phrasing though) - greater efficiency - cuts down on searching

tabulators can be helpful. There are two types:<br /> - automatic - handset

Use tabs for paragraphs, dating letters, columns of numbers, and letter closings.

To clear all tab stops, put carriage to left, hold tab clear key and move the carriage across. (Usually applies to Royal, Remington, Underwood, and Electromatic).

On LC Smith and Woodstock machines sometimes have a tab clear lever on the back.

Decimal tabulator keys help to align a variety of numbers around a decimal point. 09:43

Always have a few tabs set to prevent a flying carriage which can be hard on the machine.

When using carbon sheets which are slightly longer than the paper size, cut off a small triangle at the top left hand side. This makes it easier for one to separate the carbons from the copies by holding the top left with one hand and pulling the carbons out from the bottom of the stack.

To align multiple sheets of paper for carbon copies, use a folded sheet at the top to taco the pages into the machine. Remove the folded sheet once the carbon pack is rolled forward.

Paper bail rollers should be set to split the pages into thirds (for two rollers).

Remington noiseless machines have a pressure indicator on the front of the machine (usually above the keyboard) which can be used when using thick carbon packs that may cause the ribbon guide to stick or bind.

Only erase when the carriage is fully left or right to prevent eraser crumbs from falling into the machine. 15:26

Use a soft eraser on carbon copies. Use and insert slips of paper behind the carbons and allowing them to stick out the sides, erasing from back sheet to front so as not to allow the eraser to mark your carbon copies. For the front sheet, use a shield and ink eraser and erase with a horizontal motion. After erasing, easily pull out the inserted sheets.

When typing a correction, tap the key lightly two or three times rather than hard once.

When in a rush and it's necessary to add a word (on double spacing), underline the last letter of the prior word and type a slash (/). Then move the typing line up and type the insertion above the prior line. This creates an "arrow" of sorts for the inserted word.

Details for inserting extra letters in misspelled words using half-spacing machines. (Underwoods and Electromatics don't have this function.)

Light pencil marks at the bottom of the sheet can help to indicate the coming bottom of the sheet.

Putting up the card holders (fingers) on Underwoods and Royals. They help to hold the card and improve print quality and reduce noise.

Card holders can cause markings on carbon packs if they're not lowered.

Trick for quickly writing postcards in succession: Disengage the ratchet using the platen spring release (or variable platen switch) Type the address on the front of the card. When done give the platen a quick practiced spin. The postcard with "jump" up and stop at the paper table and be in position for rolling in the opposite direction to write the message on the back of the card! When done a faster spin of the platen will shoot the card over the back of the typewriter where it can land in a box to collect all the postcards which were written in such a manner. <br /> timestamp 23:22

Time saving methods for addressing envelopes:

• Front seat principle. Insert the envelope in the usual way and type out the address. When done, turn the envelope down through the machine with the right hand. With the left hand, place the next envelope between the top of the first envelope and the front of the platen. Feed the first envelope back through the machine (in reverse) and the second will be rolled in to place for typing. Continue in this fashion until finished. All the finished envelopes will stack up in the back at the paper table.

• Chain feeding. The first envelope is inserted and rolled partway into the machine. A second envelope is inserted between the platen and the second envelope (behind the platen). Turn the first envelope to the writing line and type the address. Take out the first envelope and insert the next the same way as before.

• Uses paper bail. Do the first envelope in the usual way. Spin it out of the machine up and behind the paper bail into a box behind the typewriter.

For quickly doing labels or small cards:<br /> Create a small zig-zag fold into a piece of paper to create a pocket slot which can be scotch taped on either side. This template paper can then be inserted so that the pocket is visible above the writing line, but the paper below it is still in the platen. The label or card can be placed into the pocket and the platen reversed to feed the label or card in backwards to the desired typing line. Using a v-groove or hole in the typing line can create a pencil line to serve as a guide for inserting many labels at the same place so that the typing lines up between labels.

Some offices had special platens for holding cards like this.

Pockets like this can also be used to hold the page to add additional lines at the bottom of pages. Deeper pockets may need to be used for doing this with carbon packs whose carbons are longer than the pages.

Alternately one can do something similar by creating a inverted u-shaped set of slits into an index card. to hold such labels.

When in the midst of a page and needing to do another piece urgently, roll back the letter until about 2 inches from the top, and then place in the new page and one between each of the carbons. Then roll forward to do the short message as necessary. Turn back to the insertion position to remove the copies and then continue with the first letter where you left off.

For drawing horizontal lines on typewriter paper, push the carriage to the extreme left and place the pencil or pen at the edge of the card guide and the scale. Then move the carriage to the right to effect the line. For vertical lines, put the carriage at the desired space and place the pencil at the card guide and scale and move the platen up/down as necessary.

https://www.lemleyfuneralhome.net/obituaries/Warren-Dane-Bailey?obId=20748319

SHOP TALK!!! how to defeat a stripped screw head without losing your mind<br /> by [[Typewriter Justice]] on Youtube

To help remove a stripped screw head, hit it with Kroil or a similar penetrant first. Then with a screwdriver, punch or similar tool, give it purchase on the right hand side somewhere and give it a nice whack with a hammer. This should turn the screw enough to move things along.

Charlie attributes this trick to Dane Bailey (August 19, 1932 - April 21, 2019) of AAA Typewriter in Birmingham, AL.

Via Michael Rees at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163310003194678/

and specifically recommends https://www.sailrite.com/Plastipane-20-Gauge-Vinyl-Window-Material-54

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163311006014678/

Some interesting 3-D printing advice for replacement typewriter feet here.

Zach Hubbird recommends using a filament dryer and Shore A 85 (or lower) TPU from Siraya Tech as 95A isn't great. Many feel that 95A isn't as "grippy".

Erik Bruchez also recommends 85A while Marty Morren suggests 70A and is contemplating sourcing 60A in the future.

Thoughts About Typing Paper<br /> by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ETCeteraWebshop

https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rl3u5p/olympia_sm_4_case/

Olympia SM4 case with viny cover stripped off.

Compare with https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1fkmj9d/i_refinished_my_olympia_sm3_case_a_while_agoheres/

https://www.tindie.com/products/unkyulee/alphasmart-neo2-desktop-typewriter-transform-kit/

Mazak, aka pot metal, aka Zamak, is notorious for disintegrating over time. It's what can cause tab brakes on the Olympia SM7 to freeze up.

via M. Höhne at https://typewriter.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?id=253&p=3

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)

https://pantasy.com/products/pantasy-x-snoopy-typewriter-86917<br /> Pantasy x Snoopy Typewriter 86917

See also: https://www.facebook.com/groups/721704878218903/posts/3020095831713118/

via Thom Cholowski at Rebel Typewriter Workshop in Saskatoon,Saskatchewan, Canada at https://www.facebook.com/groups/typewritermaintenance/posts/4373364699567612/

Rules of Good Repair Practices:<br /> The Success of the repair depends upon the Rapairman's ability in following the rules of good repair practices. These rules can be summed up as follows:

1. Read the Service Bulletin thoroughly.
2. Know what you are looking for. Never guess. Always investigate the source of trouble. Ask, if you do not know.
3. Determine troubles by the process of elimination.
4. Every part, no matter how small, has a job to perform. Do not overlook the smallest detail.
5. Use the proper tool. Keep tools in efficient working order.
6. Carefully handle smooth, plated or bakelite parts to prevent damaging or scratching.
7. Make the repair like you would want it, if you were the customer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/olympiasg1/posts/1594417881876620/

Variety of suggestions for filling in Olympia typewriter keys.

https://web.archive.org/web/20180816074211/http://www.nakajima-all.co.jp/

via u/discardedaccounted at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1meum7j/new_typewriters/

The bankruptcy of a typewriter manufacturer mirrors the path of Japan's manufacturing industry | <br /> by [[Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun]] News Switch<br /> accessed on 2026-03-03T11:01:57

Nakajima All Precision (Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture) filed for bankruptcy on January 25, 2019.

Typewriter maker fails to change direction and goes bankrupt<br /> by [[日本経済新聞社]] on Nikkei<br /> accessed on 2026-03-03T10:59:23

https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1r3udld/thoughts_on_the_hobby/?sort=new

via M. Höhne at https://typewriter.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?pid=27528#p27528

Triumph-Adler Tippa Fixes https://www.laurenzvangaalen.nl/triumph-adler-tippa/

Tom Lucas gives this Triump-Adler Tippa site a positive review: https://typewriter.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?pid=35466#p35466

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 />

via Tom Lucas (aka thetypewriterman), professional repair person at https://typewriter.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?pid=32375#p32375

https://typewriter.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?id=3521

via Uwe at https://typewriter.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?id=3521

Amen

https://www.typewriterfeet.com/wholesale

Olympia SG-3 German Typewriter, Replaced Paper Injector Broken Handle, Remove Platen Knob<br /> by [[Phoenix Typewriter]] on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2026-03-03T02:20:00

Olympia SG1 1953-72 cleaning (technical restoration)

Partial/very modest teardown and cleaning of an Olympia SG1. Only beginner level. No flush of machine or real blow out.

Interestingly he uses a steel brush to get rid of the brown adhesive where the felt used to be, but doesn't replace it.

Also demonstration of cleaning corrosion off of screw heads with steel brush on a vice.

Carriage work starts at 06:17. He opens it up and then gives up after a modest wipe down. He does show some

Uses a toothpick to oil the joints, but only shows a modest portion of the process.

https://thefeltstore.com/collections/sae-industrial-felt

Type slugs commonly used for pharmacists' typewriters:<br /> ℞ is short hand Latin for recipere aka prescription. <br /> ℥ (ounce)<br /> ℈ (scruple)<br /> Gr is for grains, an older weight measurement used before the metric system. 437.5 grains to an ounce.

https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1fccoqh/what_are_these_keys/

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1khchin/apothecary_typewriter_whats_that_%C4%81/

https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rhk1wc/got_a_the_chicago_typewriter_for_25_from_the_fb/

Olympia Typewriter, Replaced Felt On Inside of Top Lid Cover, Repair Detail<br /> by [[Phoenix Typewriter]] on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2026-02-28T23:33:24

Duane Jensen replaces the felt in the hood of an Olympia SG1. Create a paper template, trace it out onto felt and cut it. Glue it in with contact cement. Some stores felt with self-adhesive on them as well.

3-D printed rubber washers for Olympia SG1 body frame. https://www.ebay.com/itm/317432465869

These appear to be the replacements for catalog part number 34280 - 5x.6 for the spacing washer (rubber) 5mm ID, 12mm OD, 4mm thick on page 61 of the Ames Supply catalog at https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/OlympiaSG1parts.pdf

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTOqFN4jY0w/

Lucas Dul's tour of Typewriter Chicago, his typewriter shop.

brief typewriter bio for u/andrebartels1977 at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1r3udld/thoughts_on_the_hobby/?sort=new

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4770669677/?multi_permalinks=10163215089874678

Description of journalist who had blurry typing because he bottomed out the keys rather than hit them like hot coals.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163266181279678/?comment_id=10163266332769678

quote via Clair Callaway

WD 40 Typewriter Busting The Myth<br /> by [[Mitch Vass]] on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2026-02-27T16:48:55

https://www.ebay.com/itm/388877936738

https://www.facebook.com/Breogan51/posts/pfbid02KK2N5eB2iBtsJuCfkbS9buv57HYdax8fxemtHjDgLLd3vb9Pc49QocwVAw2emEaql

https://theneorenaissance.com/2025/10/08/making-custom-typewriter-rubber-stamps/

Don't oil the segment.

Kasten, R. M. “First Aid for Typewriters.” Popular Science Monthly, May 1941. version at https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/TW1stAidPopSciMay1941.pdf

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rfkptq/morgan_freeman_talking_about_his_typewriter_in/

THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE (Magnolia Pictures, 2012) features an Underwood standard at about the 31 minute mark.

Morgan Freeman says: "Look at that machine. I like that you have to write a bit slower on a manual. Like the way it sounds. I like the way that the letters bite into the paper. I like that you can feel there's a genuine human being, doing the work."<br /> (doublecheck the exact quote)

https://typewriterdatabase.com/1964-montgomery-ward-signature-88.18742.typewriter

According to James Grooms, the Montgomery Ward Signature 88, a variation of the Royal Safari, was also sold as the Signature 500 and the Heritage 500. Following this model, Brother began manufacturing typewriters for Montgomery Ward.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/gbtwshop/posts/24082657108098214/

Some of the historical context on cleaning IBMs here is fascinating.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JuwelTypewriterShop

via https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/?multi_permalinks=1202102332108539

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1jdflj0/underwood_master_without_key_labels/

Black legends used for teaching typing

Keyring pliers are used to remove the metal rings off of both circular and tombstone glass typewriter keys so that the legends can be replaced or even covered over with black paper circles for teaching or learning typing. They take some practice and skill to use, but speed up the replacement of legends significantly.

To Paint or Not to Paint (Buying a Bad Typewriter Ep. 6)<br /> by [[Just My Typewriter]]<br /> accessed on 2026-02-24T00:54:48

A Typewriter Tool Kit , IBM Repair Box , Service Equipment<br /> by [[Duane Jensen]] of [[Phoenix Typewriter]] <br /> accessed on 2026-02-24T00:16:44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exz1oe_ed6U

via Andy Falsetta with respect to using mineral spirits on plastic typewriter keys. <br /> at https://www.facebook.com/groups/259796744144251?multi_permalinks=24082657108098214

Via Tim Stone at https://www.facebook.com/groups/259796744144251?multi_permalinks=24082657108098214

via Rick Becker at https://www.facebook.com/groups/259796744144251?multi_permalinks=24082657108098214

https://www.facebook.com/groups/259796744144251?multi_permalinks=24082657108098214

True mineral spirits won't harm the plastic keys of an IBM Selectric whereas lacquer thinner, paint thinner, etc. will cause issues.

https://mrmrsvintagetypewriters.com/en-us/pages/typewriter-repair-tools

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1204076431911129/

Mr. and Mrs. Vintage Typewriters<br /> Rex Cates <br /> Roly D'Mech

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rbydwu/soviet_era_typewriter/

https://www.qwerkywriter.com/

https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/peanuts-snoopys-doghouse-21368

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10162847550852775&set=p.10162847550852775&type=3

Olympia quality control sheets had sections for:<br /> - shift (Hh Hh Hh)<br /> - type specimen for all the characters<br /> - Black ribbon test in two lines of all characters<br /> - Red ribbon test in two lines of all characters<br /> - Stencil Test <br /> - Final Proof: "Olympia-Qualitaet findet in der ganzen Welt Anerkennung - sie verbuergt besseres Schreiben."<br /> - Line Spacing: the letter "m" at all settings<br /> - Back Spacer: "rrrrRRRR"

https://www.facebook.com/SwanbergTypewriterRepair/posts/pfbid0VHWcGPuPicHv4Mf1F919THBEyYGMepHZMMAFiT6xj7f3vsqFsnBkcG3hVkkrqK2xl

Jonathan Swanberg's gifted typewriter from Tom Hanks.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/?multi_permalinks=1203433725308733

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/?multi_permalinks=1201774475474658

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1ra5nit/to_those_on_the_fence_about_heat_shrinking_your/

A 12-Year-Old Folded Newspapers and Read Dan Bernstein's Column; Now He's Naming a Writing Room After Him<br /> by [[Justin Pardee]]<br /> accessed on 2026-02-20T09:31:07

Dogcatcher – Sober Me (Lyric Video)<br /> by [[Dogcatcher]] on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2026-02-20T09:00:13

Lyrics typed in real time on a typewriter as part of the music video.

via https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1r9pwai/lyric_video_made_with_this_subreddits_help/

Hanssen, Geir Kihle. 2026. The Typewriter Enthusiast’s Handbook: An Introduction to Analogue Typewriters in a Digital World. https://www.amazon.com/Typewriter-Enthusiasts-Handbook-Introduction-Typewriters/dp/B0GMYYG367 (February 16, 2026).

https://typewriterdatabase.com/typewriters.php?hunter_search=5641&collection_search=My+Collection

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJtHauPh529Uea0Led20Cyh5Xv4TffN5T<br /> Typewriter 202<br /> Just My Typewriter

repairing a remington portable model 1<br /> by [[Just My Typewriter]] on YouTube <br /> accessed on 2026-02-11T14:47:34

Keep moving forward in your typewriter repair career

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163201400174678/

via https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163194812329678/

2026-02-08

via Todd Young https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163194812329678/

quote via Nick Jacobs at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163194812329678/ on 2026-02-09

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163202589019678/

14 pitch typewriter has a carriage scale that reads 110 for the width of the machine.

Raymonds Office Machines<br /> Darwin Raymond ‭ 1 (970) 945-5872‬

example of a slug swap from a Montgomery Ward 440 to a Smith-Corona Clipper https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163202931304678/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/994275673944023/posts/1580378748667043

https://www.facebook.com/mr.mrs.vintage/posts/pfbid0NZJByje94LNPJ795Jz4thaRzeFrTtQpiJJQ263DmZb3djGcYRmCPGRCtJHpYXNRol

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4770669677/posts/10158538962519678

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4770669677posts/posts/10160666983979678/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/721704878218903/posts/2997989990590369/

According to the label on this SGW typewriter there was a typewriter shop at

Typewriter City <br /> 121 W. Wilson Ave.<br /> Glendale, CA<br /> 246-7229

(Buying a Typewriter<br /> by [[Joe Van Cleave]] and [[Bob Marshall]] of Typewriter Muse on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2025-10-16T09:27:44

Bob Marshall prefers "extreme collector" to "hoarder" when it comes to typewriter collecting.

In July 20222, Bob Marshall was charging $60/hour for typewriter service.

reply to u/MartyFunkhoosier at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1r03411/1940s_underwood_correspondent_types_very_light/

How good is your typing technique? https://boffosocko.com/2025/06/06/typewriter-use-and-maintenance-for-beginning-to-intermediate-typists/

Typically you want to strike the key as if it were a hot coal and let the initial hit's momentum force the slug against the ribbon/paper/platen. If you're "bottoming your keys out" which happens more frequently when you hunt and peck, then you'll end up with a ghosting effect. Using your paper bale properly is important for clear imprints.

If your ribbon isn't well inked (it should color your fingers when you touch it or look "wet" if it's new) that can sometimes be an issue. Beyond that, platens tend to shrink and become hard with age. As a result the machine goes out of its original proper alignment thus making your imprints lighter. You can use a second "backing" page to help make up some of the difference, but a re-covered platen (J.J. Short Associates can help in the U.S.) and a proper ring and cylinder adjustment will likely help. And if you can't afford the recovered platen (~$120) then a ring and cylinder adjustment will help nonetheless. (Check Youtube for how you might do this yourself if a shop isn't nearby.)

reply to u/Yiqu at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1r08q2i/buying_a_first_typewriter_for_writing/

The first three articles you'll find under https://boffosocko.com/research/typewriter-collection/#Typewriter%20Market will give you a quick crash course about what to consider and look out for in your search.

If you want to get to work, your best bet (and honestly the best value) is to get something from a repair shop that is serviced and ready to go. In the US this means a budget range typically from US$300-$600, or perhaps slightly more if they've recovered the platen which will improve your experience. Prices dramatically in excess of this often include a lot more custom work or less common typefaces which don't necessarily improve your performance (or are people selling typewriters who have less of an idea than you do about typewriters.)

Many hobbyists here may say to get something cheap that "works", but the amount of time and knowledge you have to scaffold to do that is worth a lot of writing time, and often still requires a lot of cleaning, restoration, and potential tinkering which is even more onerous when you just want to get to writing.

In case you haven't found them, some great resources on leveraging typewriters as distraction-free writing devices:

• Flint, Woz Delgado. 2023. The Distraction-Free First Draft. One Idea Press. https://www.oneideapress.com/product-page/the-distraction-free-first-draft.
• Joe Van Cleave: https://www.youtube.com/@Joe_VanCleave
• Damon DiMarco: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMJ2zbs0bvcjaTYx5zV52sw

And if you need some serious distraction free advice, since it's hiding as deep knowledge amongst a handful of serious collectors/writers, the bigger your (standard) machine, the more visual space it takes up as you're writing and subtly helps your concentration. Similarly placing it in front of a wall (and not a window) helps a lot too.

via u/Forge_Le_Femme

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTBPyaqCe5U/

reply to u/CaliKelli989 at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1qx43wy/smith_corona_classic_12_for_75worth_it_for_my/ on signaling by online typewriter sales

Where you're selling is one of the biggest signals of all. Selling machines for over $250 on Facebook requires way more signaling on the part of a professional or semi-professional seller. Mr&Mrs are doing a whole lot more work on restoring their machines than the average "blow and go" level that Janet and her significant other are likely doing (or that done by the average shop), as a result they're doing more work to show that, but they're occupying a dramatically different market space. Who is offering warranties on their work? Who is recovering platens? Who is explicitly stating the quality of the rest of their rubber? (Note that Janet isn't saying anything about the rubber washers on her SM3s, nor did they say anything about the rubber feet or the feet on the cases. Were they all replaced?)

Most professional shops and restorers are selling via their physical shops or their own websites instead of eBay, which takes steep cuts, or FB where it's harder for their much better quality machines to stand out amidst similarly priced dirtier machines. (Most pros also refuse or prefer not to ship when they can avoid it, so online presence doesn't "buy" them much.) There's a huge gulf in the levels of work that Walid Saad or Lucas Dul are offering in complete tear downs and restorations and the simple clean, oil, and adjust operations that are being offered by average pro shops and that's different again from what I suspect Janet is probably offering. This doesn't even get into the space of the lowest level "flippers" and vintage/antique shops whose only value add is finding and offering machines. As a point of reference, Lucas is doing less than a full restoration a month in an average year. The rest is cleaning machines for straight sale and then repairs that walk in the door. I'd suspect that he doesn't have more than a dozen machines in stock that are ready for sale today compared to a multi-person operation like Typewriter Muse which has nearly 30 machines on the shelf ready to go.

There's a huge spectrum in the level of restorations being offered out there. Very few people appreciate any of the differences.

The issue is that many people starting out don't want to pay a lot for a clean/restored machine, so they're fine with something that "works". Generally they don't know what they're missing from a finely tuned machine. At the other end are serious collectors, who often have the knowledge and expertise to service their own machines. The biggest issue with the market is the huge gulf of information imbalance between the novice buyers and novice sellers and the professionals.

Hope this helps on the differentiation that's available out there...