Odell and His Typewriter<br /> by [[Typewriter Gazette]]<br /> accessed on 2026-04-14T16:31:03

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1sksg4n/i_just_purchased_a_smith_corona_vantage_1978/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1244830544502384

reply to u/Greydusk1324 about the difference in Royal Standard typewriters at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1skmfum/comparing_royal_standard_desk_machines/

I'm (sorry?) to report that the internals of the Royal standard typewriters including the Ten, H, KH, KHM, KMM, KMG, RP, HH, FP, Empress, 440, 660, etc. are all incredibly similar if not exactly the same over several decades. The biggest change is probably the introduction of Magic Margins with the KMM. The margin release button also moved down to the keyboard around this time as well.

Most of the rest are smaller, subtle differences in how the ribbon reverse mechanism is done or things like keytops changing from glass and acetate to plastic, the threading design of the ribbon vibrator, as well as the external design and some of the other small fit and finish. Some of the much later models allow one to remove the entire chassis from the body of the typewriter to make cleaning and servicing easier.

There are certainly differences in type-feel and "weight" in the changes in the keytops, but broadly they're all mostly the same machine. The biggest differences between them all (for me) tend to be how well they've been maintained and/or been cleaned and adjusted. One seriously well adjusted Royal is better than any 20 other random Royal standards you might pick up for a fraction of the price. Of course, if you're doing your own wrenching work, then once you've learned one machine well, the rest are a breeze to work on and bring up to snuff.

If you think there's a huge difference between your KMM and KMG (which are probably the two closest models), then perhaps it's worth it to try some others? The biggest difference may be the FP which has chunkier key caps that have more effect on the "feel". The HH and many of the other later models have thinner key tops. The Ten is probably the most different from the rest. The H, KH, KHM are what I would call "experimental" models moving toward the perfection in the KMM and KMG.

Context: I'm an owner of a KHM, 2 KMMs (including a 47+ pound, 18" wide carriage), 2 KMGs, 2 HHs, half a dozen FPs (in all the colors but Willow Green), and a 440. This includes a variety of their standard pica and elites, a Clarion Gothic, and a Pica Double Gothic. Stylistically I love the KMG and the FP, but my KHM has one of the most satisfying "actions" of any of the machines I own.

Of course, all this depends on what sort of collection you're aiming for. I love a good Royal and have a smattering of other makes and models, but I am slowly working toward a completist picture of Royal Standards. I do try to add machines that have a unique typeface or other feature as I add more of them to get some additional depth and breadth to my collection.

If you're a collector with limited space, then pick up the best looking design(s) (for your personal aesthetic) and rest easy that you're not missing too much. You can also pick up new machines to curate for a few years and then move them along to other collectors to enjoy so that your collection is always changing.

You might get some more detail and nuance by watching Joe Van Cleave's YouTube channel where he's done a few dozen videos on Royal standards as well as comparison videos over the past several years.

Good luck on your hunt!

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1sjw8r1/does_the_typewritertypeface_you_use_with_affect/

https://www.antikeychop.com/odell-typewriter-no2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzXvxb-g0vM

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid036xxj9WyV3rESomhzi9nzJaBbFW3w6cLM8EBK4JvikEX2q3NgSBvM5bxTRc14PbNnl&id=61553734575456

https://typewriterdatabase.com/Odell.4.513.bmys

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1sg32qw/help_with_olivetti_valentine_mystery/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163444395754678/

$100 in $2 bills found inside of a Royal KMM.

The BSIE Typewriters Store ribbon is poorly inked according to this Redditor/post: https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1s6xr1k/first_attempt_at_typing_on_my_new_typewriter/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CMV64TD9

Kenneth Goldsmith – Kunstnernes Hus<br /> accessed on 2026-03-31T22:06:40

College instructor turns to typewriters to curb AI-written work<br /> by [[Jocelyn Gecker]] | AP News<br /> accessed on 2026-03-31T08:39:49

Tom Hanks has mentioned framing typewritten letters before, but German exams?

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1s7eiav/table_score/<br /> Vanpe, Inc. of Chicago manufactured typewriter tables with drop leaves and drawers.

reply to u/Vibeuel_ at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1s7lfdu/i_hate_loving_typewriters/

He used Chapstick as a heavy grease to hold ball bearings in place to re-insert the carriage and ball bearings into a Royal Arrow.

Sorry you went through this insertion of ball bearings into a Royal in this manner. For the future attempts, there is a re-creation of a custom tool for doing this sort of operation which also includes some repair manual details: https://www.m-morren.nl/product/17071027/royal-bearing-guide-ball-feeder-tool

Lucas Dul also has a video that might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_PONcT8HHI as well as some discussion of using straws at the 21:40 mark in this video: https://virtualhermans.com/lucas-dul

via u/guneeyoufix at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1s73hcz/sm3_did_you_know/

via u/guneeyoufix at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1s6irjx/can_someone_help_me_with_unaligned_letters_on_my/

as a reply to u/Fit_Artichoke_8668 with respect to unaligned letters on a Corona 3 typewriter. The typing line of the lowercase was very wavy (up and down), so not simply a case of on feet or motion.

Paulo Coelho<br /> https://typewriterdatabase.com/typewriters.php?hunter_search=5539&collection_search=My+Collection

aka u/PauloType via https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1s4vndm/comment/ocqyr0r/

Matt Watkins (Ignaciob) on the typewriter database aka u/TC3Guy on Reddit are the same person<br /> via comment at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1s4vndm/most_collected_typewriters_on_the_typewriter/

David Kearby (aka D****2 on SGW) purchased this Underwood https://shopgoodwill.com/item/258398206

via https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1229591519359620/

So THAT"S what's wrong with it! I knew it!!<br /> by [[Will Davis]] of Davis Typewriter Works <br /> accessed on 2026-03-26T21:08:50

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1cffdj8/the_typewriters_of_ripley/

see also, with little to add: https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1s471gq/typewriter_personality_key_to_a_mystery/

Congratulations and welcome to the club.

For some insane reason, the majority of typewriter collectors like 15-20 pound machines that fit into rectangular cases. This means that the value of fantastic machines like yours which are fully featured, better engineered, and which will last centuries aren't as high. With a solid clean, oil, and repair, this is the sort of machine that can do nearly everything you could want from a typewriter. This is a true writer's machine. I've got about six of these around in various colors as well as typefaces and type sizes.

Yours is a Royal FP made sometime between '57 and '62 and can be more closely dated using the serial number under the hood and comparing with the database.

Historical users of the vaunted Royal FP include the likes of Herb Caen, Peter De Vries, Stephen King, Melissa Ludtke, Frank O'Hara, and Morley Safer. Amongst many other appearances, this typewriter was also used by Sgt. Joe Friday in the TV show Dragnet, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (S5, E2), and was in the opening scenes of Miami Vice when Crockett first meets Lt. Castillo.

Your manual, should you need it: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalFP.pdf

Joe Van Cleave has a solid video intro and review of it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOnQRBo7YqA.

The spools for the standard Royal typewriters (Ten, H, KH, KHM, KMM, KMG, RP, HH, FP, Empress, 440, 660, etc.) have a custom metal mechanism for their auto-reverse. The spools are known as the T1 (which is the same as General Ribbon part # T1-77B , T1-77BR, and Nu-Kote B64.) If winding on universal ribbon onto them, remove the eyelette which isn't needed and may interfere with the auto reverse. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMDfGkKqbgE If necessary, Ribbons Unlimited carries these spools, but it's much cheaper to just buy 1/2" ribbon on cheap plastic cores or bulk ribbon on cardboard hubs and wind your own on by hand.

More resources: https://boffosocko.com/research/typewriter-collection/

Reply to u/zoke10 at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1s3mngq/thrift_store_find/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163275741574678/

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1s3dp1d/whats_the_weirdest_thing_youve_found_in_a/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4770669677?multi_permalinks=10163397003439678

https://typewriterdatabase.com/1949-royal-kmg.16171.typewriter

Marshall Plan sticker on Royal KMG

via Mark Schrad at https://typewriterdatabase.com/1949-royal-kmg.15160.typewriter

The Blob (Paramount, 1958)

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rziovo/is_there_a_finish_line/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1224514289867343/

Season 4, episode 4 “Happy Trails”

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1ktb7ty/what_are_the_rules_of_typewriter_club/?sort=new

The Rules of Typewriter Club

The first rule of Typewriter club is Do not oil the segment.

The second rule of Typewriter club is DO NOT oil the segment.

Do not ask the value of your typewriter: they are invaluable.

Always talk about typewriter club. Every chance you get: to family, friends, complete strangers...

If you only have one typewriter, you must refer to it as "my FIRST typewriter".

If you're new to typewriter club, you have to type.

A typewriter is not broken unless it is clean and broken.

Parts of a typewriter should only be removed in order to repair another typewriter.

Keychoppers shall have the extremities they used to chop keys chopped off.

More than one machine is allowed to be your "favorite".

The last typewriter you bought is the greatest one. Until the next one.

Never leave a typewriter outside, in a barn, or in a damp basement to rust.

Typewriters are to type with. They should not be "flipped".

Any reason is a good reason to buy and use a typewriter.

The hardest part of typewriter repair is believing you can do it. Everything else is just instructions plus a careful, thoughtful hand. —Rt. Rev. Theodore Munk

If you see a typewriter, you should take photos and upload the details to the TypewriterDatabase.com.

Typewriters are not mood setting decor, they are meant to be used.

Always leave a typewriter in better condition than you found it.

We form things; we do not "bend" them.

The only acceptable way to dispose of a typewriter is to find it a new home. The only exception is in dire circumstances in time of war when one should follow the guidance of the Underwood manual and "Smash typewriters and components with a sledge or other heavy instrument; burn with kerosene, gasoline, fuel oil, flame thrower, or incendiary bomb; detonate with firearms, grenades, TNT, or other explosives."

If anyone asks you about your typewriter, you must spend at least five minutes talking to them about it.

Legitimate typewriter sellers never use the phrases "it works" or "it just needs a new ribbon."

Remember that typewriters are dangerous and can be used for samizdat. As Woody Guthrie wrote: "This machine kills fascists."

Blessed are those who give typewriters to children for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

"In death, they have a name." Lenore Fenton. Lenore Fenton. Lenore Fenton!

The Typewriter Database does not list every single serial number, just ranges of numbers and years in which they were made. You are responsible for figuring out which year your number fits into.

"Working but needs new ribbon" is seller's code for "I have no idea if it really works, but I'm going to try to sell you this machine for the price of a fully functioning machine that was just serviced by a professional shop despite the fact that I just took it out of grandpa's barn and I'm not sure if the mouse inside is dead or not. Also, I can't afford $10 to replace an old ribbon to truly participate in the charade of the price I'm going to try to fleece you with."

<br /> via https://reddit.com/r/TheWayWeWere/comments/1hfhufr/throwing_old_typewriters_into_the_sea_as_trash/

Bergen, Norway

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unfrosted<br /> Unfrosted (Netflix, 2024)

Marjorie Post attacks her toady assistant with a Royal KMG typewriter.

https://youtu.be/4-8adc39DV0?si=Upi9PjBrYFiE_5kn&t=54

Misery (Columbia Pictures, 1990)<br /> clip when Paul attacks Annie

[Repo Men (2010) - Death by Typewriter Scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnq1Q0JMfS8

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4770669677/?multi_permalinks=10163383975174678

reply to u/Minimum__Dot1795 at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rx45d7/imperial_70_can_i_use_any_spools_wanting_to_try/

I'm not sure of the internal diameter of yours, not having used Imperial spools before, but some of the cheap plastic "Universal Spools" have removeable plastic cores that may allow you to pop them out and be compatible with your machine. The one's I've got have a 3/4" or 19mm diameter hole and are meant to be used with Remington machines instead of their metal spool hubs. (Example: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Typewriter-Typewriters-Replacement-Compatible/dp/B0D9P2P2Q7/?th=1)

Congratulations. You've joined an exclusive club that includes writers like: Edward Abbey John Ashbery, Saul Below, Johnny Carson, Joan Didion, Bernard Kalb, Elia Kazan, Helen Keller, Grace Metalious, Arthur Miller, Carl Reiner, Fred Rogers, Rod Sterling, George Sheehan, and Wallace Stegner.

I've got over 60 typewriters in my collection and the KMG is my favorite, especially when it's clean and properly adjusted. I've got one each in Royal Elite and Royal Pica typefaces they're so nice.

KMG controls diagram: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalKMGdiagram.jpg<br /> Richard Polt's site doesn't have a manual (yet) for the KMG, so pull the manual for the Royal KMM instead. It was the model made just before the KMG and should be functionally identical. The Royal HH which followed it was also broadly similar. https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html

The spools for the standard Royal typewriters (Ten, H, KH, KHM, KMM, KMG, RP, HH, FP, Empress, 440, 660, etc.) have a custom metal mechanism for their auto-reverse. The spools are known as the T1 (which is the same as General Ribbon part # T1-77B , T1-77BR, and Nu-Kote B64.) If winding on universal 1/2 inch wide ribbon onto them, remove any eyeletes which aren't needed and may interfere with the auto reverse. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMDfGkKqbgE

Incidentally when browsing YouTube for repair videos, the mechanics of all the Royal standards (listed above) are all incredibly similar if not exactly the same, so search beyond KMG to find solutions.

For cleaning:<br /> - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjumGF9NFE8&list=PLJtHauPh529XYHI5QNj5w9PUdi89pOXsS&index=5<br /> - https://boffosocko.com/2024/08/09/on-colloquial-advice-for-degreasing-cleaning-and-oiling-manual-typewriters/ - The tombstone "glass" (acetate) keys are metal rings that hold a piece of acetate over a paper legend (with the key letter printed on it) onto a metal platform. Don't get liquids or water on these as it will seep inside and discolor or damage the paper legends. They're replaceable, but it requires a special tool and/or lots of patience. Incidentally, these were the last US manufactured typewriters with glass keys.

Use and maintenance: https://boffosocko.com/2025/06/06/typewriter-use-and-maintenance-for-beginning-to-intermediate-typists/

If it helps, here's a link to all my posts about the purchase, history, use and some restoration pieces I've written about mine (start at the oldest and work your way forward): https://boffosocko.com/tag/royal-kmg/

Other resources as you may need them: https://boffosocko.com/research/typewriter-collection/

Good luck!

reply to u/Saltiend at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rwsfxp/just_bought_a_royal_kmg_any_tips/

unpublished reply to u/kinga_forrester at https://www.reddit.com/r/vintageads/comments/1rvqt0e/comment/oayqqbd/

Rightly or wrongly I'm sure a vanishing number of people at that time would have held your view.

You've got to remember the historical context of this ad. During World War II all but one typewriter manufacturer in the US ceased production of typewriters and the one remaining was really producing machines for the military. This ad from 1943 actually says in tiny print at the bottom: "Royal is making bullets, and parts for airplane engines, propellers, machine guns, rifles." Civilian groups did drives to collect typewriters to send them to the war effort. Many of the extant and upcoming generation of typewriter repairmen went off to the war effort. All this against the backdrop of people being used to taking their machines (especially office ones in use 8 hours a day) in for service every year or so for cleaning and adjustment. Most office typewriters of the time were in use for an average of 3 years before requiring complete overhauls or replacement. In addition to all of the other things being rationed, typewriters and typewriter service were also being heavily rationed, particularly because the manpower and steel was being diverted heavily to the war effort.

At the time, most typewriters were in the $125-200 range which is the equivalent to about $1,500 now. They were trying to help people preserve their machines and functionality. This was at a time when almost any sizeable town in the US had at least one repair shop busy with work. A city the size of Chicago probably had several dozens of repair shops working full time and that likely dropped to just a few during the war. (There's only one now, and it's only been open for a few years; it also has a wait list of several months for service because it's so busy.)

The issue of typewriter preservation was so great during the war that the U.S. Navy produced a series of videos about their proper use and maintenance of them *and other expensive office machines of the time). See videos at https://boffosocko.com/2025/06/06/typewriter-use-and-maintenance-for-beginning-to-intermediate-typists/ The government also got involved in creating maintenance manuals like Basic Typewriter Care and Maintenance, Equipment Maintenance Series No. 1 (US FWIP, 1945) and repair manuals like War Department Technical Manual TM 37-305: Typewriter Maintenance (1944) which is essentially the same as the [1945 Ames manual[(https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/AmesVol1-Standards.pdf).

Comparing this with today when the general value of typewriters is almost nil and we're lucky to have a few dozen professional typewriter repair shops still operating, but the rate of retirements and deaths has long been outstripping the replacement rate and you'll understand why self-service is necessary. Even given this, the number of typewriter fora on the internet, Facebook, Reddit, etc. the amount of tinkering knowledge is almost cripplingly bad but seems to chug along. You'll notice that there are an awful lot of people just trying to identify their machines much less carry out the most basic repairs. The number of "broken machines" I've acquired in my collection that only needed the ribbon color selector set to something besides "stencil" is a sad indicator of the state of typewriter knowledge now, much less what it may have been in their heyday, tinkering or not.

Even by 1983 as typewriters were already beginning to feel the pressure from the computer business, books like Bryan Kravitz and Nancy Gorrell's Hints for a Happy Typewriter were attempting to educate people on proper maintenance and light repair before needing to rely on repair shops that were already starting to feel the pinch.

Incidentally, IBM wasn't what put most typewriter companies out of business. It was vicious competition caused by offshoring and the cheapening of parts and materials while computers in general did the rest. And as for all those typewriter repair shops: most began selling/servicing word processors, office machines like fax machines, photo copiers, dictaphones, and even computers.

via https://reddit.com/r/vintageads/comments/1rvqt0e/1943_royal_typewriter_ad_imploring_people_to_not/

Choosing a Typewriter for Writers<br /> by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

Manual typewriters for writers with a focus on machines made without needing to tinker/repair them.

Joe primarily focuses on typewriters he actually has in his personal collection more than other potential great machines. Having been collecting for his particular purpose for a long time, he's got a pretty tight set of good recommendations.

He's also got some good advice here about how to go about finding a machine and using professional typewriter shops to do so.

Electric typebar typewriters with more tolerance for poor technique.

IBM Selectrics, maintenance intensive, need carbon replacement film.

Printwheel/Daisy Wheel typewriters. Brother, Nakajima, Swintec (components made by Nakajima),

Ultra portable typewriters

• Royal / Silver Seiko typewriter - no tabs
• Olympia Splendid 33, 66, 99 - no tabs the 33 is monochrome

Portables

• Smith-Corona 5 Series
• Olympia SM series: SM1 - SM9
• Hermes 3000 series (overpriced on the used market)

Standards

Big and don't come with a case; will last nearly forever<br /> - Underwood 5<br /> - Royal standards, especially those that came after the 10

Typebar Electrics

• Olympia Reporter (Nakajima in Japan); designed in 80s for journalists
• Royal Saturn (Silver-Seiko) one of the quietest out there; uses 9/16" ribbon; bichrome with tabs,
• Smith-Corona Electric - first portable electric to hit the market.
• IBM Selectric (71; manual correction)

Daisywheel typewriters

• Brother
• RaRo has new Daisy wheels
• delay between keypress and print

@BillWheaton5048 is the same user as u/joe_skidiachi_irl on Reddit

cross reference:<br /> - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcgFizJWQoI <br /> - https://www.reddit.com/r/BaseballScorecards/comments/1rvm25m/comment/oatnbe4/

Mail Time March 2026<br /> by [[Joe Van Cleave]] on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2026-03-16T13:17:39

Royal KMM Paper Bale Tension Adjustment<br /> by [[Joe Van Cleave]] on YouTube

via Peter Weil at https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1218941250424647/

This could be an interesting template for a stationery design.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1219057343746371/

Tom Hansen has delineated the differences in some of the Smith-Corona 5 series typewriters from the 1950s.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1220520400266732/

Viktor Krum LEGO figurine found inside an Olympia SM7 by Fraser Ihle.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1221203766865062/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1221727063479399/

Royal QDLs from '56-59, though advertisement more likely from '57-58 due to the white.

Royal Green, Royal Star White, Royal Beige, Royal Gray, Royal Red, Royal Turquoise,

Add specifies the QDL is available in Canterbury Pica or Canterbury Elite.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10161611646934678/

1950 Underwood Rhythm Touch with Victoria Elite typeface, 12 CPI, Slugs marked "EV".

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.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1ruxez6/whats_the_worst_thing_you_ever_found_in_a/

Your IPA is temporarily liquifying the oil and grime, but as it evaporates near room temperature pretty quickly (as do other degreasers like mineral spirits, paint thinner, lacquer thinner, naphtha, etc.), it disappears and leaves the oil and grime behind.

While you're flushing it out, be sure to move the typebars back and forth to help flush the grime out of the segment as you add more IPA (or other degreaser). If you have it available, it's also helpful to loosen things up with a degreaser and follow it up immediately with compressed air to blow out all the grime.

It may take several rounds of flushing and air to completely free up your typebars. Things aren't really clean until they're dry and move freely.

reply to u/Otherwise_Thing_6384 at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1ruh4u0/faceit_freede_problem/

reply to u/UsefulLength9143 at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1ruew5h/royal_p_this_isnt_pics_font_is_it/

Looking closely at the slugs with letters, several clearly have a "P" foundry mark which was commonly used in this time period to identify Royal's "Royal Pica" face (see: https://typecast.munk.org/2011/04/24/1964-nomda-blue-book-royal-font-styles/) which was the generic name they gave in their catalogs to this particular pica (pitch) typeface. Similarly a foundry mark of "E" was often used to represent their 12 pitch "Royal Elite" typeface. Surely it's the case that the designer had some other name for this typeface, but I've never seen Royal documents which specify anything other than Royal Pica or Royal Elite.

While it certainly helps to see the rulers on the carriage to doublecheck, one can guess the exact typeface in this instance solely by the foundry marks, though this is not always the case for a wide number of manufacturers.

Generally people are right in asking to see the ruler as the difference in width of slug on a 10CPI and 12CPI machine is on the order of 1/64 of an inch which is incredibly hard to discern visually on photos like these without something to use for scale.

Vintage Sears Celebrity Portable Typewriter Manual With Hard Case & Instructions<br /> by [[ShopGoodwill.com]]<br /> accessed on 2026-03-13T10:33:18

2026-03-12: 9 bids total with last minute bidding going from $82 (5 bids) to $128 with 4 additional bids for a Sears Celebrity typewriter with an obvious (photo of typebasket) double gothic typeface.

reply to u/Ripraz at tk

I analogize typewriters to cars: there really isn't a "beginner friendly" option, they're all just cars or typewriters. This being said, how well built and engineered they are and some of the smaller optional features or "trim lines" can differ a fair amount. With typewriters, one of the biggest trim differences is the tabulator (does it have one and how do the controls work? If you're a screen writer, you really want one, but if you're doing other general writing, you can get away without one typically.)

With Olivetti, you're probably going to find peak typewriter manufacturing and materials from the 1930s into the early 1970s. The best stuff is likely in the 50s and 60s where their design chops are also the strongest. Their stuff in the mid-70s and after becomes more plastic and isn't as solid (eg. Lettera 35).

https://typewriterdatabase.com/olivetti.56.typewriter-serial-number-database

Some suggestions: <br /> Standards: Graphica, Linea 88<br /> Portables: Studio 42, 44, 45; Lettera 22, Lettera 32

Be sure to take a peek at the individual typewriter galleries and individual machines in the database to see the shifts in design over time, if that interests you.

This comparison/review on YouTube, of which there are surely others, is pretty solid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW6Ji275FdE

As a beginner, you might appreciate skimming through Dr. Polt's book before or after buying a machine:<br /> Polt, Richard. 2015. The Typewriter Revolution: A Typist’s Companion for the 21st Century. 1st ed. Woodstock, VT: Countryman Press.

Reply to u/croceldon at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rsq69i/dust_cover_recommendations/

I use a lot of index cards, so I often just cover the opening in the hood with one and clamp it down with the paper bale. The rest I can just dust off with a painter's "chip brush" I got at the hardware store for $1.50.

I also use a handful of microfiber cloths I got at the dollar store for $1 each and throw them over the carriages of other machines. They also double for mopping up flop sweat during marathon 8 hour writing/typing sprees if you need them for that.

The only way I'd come close to dropping $80 bones on a typewriter cover is if they were as finely crafted as some of the ones I've seen our collector friend Tom Hanks using: https://boffosocko.com/2025/06/16/tom-hanks-ingenious-custom-typewriter-covers-mats/

https://www.reddit.com/r/BaseballScorecards/comments/1mt1cuz/typewriter_experiment_4_the_index_card_multiple/

joe_skidiachi_irl experiment for baseball scorecards with typewriters.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163297970974678/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163295279244678/ via Ambrus László

https://theneorenaissance.com/2025/11/21/missing-typewriter-characters-substitution-combinations/

https://www.atticpaper.com/proddetail.php?prod=1935-royal-portable-typewriter-ad-wm-steig

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rrtbdf/i_tried_to_recreate_the_typewriter_experience_in/

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/retrotype/id6752917326

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

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

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.

Following the redesign in '56 with the red badging on the front, all QDLs had a 1/! key.

https://typewriterdatabase.com/Royal.Quiet+De+Luxe.72.bmys

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!

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/

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

Olivetti Studio 44 Ring & Cylinder Adjustment<br /> by [[Joe Van Cleave]] on YouTube

Joe shows how to test for ring and cylinder using a slip of paper and then indicates the adjustment points (with lock screws) on the Olivetti Studio 44.

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/

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://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163290131069678/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hamilton_(writer)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/olympiasg1/posts/1506621080656301/

also:

Greg Riutzel:<br /> That's how I see it. I measured it once. I put the ribbon in stencil, typed a lower case "h" and marked approx where the top of the type slug was on the paper. Then repeated with an upper case "H". The marks were just a tad over 7.5 mm apart checking with a rule. No precision of course but close.

The number printed on the ring in the basket of Olympia typewriters, just above and to the left of the word "De Luxe" is the distance from the baseline of the bottom slug character to the baseline of the top slug character.

In many instances it will be 7.6. I'm curious what other typefaces show and if this thesis holds?

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

Amen

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

Users of the Olympia SG3 included:<br /> - Ingeborg Bachmann<br /> - Jimmy Breslin<br /> - Paddy Chayefsky<br /> - Philip K. Dick<br /> - Harlan Ellison<br /> - Michael Ende<br /> - Howard Fast<br /> - Jim Lehrer<br /> - Elmore Leonard<br /> - William E. Leuchtenburg<br /> - Terrence McNally<br /> - James Michener<br /> - Dudley Randall<br /> - Wallace Stegner

Users of the Olympia SG1 included: - Charles Bukowski<br /> - William S. Burroughs<br /> - August Derleth<br /> - Bob Dylan<br /> - Harlan Ellison<br /> - Roger Kahn<br /> - Stan Lee<br /> - Mack McCormick<br /> - Joseph Stefano (screenwriter of Psycho)<br /> - Jacqueline Susann

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.

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.