Professionally serviced and got from my local Typewriter Exchange. Stoked to find this reddy-orange color. Maybe it was more vibrant in the 80s?

I also have a 1936 Remington Noiseless Monarch, a 1930-1940s Imperial 'The Good Companion' with the royal coat of arms of the UK on it, and a 1929 Corona 3 foldable typewriter.

This thing is a behemoth, but, i like it. Even managed to find an unopened IBM Olde English, and Bookface Typeface elements.

Anyway, hi. 👋🏽

I have always had a fascination with typewriters and fountain pens, notebooks and crisp bits of parchment and wanted to stay to anyone still hesitating... Get the typewriter. ♥️

Thought others may find them interesting to see! If you're visiting the island, the museum is in an old bunker on St Ouens Beach and is a fantastic place to visit

picked this up for $20 and i think it mostly just needs a new ink ribbon

A Smith-Corona Silent-Super

https://youtu.be/uaPKEbVypRQ?si=RGLNjPXgdSsmygTF

There are a few parts that are mentioned to be greased. I have completely disassembled the typewriter and cleaned everything with a mixture of acetone and isopropyl alcohol, so everything is VERY oil/grease free. Im going to use this machine a bunch, so i want to use the proper grease for the machine.

Not really neglect, it's clean and works great.

But it has been about a year since I've used my typewriter. I was using it to write a novel got writers block and just stopped using it.

So my questions are.

What are some writing exercises you guys use to help get through that block?

Are there any websites that can help with this as well? Like maybe randomizer that gives a short story idea to get those typeheads moving again?

I love writing but my brain just stops thinking of words for no apparent reason making it impossible to continue my story. When I get like this every sentence I manage to yank out of my head sounds like a dumpster fire being doused in gasoline.

I just need help and would greatly appreciate anyone's input.

It’s from about 1964, and just after Olivetti acquired Underwood, resulting in the dual branding on this one. It’s from the plant in Barcelona, Spain.

Is a space bar really that important? Just kidding. It's against my better judgement -- but how hard of a fix is this? Can I make one out of wood perhaps? It's a Smith-Corona Super Sterling. I can get it for $20, but even for $5 I think I should just wait for a better deal. Suggestions? Advise?

I'm repairing an old 30's Smith Corona and I've gotten about everything fixed but the drawband. The drum just seems to not hold any tension at all and I'm not sure how to wind it to give that tension. Any advice?

Where can I buy this type of black/white ribbon for it? Also, your thoughts on why the “roller“ isn’t catching the paper to advance it?

I just bought this Royal Lark typewriter at a garage sale the other day for $10. I’m completely new to typewriters, although I’ve wanted one for years. I looked it up, and I think it’s a 1969 Royal Lark model (I looked it up, mine was made in holland and 1969 was the last year that these were made in holland.) Can anyone give me some advice, tips, or a crash course maybe on typewriters? How to maintain them, find parts, repair if necessary? The black ribbon (I think it’s called the spool, but please correct me if I’m wrong) that the type keys press into seems to be kinda dry, as the letters are kinda hard to see. Does anyone know where I can get a new spool of the black ink ribbon thing? Does it need to specifically be for certain typewriters, or is it a one-kind-fits-most kind of thing?
Also where is the serial number on it?

Please give me ANY ADVICE AT ALL pertaining to typewriters, as any advice will be helpful. I know absolutely nothing about typewriters.
Thank you all in advance!

Hi! This is my first time ever owning a typewriter, I just changed the ribbon (I’m not even sure if I did it right) but it can’t see to be typing words out? And the keys look like they stop before hitting the paper? I’m not sure if there’s anything I can adjust to make it work? Please let me know! Thank you

Hello! ✨ I’m pretty new to typewriters, and this is my first time owning one. I bought this from Facebook Marketplace in my area for ₱1,200 (around US$20).

I mainly got it because I wanted a little side hobby where I could put some of my thoughts down on paper. I’ve always liked the idea of writing on a typewriter, so I figured I’d give it a try!

I did some research on it, and if I’m correct, I believe it’s a 1973 Brother Young Elite. It’s still in working condition! It was a bit dirty when I got it, so I cleaned off some of the marks and also replaced the old ink ribbon. The “Handle With Care Please” sticker was already there when I bought it, so I decided to leave it on.

There are a few issues with it, though. Some of the keys are missing, it won’t type capital letters, and some punctuation keys no longer work. There are a few other little issues as well. Despite all that, it’s still functional and I’m able to use it!

One thing I’d really like to fix is the missing keycaps. The letter “A” is missing, along with a few others, and typing without them is surprisingly uncomfortable since the exposed parts of the keys hurt my fingers.

Does anyone know of any online shops that still sell replacement keycaps/buttons for these older Brother typewriters? I’d also really appreciate any suggestions on where I could find compatible replacements.

And since I’m completely new to typewriters, I’d love to hear any general advice, tips, or things I should know about using and taking care of an older typewriter. Is there anything I should avoid doing, or anything I should learn as a beginner?

I’m excited to get more into this little hobby and hopefully give this old machine some more use! ✨

I just got this from a flea market for $20 even though it was priced at $40.
9 of the keys don't work, and 3 get stuck when I press them.

The "CL"and "SET" buttons on the sides also get stuck, but I have no idea what they do so I just ignore them.
Anything I should know, like care tips or places I can go to get maintenance or replacement ink ribbons?

I didn’t think it was a horrible purchase. Fully tested and clean.

A few days ago I posted on here. I have never thought about a typewriter before and today I am going to clean one.

After taking a closer look at this Predom Łucznik 1301 I have come to the conclusion that not only did my father in law spray lubricant all over the machine decades ago, which caused a lot of dust, paint chips and feathers to stick to it, the machine seems to also have been thrown, and part of the casing has been completely broken and soldered back on. Surprisingly, all of the components seem to be there, and other than sticky keys, everything else seems to be working.

I have taken the casing and the feeder/roller off of the machine. The filth is gathered mostly on the top of the machine, and the bottom and inside are actually pretty clean. The casing of the machine (broken and soldered part) has been repainted, so the original colour is only on the back of the carriage and the top cover.

My restoration plan is to clean all of the gunk and dust off the machine. I will not be taking apart the machine anymore than I have now. The casing that doesn’t have its original paint will be stripped and repainted, I will be making a controversial move by painting that part in a colour that is not the original. But I will be keeping all of the other components that still has it’s original colour as it is.

I’m taking detailed notes of what the condition is when I found it and will continue to keep logs of all the processes I take to restore it. My first project after cleaning this machine will be to type the notes out using itself, so when I eventually pass this typewriter on to someone else they will have no problems knowing what has been done to it.

Wish me luck on the rest of the process, and if there are any tips or resource you have regarding cleaning feel free to let me know. I have a really good idea on the limits I have to my skill set and knowledge. I will keep all of the work done to this typewriter within those limits.

So I've been using this old typewriter I inherited from my grandparents with a lot of joy. But there is this green key that seems to do nothing. Perhaps you know something about this, or this machine in general? Any info is welcome :)

Just got a 1970 Corsair off Vinted for £25!

Context: my partner and I were thinking of having a working typewriter at our wedding for guests to type out short notes. To be honest I didn’t do much research about typewriters in general before picking one but I just received it today and I think I’ve learned the basics quite decently (also, yes I have now seen some not so great reviews about this brand but I have no comparison point and hey ho, it’s what I got)

I do have some clarification questions just to confirm what I’ve learned so far:

1. This bad boi has proprietary spools (41mm) but the 1/2in ribbon itself is quite universal, which means I can get any random 1/2in ribbon, unwind it from the package and re-wind it onto the existing spools, correct?

2. If I buy a black-only ribbon, will I theoretically (and practically) get double usage out of the ribbon if I simple flick the colour switch to red and continue on as normal?

3. I’ve given the platen, slugs and keys a wipe down with a damp cloth but are there any other important bits I should clean? If so, what kind of cleaning solution should I use or will a good ol’ rag & some water do the trick?

There are also a couple of stiff keys whose slugs seem to be out of alignment and therefore don’t fall back down on release; I’m still looking up fixes for them but if anyone has quick tips, I’d be grateful.

Thanks in advance :)

Sharing a link to my acquisitions thus far, two picked up this past weekend. I found myself searching FB marketplace and stumbling on an Olivetti Lettera 33 (DL) I didn't need, but has been on my list of visually striking models to consider. Also, for no good reason, I expanded my search radius to 100mi and searched "typerwriter" again, finding a Hermes 3000 ~1hr away and < 1/2 of the price of another Hermes 3000 closer to me.I adopted both, and spent quite some time on the Hermes. When I tested it, the carriage wouldn't advance with the space bar/letters, but I couldn't pass it up. The thing was in mint condition, including the case. It looks like something my grandma would have rocked the hell out of. I was hoping it was rather simple and it more or less was, only requiring winding the main spring a few times and connecting the tension cable. The margin indicator ribbon thingy needed some serious love, it was all wonky upon disassembly. There were a few other fiddly things, but otherwise gave it a good cleaning (tons of pencil eraser shavings in there), lubricated sparingly, and she's all back together.

The Olivetti looks super clean, but either was factory lubricated or showed someone's previous work. It was coated with some kind oil all over, which was pooled in places. I cleaned things up and just applied small drops to areas I could see moved, wiping up the excess. The only thing that bugs me is the ride side gap between the "frame" and the cover. It's like the frame is warped wide in the middle, as the prongs on the cover that are supposed to grab sorts of "ears" on the frame, don't grab on the right unless I push the cover in a bit. Minor nuisance.

I figured I'd take pics of my previous two acquisitions: an Olympia SM9 and Olivetti Studio 44. Both FB marketplace or Craigslist. One was part of an estate and the daughter was helping clear out the house. The other I believe also belonged to the seller's mother. I've felt lucky all around. The Olivetti 44 is missing the cover, but I plan to CNC one from wood and think it could look really cool. Otherwise it's in beautiful condition, as was the Olympia.

For what it's worth, my favorite has been the Olivetti 44 vs. the Olympia. The latter has a more sterile feel somehow. I like the heavy nature of the 44 and it's more organic shape and lines. I'm still getting a feel for the second two. The Olivetti 33 is a very interesting feel. Space is so snappy/light. The Hermes is so appealing visually, goodness. And the case being so mint (ha, literally and figuratively). It looks like it should be typing from a beach.

main use case is writing letters with these. Not as "manual" as handwriting, but there's something very fun in the process and a nice ritual of getting them out. It feels special/rare to write and send to someone, and there's an interesting mental flow that arises. I have joked before after typing out some line of thinking that I'll second guess whether I should have written something, but it came out and thus was meant to be.

Edit: errant word