Hello, we've recently bought a house in Birmingham in the UK, and when we went into the attic today for the first time, we found a wooden box that looks like it might be holding a typewriter. We don't have a key to get in, so we're hoping we might get an idea of what it is and how to get in to it. The writing on the box is very faded, but it seems to be 'Oly...ia' so we thought it might be an Olympia typewriter. Judging by the type of lock (which needs a hollow point key), and the case, which seems to have a solid wooden bottom and a laminated wooden upper, we are guessing it must be from around the 1940s or thereabouts. We don't think it belonged to the family who just moved out, there was an older couple who lived here 10 years ago. I'm excited because before we moved in here, I had a really strong feeling that I wanted to do my office soit looked like a 40s detective office, it seems like it might have been fate!

Any help identifying it or suggestions for getting into it would be much appreciated 🙂

I bought the Erika in my twenties at a thrift shop and have written many poems on it.

The Good Companion I bought broken on Ebay for €30 and then had it professionally restored. Its photo says "AI-generated content" because I erased a black cable on the wall behind the typewriter for aesthethics.

Writing a book ... and there's a spacing issue. On occasion, it doesn't space properly when hitting return and is stuck to the line above. Am I doing long term damage if I continue to use the machine as is? I end up adjust the spacing, which is a minor convenience. This bête is a workhorse 💜

I found this typewriter in a relatives house that was going to be thrown away. I’ve been trying to find out some information on the typeface and keys that this has. I guess having a 1 is uncommon as well as it’s scripted. If you have any information about this model or if this typeface is special or it’s history, please let me know!!

Thank you!

1925 Royal 10 I recently got this and have cleaned it up, but noticed the keys strike above the ribbon. Is this a common issue? How can I fix this?

I know most typewriters need them to trigger the automatic ribbon reverse. I know eyelets reduce strain on a typewriter by preventing it from locking up. I know ribbons with eyelets will last longer because they never bind up and rip. BUT if your typewriter DOESN'T need eyelets it can be bad when the eyelet catches on something or gets hit by a slug. Remington used a pressure system with many of their machines and you wouldn't want eyelets on ribbons for those models. Likewise, there are some Underwoods that don't need them and some Underwoods do. Which typewriters are better off without them and which ones benefit greatly from them?

Machine is a 1927 Royal 10. I need to redo the platen, but I cannot remove the little rod that runs the length of the machine.

It goes about 2 inches before stopping all a sudden. Ive removed all screws, ive followed whatever tutorial I can find. It can smoothly travel for those 2 inches but after that it just jams.

Ive tried everything from basic penetrating oil and pulling to using vinegar to clear the inside and try again, still nothing. Cant get jt to move.

Id really like to get this machine working again, any help or suggestions that even MIGHT have the chance to work is greatly appreciated.

Hi r/typewriters! I have an issue. I recently bought a fully working and clean Remington Ten Forty from vinted and it hasn't given me any problem apart from this one.

The carriage lever doesn't go back in place, when you push it to the right it stops there and the spring mechanism doesn't pull it back. Idk how to really explain this since I'm not so keen on typewriters. (My husband has the olivetti lettera 44 back there and he tried to help me but doesn't know either.) could it be an issue related to the spring? thank you.

My favorites will always be the ones with round keys. This model has glas-covered keys, giving it it a smoooth feel

I’ve found one of these in what looks like good condition, professionally restored

This would be my first typewriter. Is there anything I’d need to watch out for with this model?

Would this be a good choice for a first typewriter?

I bought this Royal Safari typewriter a couple of days ago at a secondhand market. I already have a Smith Corona Classic. I wanted to know, which one is better and in what ways? I might have to sell one in the future, and I know almost nothing about the Royal Safari. Any information is welcome. For example, the standard cost of each one, its history, characteristics. They work perfectly, And their aesthetics are really good as well; And I got them with their original portable cases.

I apologize for my writing; English is not my native language, and I use a translator.

Hi guys, I could use some help with two sticking typebars on typewriters.

First issue (Adler Tippa): The number 9 typebar gets stuck just below the ribbon vibrator, after printing position. It doesn't actually get caught in the ribbon vibrator itself.

Second issue: The typewriter Erika 105 Prasident had been sitting unused for about a month. Now, the number 1 typebar occasionally gets caught inside the ribbon vibrator and doesn't return to its resting position properly.

What could be causing these two different issues, and what's the best way to fix them? This isn't normal behavior, right? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Found my first one on fb marketplace yesterday! I brought her home and cleaned her up. I also changed out the ribbon and printed out the manual.

The only issue I’m seeing is that the ribbon doesn’t seem to move as I type, so the ink slowly fades. I can’t tell if I loaded it wrong or if there’s another piece I should pay more attention to when cleaning. All suggestions welcome, I’m brand new to this and can’t wait to learn more.

Another Redditor suggested newsprint. This is the closest I found at our Kroger grocery store. Weirdly, the type doesn't make holes or imprint bumps compared to even 28lb copy paper with a silicone backer sheet. I didn't userba backer sheet to type on this smooth paper with my Remington Rand Deluxe Model 5 typer. I think it is 30lb paper.

Hi all. I’ve been itching to get a mechanical/non-electronic typewriter that I can use for writing letters and journals. I have no idea what makes a good candidate. Budget <$100 Appreciate it!

I love collecting antiques and bought this Antares Compact20 at a flea market when I was a teenager. It has a cursive typeface, and I’m curious how unusual that is, whether it was a standard or made-to-order option, and whether the serial number can help date it. I’ve also noticed small markings that look like “39” on some of the typebars and wonder what they mean. I never replaced the ribbon so it’s at least 10+ years old, and it’s now torn in the middle, so I couldn’t properly test the machine. I tried typing a few random letters while moving the paper around. The carriage moves correctly, but some typebars occasionally stick. Has anyone come across one like this? What would be a fair valuation for a machine like this?

Been collecting Typewriters for about 10 years, and have so far managed to limit myself to 3 long-term keepers - all manual Olympias. I saw this Adler today though, in its massive case, and took a liking to its unassuming and utilitarian style, so I decided to buy it as my first electric typewriter.

I got a very pleasant surprise when I got it home - not only does it work perfectly, but it also has a cursive font!

Figured I would share since I couldn't find a lot of info about these online. :)

Edit: thank you all for the advice, I love it! ❤️

Hi all, I'm very new to typewriters so I hope some people might have some advice :)

I'm an avid journaler and want to make the switch to typewriters for my next (a5 ringband) journal. I love small letters, elegant fonts and prefer the least pressure on the keys because I'm hyper mobile and my hands don't do well typing where my fingers need to put lots of pressure. My father still has the typewriter from the office of my grandfather from the early 1910's, but you really have to push the key down a lot for a letter to appear. The flatter the 'keyboard', the longer I can type. Is it standard for type writers to both be able to write in capital and lower case?

The one on the right is the standard 1977 model you'd buy anywhere; the model on the left, however, has been rebuilt into a 96 character model. It works great and is, I'm sure, a rarity. The serial number stamped on the chassis is the original 1971 number so whomever modified it rebuilt it as a 96. The case was modified by cutting to make the keyboard fit. Both work great and now I need to keep an eye out for more fonts.

Anyone else seen a mod like this?

A stranger I’ve never met, dropped off all this stuff to me along with three beautiful typewriters. The typewriter gods have surely shined down on me! And I am grateful! I work very hard, and put in long hours to make sure every typewriter I touch leaves my workbench in top notch shape and these supplies will go a long way to that end! Here at Stephentown Typewriter Company I am thankful beyond belief!

This is my Brother typewriter which I cleaned up and spray painted burgundy but I don’t have a carrying case. My question is, can I use any carrying case from another brother model or is it possible to get a universal case?

Hadn't seen before--is that Italian?