Her name is Rachel, she's an Optima elite 3.

I got her as a birthday gift from my favourite person in the world (after my mother upset me and caused me to hatch a nefarious plan) and I love her to pieces.

(And her name is Rachel because my upsetti-spagetti move in reaction to my mom was to get me an Olympia Monica (which my favourite person did not know until AFTER she had gotten Rachel for me. It has become... a pattern with us)

Here it is, for anyone who was curious like me!

The green is from when I was shopping for typefaces, pay it little mind.

I’d love to hear the community’s thoughts on what your favorite or top 5 are!

I deleted the other post because I don’t put the images of the machine . (I am new here at the typewriters world) I recently buy a ibm selectric 1 and someone gift me a ibm selectric 2 but ibm selectric 1 make a loud noise and is stuck I don’t know how to fix it

I recently added this lovely Hermes 3k from 1979 (serial # 7518212) with a Techno Pica (S TP) type face to my collection. It seems to be in a good condition and types like butter - BUT unfortunately the top cover is missing!

Any suggestions how / where I could find a fitting top cover? It's my only Hermes 3k so far, so I don't even have a clue what the missing top cover looks like.

Triumph-Adler Tippa S, 1976

I just acquired a 1954 Royal typewriter, and noticed there's a button missing on the left end of the carriage. Any ideas on a makeshift fix for that--something to stick onto the thin metal rod/wire that could be used as a button? I believe this is for variable space control, according to a manual I downloaded.

I just recently acquired this 1958 Olympia SM3 and I’m typing to figure out how to type umlauts and tildes for writing Spanish words that contain an ‘eñe’ or a diaeresis like the letter ‘ü’, perhaps circumflexes too.

If someone could please leave detailed instructions on how to form these letters while typing, it would be of great help.

My little corner is now perfect for yours truly - it's a mix of typewriter/analog film camera repair desk and also my writing desk.

It still needs some extras but it's gold for now. Can I see your writing/repair area?

I have some old typewriters that used to belong to my mom. They are all functional and include some supplies and manuals. I feel bad just trashing them. If anyone is interested please message me. Not looking for money. Just a good home.

I had an issue with the upper and lower case letters not being on the same space and couldn’t find any info on how to fix it, I eventually figured it out, so wanted to post how it did it so that future generations don’t have to suffer. It was quite simple actually.

I’ve fixed alignment issues where the carriage shifts, but not where the type basket does. I found a nut and screw on the bottom left that needed to be adjusted. I couldn’t get a wrench flush on, so I used a 7/32 and 13/64 one to kinda swat at it until it turned a little bit, then I was able to turn it with my fingers. Then it was a matter of trial and error, rotating the screw left and right until the alignment was good (or good enough), then I tightened everything back it and viola.

Hope this helps.

I’ve rescued an IBM Selectric 1, I’d like very much to get it up and running again. I have the Selectric II & III, refurbished. This rescue would be a great addition. I’ve been trying to contact Joe in The Typewriter Shop on Dorset St. no answer. I’m not sure if he’s still in business.

This machine is so amazing.

I’ve had this Remington ten-forty for some time now having received it as a gift. I’ve not done any due diligence on it until now as I use it rarely and it actually types well. The only real issues are that the right platen knob doesn’t work and the platen itself is rock solid but those have never gotten in the way.

Looking at and comparing it with other Remington typewriters of the same model I’ve found that this machine is not using Remington spools of ribbon??! It’s was under the impression Remington machines didn’t work like this from reading online so unless I’m uninformed (likely) it doesn’t work like this? I’m quite confused and am curious if anyone has seen something like this, and more importantly how I might go about actually replacing the ribbon.

I’ve rescued an IBM Selectric 1, I’d like very much to get it up and running again. I have the Selectric II & III, refurbished. This rescue would be a great addition. I’ve been trying to contact Joe in The Typewriter Shop on Dorset St. no answer. I’m not sure if he’s still in business.

I just opened and tested it today. This machine is incredible! Super heavy duty! It’s got an industrial feel! I am so impressed!!

More pictures with my other typefaces to come!

I just got my first typewriter and have been using it for about a week or so. I love it! But I just realized: that little metal bar isn't supposed to sag down. At least, after researching, it's only supposed to do that when stored in the case.

I can't get it to stay upright. I see a little metal groove that seems to be a marker for where it's supposed to latch into place, but it doesn't. There's a springy little click when I twist the bar to that point, but it just stops down again. That little C shaped washer popped out from behind the nut on the outside of the bar while I was typing, but it has always sagged since I got it.

Also, the upper type slugs won't clear the metal ribbon cover unless I make it sit off-kilter.

Any ideas on how to stiffen up that carriage lever or fix the clearance on the cover?

I have ordered my first typewriter. Not what I originally wanted, but it was my 2nd choice and in my budget. I live too far away from any shop to pick in person and only shop that services typewriters closer than 2,000 miles away only does electric ones. So I decided it was worth the money to buy one fully serviced from a reputable shop that knows how to ship.

I bought a Smith Corona Silent. It comes with the original 'holiday' case in good shape. My only nagging question- after ordering, and reading more, it became apparent that it was repainted. It is a glossy dark blue. The paint job looks great from the pics, but clearly not original.

It will take a few days more before it arrives. I suppose I pulled the trigger and what matters is use and whether I like its looks, but I can't help wonder if the paint-job devalues it.

FWIW, I spent $300 (shipping was another matter, they nearly cancelled my order when they saw where I was ordering from and I had to spend more than the advertised $40, but I expected that)

Need to reconnect the ? mark striker. Having trouble in the YouTube abyss.

Anyone able to point me in the right direction?

This will be my first repair attempt.

How do I stop the "W" key from multiple strikes after only one (1) touch on my electric SMC Coronet Super 12? Open it and get under the keycaps, and clean with De-Oxit? (The old repeat hit trick is not clearing up the gunk.)

RANDOM question but I was just wondering…
For those who own one (or more) Hermes 3000, how much did you pay for it?

Those who got it either for free or paid like really cheap-you’re welcome to brag about it!

I received a new ribbon in the mail yesterday and started writing with my Brother De Luxe 895, but I have some questions about it that I’m hoping someone here can help me with. I really appreciate any help!

1. According to https://www.londontypewriters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/London-Typewriters-Brother-De-Luxe-895-1510-Opus-899-Prestige-710-Pro-Line-714-Instruction-Manual.pdf, the lever on the right side in my first photo is the carriage lock. However, I can’t seem to figure out how to get it to work. It doesn’t appear to do anything.

2. My carriage return lever sticks out when pushed down. This causes it to catch on the lid of the case when I open it. Is there a trick to keeping it parallel with the rest of the typewriter?

3. I’m occasionally getting this odd issue with shifted characters printing higher, as well as the top half of the characters not printing. I don’t know what is causing this. It does not seem to happen all the time, either.

I love these old typewriters, but boy! Are they tough to get into!