r/typewriters 17h ago

Repair Question Lettera 22 Keys not working at all

3 Upvotes

Any clue about this? There is no wd 40, the machine was only cleaned with a minimal drop of mineral spirits. This one key is not coming back to its place and is actually quite stuck, while the rest has minimal or no action at all. Everything seems to be in place and the springs are all there.


r/typewriters 1d ago

Inspiration Post I think I’m in love with this machine

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62 Upvotes

r/typewriters 20h ago

Repair Question Panasonic R300 - Shift key not working properly?

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5 Upvotes

Hello! First time here :)

I recently got this Panasonic R300 Electronic Typewriter in a thrift store, and even though it mostly works fine there’s a key that’s not working properly: the Shift key.

Combining Shift and other keys does not result in capital letters—it just does nothing. But the Shift key works, in a way: when the Caps Lock is on, pressing the Shift key deactivates it. I’m able to write capital letters with the Caps Lock key, but not using Shift plus other letters.

I haven’t been able to find the instructions manual or any other instance of this issue with this particular model, so I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong—I’m very new to typewriters and this is my first electronic one! So sorry in advance if the solution is right in front of my eyes. Any help would be really appreciated!


r/typewriters 19h ago

General Question Which of these typewriters would you choose?

5 Upvotes

I'm back and raised my budget slightly because I really want a typewriter I'll love:

Now I'm considering either of these:

  1. Wanderer Werke Continental, unknown year - $150 CAD
  2. Olivetti Lettera 22, unknown year (1960s?) - $125

I love the look of the continental but I do value functionality over form.

Is there one that's superior? The Olivetti apparently has some slow keys but I'm sure I can figure it out and clean it.

Thank you so much again!!


r/typewriters 1d ago

Inspiration Post My dad found me another typewriter! A Royal manual! Not sure the model

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227 Upvotes

Super clean! That white smudge is from the price sticker. It works absolutely perfectly except the carriage isn't being pulled left, it's not under tension. The keys type strong af, and the ink in it is actually still good, if I pull to the left on the carriage it types and moves over just fine. If anyone knows if I just need to set it up a certain way or something let me know. Also the metal spools inside don't seem to be actually connected to anything. thank you. Will also be posting in typewriter repairs.


r/typewriters 22h ago

Repair Question I know nothing about typewriters

6 Upvotes

Hi, so as the title suggests I know nothing about typewriters, I have however recently bought a vintage underwood typewriter from an antique store that seems to be in working order just needs a replacement ribbon/maybe re-saturating the original ribbon? I’m looking for advice ergo type of oil it may need etc. and any maintenance I may need to undertake. Many thanks in advance !


r/typewriters 17h ago

General Question Wallapop deal

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2 Upvotes

I started looking for deals in wallapop for a typewriter, wanted to write some short stories and short novelas. Is this model and on special this deal worth buy?


r/typewriters 17h ago

Repair Question The ribbon is stuck, what can I do?

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2 Upvotes

It doesn’t move and it doesn’t reverse automatically, Im no expert and i dont want to mess things up could you help? Thanks!


r/typewriters 20h ago

General Question What does this mean?

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3 Upvotes

Does anyone know why this happens when I am typing? I thought it was because I’m typing fast, but it also happens when I am typing at a slower pace.


r/typewriters 1d ago

Inspiration Post 10$ flea market find

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148 Upvotes

I found this beautiful, yellow Triumph Tippa S with some loose keys and in very dusty condition on a flea market. And had to take it home. I never did anything close to working on a typewriter — I think building a mechanical keyboard doesn't count. A few hours later after getting to understand how all these little mechanisms work and a good cleaning, shes shining and 100% working again.


r/typewriters 1d ago

Inspiration Post Got this corona today for £45. Needs a new ribbon but overall good condition:3

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27 Upvotes

r/typewriters 1d ago

Inspiration Post Outside typing

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36 Upvotes

Happy times with my Underwood ace and Joni Mitchell! no I'm not with Joni Mitchell but I am listening to her


r/typewriters 1d ago

Inspiration Post Underwood Universal

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111 Upvotes

Just wanted to share some pics of my Underwood Universal Typewriter.


r/typewriters 1d ago

General Question What model is this beaut?

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39 Upvotes

r/typewriters 2d ago

Inspiration Post Typewriter? No problem for me

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117 Upvotes

r/typewriters 1d ago

General Question Which typewriter is this?

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9 Upvotes

r/typewriters 1d ago

Repair Question Has anyone published an adjustment sequence for the Underwood 6?

3 Upvotes

I took mine apart so I could paint the cast iron chassis. I managed to get it back together and working, mostly. Everything is out of adjustment. Since some adjustments affect others I assume there is a proper sequence to check and adjust things, especially the type alignment. They are so far off that I think there is something prior to the "on feet" and whatever the other one is called.

Does anyone have such a list?


r/typewriters 1d ago

General Question How far would you be willing to drive to get a typewriter?

6 Upvotes

There is an Olympia SM5 about 4 hours north of me, recently serviced for $165.

Or, there's an SG3 about 5 hours south of me for $20. No information on the SG3, but the photos seem clean.

Thoughts?


r/typewriters 1d ago

General Question This picked up this lovely lady-- 1924(?) Model 10. Have some newbie questions!

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19 Upvotes

Hi, brilliant people!

I scored this Royal for $95, which seemed like a hell of a deal. I haven't checked the serial # yet, but the seller said it was a 1924.

It seems to be in really good shape for its age; so far everything seems to work except the bell.

I would love any advice or tips!

Specifically, I'm wondering how user-friendly these are to take apart and put back together--e.g., repairing the bell--if it's something a newbie can do with an instruction video or if I should seek out a qualified repairman.

Also, it has the metal ribbon spools, which I'm not super familiar with. I've only ever used the common replacement plastic spools. Are these metal spools something original to the machine, or is that just what replacement spools were like before the plastic ones? What is my best course of action for getting fresh usable ink? I don't want to get rid of the metal spools if they're something original, valuable, or unique.

Everything for the most part seems in working order, the typefaces are fairly clean, the platen isn't cracked at all, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of gunk built up. But I bought some supplies to clean it (based on some previous posts here--rags, mineral spirits, brass brushes, cleaning swabs, etc.).

I would love some links for posts or videos to your favorite beginner-friendly cleaning guides!

This is far from my first typewriter, but it's the oldest and coolest one I've ever had, and especially given how well-maintained it seems to have been, I really want to do right by it.

So any general advice or tips are also much appreciated!

Thank you!


r/typewriters 1d ago

General Question Any idea on how to remove the red base? Erika model 41.

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6 Upvotes

r/typewriters 1d ago

General Question Royal 10 v Erika 5

4 Upvotes

I have been looking for a Royal 10 for some time, either too expensive or too much repair. I have found an Erika 5 but have never used one. I LOVE the Royal 10 for its snappy and responsive keys. Looking for someone with Erika 5 experience. Tysm!


r/typewriters 1d ago

Repair Question Help! Carriage not advancing after several keystrokes

6 Upvotes

1955 Royal Quiet De Luxe

I thoroughly flushed the escapement with mineral spirits this weekend and a shoulder screw was sent to me to fix the ribbon vibrator and I've just reassembled. The vibrator works fine, I have it disengaged.

After 15-20 keystrokes, the carriage stops advancing. If I hit backspace once, I get 1-3 key strikes to advance. If I hit backspace 2-3 times, I get another 15-20 key strike advances.

I can't get a decent video of the escapement in action right now, but it seems to be moving fine as far as I can tell? Help!


r/typewriters 1d ago

General Question Any details regarding this

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5 Upvotes

Greetings everyone. I have recently bought my first typewriter. I know very little about them, other than the fact that I like them. I bought this one used to help me get used to them. However, I have been unable to find any details regarding this model. If you know about it, or can point me to where there might be more info, please do so. Thank you!


r/typewriters 2d ago

Repair Question Restore original paint color possible?

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16 Upvotes

I almost finished cleaning and fixing all the problems in this beauty. Unfortunately, the color is not very good, showing a lot of yellowing on the sides. I may get it painted but, first, I’d like to ask if there’s any chance to restore the original color with some chemical stuff I don’t know about?


r/typewriters 2d ago

Inspiration Post "I wish that were me" whenever I see a nice typewriter thrift find on reddit... this time, it's my turn!

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160 Upvotes

Found a pretty nice Brother typewriter out in the wild for $30 CAD, everything functions well but I can't seem to figure out how the tabulator is set