Typewriters

[theantithesis]

Because I'm me, I'm thinking of getting a typewriter. It'll likely go unused. Let's be real. But I kind of like the idea of having one.

The problem is, which one to get. Typewriters stopped being a viable industry in the 80's/90's and it was dying that whole time. Yet, they still make them. But since it isn't a large industry anymore, the quality on new typewriters has gone way downhill. Cheaper parts, thinner metal, plastic, etc. And still a brand new 2026 typewriter will be just south of $300.

This means vintage is the way to go as a decent vintage can be at that same price point and old typewriters were built to last. (Although they can run over a grand for some models. But then you have the problem of any vintage mechanical device: how well was it taken care of and when was the last time it was serviced? I'm pretty sure my parent's generation would say, "What do you mean getting a typewriter serviced?" So, any old one would mean a service/repair project for which I have no room in my life. Once serviced, it should last and be relatively easy to maintain, lubing the various joints and whatever.

But I just want something that works and that appears to not be an option unless I'm willing to part with at least $500+ for one that claims to have already been serviced vs. $250 for one that may not work right out of the box.

I suppose it's a matter of waiting to see what comes up. Deals don't grow on trees.

All that said, researching what's out there I kind of fell in love with the look of the Olympia Traveller de Luxe.



It has a neat boxy design that I appreciate and it's an ultra portable, meaning smaller and lighter than most typewriters. I'm unlikely to lug it all the way to the coffee shop, but it will take up less room in my crummy apartment.

I don't know. Anyone here still use a typewriter? Any opinions?

[aitm]

Yes, get one of those 30 pound Royals. Drag that puppy into the coffee shop, but first let your eyebrows grow out, get a goatee and start pounding on that rattling old bitch with an evil look and watch em scatter. LOL.er I mean LOLOLOL…..

[theantithesis]

I'll need to grow stronger to move one of those.

That won't be happening.

[theantithesis]

Picked this up today for $38. 1972 Smith Corona Sterling. One year younger than I am. All metal shell, so better than the Corsair Deluxe my mother used to have with its plastic shell. This sucker is heavy. I'm not sure, but it might be 15-20 lbs. (just attempted to weigh it on my bathroom scale and it comes to about 13 lbs)

Slightly better than the typewriter I saw on ebay. SCM is a solid brand, although this was made after electric typewriters were taking over and word processors were going to completely crater the typewriter market. So, quality may have started to slip, so this may be the tail end of what's worth getting.

As you can see, this will be a restoration project. The key levers are all bent. I looked at some pics of this model on the typewriter database and thought it might be an attempt at ergonomic keyboard, but no. They just tend to bend that way. Probably that drop in quality I had mentioned. The other noticeable problem you can't see is it reeks of WD-40, which is apparently a bad idea for typewriters. I'll need to do more research (now), but it's said that typewriters do not need lubrication. I know that sounds weird for a mechanical device. But that's the advice I've run across so far. Oil attracts dust, I guess. At least it doesn't stink of cigarettes.

[Cassia]

You plan to use character recognition software eventually?

[theantithesis]

Maybe. Or maybe I'll just retype it into a word processor once I have something worth doing anything. Another step that is an opportunity to revise.

[aitm]

“Revisions” are the death of books. No matter how many times you may revise it, if you want it published it will be revised by others till you either don’t like it, or it goes back to the original version that you thought was perfect at the time.