What kind of ribbon should I look for that will work with my typewriter?

The M J K and L are a little stiff. The rest is alright...

... do I need yet another typewriter? Dealer said its 30 €

It's been beautifully restored and I love it!

Looks rough? $13. I don't have a standard yet. It looks hard to fix.

It looked cute on pictures.

but It is not a cute typewriter.

It is a beautifully cute typewriter :-P

Hermes baby.

It’s full of dust and rust, I think ribbon has no ink and bell can’t ring(I think springs are too old).

But I got it for less than 20$, so don’t have any complaints, just trying to experiment with typewriters…

I think it’s Brother Young Elite from 1967, this thing is 2.5 times older than me if that’s the case.

Trying to get the keyboards working is harder than I thought, you need to press it real hard lol, I think I need new ribbon and clean it. But I have no idea where to start even cleaning this thing... platen? I think? the rubber thing that grabs paper is disintegrating too...

Also I thought this was a plastic made, until actually saw it in real life and realized it was heavy enough to be considered personal defense weapon... probably still lighter than most other typewriters maybe

Anyway I'm going to try experimenting with this thing and learn some basics, I do think this is perfect for that

This is my first attempt at ever looking into fixing up a typewriter so please bear with me if the terminology isn’t correct 😅. The left drive moves great, the right one doesn’t move at all, there is zero give… I mean zero movement. I haven’t opened it up yet but as far as I can tell from the top view everything looks like it’s in good shape (no bent or broken or missing parts). Could it be as simple as lubricating the gear? Seems unlikely just based on how stuck it feels compared to the left, which spins freely.

In the interest of helping us all understand these mechanical beasts a bit better, I've put together this interactive "Typewriter Anatomy" tool.

Based on the feature-rich Smith-Corona Super Silent, I've made an online diagram that you can click on to identify parts and learn about their use.

Not sure how helpful it'll be to the seasoned users of this group, but mostly I wanted something to point people to when trying to describe typewriter parts and their purposes.

I just made this live, so if you have the time to try it out I'd greatly appreciate any input or feedback on it.

Thanks!

I need to tune the typing experience on my Royal Futura 800. I know some of you love this machine, but my Futura is almost unusable. I have to get violent with the keys and really stomp on them to get any imprint on the page. I’ve cleaned it thoroughly, replaced the ribbon, and searched online extensively for further adjustments, but none have made much difference. It feels like a labor to use it, and I really want it to function after working so hard on it.

(I also completed a major repair using a product called SteelStik. Through considerable trial and error, I managed to build two new teeth on the starwheel to replace two that had broken off. Doing the detailed surgery deep in the machine was challenging, but very satisfying now that the escapement works again.)

SO -- can you suggest any further fixes or ways to tune it, or other resources, videos, etc. that might make my Futura easier to use?

Just purchased my first typewrite for $100 at my local antique shop, and I'm trying to find out exactly what year and model it is.

Serial Number: G1348154

While taking photos, I caught "CHAMPION" engraved on the space bar. After brief research, it seems to have been made during the WWII era, and may have even been used (& preferred by the US Military). Anyway, I just want a run down on how to use it properly and keep up with maintenance. She's got a bit of oil built up and some dust between her gears. So if there a safe, delicate, detailed way to clean this, I'd appreciate the know how.

I'm looking forward very much to writing on this. I intend to write a book.. but I had a post thought- how efficient is that? especially if I want to self publish. Do I just write freely on this, create the second draft on the computer, then revise & edit later?

any help on these topics would be greatly appreciated. Warmly welcome my Champion :)

Looks like it needs a 1/4 in ribbon. The cartridges are expensive and hard to find so I'm trying to just open up the cartridge and refill it manually? But it looks like most ribbons are 1/2 in? Where do I find 1/4 in ribbons?
I would just use thermal paper but I want something that'll last a long time.

Just received yesterday my first typewriter and a new ribbon. I love it !!

Started with some poetry… (will you find my mistake ?)

Hi everyone! I saved this Underwood Standard 5 from the skip the other day! in pretty rough shape but it’s still a very handsome machine and seemed to deserve better than being chucked away.

Can anyone advise me on the likely year of manufacture please?

It’s very rusted and the keys are sticking at the top when pressed. I also have no idea whether it’s complete apart from one missing key, or is lacking more parts (not au fait with typewriters at all). my aim would be to find someone who’d like to restore it and pass it on to them, but would it even be possible to restore this please?

thanks for any help!

Remington is a work in progress still, but i thought maybe a small (cheap and absurdly commen) collection would have its place somewhere on this subreddit

Enjoy! (Most of my children have already been sold btw)

Hi! I got this typewriter after I found it in my grandfather's house, and I have the intention of making it work, cleaning it and hopefully put it to use.

I've googled ABC typewriters and haven't found a picture of this exact model nor have I been able to find out where to find a serial number or the name of the model, I'm trying to find it out to see if maybe I can find a more specific "tutorial" on how to use this model.

It also comes inside a suitcase and, after looking around, it looks like I can't take it out of it.

Anyway, I'm asking for help in identifying it and if anyone knows any YouTubers or someone who explains how to use them, thank you in advance!

We found this at the scrap yard, I’ve always wanted a type writer and couldn’t pass it up. The keys are jammed we are going to do our best to clean it up and get it unjammed any tips on how to get it functioning?

UPDATE! WE GOT IT WORKING JUST NEEDED A KICKSTART!

My dad recently gave me this Olympia Traveller de Luxe made in Yugoslavia, and I’ve completely fallen in love with it. I’m 20 years old and knew basically nothing about typewriters before this, but now I’m fascinated by the sound, the mechanics, the carriage movement, the ribbon system, and just the whole feeling of typing on it.

I’ve actually started using it as a personal diary instead of writing by hand. There’s something really satisfying and alive about typing on a fully mechanical machine.

The typewriter itself works surprisingly well, but the ribbon is very old, dry, stretched, and worn out, so the letters sometimes print faintly or partially. I cleaned the type slugs using rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush, which helped a bit, but I haven’t lubricated anything because I’m scared of damaging it.

I’m also kind of broke at the moment, so I was wondering:

- Can old ribbons be improvised or temporarily revived?

- What kind of oil/lubrication is safe for these Olympias?

- Are there beginner-friendly servicing tips?

- Is the Yugoslav-made Traveller de Luxe considered a good model?

- Are there any cool modifications people do to these?

I’d really love to learn more about typewriters in general because this machine genuinely made me interested in old mechanical engineering and analog technology.

Here are some photos of it:

Aslo there is one levee i couldnt udeestand what it do and how you use it properly

It come as a surprise to many that I use a typewriter almost everyday in my day job. As a compliance inspector, it is one of my roles to issue disciplinary notices, something which for the sake of confidentiality and correct process would necessitate a return to the office to formally fulfil. The site may not have internet access, or I may not be able to directly link my laptop to the site printer.

This issue is neatly circumvented by producing a type-written notice on a standard template, and using a portable bar scanner to attach it digitally to my inspection reports. As a result, I can produce and issue these infringement notices within minutes rather than having to wait a few days, and being a physical form, it cannot be edited or changed following the recipient’s signature being applied.

The Erika featured above is my carry of choice. Being the most modern looking machine I currently have, and featuring a very standard Pica typeface, it fits well in my setting and produces clean results.

Does anyone else here use their machines in a professional setting?