I was much luckier than I initially thought when I stumbled upon this model of machine in its case at a nearby thrift store, and got it for under 10 bucks. I know nothing about typewriters and wasn't interested in them, but I thought of a fun use for one and bought it like three hours ago. Inspected it and slowly figured out the drive belt and motor are broken/loose/something. But this was a great video & intro to the machine and leads me to believe I can fix it! Much more excited now for my new typewriter and can't wait to (eventually) type on it. Other people in this comment section have been hugely helpful as well, seems like a good community you got here!
I just got one of these today, and to be honest, it wasn't typing well, and the return wasn't going down the page. I applied some lubricant to most of the moving parts such as the carriage, and the type bars and it sorted it out! Works perfectly! I'm used to my manual Imperial 201, so it feels completely different using a powered typewriter, but my word is it fast. Thank you for the video, it helped me understand the features of my machine better!
Joe... funny! I got one of these for $10 with a SMC Galaxy 12 (it had some broken plastic pieces)...but the Olympia Reporter was in excellent shape. However "THE DRIVE BELT" was very poor (old).. Couldn't find it anywhere. I even called that famous typeweriter shop in NYC, and he said they no longer make belts. SO ingenuity took hold and I found an acceptable replacement. Go to ACE hardware... you need to go to the sink/faucet section and find the Aqua Pure water filter O-Rings and find the big one. It is supposed to be used on the canister type water filters. Guess what... I bought one and put it on the pulleys for the drive/motor...and it worked perfect!. I since gave the machine away to a neighbor... so not sure of durability, but it sure looked great...did not get hot... or slip. It was almost a factory part equivilent. Good Luck EDIT> you don't need the belt with the "teeth" the O-ring fit perfect in the pulley slot. I also had to adjust the letter height and there were two screws which easily adjusted the alignment of the letters. And I confirm.... the Reporter is extremely light and fast, fast.
The German-made Olympia Report Deluxe was the typewriter that put me through my first few years of college. I loved that typewriter and they are still popular. I haven’t used the Japanese made Olympias, but they look good.
Thanks for the detailed video, Joe! Just what I needed! I just bought one yesterday and sounds like I'm lucky it's got a good drive belt. The uppercase letters have dropped, so I'll be checking those adjustable screws. I do like electric typewriters - I like the idea of having some sort of progression/development in my collection, even when others think they are not as nice to look at. I also have an Adler Gabriele Electric and an SCM XL2900 (Electronic). I appreciate the distinction you make between type bar electrics and others. My SCM is more like a dot-matrix printer with a keyboard (slightly terrifying)! Electronic machines were so far removed even from the electric ones.
In 1981 after my Smith-Corona 5TE(I believe E = "Electric"?) was destroyed in a fire, I bought a brand new Olympia Report Electric. Unlike my other Smith-Corona 5 manual which has never yet seen a typewriter shop, the Olympia had problems with carriage return in my 2nd year with it, space bar failure in 5th year & again in year 6! Even my parents felt "Enough!" & gave me a word-processing typewriter for college graduation. I never had trouble with type-bar machines; I even bought another Smith-Corona 5TE on Ebay a few years ago just for nostalgia! Smith-Corona typewriters have always been reliable for me.
Thank you so much for this video! I had this exact model laying around (my grandpa used to use it) and I really wanted to try, but I needed that little extra understanding of how it works. After all, we don't grow up using typewriters anymore, do we. This video really helped, thank you so much!
Very interesting on the OLYMPIA Type ("R"?) Machine. I'm pretty sure I rented something like it back in the early 80's but it was a much larger "desktop" office model, I think? Long time ago and my memory fades with the elapsed time. I'm relearning the "art" of typing on a REAL typewriter again. (Not too easy as I approach my sixth decade of life... YIKES!) One thing I DO appreciate about the "electrics" though IS their ease of use and the reduced pounding both my aging fingers and wrists take when using them versus my treasured, relable, "totally off the grid" MANUALS. Hey? I'm dealing with NY energy prices here! Gotta save someplace! Plus, believe it or not? I actually get an amazing "workout" in my writing sessions too! Especially those nasty "inspirational" binge ones! You know? Where the idea HITS and you just can't STOP til you "drop" and you've captured it completely? Oh yeah... Lotsa fun! PS: I'd love to hear your opinions about a true hybrid of sorts I bought back in 1988, just after I became a newlywed... A PANASONIC WORD PROCESSOR. This machine (I've still got the original plus a second hand one my late wife found much later at a "rummage sale".) was a real workhorse for me as a journalist and my late wife, the real scholar in the family. She was very upset with me when I brought the original home having spent about $600.00 plus sales tax to do so at "CRAZY EDY'S"! However? It was an amazing tool! In addition to my "creative efforts", she earned TWO of her four MA's using it! The only problem? While the screens and keyboards continued to work flawlessly on both, the 3.5" FLOPPY DISK storage components failed! These were nice, compact, desktop, "ALL IN ONE" machines, way before the PC's really took off and unfortunately sealed their fates beccause of a perceived "obsolescence"; much like their older siblings the true, dedicated TYPEWRITERS. Neither of us needed the multitasking capabilities of a PC at that time. Just a good, 100% reliable machine to compose our work on which would then "SAVE & PRINT" out our hard copy originals. That was what the PANASONIC did for us, flawlessly, in over a decade of HARD service. However, it did have a few quirks... Unlike today's "load it and forget it" printers you had to babysit the PANASONIC while it was operating and feed in EACH page of paper! It would "AUTO STOP" and wait until you did and then push "PRINT" to restart it again, happily picking up exactlywhere it had left off. (As you can imagine THIS could be a bit tiring and annoying especially if the "document" in question was a LOOOONG one! Like a term paper.) I've tried to find someone, anyone who'll fix the "FLOPPY" drive but so far? No luck. Even the "AUTHORIZED DEALERS" and the PANASONIC factory representatives still around haven't helped. Any suggestions would be most welcome. (Other than "INVEST IN A NEW PC, MAC, and PRINTER.".) THANKS! Yours Sincerely, John C.Bojemski Yonkers, NY. johncbojemski@gmail.com
Floppy drives are kinda tough, from my experience what gets to them is just lack of lubricant and dirtiness. If you can get it out, I would suggest cleaning the head, and very sparingly lubricating the contact points on the metal mechanisms with white lithium grease on a cotton bud.
What you doing with my Grandma typewriter LOL, this was the typewriter she had and my mom would use it all the time for college. So that meat that me at 8 years old it became my first experience to a typewriter and as I got older I would ask Grandma if i could borrow too. I also remember the black/white ribbon and it work great. I'm not big on electronic typewriters but if i was going to get one I get this one. Thanks for doing a video on this one :)
I would look for the adjustment that allows you to move one of the pulleys (probably the motor one) that will take up the slack in the belt. I'll check the service manual and see if I can't find it.
I actually loosened the motor mounts and slid it back as far as the slots permit, but the belt is still too loose. Also experimented with various elastic bands, which worked sort of, but their elasticity caused typing problems. I'll have to find a vee belt of soft rubber that's the right size.
I used the electric type bar machine in college. If given a preference, I would not use them again. The manual typewriter, in my opinion, has a more calming rhythm than the electric ones.
Hi Joe- Thanks for this video! I have an Olympia SM3 and would like to get a pad to help with slipping. Looked online but thought that I would check with my typewriter guru to get his opinion before buying:) Thank you.
To help with slipping, don't spend much money, just get a thin rubber mat, or the textured shelf liner, anything thin and rubbery that grips well on smooth surfaces.
wow, you have vexed me with this delightful model! please post the model no. and as much info as you can on your machine. it is impossible to find!! what a machine!
Joe, I bought one of these online and it has a cracked/dislocated plastic part over the right platen knob. Do you have suggestions with regard to getting the right knob off so that I can repair the part? I found no screws so would it just screw off?
In the market for a giant IBM Selectric. While I figure out how to get one locally so it doesn't have to be shipped, found one of these on Goodwill for a steal.
I was wondering if anyone has ever been able to locate a copy of the original “Operating/Instruction Manual” for this Reporter model??? I have scoured the Internet and have not been able to find anything……
It has been a while but it may be the Culligan O-ring. Same idea it's for a wate filter. www.acehardware.com/departments/plumbing/faucet-and-faucet-repair/o-rings/46766 It was a two pack $3.59 you stretch it over the pulleys and it fit perfectly in the slot. I am almost certain this works. Brand Name: Culligan Exterior Diameter: 4-3/8 in. Material: Rubber Number in Package: 2 pk Shape: Round Wall Thickness: 1/8 in.
@@Joe_VanCleave Please post if you are successful. Hope it works. The Reporter is a zippy machine! I found I could type on it (accurately) as fast as my computer "clicky" keyboard.
Hi Joe - I’m not sure if you’ll still be checking the comments, but I just dug up my dads report electric (slightly different than this model you show), and am having problems with it - when turned on, it whirs and the shift/space/tab/backspace all work, but the actually keys won’t type. A search of other troubleshooting videos makes me wonder if the belt on the left needs to be fixed or replaced, but my biggest issue is that I can’t seem to figure out how to take the top of the machine off to take a look! Do you have anything that shows how to take the cover off? Thank you!
IIRC, flip it over (onto a soft towel) and take off the screws on the bottom. That should enable you to remove the top shell, but you have to work it off around the carriage.
I just purchased a Reporter and it was delivered, and for the most part appears to be in near mint pristine condition. After it was delivered I tested to be sure it was functioning properly and then just did a moderate cleaning of the outer case and platen. Inserted a new ribbon an then typed on it, let the motor run, etc. I now see that there is a slight difference in type alignment. I believe that the plastic on the setting points has disintegrated. I found a couple of tiny amber colored pieces in the case, which are very similar to an issue I have with an Olympiette SEP that also needs realignment. Any advise on DIY repair? The sole repair place in my area has apparently closed so unless I ship I am stuck.. Thanks
You will have to do an adjustment to the "on feet" and "motion" to get the upper and lower cases to be realigned. These are set setscrews with locking nuts that set the upper and lower position of the segment. You can find them by removing the chassis from the body and seeing where these set screws limit the upper and lower extent of travel.
Hello Joe. Nice video, as always. Were you able to fix the problem with the carriage return not working all the way? I have a similar problem with the carriage return of my Silver Reed Electric 2200. I installed a new drive belt (a repurposed rubber O-ring), but it turns out that the electric motor is not strong enough to pull the carriage back all the way. It only pulls it back a couple of inches. After that it grinds to a halt and does not have enough torque to overcome the strength of the coil spring that pulls the carriage to the right. I suspect it is the because the insulation of the copper wire windings has aged, but have not been able to open it for inspection. Otherwise the typewriter is in perfect condition. I would be keen to know your experience with the Olympia Reporter. Thanks,
@@Joe_VanCleave hey thanks for your vid, especially your vote of confidence re electric vs manual towards the end.. just about to purchase one, talked the seller down from $80 to $65 (cdn $$) and its mint -- "brand new" according to vendor, very little hum when plugged in -- so I'm pretty stoked (even if I can't type near as good as you hahha hmm, and on a related note...no daisy wheel, and clearly says REPORTER :) thanks again for the awesome tour!
There were some early motorized versions in the early 20th century, but the IBM Model A I think was the first successful one, based on a Remington electric, starting in the 1930s. IBM continued with electrified type-bar versions, including the Executive model, until they introduced the Selectric in the early ‘60s, but even after, the Executive continued because it featured proportional spacing.
I was just gifted a Silver-Reed 8650 from a group of very thoughtful students. I opened it up because it wouldn’t tape, and found that the drive belt has turned into a big, goopy, melted mess. Any idea what I might use as a replacement?
This is basically the same as a Swintec 3300C... I know because I got one for free recently, had to replace the belt and clean it up. They're very quick typers, but the build quality is not that stellar, especially compared to my Hermes 10.
The levers that move to print the characters when you press a key are called type bars. The characters are printed by type slugs at the end of each type bar.
While interesting, and having some great features, this does not appeal to me. I seem to be stuck in the 60's manual typewriters era instead. The problem with this is the plastic parts - which seem a lot less durable. It is akin to a quartz watch over a mechanical auto. In 100 years, will it still be running? Also, there is the tether to the power, and the hum of the motor. Lastly, if there is a fault with electricity, it can be dangerous. So, I think if I want most of the features here I'd jump this and go to a computer - with an IBM Model M buckling-spring "Clicky keyboard", of course!
I was much luckier than I initially thought when I stumbled upon this model of machine in its case at a nearby thrift store, and got it for under 10 bucks. I know nothing about typewriters and wasn't interested in them, but I thought of a fun use for one and bought it like three hours ago. Inspected it and slowly figured out the drive belt and motor are broken/loose/something. But this was a great video & intro to the machine and leads me to believe I can fix it! Much more excited now for my new typewriter and can't wait to (eventually) type on it.
Other people in this comment section have been hugely helpful as well, seems like a good community you got here!
I just got one of these today, and to be honest, it wasn't typing well, and the return wasn't going down the page. I applied some lubricant to most of the moving parts such as the carriage, and the type bars and it sorted it out! Works perfectly!
I'm used to my manual Imperial 201, so it feels completely different using a powered typewriter, but my word is it fast.
Thank you for the video, it helped me understand the features of my machine better!
Joe... funny! I got one of these for $10 with a SMC Galaxy 12 (it had some broken plastic pieces)...but the Olympia Reporter was in excellent shape. However "THE DRIVE BELT" was very poor (old).. Couldn't find it anywhere. I even called that famous typeweriter shop in NYC, and he said they no longer make belts. SO ingenuity took hold and I found an acceptable replacement. Go to ACE hardware... you need to go to the sink/faucet section and find the Aqua Pure water filter O-Rings and find the big one. It is supposed to be used on the canister type water filters. Guess what... I bought one and put it on the pulleys for the drive/motor...and it worked perfect!. I since gave the machine away to a neighbor... so not sure of durability, but it sure looked great...did not get hot... or slip. It was almost a factory part equivilent. Good Luck
EDIT> you don't need the belt with the "teeth" the O-ring fit perfect in the pulley slot. I also had to adjust the letter height and there were two screws which easily adjusted the alignment of the letters. And I confirm.... the Reporter is extremely light and fast, fast.
i also replaced the belt with a silicone hair band also works great
I picked up one of these for $10 at Goodwill a few months ago. Cleaned up quite nicely, and one of my favorites.
lucky!
The German-made Olympia Report Deluxe was the typewriter that put me through my first few years of college. I loved that typewriter and they are still popular. I haven’t used the Japanese made Olympias, but they look good.
Thanks for the detailed video, Joe! Just what I needed! I just bought one yesterday and sounds like I'm lucky it's got a good drive belt. The uppercase letters have dropped, so I'll be checking those adjustable screws.
I do like electric typewriters - I like the idea of having some sort of progression/development in my collection, even when others think they are not as nice to look at. I also have an Adler Gabriele Electric and an SCM XL2900 (Electronic).
I appreciate the distinction you make between type bar electrics and others. My SCM is more like a dot-matrix printer with a keyboard (slightly terrifying)! Electronic machines were so far removed even from the electric ones.
In 1981 after my Smith-Corona 5TE(I believe E = "Electric"?) was destroyed in a fire, I bought a brand new Olympia Report Electric. Unlike my other Smith-Corona 5 manual which has never yet seen a typewriter shop, the Olympia had problems with carriage return in my 2nd year with it, space bar failure in 5th year & again in year 6! Even my parents felt "Enough!" & gave me a word-processing typewriter for college graduation.
I never had trouble with type-bar machines; I even bought another Smith-Corona 5TE on Ebay a few years ago just for nostalgia! Smith-Corona typewriters have always been reliable for me.
Thank you so much for this video! I had this exact model laying around (my grandpa used to use it) and I really wanted to try, but I needed that little extra understanding of how it works. After all, we don't grow up using typewriters anymore, do we. This video really helped, thank you so much!
Very interesting on the OLYMPIA Type ("R"?) Machine. I'm pretty sure I rented something like it back in the early 80's but it was a much larger "desktop" office model, I think? Long time ago and my memory fades with the elapsed time. I'm relearning the "art" of typing on a REAL typewriter again. (Not too easy as I approach my sixth decade of life... YIKES!)
One thing I DO appreciate about the "electrics" though IS their ease of use and the reduced pounding both my aging fingers and wrists take when using them versus my treasured, relable, "totally off the grid" MANUALS.
Hey? I'm dealing with NY energy prices here! Gotta save someplace! Plus, believe it or not? I actually get an amazing "workout" in my writing sessions too! Especially those nasty "inspirational" binge ones! You know? Where the idea HITS and you just can't STOP til you "drop" and you've captured it completely?
Oh yeah... Lotsa fun!
PS: I'd love to hear your opinions about a true hybrid of sorts I bought back in 1988, just after I became a newlywed...
A PANASONIC WORD PROCESSOR.
This machine (I've still got the original plus a second hand one my late wife found much later at a "rummage sale".) was a real workhorse for me as a journalist and my late wife, the real scholar in the family. She was very upset with me when I brought the original home having spent about $600.00 plus sales tax to do so at "CRAZY EDY'S"! However? It was an amazing tool! In addition to my "creative efforts", she earned TWO of her four MA's using it!
The only problem? While the screens and keyboards continued to work flawlessly on both, the 3.5" FLOPPY DISK storage components failed! These were nice, compact, desktop, "ALL IN ONE" machines, way before the PC's really took off and unfortunately sealed their fates beccause of a perceived "obsolescence"; much like their older siblings the true, dedicated TYPEWRITERS.
Neither of us needed the multitasking capabilities of a PC at that time. Just a good, 100% reliable machine to compose our work on which would then "SAVE & PRINT" out our hard copy originals. That was what the PANASONIC did for us, flawlessly, in over a decade of HARD service.
However, it did have a few quirks...
Unlike today's "load it and forget it" printers you had to babysit the PANASONIC while it was operating and feed in EACH page of paper! It would "AUTO STOP" and wait until you did and then push "PRINT" to restart it again, happily picking up exactlywhere it had left off. (As you can imagine THIS could be a bit tiring and annoying especially if the "document" in question was a LOOOONG one! Like a term paper.)
I've tried to find someone, anyone who'll fix the "FLOPPY" drive but so far? No luck. Even the "AUTHORIZED DEALERS" and the PANASONIC factory representatives still around haven't helped.
Any suggestions would be most welcome. (Other than "INVEST IN A NEW PC, MAC, and PRINTER.".)
THANKS!
Yours Sincerely,
John C.Bojemski
Yonkers, NY.
johncbojemski@gmail.com
Floppy drives are kinda tough, from my experience what gets to them is just lack of lubricant and dirtiness. If you can get it out, I would suggest cleaning the head, and very sparingly lubricating the contact points on the metal mechanisms with white lithium grease on a cotton bud.
What you doing with my Grandma typewriter LOL, this was the typewriter she had and my mom would use it all the time for college. So that meat that me at 8 years old it became my first experience to a typewriter and as I got older I would ask Grandma if i could borrow too. I also remember the black/white ribbon and it work great. I'm not big on electronic typewriters but if i was going to get one I get this one. Thanks for doing a video on this one :)
Hi! I just found into my grandparents house this model. I heard the noise on... but the keaboard is block! They say it usually work....
I would look for the adjustment that allows you to move one of the pulleys (probably the motor one) that will take up the slack in the belt. I'll check the service manual and see if I can't find it.
I actually loosened the motor mounts and slid it back as far as the slots permit, but the belt is still too loose. Also experimented with various elastic bands, which worked sort of, but their elasticity caused typing problems. I'll have to find a vee belt of soft rubber that's the right size.
I used the electric type bar machine in college. If given a preference, I would not use them again. The manual typewriter, in my opinion, has a more calming rhythm than the electric ones.
Hi Joe- Thanks for this video! I have an Olympia SM3 and would like to get a pad to help with slipping.
Looked online but thought that I would check with my typewriter guru to get his opinion before buying:) Thank you.
To help with slipping, don't spend much money, just get a thin rubber mat, or the textured shelf liner, anything thin and rubbery that grips well on smooth surfaces.
wow, you have vexed me with this delightful model! please post the model no. and as much info as you can on your machine. it is impossible to find!! what a machine!
Very nice. There's one on eBay right now for $5 but no type test or indication of function other than "works great"
Joe, I bought one of these online and it has a cracked/dislocated plastic part over the right platen knob. Do you have suggestions with regard to getting the right knob off so that I can repair the part? I found no screws so would it just screw off?
In the market for a giant IBM Selectric. While I figure out how to get one locally so it doesn't have to be shipped, found one of these on Goodwill for a steal.
Never tried one. Looks interesting. It would have to be amazing to supplant my IBM Selectric!
I was wondering if anyone has ever been able to locate a copy of the original “Operating/Instruction Manual” for this Reporter model??? I have scoured the Internet and have not been able to find anything……
It has been a while but it may be the Culligan O-ring. Same idea it's for a wate filter. www.acehardware.com/departments/plumbing/faucet-and-faucet-repair/o-rings/46766 It was a two pack $3.59 you stretch it over the pulleys and it fit perfectly in the slot. I am almost certain this works.
Brand Name: Culligan
Exterior Diameter: 4-3/8 in.
Material: Rubber
Number in Package: 2 pk
Shape: Round
Wall Thickness: 1/8 in.
I’ll try it, thank you!
@@Joe_VanCleave Please post if you are successful. Hope it works. The Reporter is a zippy machine! I found I could type on it (accurately) as fast as my computer "clicky" keyboard.
@@Andykev it worked, I’m making a follow on video, will credit you. Thank you!
@@Joe_VanCleave It's nice to return the favor, for all that I have learned from you. That is the best part, sharing info!
Hi Joe - I’m not sure if you’ll still be checking the comments, but I just dug up my dads report electric (slightly different than this model you show), and am having problems with it - when turned on, it whirs and the shift/space/tab/backspace all work, but the actually keys won’t type. A search of other troubleshooting videos makes me wonder if the belt on the left needs to be fixed or replaced, but my biggest issue is that I can’t seem to figure out how to take the top of the machine off to take a look! Do you have anything that shows how to take the cover off? Thank you!
IIRC, flip it over (onto a soft towel) and take off the screws on the bottom. That should enable you to remove the top shell, but you have to work it off around the carriage.
I just purchased a Reporter and it was delivered, and for the most part appears to be in near mint pristine condition. After it was delivered I tested to be sure it was functioning properly and then just did a moderate cleaning of the outer case and platen. Inserted a new ribbon an then typed on it, let the motor run, etc.
I now see that there is a slight difference in type alignment. I believe that the plastic on the setting points has disintegrated. I found a couple of tiny amber colored pieces in the case, which are very similar to an issue I have with an Olympiette SEP that also needs realignment. Any advise on DIY repair? The sole repair place in my area has apparently closed so unless I ship I am stuck.. Thanks
You will have to do an adjustment to the "on feet" and "motion" to get the upper and lower cases to be realigned. These are set setscrews with locking nuts that set the upper and lower position of the segment. You can find them by removing the chassis from the body and seeing where these set screws limit the upper and lower extent of travel.
@@Joe_VanCleave Thank you!!
Hello Joe. Nice video, as always.
Were you able to fix the problem with the carriage return not working all the way?
I have a similar problem with the carriage return of my Silver Reed Electric 2200. I installed a new drive belt (a repurposed rubber O-ring), but it turns out that the electric motor is not strong enough to pull the carriage back all the way. It only pulls it back a couple of inches. After that it grinds to a halt and does not have enough torque to overcome the strength of the coil spring that pulls the carriage to the right. I suspect it is the because the insulation of the copper wire windings has aged, but have not been able to open it for inspection. Otherwise the typewriter is in perfect condition. I would be keen to know your experience with the Olympia Reporter.
Thanks,
Yes, I installed a new drive belt and all is well!
Where did you aquire it and a amazing typewritrr
also, your model reads 'reporter' ; all others i search for say report deluxe... your thoughts? great channel
They marketed a variety of machines with similar names over the years. The Report Electronic was a daisy wheel machine made by Nakajima, for example.
@@Joe_VanCleave hey thanks for your vid, especially your vote of confidence re electric vs manual towards the end.. just about to purchase one, talked the seller down from $80 to $65 (cdn $$) and its mint -- "brand new" according to vendor, very little hum when plugged in -- so I'm pretty stoked (even if I can't type near as good as you hahha hmm, and on a related note...no daisy wheel, and clearly says REPORTER :) thanks again for the awesome tour!
@@UrbanFlute Congrats, I hope you get lots of good writing out of it.
@@Joe_VanCleave hhey thanks...pick-up today, whoo-hoo!!
Joe, what years did the electric typebar typewriter begin at and end at? Thanks
There were some early motorized versions in the early 20th century, but the IBM Model A I think was the first successful one, based on a Remington electric, starting in the 1930s. IBM continued with electrified type-bar versions, including the Executive model, until they introduced the Selectric in the early ‘60s, but even after, the Executive continued because it featured proportional spacing.
Type-bar electrics ended in the 1980s when daisywheel electronic machines took over.
I was just gifted a Silver-Reed 8650 from a group of very thoughtful students. I opened it up because it wouldn’t tape, and found that the drive belt has turned into a big, goopy, melted mess. Any idea what I might use as a replacement?
Actually, disregard this question. I found a perfectly sized o ring at the hardware store!
I was going to say try the hardware store.
Carriage looks same as the new Royal Epochs.
This is basically the same as a Swintec 3300C... I know because I got one for free recently, had to replace the belt and clean it up. They're very quick typers, but the build quality is not that stellar, especially compared to my Hermes 10.
How do you use numbers and capital letters
Use the shift or shift lock keys to access both capital letters and numbers. This is different from the way computer keyboards work.
can you explain why it is called a type-bar machine?
The levers that move to print the characters when you press a key are called type bars. The characters are printed by type slugs at the end of each type bar.
And where did you get korrect o type tabs
Here's one place: www.ribbonsunlimited.com/1ESBL-10-Cover-Up-Tabs-10-Pack-2X3-p/1esbl-10.htm
While interesting, and having some great features, this does not appeal to me. I seem to be stuck in the 60's manual typewriters era instead. The problem with this is the plastic parts - which seem a lot less durable. It is akin to a quartz watch over a mechanical auto. In 100 years, will it still be running? Also, there is the tether to the power, and the hum of the motor. Lastly, if there is a fault with electricity, it can be dangerous. So, I think if I want most of the features here I'd jump this and go to a computer - with an IBM Model M buckling-spring "Clicky keyboard", of course!
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