Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Skyriter Addiction



As it arrived via U.P.S.

Great packaging.  Gives mine a run for its money.

The typewriter.  And I have received most of mine in a large Priority Mail box.  In fact I have even told sellers to save money to put Skyriters in a Priority Mail box.

The case gives a hint to the condition of the machine.

The machine is a bit dirty.

My test page

Inside is not all that dirty.  Only stiff type bars and linkages.

My Skyriter shop. 
Missing the logo on the paper tray.  Any body have one they want to part with?
Correction:  It is a tie.  The number of Hermes 3000 machines is 5.  I forgot about the one I just returned to the shop to repair a sticky key.

Hermes 5

Skyriters 5

Too bad the Skyriters do not all have different typefaces like my Hermes'.

17 comments:

  1. They are great little machines. If I include my Zephyr, I've got 3 of 'em myself.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I only have the paper holder plate on one of my Skyriters, they seem to go missing a lot, since they just pop off.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I almost bid on that one myself. Did you see the Sears one with no case? Shipping was way too high on it. I can't recall what it was on this one but it must have played a part in deterring me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do not recall the Sears, but I saw an Olivetti Studio 44 without the type bar / ribbon cover that I wanted for parts. It went for an Ebay price, way too much.

      Delete
    2. I think the description had very sticky keys or something as well as their photos made it look in much worse condition.

      Delete
    3. The Sears is a Tower Attache, ending this morning. I guess I should have gone for this one. It looks like a good bikecasting tool.

      Delete
    4. One reason I like Skyriters and my Montana. Great fit in my rear panniers.

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. I need a dedicated work bench for typewriters. Doing mechanical work on my electronics bench is ruing my very expensive anti-static pads. Then I won't have static from my Skyriters! (ha ha ha)

      Delete
  5. 5 Skyriters? And I thought I was obsessive with my 3 Studio 44's. But really, I understand loyalty to a particular model. It gives more satisfaction.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Agree with Ton. Now I don't feel as guilty for having three Lettera 32, all of them with different typeface and keyboard layout!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Skyriters are good little typers. What will you do with them all?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I cannot get the escapement working on the grey machine on the left of the bench it may end up on Ebay as a parts machine. I already put it original platen on another older one so I have a paper gage. I may swap the escapement mechanism from the latest one I bought to the grey one and if it works put the original platen back on it.

      Delete
  8. There are worse addictions than the Skyriter. I'm holding out for finding one in good condition in the wild.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm glad I'm not the only one. I may have you beat currently if I include my Chieftain, totaling six skyriters. One is for parts though. But never seen one with the chrome label. Hmmm will be looking now.

    ReplyDelete
  10. That is a nice packing job! I wonder why the 2 ive gotten from shopgoodwilk had awful packing. Guess it just depends on the employee who packs it?
    And btw Bill - im slowly starting to want a skyriter... the one I have is made in england, so I think id want a proper one made in the usa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bought several machines from Shopgoodwill.com and all were packed similarly.
      This happens to be the Skyriter I passed on to antoher Typosherian and the only typewriter I ever shipped that arrived damaged. I did not pack it like Shopgoodwill, I used air pillows and the US Post Office. 1. never use air pillows. or 2. never use the Post Office.
      UPS 100%, FedEx ground 100% USPS I have received 90% but send success was 0%.

      Delete