 |
| This is what the machine looked like when it arrived. It's difficult to see the mildew on the keys from this view. |
 |
| Mildew covered keys. |
 |
| After cleaning, not perfect, but not filled with dirt. |
 |
| There are several cracks similar to this all over the platen |
 |
| Olympia's unique method of keeping the key tops parallel to the desk while typing. |
 |
| Rubber grommets and washer from Ace Hardware |
 |
| These are the springs that adjust the shift tension. |
 |
| I have these pulled quite taunt with a bit to spare |
 |
| I used a dial calipers to set both sides the same. Counting the exposed threads will work fine too. |
 |
| The vinyl on the case was in bad shape and peeling. I removed it and left the wood as it was found. I was going to sand and re-varnish it, but it looks fine as it is shown. |
 |
| Hint. Look at the end of my workbench -- previous post. |
Thanks to Nick Beland for the escapement rail information.
The post on his blog is
here.
I have many more photos taken while this machine was being repaired. I may post all of them directly to the typewriter repair site Nick is building or post them all here in a future post.
All's well that ends well!
ReplyDeleteYou probably saw my tips on tweaking these guys:
http://writingball.blogspot.com/2013/10/help-create-great-typewriter-repair.html
By the way, I don't think the keys stay parallel to the ground. I believe the springs under the keys are supposed to make them finger-friendly. But they are so taut that really there is no discernible effect.
Great machine, though!
Richard,
DeleteI remember your post. I'm unsure where I read about the key construction. I think that is where I got the staying parallel. I don't notice any difference in using the SM4 or any of my other typewriters other than the overall feel.
It's so interesting to hear about these restoration jobs. I keep going back to look at those pretty brown key caps.
ReplyDeleteI wish this were a white one. The keys really look great on the white SM4. I like mine a bit better than the dark grey, but then there are the maroon, green, and I think a yellow version.
DeleteI've got an SM-4 on the way via eBay, and no doubt I'll be applying some of the knowledge you've gained.
ReplyDeleteI hope your SM-4 arrives in fine condition so you do not need to go through the frustration I did. I do not recommend bending and tossing.
DeleteWow, Bill, your patience paid off! You went to some lengths to wind up with a great working machine. Well done!
ReplyDeleteAnd @ Richard, thanks for the link on how to tweak these SMs!
I wanted to post more of the project, but it was getting too long. This post is already about 3 months or more late. I finished the SM-4 in June or July.
DeleteI'm saving this post in this list of repair posts. It's a great story! I might have given up too soon to get it working...I'm going to re-think some of my old forgotten projects, now.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick. I'm sorry I did not go into the detail I originally intended. I have quite a few more photos and detail on taking the carriage apart. The thing I found is that the pressure rollers are impossible to remove.
DeleteTriumph clutched from the jaws of disaster - well done Bill. I wonder if the unguarded underside of the machine might have led to the space bar's distortion? The case looks good too. I think you just proved that Olympia SMs are bomb-proof.
ReplyDeleteWeird thing is everything looked normal when I first inspected the machine before taking the covers off. Worse yet, I have no idea how I managed to repair the problem. I definitely not recommend twisting and bending stuff out of frustration.
DeleteGoodness me Bill, you really do a fabulous job of restoring these old beauties. I saw an exhibition of restored vintage cars last weekend and they made me think about your old typewriters :)
ReplyDeleteI used to do cars before I got married. I love car shows. Restored or customized cars. Glad you thought of typewriters while looking at cars.
DeleteShall we coin a new phrase: "Bend It Like BillM"? :D
ReplyDeleteThat's good Ted.
DeleteWow, that took a lot of perseverance Bill, good for you. A friend recently gave me her 1961 SM4. I was very lucky, all it required was some cleaning and replacing the washers at the bottom to fix the sticking carriage issue. Works great and looks great!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed that post. Thanks for taking the time.
ReplyDelete