Michigan Typochondriacs at Kazoo Books in November

1922 Corona 3 that spent its life in the NYPD

Brother Charger 11 from 1973 that recently became part of my collection

Adler J4 from 1966. This is one of the best typers in my collection.  Typing action is super nice and the carriage return quite light and very silky smooth. 

Recently restored Hermes 3000 from 1967.  Like all the square body Hermes 3000 neat looking, but nothing to brag about for typing.  It was also missing both platen knobs.

Olympia SM8 from 1966.  This one is quite nice to use. It is not as stiff as most of the Olympia typewriters I've used.

This SM9 was made in 1969.  It is nice to use, but not as fast as an H3k.  Typing action is much like the rest of the Olympia SM9 models.  This one has Professional Elite typeface.

Neat thing about typewriters is that each of them have their little quirks.  Each typist has their favorite, even among similar models of the same brand.

The little Corona 3 is fun to use, but not a typewriter I'd like to use if I had several pages to type.

The Brother line of typewriters always seems to be satisfactory for almost any typing. I like the small machines like this Charger 11 (along with Smith-Corona Skyriters, Hermes Rockets (Baby), and a few other small portables) for travel.  The snap-on cover or case makes these typewriters nicely suited for travel.  The typing action of the Charger 11 is not quite as nice as a Skyriter, but overall not a typewriter to be left behind for a trip or a bit of bicycle typing or typing in the park.  I prefer the integral case/cover to the luggage style zipper case of the Valiant or the Olivetti Letter 22 or Lettera 32 although I like that the Lettera models have tabulators.

The Adler J4 seems to be one of the models that does not get much mention on line.  I really like this one.  I should use it more often.  Touch is really nice, and carriage return is almost effortless.  The carriage is also very easy to remove and reinstall.

Hermes 3000 typewriters are what they are, mostly over rated.  Seems people either love them or dislike them.  I've never been impressed by the square body models even though I have 7 of them with various typefaces. 

The round body ones seem to be the nicest typers with a nicer action than the square body ones.  Both styles seem to be quieter than other typewriters.

There are references on line that the mechanics are the same between the round and square body ones.  Well, if that were true shouldn't all the parts (but the covers) should be interchangeable? They're not.  The basic design may be very similar, but not fully parts interchageable.

I do like the sleek style of the square ones and the close tolerances of everything from how the ribbon cover fits to the just enough clearance for the carriage return arm to travel above it to the quietness of its action, and it also has an integral lid/cover which makes it a nice full featured portable that is quite near an office machine.

The SM8 is one of my favorite Olympia typewriters.  This one has a very nice action.  It is noisier than either the J4 or H3k, and about the same as the SM9.

The SM9 is a nice typewriter also, but not as fast as an H3k or the many other typewriters.  I like the typeface on this one, but not the zipper case.  Zipper cases are one of my pet peves of poor excuses for a typewriter case.

Both, like most Olympia typewriters I've used, are nice to use, but easily out typed.  I prefer the SM3 and SM4.

We meet again in December.  If you are local stop by and try the machines. You may be surprised as which ones you prefer over others. They are all nice, and all have similarities and differences. Each gathering also has a gathering of different makes and models of typewriters.

Like New Olympia SM-9 Thrift Shop Find

As I entered the local Salvation Army store I spotted this neat looking box sitting on the front counter. I sprang from the door and flew across the isle, pushed in on the buttons and threw open the top.

When what should by wondering eyes behold but a like new SM-9 all shiny and bright. It smelled of the factory and glistened all white like snow, the keys were quick and smooth and the bell rang out at the end of the line. AH! I must have this!. 

It followed me home all anxious to work. I inserted the only paper I could find close by. After all I'm in the garage.  I spun the paper into the carriage and pressed the keys with delight.  This is one SM9 that is a fantastic typewriter. (I have no idea why I took the image with the paper bail up)

As I read over this I discovered I negated impress (!impress as a spontaneous (but wrong) corretion) but the sentence is correct none but those impress me.  The SM7 and SM9 typewriters I have used, and those I have never did impress me as good typing typewriter.  This new one does impress me as a good typer.  

The only dirt seems to be the black on the segment and the mark on the 3 key top. There is a very minute amount of dust here and there and a tiny smudge on the edge of the ribbon cover.

1971

Sometimes there still are bargains.  Second cheap typewriter in 2 weeks.

I only went to the thrift store for a used oak table we found there a few weeks ago.  It was still there over the week end so I made a stop today.  I got the table and a bonus.

I only typed a few words on a small piece of paper out of my pocket notebook when I bought the typewriter, but I was so impressed I did not want to get the table and repair the power washer.

I brought everything home, setup the table, changed out the pump on the power washer, and cleaned the concrete around the house.

Then I picked up a Coors and found a sheet of paper, got out the typewriter, sat it on my Harbor Freight work stand I used for the power washer repair, and set out a chair.
 
When I sat at this typewriter and started to use it I wanted to keep it. I still want to keep it, but I'm sure it will need to go.  I have too many typewriters at the moment.  Then I do not have any that type as good as this one.

Even my Adler J4 is not as good as this SM9, and this SM9 platen is excellent.

Typing with this SM9 is the quietest of any of my typewriters.  I know if my neighbor is really interested in it I will be giving it to him.

This post replaced the post I had in mind on my Century's old typewriters.  I'll be doing that one in the very near future. 

Windows XP is about to die yet my Olympia SM9 Keeps On Typing & Olympia Typefaces never get obsolete

Enjoy the catalog.  I'll get a .pdf to the Typewriter Database in a few days.

Anyone ever see an SM9 that looks like an SM7?  In fact, if you look at the small photo in the corner it looks like a Monica (no tabulator). 

My SM9 with Professional Elite #41 listed in the ad above as Technical Elite #41, a different name for the U.S.A.?

More on the Facit TP2

Thought I'd leave the alignment testing on the first part.  Looks like the upper case must be lowered a bit, but first I must make a wrench.  A 5.5mm ignition wrench is just a bit too big. I need to grind the outside down a bit or find one that is offset and grind a part of it.  I left it alone rather than have the screws move while typing if I did loosen the lock nuts or worse yet, strip the corners off of the nuts.

This is the Facit TP2 cleaned and I thought ready to use, but the left margin shifts because the platen can move latterally just enough to cause mis-alignment.  I think I can fit some thrust or wiggle washers on the right end.  Poorly designed.

One thing I of which I am certain, the typewriter companies did not make as many spelling and typing mistakes as I make.

Maybe when I am finished with the repairs it will type as good as it looks.  Then it really does type nice.  It is the mechanical deficiencies that bug me.

Readers of this blog may recall this one when it was covered in mildew or when it almost ended up on the scrap heap.  The SM4 and Socialite are the fastest Olypias I have.  Both have a great touch and action.  The SM9 comes close, but not quite.

...And The Winner Is...A 1969 Olympia SM9 with #41 Professional Elite Typeface

Typeface identification courtesy of the Right Reverend Theodore Munk.

More on Professional Elite and an SM3 can be found here courtesy of Dwayne F.