Olympia SM4

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.

This is explained in detail in my August 9, 2013 post

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.

The Typewriter Behind the Logo

This typewriter was not all that dirty.

The type slugs were really filled with dirt, grime and old ink. The degree symbol must not have been used much as it was not filled with dirt.

pP, q, e, Dd, 9, g, etc. were especially filled.

The small keys on the very left and right of the top row are the TAB Clear and Set.

Margin settings are easily and clearly seen through the slots.  The left is not as visible in the photo as it is red.  I should have fill flashed it.

These are the margin stop setting buttons. They push in and slide.

With a bit more searching on line I found this page on Alan Seaver's Machines of Loving Grace.  It appears the Ace is a rebrand or different name for the same model.  I suspected Universal from looking at other typewriters and from what was on Will Davis's website and Alan's site I found a bit more information.

Scroll about half way down the page in the link to two newer brown and tan Underwood Ace typewriters.

A New Insignia and Garage Typing

I like to keep the shop nice and neat.

This is the coolest Underwood Insignia I have seen.

I noticed on at least one other blog an insignia like or near like this one.  I searched before making my post and did not find it.  There is a similar one on Machines of Loving Grace, but it does not have the Speeds The World's Business encircling the representation of the earth.

I like the action of my Underwoods best of all of my typewriters.  When I first started this blog I only had a Hermes 3000 and a Smith-Corona Classic-12.
Since the Hermes is quite revered in the typosphere I chose to head the blog with Hermes.  After a 2 years of the same I decided it is time for a change, and a much neater logo.  I wonder why Underwood went away from this one.