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15-6-2017 16:58:42  #1321


Re: Recent Acquisitions Thread

Just bought my first typewriter(s) a few days ago. Very happy thus far! 
Underwood is undering restoration. 
Adler Contessa is what I'm working on at the moment. 
Olympia De Luxe...a backup. You know--just in case.

 

16-6-2017 20:25:18  #1322


Re: Recent Acquisitions Thread

Hello and welcome to the forum!
What a nice set of machines you are starting out with !
I think I made a comment on the Underwood before but I'll say it again, "What a NICE machine that is"
I hope it works as well as it looks when it is returned from the shop.
A very eye catching color on the Contessa to go along with (her)  sleek body styling and of course the ever sturdy Olympia. Looks just like the one I have but mine doesn't have the paper gage yours does.
I prefer typewriters that are used and not just collected but, that doesn't mean they can't look great too.
Good job !

HABD!!

 

17-6-2017 18:39:36  #1323


Re: Recent Acquisitions Thread

Rattle-

thank you! I bought the underwood off of eBay and then I just couldn't stop. I've been on Craigslist and Etsy and local antique shops just snatching up whatever I can find. 
I think I got really lucky with my most recent purchase. This is an Erika Model 8 with a QWERTY keyboard. 
Of course I was hunting for the elusive model M but I couldn't pass this up with that keyboard.  

 

 

18-6-2017 08:11:10  #1324


Re: Recent Acquisitions Thread

schyllerwade, I saw one of those Erika Modell 8s on Ebay not too long ago and thought that it was quite a machine!
OliverNo.9

 

18-6-2017 10:04:17  #1325


Re: Recent Acquisitions Thread

Oliver--
yes I like it a lot so far. It has a pretty solid key action, and by solid I mean,--well it gives your fingers a workout. But in a way I like it, it makes writing feel a little more like hard work. As if because the task is a little more strenuous, the end product might be better because of it.
As well, I am aware that the 5,6,s,m models are the more sought after, but I have come across plenty of postings where people search for years before they find one with a qwerty layout. 
In terms of craftsmanship, I am blown away. 
Where other machines have a plastic switch, the Erika has a forged metal system of gears and levers. it just feels like it was built to a more precise set of tolerances. It's really a thing of beauty.

What are you using at the moment?

 

18-6-2017 11:14:27  #1326


Re: Recent Acquisitions Thread

schyllerwade wrote:

Oliver--
yes I like it a lot so far. It has a pretty solid key action, and by solid I mean,--well it gives your fingers a workout. But in a way I like it, it makes writing feel a little more like hard work. As if because the task is a little more strenuous, the end product might be better because of it.
As well, I am aware that the 5,6,s,m models are the more sought after, but I have come across plenty of postings where people search for years before they find one with a qwerty layout. 
In terms of craftsmanship, I am blown away. 
Where other machines have a plastic switch, the Erika has a forged metal system of gears and levers. it just feels like it was built to a more precise set of tolerances. It's really a thing of beauty.

What are you using at the moment?

schyllerwade, I have just over 20 machines and I try to use most of them regularly, except for the '15 Fox 24, and the Hammond 2.
Currently, I am using my '12 LC Smith no. 5, a personal favorite.
I have a '35 Erika Modell S with a qwertz keyboard but French accent keys and shift keys and backspace key written in French. http://typewriterdatabase.com/1935-erika-s.7283.typewriter

 

18-6-2017 14:11:28  #1327


Re: Recent Acquisitions Thread

Oh ok so you know all about them!
Wow that is very nice. I like the white keys with black lettering. That was one of the reasons I was drawn to the underwood models. I mentioned the Erika being hard to type on but I think I just have to get used to the mechanisms of typewriters (coming from mac computers). It seems like there's a sweet spot that doesn't require much effort and makes a clean impression too.

I too plan on using the machines I accumulate. I wasn't familiar with the LC smith but I googled it and it looks gargantuan lol a great looking machine nonetheless.
What is it that you like about it? Frankly I don't enough a big enough workspace for one of those behemoths but I can certainly admire them

 

18-6-2017 14:36:37  #1328


Re: Recent Acquisitions Thread

Schyllerwade, you're welcome.
I stopped at a large antique mall yesterday to check on the availability of the Olympia (FN ?) ultra portable that I had seen there two weeks ago and I did also keep my eye out for an Underwood just like the one you have.
I think there was one of those there a year or two ago but I passed it up at that time because I was looking for something a little more familiar and a bit less than the $280. price tag.
I did not see anything like it yesterday but there are certain booths there that have the good stuff like that quite often.
The Olympia turned out to be in need of a bit of work and my older son strongly discouraged me from it so we left it there.
However my younger son brought home a 50s era Remington Rand desk model for a whopping $12.
A pretty nice machine over all and although it needs a good cleaning and  a little touch up paint here and there, it types really well.
It has a 14" platen and the tiny 12 P type face that I think is odd to find on an office model but, I'm sure there was a reason for it at one time or another.
Anyway, he is pretty happy with it. He says that now that he has two Remington desk machines he can use them as book ends on his desk.
I'm going to encourage him to keep one of them on his dresser because it seems the only place his room stays clean, is where his typewriter is.........

 

18-6-2017 15:51:32  #1329


Re: Recent Acquisitions Thread

Hey Rattle!
Actually I've been meaning to tell you I saw the thread and you were actually commenting on someone else's underwear 3, LOL. But all the same. $280 is a lot. Not to mention it might still have been in need of additional work/servicing
I hope to never pay so much again

I have yet to attend some of the flea markets in my area but there are tons (LA)
Mainly because I need to write more and buy less (I should prob only ever have 2 max!)

What is an Olympia FN?
I am actually looking for an ultra portable but had my eyes set on a Hermes rocket or maybe a groma kolibri, although I'm not sure how portable the kolibri is by comparison.

 

18-6-2017 22:47:33  #1330


Re: Recent Acquisitions Thread

schyllerwade wrote:

Oh ok so you know all about them!
Wow that is very nice. I like the white keys with black lettering. That was one of the reasons I was drawn to the underwood models. I mentioned the Erika being hard to type on but I think I just have to get used to the mechanisms of typewriters (coming from mac computers). It seems like there's a sweet spot that doesn't require much effort and makes a clean impression too.

I too plan on using the machines I accumulate. I wasn't familiar with the LC smith but I googled it and it looks gargantuan lol a great looking machine nonetheless.
What is it that you like about it? Frankly I don't enough a big enough workspace for one of those behemoths but I can certainly admire them

schyllerwade, it is hard to explain the what I like about the LC Smiths. To me they are just nice, and fun, to use.
You mentioned that your Erika 8 is hard to type on. It may need to be cleaned. I would use some mineral spirits or denatured alcohol to clean the segment (the slotted piece of metal where the typebars are mounted). The Erikas, at least in my experience, usually have a light and smooth type action. It may need to be cleaned.
OliverNo.9

 

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