Made a post in the "Parts" section late last night (00:15:47). Was able to edit it just now (14:01:05). Considerably longer than 15 minutes.

I recently acquired a rather nice Olympia SM3, perfectly functioning (with an elite italic typeface!) in every respect except for one: I can't set the right margin. Or rather, I can set the margin, but it doesn't do me any good.

Looking into the carriage, I noticed that the right margin stop looks to be missing (not broken, missing -- the two screws aren't even there) a small piece of metal that attaches on the back and hangs below the stop. This bit of metal is the thing that actually catches the center block and hits the little arm that dings the bell.

Much obliged if anyone has a spare parts machine they're willing to cannibalize. Thanks!

Photo from the underside looking up:

I replaced the platen on one of my Lettera 32's. Typewriter Database says it should be 32mm thick. I bought some A82 Shore neoprene tubing with an OD of 1.25" to slide over the platen core. However, the ID of the tube was too big for the core (1" v. 0.9333" or so), and I had to buy heat shrink tubing to bulk up the core diameter. Ended up using two layers, but could have gone with three.

Worked out well enough. It's much quieter and the type impressions are a little richer. Cost of everything shipped was <$30.

Tried to source metric rubber tubing from Aliexpress and other foreign sites, but didn't have any luck finding anything comparable.

Uwe wrote:

You answered your own question: the decimal tabulator. I can't stress how nice it is to have an SG1 with the paper rest; because it's adjustable, you can set it for your paper length and thereby know in advance how close you are to the bottom edge of the page.

Unfortunately, the SG1 with the paper rest sold before I was able to get to it. Ended up with the Super de Luxe instead. It's in pretty decent condition -- minor rust on the chrome(?) parts, no dust on the inside -- and the type impression is excellent. Going to address one or two sticky keys later this week.

For such a big machine, it sure has a small typeface -- about 12cpi. I like how easy it is to remove the carriage (12").

Serial number comes in at 7-202791 -- which would put it between 1957-1958 if I'm reading the Typewriter Database correctly. Any significance to the "7.6" superscript to the left of the "Super de Luxe"?

I bought my first typewriter a little over a year ago. I was looking for an Olivetti Lettera 32 to keep a journal and write short stories with. Cormac McCarthy used one, so I assumed it was a decent place to start. My options locally were non-existent or overpriced -- and they were all beat up Royals and Underwoods anyway. Craigslist proved equally fruitless, so I decided to take a look on eBay.

Wow! I wasn't about to spend $120+ on a typewriter, especially my first one. So I decided to research a few other typewriter models and discovered all the notable typewriter blogs and the rest of the Typosphere. I then created a list of 3 different models that were appealing and started looking for a deal...

I ended up purchasing an Olympia SM9 for $30 shipped. It was an "Or Best Offer" situation on a typewriter that was listed with one photo, a wide carriage and a four paragraph warning about the machine being "as is" and not wanting to deal with "picky" and "fussy" typewriter collectors.

To my relief, I received the machine in great condition. In fact, it's the only machine I own that hasn't required treatment with mineral spirits, PB Blaster, an air compressor or minor "forming". I gave the case a wipe down with bleach wipes, cleaned up the shell with some Dawn, and installed a new ribbon. I think it was made in 1967(?) and is still the best feeling typewriter I own.

Until about a month ago, the Olympia SM9 was the only typewriter I owned. Then, after a string of interesting coincidences (Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon?) I came to own five more machines, including two Lettera 32's (which I had wanted all along).

1) Olympia SM 9 (1967?, W. Germany) - Standard typeface, 11cpi. Solid base, great touch. Of all my machines, if I had to write a 1,000 page novel, this would be the one to do it on.

2) Olivetti-Underwood 21 (1963?, Barcelona) - Techno typeface, 11cpi. Put a purple ribbon on it and the type impression is amazing. Rich, full and no fading whatsoever. Too bad it's s