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Type Talk » How many machines do you have? » 04-3-2018 12:16:59

Javi
Replies: 20

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20 machines in 2-3 months is quite impressive! Now, as for the questions...

Right now I have 192 typewriters. The last one is a Königer Eurographic, and shortly the number will be reduced to 191 because I have a Corona Special ready to be given to my uncle. I´ve never sold any of my typewriters (in fact I´ve only sold a mechanical calculator, a Summira 7) and my repairing abilities have improved over time. Collecting since 2012 and still going on!

My favourite machine... If I can pick two of them these would be the one I started collecting with, my grandfather´s Olivetti Linea 98 and the Continental Silenta. The first has great sentimental value and at the same time its fast and suits my typing better than anything else I´ve tried so far. The latter is the perfect balance between engineering and performance while still looking awesome.
 

Maintenance & Repairs » HELP! I am a beginner and went to far with taking apart a Remington » 04-12-2017 09:59:22

Javi
Replies: 8

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This happened to me with an Antares S20 Efficiency, and I had to take it to the repair shop. The good part is that the typewriter ended up fully restored and I learnt a couple of things in the process.

Everybody starts from scratch, so you can expect to make mistakes (as I´m sure everybody here made and still make), but seize the opportunity and learn something from it. Everything has a good and a bad side!

The bad side of this is that quite a few typewriters have reached the end of the line this way, though.
 

Maintenance & Repairs » Pros and Cons of using a Dremel » 04-12-2017 09:53:51

Javi
Replies: 5

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Thanks for the input! I´ve been thinking about it and finally a decission has been made:

No Dremel for now.

I think I won´t use it enough to justify the expense. Yeah, it could be useful in some cases, but not enough to make me buy it. Buffing discs can come in handy, but as far as I know they don´t last long and the wet foil is working wonders on my Smith Premier 10-A. I´m testing various things on that poor thing, and so far I haven´t needed a Dremel for anything. And should the need come, I can scrounge a Dremel from a friend for a while. Even if the risk of damaging something is not that high, the problem is that I don´t really need it (even if it could come in handy).

What I´ve found EXTREMELY useful is an air compressor. I´ve finally had it repaired and it´s saved me a lot of time. What it asks in return is a good headache. It´s so noisy!

Maintenance & Repairs » Pros and Cons of using a Dremel » 29-11-2017 12:50:19

Javi
Replies: 5

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I´m thinking about acquiring a Dremel, and I´m wondering whether it´s a good idea to use it on typewriters or not.
I mean, the main use I can come up with is removing rust from REALLY rusted parts and at least in theory it could save me a lot of work. But I´m worried about several things:

- Wouldn´t it be too easy to damage something?
- Wouldn´t it be, as we say, killing flies with a cannon? (Too powerful tool for the job)
- I´ve heard Dremel polishing sets vaporize upon using them for seconds. Are they worth it or it´s better to go on with the wet foil trick?

The final goal of everything is trying to bring a rust bucket back into decent shape, but in the middle there are many typewriters which need repairs. After all, it can be summarized as whether a Dremel is worth it or not.
 

Type Talk » Help Selecting a First Typewriter for a Child » 29-11-2017 12:03:07

Javi
Replies: 13

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The Olivetti Lettera 32 is a great choice. Affordable, light, sturdy and overall great quality. I´d go for that one
I was given a Nakajima 8000 when I was 10 or 11, and it´s still there, but I wouldn´t reccomend it. As for truly tested typewriters, I´d go for the Olivetti Studio 44. My grandpa had one, and my dad and his 4 little brothers used and abused it for years. Now I have that typewriter, and it´s alive and kicking! The bad part is the size, weight and availability.

Type Talk » The Death of a Typewriter » 26-10-2017 06:56:53

Javi
Replies: 51

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Fortunately the "author" has removed it, so nobody else has to see it again. The bad part, though, is that the typewriter is beyond rescue.

Type Talk » Have you ever given a name for your typewriter? » 20-9-2017 06:50:51

Javi
Replies: 23

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I try to name my typewriters, but only about one third of them have "their" name. I mean, I try to give them a proper name, something that says about the machine or how I perceive it. In fact, finding a name for a typewriter is quite entertaining. Some typewriters almost shout it in your face, but others remain silent. If someone has read Bleach, it´s a bit like getting to know your Zangetsu.

For example, right now next to me at my workplace I have a little army of them, and the names go like this:

- Sedens (Smith Corona Standard)
- Metropolis (Underwood All-Electric)
- Bug (Olivetti Valentine S)
- Asterion (Patria)
- Eneomaos (Remington Vertical Adder 21)

And apart from these, another 7 unnamed machines.

Type Talk » Possible Acquistions Thread » 13-9-2017 05:11:21

Javi
Replies: 209

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The Remington 10 is quite pleasant to use if it´s complete. I love the feeling of the typeslugs "flying" towards the platen. The typebars are noticeably longer than those of the Underwood 3 / 5, and since they´re all but covered you can see them tracing these loooong arcs as you type.

Even if it needs some work (i.e. cleaning, nothing too serious) it´s always nice to have one of these. I sepak from my experience with my Remington 10, and since it´s not that uncommon the price is attractive. Well, at least it´s VERY attractive for me since most of these in Spain hover around the 100€ mark no matter the condition. You can easily find a thrashed one at 150€ and a pristine one at 100€, but rarely a working one for less than that.

I mean, if I didn´t already have one I´d get it. I really like fair priced and competent typewriters

Type Talk » What is your oldest usable machine? » 06-9-2017 13:03:07

Javi
Replies: 6

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Let´s see... First the usable ones:

1909 Fox 23.



In PERFECT condition after being serviced by Pascual and Alberto. A true pleasure to type with!

1915 Remington 10:



Surprisingly, it came in good condition. Somebody must have taken care of it at some point, because even the ribbon is fine. Another joy to use!

1916 Underwood 3:



Not usable at first, but it´s one of these machines I feel proud of because I made it work! I must say it was easy-peasy, mostly owing to the legendary durability of the Underwoods. Not as satisfying to use because its so... modern. Works flawlessly, and for sure you wouldn´t say it´s 100+ years old.

And as for non-working machines...
1912 Smith Premier 10-A. Everything works fine, but it needs thorough cleaning, a new ribbon and a new spacebar. I think I can tackle this one on my own.
1913 Bennett Portable. A Bennett will never be usable, period. Mine is fine as it is, because everything is in place except for the missing paper bail.
191X Diamant: A paperweight. I´m not sure about the date so it could be newer than other 1910´s typewriters I have (Adler 7, Royal 5, Continental Standard), but it doesn´t work and I´m in no hurry to have it repaired.

And finally, a special mention for a parts machine 1914 Underwood 5.

Type Talk » Recent Acquisitions Thread » 03-9-2017 12:47:25

Javi
Replies: 1977

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Uwe wrote:

Not a Lettera 22. Not even an Olivetti. From what I can see it looks like there's an Antares under the hood.
 

That makes sense... The machinery is much more like that of the Antares S20, but that brings another question. My Underwood 18 has this badge on the back:



Olivetti and Underwood, righ. Related. But how gets Antares into the mix?
 

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