Searching for a good beast in Pica or other 10-pitch.  This is for working (typing) not display, thus need something fully operable, preferably in fine cosmetic condition as well.

Would like to catch a Royal FB, possibly Olympia SG1. Hermes, or Adler.  No junkers please.

Probably not interested in an electric machine unless I could test drive first.

Located in northern Michigan USA.  Would rather not ship but will consider if you know how to package properly. 

Looking forward to your responses.
Yuiop
 

Thanks Rob.  I found those two links very useful.  Only wish I had gotten interested in these machines when there were still a few to be had at reasonable prices.  I'll be keeping my eye out for all of those office manuals mentioned.  I don't know that I've ever seen any of them except the SG3.

 

Problem was in the tab brake, but not with the little brake pads as expected.

The four pie-shaped segments that hold the actual brake pads are made from a pot metal-like material.  That material deteriorates and develops cracks,  The metal expand when they crack.  Two of them were pressing hard against the housing of the brake mechanism and prevented its free-spinning when the tab key is depressed. 

Best solution would be to either find replacements for the pie-segments or throw the cracked pieces out and abandon the brake function.  I chose to discard two of the segments that were cracked and file the surface of a third so it does not bind on the housing. 

I'm not sure the two segments I returned to the mechanism are effectively "braking" the carriage movement or not.  To guard against possible slamming of the carriage, I set several tabs across the travel to avoid that problem.

About the time I got this fixed I remembered that years ago I had the same problem with an Olympia office manual from the same area.  At that time I was able to find an entire new brake assembly and simply replaced the old one. 

I Just searched and read a couple of threads on this forum regarding a sluggish tab.

Am convinced my problem is the tab brake.  Thanks to photos posted on earlier threads, I see where it's located.  However, I don't know how to go about removing it.  Another fellow from CT was wondering the same thing a few years back, but I didn't find any follow up to his post.

Has anyone here tackled this problem of brake removal?   If I can remove it, possibly I can replace the cork brake pads, as one member was successful in doing.

Thanks for your input.
 

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More commonly known as the Underwood Five.  15” platen. Elite type. Everything appears to be working. Serial # 921XXX.Back space and shift lock sticky/slow.Platen is clean and intact buy very hard.Machine is not hog-pen filthy, but needs cleaning. I am located in northern Lower Michigan (48750). Not able to ship unless buyer sends me the appropriate boxes/packing. Weight of machine is approx. 35 pounds.Price:  $75