As I learn more about typewriters, I am discovering that some writers do not have "features" that some might consider essential.  For this post, I am talking about the keyboard area.  I compiled this short list of keys that either have to be there or should be there:

Shift lock (is it possible that some machines do not have this key?)
Tab, set, clear (I was amazed to learn that very portable writers may not have this feature)
Margin release
Ribbon colour

Touch selector (from what I read, this feature is often the first thing to break or is otherwise undetectable.  Does anybody love it?)

A numeral One 1 key ( I do remember the days of using the lower case l )

Three keys I am really liking on my modern Smith-Coronas:

Half-space
Power-space
De-Jam key

What do people consider are essential keys, and what keys do you like on your writers and look for in possible new acquisitions?

 

Thanks Pete, I had found those articles.  Seems odd that a writer would not have a Tab key.

Anybody know about the platens?

Thanks Pete, I tried again but I don't have the hand strength of Duane.  Now to figure out how to remove the lever.

I received a box from justonecable and rather than two cans of BlowOff I got two cans of MaxPro rubber rejuvenator.  As far as I can tell, they are the same product, correct?

As a newbie owing only one writer, I do need another one (or 17!!)  I grew up with manuals in high school and uni, must have used an electric once in a while in an office but have no memories of that.

I notice quite a lot of electrics for sale, but my gut feel is to avoid these because they could be perhaps impossible to repair should something go wrong.

For example, assuming a SC Coronet is in good working order, should I get it?  Or should I just keep looking for a (perhaps more reliable) manual of a good brand?