1 of 1- reakeener1970
- Novice Typer
Offline - Registered: 17-2-2016
- Posts: 28
1957 Olympia SM3 dimensions
In case anyone could use it, I measured the exterior dimensions of my 1957 Olympia SM3 so I can look into getting a heavy-duty Pelican case to protect it. Obviously it is not a perfect cuboid -- these are the maximum dimensions.
1957 Olympia SM3 exterior dimensions 5.75" tall x 13.5" wide x 12.25" front to back
(The 5.75" height DOES include the carriage return lever.)
If I figure out a Pelican case I will follow-up this post with that info.
I actually have several SM3's that I am refurbishing to sell but this one is my pristine baby that I use. As good as the old Olympia space-age looking silver plywood cases are (considering the damage some have obviously sustained while the typewriters inside are kept safe), I am constantly worried that the old plastic carrying strap will fail and disaster will result.
Despite my worries, I am planning on sanding the paint off one of the more damaged cases and varnishing it to see how it looks as wood instead of chipping hammered metal gray paint. Will post pictures if it happens. 
Last edited by Uwe (30-5-2016 19:38:09)
- reakeener1970
- Novice Typer
Offline
- Registered: 17-2-2016
- Posts: 28
Re: 1957 Olympia SM3 dimensions
Follow-up, FYI:
Pelican 1550 (with foam); dimensions below, weight with foam inserts 11.9 lbs (5.4kg)
- INTERIOR (L X W X D) 18.63" x 14.18" x 7.72" (47.3 x 36 x 19.6 cm)
- EXTERIOR (L X W X D) 20.66" x 17.20" x 8.40" (52.5 x 43.7 x 21.3 cm)
- •
Thread Starter- reakeener1970
- Novice Typer
Offline
- Registered: 17-2-2016
- Posts: 28
Re: 1957 Olympia SM3 dimensions
Or Starlight SC-071414ID: 7"D x 14"W X 14"L
(17.76 X 35.52 X 35.52 cm)Weight: 7 lbs
- •
Thread Starter- reakeener1970
- Novice Typer
Offline
- Registered: 17-2-2016
- Posts: 28
Re: 1957 Olympia SM3 dimensions
reakeener1970 wrote:
Despite my worries, I am planning on sanding the paint off one of the more damaged cases and varnishing it to see how it looks as wood instead of chipping hammered metal gray paint. Will post pictures if it happens.
Okay. So after two hours with 80-grit paper and a random orbital sander, I finally got the paint off the lid of the case (have yet to do the base). It is a pretty wood grain pattern underneath and I like that if I do this to more cases that they will all have unique wood grain patterns. I am not a carpenter or botanist, but I am guessing it might be pine or some evergreen based off it being fairly lightweight and, well, from Germany.
The hammered silver paint was very tenacious and obviously pretty durable.
I am now also considering doing 2-3 layers of fiberglass instead of varnish as that would probably still keep the wood pattern somewhat visible (like varnish) but provide considerably more impact resistance than varnish....
- •
Thread Starter- beak
- Key Master
Offline
- From: Qld Australia
- Registered: 24-3-2013
- Posts: 912
Re: 1957 Olympia SM3 dimensions
I never realised that those curvy SM cases were wood. I might try the same thing on one I was going to repaint. Let's see a picture when finished, please.
Sincerely,
beak.
