gnuyork wrote:

Ah. I'm in the same boat with that 2nd Studio 44. The carriage only moves partway left and right, as if it's stuck. Debating a return...

Sorry to hear that, Gnu. 

I'm generally of the mind that 'everything has some value, everything has its use', so my natural instinct (particularly when it comes to Ebay purchases), is to screw the seller - hard - for a sizeable partial refund. Pointing out that they end up paying the return carriage costs as well as being liable for a full refund on a 'not as described' item usually proves to be sufficient incentive! 

If you later manage to effect a successful repair, happy days. If not, well, you've just bagged a dirt cheap parts source, or a recoverable machine to trade with someone more knowledgeable. 

I imagine this is the route I'll be following. If it's a simple fix, that's great. If not, it's a project for when I'm more experienced. After a little mulling, I've decided that these Olivers are too thin on the ground - even over here - to simply toss back without a second thought.

Exactly, FW - despite my mantra of 'There'll be another along shortly', it's the 'first type', post war portable I've seen in about a month of watching. It's as close to perfect (issue aside) as you could expect from an unrestored machine, too - which leads me to believe the issue has been present since very early in its life.

MancFrank wrote:

gnuyork wrote:

Ah. I'm in the same boat with that 2nd Studio 44. The carriage only moves partway left and right, as if it's stuck. Debating a return...

Sorry to hear that, Gnu. 

I'm generally of the mind that 'everything has some value, everything has its use', so my natural instinct (particularly when it comes to Ebay purchases), is to screw the seller - hard - for a sizeable partial refund. Pointing out that they end up paying the return carriage costs as well as being liable for a full refund on a 'not as described' item usually proves to be sufficient incentive! 

If you later manage to effect a successful repair, happy days. If not, well, you've just bagged a dirt cheap parts source, or a recoverable machine to trade with someone more knowledgeable. 

I imagine this is the route I'll be following. If it's a simple fix, that's great. If not, it's a project for when I'm more experienced. After a little mulling, I've decided that these Olivers are too thin on the ground - even over here - to simply toss back without a second thought.

HI Frank, I hear ya- Did that with a Lettera 32 that had a rusted out bottom but was not in the description or photos - there's rust flakes everywhere inside! After sending pictures, the seller gave me a significant refund and a sincere apology. I don't think she ever looked at the bottom.

I just took some pictures and a video of this Studio 44's stuck carriage to show the seller, though I can't load video to an Ebay response email... There seemed to be a missing piece as well (hence the pictures). It's the little cap in the center of the platen roller on the left that you push in to disengage the ratcheting (a fine tune  guess). Anyway...missing. I got it for an OK deal $40 plus shipping, but I think I will try for a return. I already have one Studio 44 anyway, though like all my typewriters so far, need a good cleaning to work optimally. I think I am in agreement with Uwe...not sure I'm keen on the type action of the Studio 44, especially after trying the SM3. I do like the type action on the Lettera 32 though, very much, maybe not more than the SM3 though. I do love how the Studio 44 looks however, and who knows, maybe after a good cleaning I'll warm up to the type action.

Cheers

Yeah, I have two Lettera 32s...One very clean and cosmetically beautiful. It was the first typewriter I won an auction for, actually... but the carriage acts slow... moves fully, but slowly, funny it didn't when I first tried typing on it, but immediately after it seemed fouled up....I'm hoping that's just cleaning and maybe an adjustment.

But the other one, was a make offer deal on Ebay...It sure looked filthy in the photost, but I though I could clean it up and see..I made a low offer, and won...didn't think I would win it, but I did...anyway, that was the rusted one. It turns out though, that I really like that one better than the clean one... the type action is better...seems tighter if that makes sense. It's also an older model according to serial number. Now that was one too has a sticky carriage issue - damn these Olivettis!  Could be related to the fact I have the bottom off of it, and it's sitting on cardboard. I ended up soaking the bottom plate in vinegar overnight and magically the rust is gone (and so is the paint), but it did have corroded bits and some rust through holes...I plan to patch.sand, repaint, and give it a very good cleaning - and that will be my main jam besides my SM3 (for now ).  I'm being a bit more judicious about what I bid, now that I have a few examples that I want to keep. I lost an auction for another SM3 last night, because I was weak on my bid...but I already have a really good one. A 2nd, 3rd, 4th would just be gravy...

BTW, seller already contacted me about the Studio 44 making a claim to FedEx, and wasn't sure if she gets the claim or me... for possible damage to the carriage. Either way she is refunding my money! If that's the case, I hope she gets the claim in fairness. To her credit, it looks like the type sample paper included did make full use of the carriage, so it's possible it was shipping damage. Who knows. I may end up with a spare parts paper weight.

Nice Frank. I'm watching a couple SM9 auctions currently. Also my phone is old too. I have no reason to spend the money to replace it. Rather spend it elsewhere (on old technology )

Really kicking myself though because I was watching an auction for a '56 or '57 Royal Quiet Deluxe (an elusive one for me do to them going for crazy high prices) in a color I like... It was Friday night and I forgot about the auction until lying in bed, I remembered too late... the thing went for $33!