1 of 1- colrehogan
- Key Master
Offline 
- From: Granite City, IL
- Registered: 05-2-2015
- Posts: 612
Line spacing lever on Olympia SM9
When I use the Olympia SM9 and want to advance to the next line, I use the line spacing lever, but it doesn't go back to the left after I've pressed it. Is this normal?
Smith Premier typewriters are cool!
- thetypewriterman
- Key Master
Offline
- From: Leiston, England
- Registered: 29-5-2013
- Posts: 925
Re: Line spacing lever on Olympia SM9
No it isn't ! The return spring for the line space lever is almost certainly unhooked or missing altogether. 
- Spazmelda
- Key Master
Offline
- From: Ohio
- Registered: 25-2-2015
- Posts: 830
Re: Line spacing lever on Olympia SM9
Yes, I agree with thetypewriterman I'll look at mine and see where the spring might be and try to post a pic. I have a box of springs. If I see one that looks like it might fit I'll send it to you.
- Spazmelda
- Key Master
Offline
- From: Ohio
- Registered: 25-2-2015
- Posts: 830
Re: Line spacing lever on Olympia SM9
I think your SM9 is older than mine, but I'd assume the springs would be similar. This spring labeled with the arrow here stretches and contracts with movement of the return lever, so this would be a good bet. Look and see if yours has one in this area. I think I have a spring that would fit here, so let me know and I'll get out my box and look.
- TypewriterGuy
- Typewriter Talk Vet
Offline
- From: United States
- Registered: 24-4-2015
- Posts: 1,250
Re: Line spacing lever on Olympia SM9
Oooohhhh box of springs... 
Back from a long break.
Starting fresh with my favorite typer. A Royal Futura!
- Spazmelda
- Key Master
Offline
- From: Ohio
- Registered: 25-2-2015
- Posts: 830
Re: Line spacing lever on Olympia SM9
TypewriterGuy wrote:
Oooohhhh box of springs...
Harbor Freight! Actually I have two boxes that are exactly the same. I bought one at Harbor Freight and then ordered one online thinking the online one would have smaller springs. They are exactly the same. Most are really too big for typewriters but there are a few smaller ones.
I've been texting Colrehogan and the spring is still there, but just disconnected, so all she needs to do (lol) is reconnect it. Should be easy, lol lol. Oh lord. Reconnecting springs! I can usually get them back, but it takes lots of swearing and sweating and more swearing. I'm sure real typewriter repair people have special tools that help.
- M. Höhne
- Key Master
Offline
- From: Maine
- Registered: 14-3-2013
- Posts: 640
Re: Line spacing lever on Olympia SM9
.... snip ....
Reconnecting springs! I can usually get them back, but it takes lots of swearing and sweating and more swearing. I'm sure real typewriter repair people have special tools that help.
Yes, they do. The tools are called "spring hooks" and they're readily available: hardware stores, electronics store, Amazone, eBay, etc. They're slim rods with one end shape for pushing and another end shape for pulling springs into place and then easily disentangling the tool. Works great. There are several varieties of end shape and you can get an assortment, too, but probably any of them, if not too big, will do for typewriters. Avoid hassles big time. Have Fun!
- Spazmelda
- Key Master
Offline
- From: Ohio
- Registered: 25-2-2015
- Posts: 830
Re: Line spacing lever on Olympia SM9
.... snip ....
Reconnecting springs! I can usually get them back, but it takes lots of swearing and sweating and more swearing. I'm sure real typewriter repair people have special tools that help.
Yes, they do. The tools are called "spring hooks" and they're readily available: hardware stores, electronics store, Amazone, eBay, etc. They're slim rods with one end shape for pushing and another end shape for pulling springs into place and then easily disentangling the tool. Works great. There are several varieties of end shape and you can get an assortment, too, but probably any of them, if not too big, will do for typewriters. Avoid hassles big time. Have Fun!
Fabulous. I will look for some today. I have been using some tiny crochet hooks and a dental pick, but if these are available and inexpensive I want some now!
Colrehogan's spring was unfortunately broken so she's going to take it to her repair guy.
- Spazmelda
- Key Master
Offline
- From: Ohio
- Registered: 25-2-2015
- Posts: 830
Re: Line spacing lever on Olympia SM9
Here's an interesting article I just stumbled across looking at spring hooks and spring related things. Shows how this guy who works on vintage cameras makes his own springs and tempers them in the oven to get them to stay springy. Very interesting!
