For dust covers, I use clear ones I purchased from mytypewriter.com.

While I do admire my typewriters, for me they are essentially tools so I tend to treat them as such. I keep all of my portable and ultra portable typewriters in their cases when I'm not using them. My one standard sized machine sits on my desk, always underneath it's cover when not in use. At any given time, I keep four of my portables sitting upright in their cases side by side on a small shelf in my office where I can easily access them. The remaining typewriters/cases are stored in another room where I have more shelving. I'll typically use one of the four typewriters residing in my office, choosing whichever one I most feel like using. Over time I will change up the four machines that I keep in my office, with the others being returned to the storage room. Of course the standard sized machine is always around for whenever I feel like using it, which happens quite a bit.

For quite some time I was managing to make good use out of all the typewriters I owned, but I have noticed for a while now that there are a few machines that I almost never use. (I am now at 21 typewriters after recently being gifted with another machine.) I will drag the unused typewriters out to exercise them on occasion, but I really need to focus on either selling them or getting them into the hands of others who don't have a typewriter. Prior to being gifted typewriter #21 it had been about nine months since I last bought a typewriter so acquisition has basically come to an end for me, along with the need for any more storage space dedicated to these machines. I haven't bought a typewriter in quite a while because I basically stopped looking for them — I've always considered myself more of an enthusiast than a collector when it comes to typewriters. That said, I realize there is always the possibility that I could stumble upon yet another machine I would want to bring home with me. In which case freeing up some space beforehand would be beneficial.

Ideally I would narrow things down to just 5 machines (4 portables residing on my small office shelf along with the one standard machine), but in all honesty, unless I was forced to do so, I would have a hard time with this. On the other hand, I think a dozen typewriters would be doable in my case and worth shooting for as an exercise in downsizing my arsenal of writing machines to only those I most enjoy using. As a bonus, this wouldn't require anything more of me when it comes to storage space.

fountainpensplus wrote:

Then, about a year ago my neighbor showed me his typewriters. As a young fellow I had loved typing instead of handwriting. Well one thing led to another and I bought an Olympia SM4 at an antique shop in Canby.

Was that by chance the typewriter booth at Red Door Antiques? If so, that is where I bought my first typewriter. I ended up exchanging quite a few emails with the owner Dianne after buying that machine. She is an incredibly nice person, who along with her husband have been collecting typewriters for many years. Their booth is a great resource for those wanting to try a number of different machines. For me it proved to be the perfect place to buy my first typewriter as I was able to get a good feel for the differences between almost a dozen different machines that I tried that day. I haven't been there in quite some time now, but I'll no doubt visit again whenever I next find myself passing through Canby.

Yes! The Red Door Antiques and Resale store was my first buying experience. There is nothing like it in Eugene. Canby is a 90 minute drive for me and I got there soon after opening. There were at least a dozen machines displayed that day but looking for a machine without sharp, angular lines gave me four or five to try. The green Olympia SM4 wanted me to take it home so I did. I’m also sure it’s a good thing they are not closer because I would be getting my ‘frequent buyer’ card rapidly filled. Right now they have a very nice looking SG3 listed and if I didn’t already have two I’d be heading there now.