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1 of 1- reidj
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Offline - Registered: 17-3-2026
- Posts: 3
Olympia SGE 45 help needed
Hi- I'm new here and seeking help with a newly-acquired Olympia SGE 45. The online database indicates it was made in Germany in '78. It's a U.S. model.
It powers on fine and all keys work. I am aware of two problems: first, the return key moves the carriage up properly, but does not return the carriage. I can do that by hand; second, after typing a few strokes, the ribbon flies off its guides.
I have a copy of the Munk SGE 30/40/50 repair manual, but the diagrams in it don't seem to match what I see when removing the cover of my machine, so I'm not clear on how the carriage return operates.
Some pics of the machine with the cover removed are embedded here. (I temporarily removed the inner side panels for these pics). A video of the machine in action is linked.
I'd be grateful for any advice on these problems. Thank you all for your time.
Video
- skywatcher
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Re: Olympia SGE 45 help needed
Hi Reidj
Watching your linked video, I can see why the ribbon keeps jumping out, it's not threaded properly. The ribbon is supposed to go behind the two posts in the center of the ribbon lifter. I you look closely at the two center posts, they have a ½" wide cut-away on the outside of each to work as ribbon retaining guides. Thread the ribbon as you have it, then tuck it behind the two center posts. I think you'll find that will fix the ribbon problem.
As for the power return, I hope that another member with more knowledge of electric typewriters than me chimes in on this one. Hope this points you in the right direction,
Sky
We humans go through many computers in our lives, but in their lives, typewriters go through many of us.
In that way, they’re like violins, like ancestral swords. So I use mine with honor and treat them with respect.
I try to leave them in better condition than I met them. I am not their first user, nor will I be their last.
Frederic S. Durbin. (Typewriter mania and the modern writer)
- Pete E.
- Typewriter Talk Elite
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- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
- Posts: 2,667
Re: Olympia SGE 45 help needed
Hi Reidj,
If you go to the SGE-40 section in Munk's Bible, use Page 5 and Page 6 along with Diagram G and Diagram H to understand how the power return and the line spacing functions work.
I have a SGE 30-35 but not a SGE 40-45 in my collection and I suspect things are different between the two models.
.
- reidj
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- Registered: 17-3-2026
- Posts: 3
Re: Olympia SGE 45 help needed
skywatcher wrote:
Hi Reidj
Watching your linked video, I can see why the ribbon keeps jumping out, it's not threaded properly. The ribbon is supposed to go behind the two posts in the center of the ribbon lifter. I you look closely at the two center posts, they have a ½" wide cut-away on the outside of each to work as ribbon retaining guides. Thread the ribbon as you have it, then tuck it behind the two center posts. I think you'll find that will fix the ribbon problem.
As for the power return, I hope that another member with more knowledge of electric typewriters than me chimes in on this one. Hope this points you in the right direction,
Sky
Sky- thank you. I was hoping the ribbon problem was a case of my stupidity, and, indeed it was. The machine now types clearly.
- •
Thread Starter- reidj
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- Registered: 17-3-2026
- Posts: 3
Re: Olympia SGE 45 help needed
Hi Reidj,
If you go to the SGE-40 section in Munk's Bible, use Page 5 and Page 6 along with Diagram G and Diagram H to understand how the power return and the line spacing functions work.
I have a SGE 30-35 but not a SGE 40-45 in my collection and I suspect things are different between the two models.
.
Pete E - Thanks. I've been looking at those charts and been unable to find parts seen on page in my machine. Even the fluted shaft seems absent, although I see a thinner metal shaft with some plastic (nylon?) gears fitted to it. And I see no sign of a pulley that would wind what I guess is called the carriage return drawband. As was the case with the ribbon problem (solved by Sky), this is probably my stupidity at play.
- •
Thread Starter- Pete E.
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- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
- Posts: 2,667
Re: Olympia SGE 45 help needed
Hi Reidj,
Another possibility which hopefully has not happened...
Power return mechanism was giving a previous owner or repair shop some fits, was not repairable, and was just removed from the machine...leaving the electric to have a manually operated CR and line spacing.
I think that remaining nylon plastic gear on the right side of your machine may hint at things that were in place, originally, but now are gone.
.
- Pete E.
- Typewriter Talk Elite
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- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
- Posts: 2,667
Re: Olympia SGE 45 help needed
Reidj,
For your info....your SGE-45 has its motor and drive pulleys & belts on the left side of your machine.
My SGE-35 has those on right side of the machine.
So they are quite different machines at first glance.
.
