1 of 1- The_Journalist
- New Member
Offline 
- Registered: 12-7-2015
- Posts: 5
Olympia Traveller Deluxe S
So I recently got an Olympia Traveller Deluxe S, I have a SM9 I got professionaly fixed up, and it's great, but I have to say I find myself wanting to use the Traveller more, it's in pretty good shape, but it could certainly be a little more snappy. I'm not terribly mechanically inclined, but got a brush, cloth, compressed air, denatured alcohol, and lubricant. So obviously the top comes up, and it looks like there are some screws on the bottom to get at the housing, I feel somewhat confident to attempt some maintenance for the first time, but any tips or advice would be appreciated.
- beak
- Key Master
Offline
- From: Qld Australia
- Registered: 24-3-2013
- Posts: 912
Re: Olympia Traveller Deluxe S
Here's a link to another thread which shows some basic cleaning tips, and there are others there - perhaps search 'cleaning section',
BUT I don't like the idea that it shows of using a penkinfe on the section (the slotted block that the typebars emerge from).
Cleaning the section is the first thing to do in terms of freeing up the action - and the general method is simply to brush the meths over it freely, letting it run down into the slots flushing dirt down through the machine. Keep doing that, type three or four times with all the keys, then repeat untill you're happy. Never put oil into these slots.
Take your time, and read a few of the threads on maintenance and cleaning here before doing more than clean the section.
Let us know how it goes.
Sincerely,
beak.
- KatLondon
- Key Master
Offline
- From: London
- Registered: 11-10-2014
- Posts: 995
Re: Olympia Traveller Deluxe S
Excellent advice. 90% of what's not working on most of these old machines is just dirt and stiffness. And the Olympias are very easy machines to work with.
I'll add that anywhere you see a moving joint on the journey from key to typebar could also probably do with the meths treatment. Cotton buds to remove old oil and grime. And if you push the carriage all the way to each side it gives you access to the rails it moves on... both these, and the rails on the carriage itself that move along them. These are usually filthy, and the cotton buds-&-meths should make a noticeable difference to how smoothly the carriage travels.
Don't even *think* about oil till everything is clean! And even then you hardly need any.
Last edited by KatLondon (30-7-2015 04:05:08)
- Mech
- Touch Typist
Offline
- From: California
- Registered: 06-4-2015
- Posts: 109
Re: Olympia Traveller Deluxe S
I agree with Kat - the majority of the problems I have run across in my small collection of old typewriters were caused by dirt and congealed grease. It's so fun to clean and watch functionality return.
Be very careful with denatured alcohol (methylated spirits) as it will eat into paint and plastic. Use it only on bare metal peices and drape painted and plastic areas carefully to avoid spray from paint brushes and toothbrushes while you are cleaning.
- The_Journalist
- New Member
Offline
- Registered: 12-7-2015
- Posts: 5
Re: Olympia Traveller Deluxe S
Well, cleaning went pretty well, I think, going to let some things evaporate, all the keys are very snappy now except two keys on the outside now that get stuck 
. One step forward, two back. I'm thinking a little compressed air and methl brushing.
- •
Thread Starter- The_Journalist
- New Member
Offline
- Registered: 12-7-2015
- Posts: 5
Re: Olympia Traveller Deluxe S
Well everything seems to be working well now, I found that some old fashion elbow grease using a toothbrush got things all moving smoothly. I will put in a new ribbon because it does seem the characters could stand to be a bit darker. I have to say from an aesthetic prospective I really love the traveller, and it is nice and compact. The carrying case has a couple small cracks, so I'll probably look into getting that patched up and maybe painted, never underestimate style when writing I guess.
- •
Thread Starter