Typewriter Talk / Olivetti Studio 44 line spacing (carriage return) lever

**Posted by Shamwari** 04-8-2024 13:07:24

I mentioned on the new member thread a couple of months ago that I had acquired an Olivetti Studio 44 in poor condition. One of its problems was that the step on the line spacing lever bracket (P4 GU 61) that supports the line spacing lever (P4 U 31) when it is folded out and which stops it hitting the top of the ribbon cover (blue arrow below) had been broken off. From what I've read, this is generally due to closing the hard storage case in which the 44 sits without folding up the lever first. (Diagram taken from the Olivetti Studio 44 Repair Manual that I purchased through typewriterdatabase.com)
IMG_0021 by Flighter, on Flickr

It looks like someone had tried to make a repair in the past as Araldite or a similar adhesive covered the area form which the step had been broken off.
IMG_0184 by Flighter, on Flickr

Also the rebate in the line spacing lever that rests on this step had rounded off (white arrow below).
IMG_0181 by Flighter, on Flickr
I presume that in an attempt to provide some friction and stop the lever drooping onto the ribbon cover the shouldered set screw (P3 U 62) that the lever pivots on had been replaced with the self-tapping screw and spring washer shown in the picture above.

After a bit of thought and reading around I decided to have a go at rebuilding the step using JB Weld, reinforced by a veneer pin. To date it has worked and made the 44 much nicer to use.
IMG_0019 by Flighter, on Flickr

**Posted by Shamwari** 04-8-2024 13:09:47

Here's what I did.

The remains of Araldite from the previous repair were cleaned off.
IMG_0183 by Flighter, on Flickr

Using a Dremel a 1 mm blind hole was drilled into the line spacing lever bracket, starting from the broken surface and going up into the bracket, taking great care not to break out on the other side of the bracket. At this stage the carriage was still mounted on the typewriter but was removed and stripped down for the next steps to make it easier to work on.
IMG_0182 by Flighter, on Flickr

A 1 mm veneer pin was pushed into this hole and the end bent out into the area where the step will be built up and cut to length, No picture at this stage as I forgot to take one.

Using some insulating tape, a small bit of plastic cut from a yoghurt pot lid and some blu-tack, a mould was built up around the area where the step was to go. The end of the veneer pin can just be made out in the middle of the area where the step will be.
IMG_0001 by Flighter, on Flickr

A similar mould was built up in the rebate in the line spacing lever to reinstitute the squared off indent that rests on the step when the lever is folded out.
IMG_0002 by Flighter, on Flickr

Some JB Weld was mixed up and using a couple of screwdrivers as tiny spatulas the JB Weld was placed in the moulds.
IMG_0003 by Flighter, on Flickr
IMG_0004 by Flighter, on Flickr

Both pieces were then put aside to cure for a couple of days. Once cured the moulds were removed and the JB Weld dressed with a small file to fine tune the shape.
IMG_0006 by Flighter, on Flickr

**Posted by Shamwari** 04-8-2024 13:12:30

Now to attach the lever to the bracket.

Fortunately, the self-tapping screw that had replaced the original Olivetti shouldered set screw had not been screwed in very far and there remained a sufficient undamaged length of the original screw thread for a replacement M3.5 set screw to grip securely. Short lengths of 4.5 mm OD (4.0 mm ID) brass tube and 4.0 mm OD (3.5 mm ID) brass tube) which would fit in the larger tube were used to replicate the shoulder of the original Olivetti screw in order that the screw could be fully tightened whilst still allowing the lever to freely swivel. The 4.5 mm tube was cut slightly shorter to allow an M3.5 crinkle washer to sit between the 4.0 mm tube and the set screw to stop the lever being too loose when mounted.
IMG_0018 by Flighter, on Flickr

IMG_0017 by Flighter, on Flickr
IMG_0016 by Flighter, on Flickr

The finished result with the lever resting on the step clear of the ribbon cover when folded out. Now on to the next challenge!
IMG_0020 by Flighter, on Flickr

**Posted by thetypewriterman** 05-8-2024 04:28:20

That is an excellent piece of engineering and I take my hat off to you sir !

**Posted by robmck** 05-8-2024 23:38:46

Nice shop-craft! Well done.

**Posted by Shamwari** 09-8-2024 12:28:37

Thanks both. I'm very pleased with how it turned out, it makes the 44 much nicer to use not having to worry about the lever drooping and interfering with the ribbon cover.