Hi, I have this typewriter too. It is nice to see one that is working. However my typewriter has been in disuse for years and the keys stick when its being used. Any suggestions on how I can correct this?
@cocy3000 I get all of my typewriter ribbons from Tom at Cambridge typewriter. He is out of Boston but a ribbon shouldn't be very much to ship at all. He also might be able to repair your platen, the rubber roller thing you mentioned. He is a great guy and I know many that have him top on their list for typewriter go to stuff. Also, the ribbons I get from him are far more inked and dark than the old dried ones on the web. His store website is in the description if you want to reach him.
I apologize. I still find it almost impossible to get the right tone of voice into these web comments. I meant that not as in insult but as a comment about technique. I was showing a couple of friends how manual typewriters work, and they both thought that was the way typing was done back then because of the weight of the non-electric mechanism. I wanted to alert others who might not know that this is just what Bikeman1010 says, *not* a demonstration of typing technique.
@Nematronation I didn't mean to be harsh, its just there are people out there that just like to post nasty comments all the time. But yes, I agree, I use a mechanical keyboard for my computer and that sometimes throws me off for the first couple of minutes. It isn't as easy as it looks going from a keyboard to a typewriter, at least I don't think so. Also the height of the stand in that video was horrible and I couldn't use my pinkies, that may also be why it looked like I was typing weird.
This person can *not* type. All professional typists use a different pattern of fingers on the keys from that shown in this video. The method shown is inefficient. Notice how slow he is?
@Nematronation This person is obviously a incompetent babbling idiot and I apologize for everyone that has to read his post here. Nowhere did I say I was trying to type like a professional typist. No where did I talk about how fast I can type. And nowhere did I even mention my typing skills in any way. This video is to show the performance and smooth action of the typewriter *not* my typing. I am sorry that this person couldn't understand that and take this vid for what it is. Nice try pal
Awesome machine, I have one myself with a double-width carriage. Perhaps for posters originally? (Also rescued from rubbbish!)
The bell shouldn't ring on the return stroke - if you take the back cover off you'll see a cam which should only operate when the carriage passes one way over it, but not on the return stroke. Good luck!
@Dickie524 It being a completely refurbished machine I am somewhat afraid of fixing it. I am aware and would like to fix it but haven't figured out how yet. There is a little metal flicker think that catches and rings the bell. It catches though on the return like you said. If you have any suggestions on getting that either bent back or adjusted let me know and I will give it a try. Thanks for posting that!
Hello. Thanks for posting this video. I'm thinking about getting an SG-1 myself for serious work. Is the typewriter a "fast typer?" Smooth and easy to use? It looks like it is, but it's hard to tell without trying it myself...
@gacarson SG"s are perfect for serious work in every aspect. Easy to use, yes, smooth, extremely. It gives the best performance of any machine I have ever typed on and then some. Mine is used daily and is my top choice over my other typewriters including my Selectric, which I also recommend
@meedily The SG is a 12 Pitch Elite. That means that the characters are smaller than the 10 Pitch Pica which many machines have. I like the 12 Pitch better personally and like how I am able to fit more on to the page. I got the SG at Cambridge Typewriter in Boston from Tom. He is also my go to guy when it comes to ribbons. having lived in Boston and recently moved to TX, the SG has been busy sending many letters back home each month. (Plus all the other work I give to it.)
@Bikeman1010 Thanks for the prompt reply. There's a local typewriter shop that can get me one in pica for $150 (completely serviced). Do you recommend I take it with the pica font? or will it drive me batty? Again, thanks.
I've got an Olympia SM-3. What a well built machine, I can imagine the SG-1 is the same. I have a couple of questions for you since you're well versed in the Olympias. In your opinion, do you find any performance differences between the SM-3 and the SM-9? Also, are you able to touch-type with the SM-3/9 as well or is that something you're only able to do with the SG-1?
I'm acquiring quite a few (too many) typewriters trying to find "the one". Your imput is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
@greeterboy The SM3 and SM9 are the same inside with different outsides. I have big hands and if the typewriter is at the correct height I am able to touch type. The SG1 is a dream to touch type on though. Any desktop typewriter is built for long typing sessions and you will find it easy to type on. Desktop typewriters aren't sacrificing anything to be portable or light and it shows during long sessions. I would recommend a SG1 or any desktop brand for that matter. I just prefer the SGs
@AinslieRiddell Unfortunately it is hard to compare the desktop and portable models. A portable, although they try, will never be as forgiving and as good of work horses as the desktops. If I were to say though, the SM9 and SM3's were what got me totally obsessed with the Olympia brand. With out my SM9 I probably wouldn't have ever pursued getting the SG 1.
Awesome typewriter! I have an Olympia myself that I do my first drafts on. I love typing on them. Do you mind me asking what kind of writing you do?
Cunhamatatta 8 months ago
Hi, I have this typewriter too. It is nice to see one that is working. However my typewriter has been in disuse for years and the keys stick when its being used. Any suggestions on how I can correct this?
G1tarHero 8 months ago
Hi! I have one of those but with a significantly larger roller and in litle worst condition.
were can i find the ribbon for one of these?
cocy3000 1 year ago
@cocy3000 I get all of my typewriter ribbons from Tom at Cambridge typewriter. He is out of Boston but a ribbon shouldn't be very much to ship at all. He also might be able to repair your platen, the rubber roller thing you mentioned. He is a great guy and I know many that have him top on their list for typewriter go to stuff. Also, the ribbons I get from him are far more inked and dark than the old dried ones on the web. His store website is in the description if you want to reach him.
Bikeman1010 1 year ago
I apologize. I still find it almost impossible to get the right tone of voice into these web comments. I meant that not as in insult but as a comment about technique. I was showing a couple of friends how manual typewriters work, and they both thought that was the way typing was done back then because of the weight of the non-electric mechanism. I wanted to alert others who might not know that this is just what Bikeman1010 says, *not* a demonstration of typing technique.
Nematronation 1 year ago
@Nematronation I didn't mean to be harsh, its just there are people out there that just like to post nasty comments all the time. But yes, I agree, I use a mechanical keyboard for my computer and that sometimes throws me off for the first couple of minutes. It isn't as easy as it looks going from a keyboard to a typewriter, at least I don't think so. Also the height of the stand in that video was horrible and I couldn't use my pinkies, that may also be why it looked like I was typing weird.
Bikeman1010 1 year ago
This person can *not* type. All professional typists use a different pattern of fingers on the keys from that shown in this video. The method shown is inefficient. Notice how slow he is?
Nematronation 1 year ago
@Nematronation This person is obviously a incompetent babbling idiot and I apologize for everyone that has to read his post here. Nowhere did I say I was trying to type like a professional typist. No where did I talk about how fast I can type. And nowhere did I even mention my typing skills in any way. This video is to show the performance and smooth action of the typewriter *not* my typing. I am sorry that this person couldn't understand that and take this vid for what it is. Nice try pal
Bikeman1010 1 year ago 4
Awesome machine, I have one myself with a double-width carriage. Perhaps for posters originally? (Also rescued from rubbbish!)
The bell shouldn't ring on the return stroke - if you take the back cover off you'll see a cam which should only operate when the carriage passes one way over it, but not on the return stroke. Good luck!
Dickie524 1 year ago
@Dickie524 It being a completely refurbished machine I am somewhat afraid of fixing it. I am aware and would like to fix it but haven't figured out how yet. There is a little metal flicker think that catches and rings the bell. It catches though on the return like you said. If you have any suggestions on getting that either bent back or adjusted let me know and I will give it a try. Thanks for posting that!
Bikeman1010 1 year ago
I have one of these, saved from the trash. It doesn't seem to move so fluidly and I wonder if it's a victim of some rust and age.
johnesco 1 year ago
Hello. Thanks for posting this video. I'm thinking about getting an SG-1 myself for serious work. Is the typewriter a "fast typer?" Smooth and easy to use? It looks like it is, but it's hard to tell without trying it myself...
gacarson 1 year ago
@gacarson SG"s are perfect for serious work in every aspect. Easy to use, yes, smooth, extremely. It gives the best performance of any machine I have ever typed on and then some. Mine is used daily and is my top choice over my other typewriters including my Selectric, which I also recommend
Bikeman1010 1 year ago
Do you know what size the font is? How many characters per inch? Thanks!
meedily 1 year ago
@meedily The SG is a 12 Pitch Elite. That means that the characters are smaller than the 10 Pitch Pica which many machines have. I like the 12 Pitch better personally and like how I am able to fit more on to the page. I got the SG at Cambridge Typewriter in Boston from Tom. He is also my go to guy when it comes to ribbons. having lived in Boston and recently moved to TX, the SG has been busy sending many letters back home each month. (Plus all the other work I give to it.)
Bikeman1010 1 year ago
@Bikeman1010 Thanks for the prompt reply. There's a local typewriter shop that can get me one in pica for $150 (completely serviced). Do you recommend I take it with the pica font? or will it drive me batty? Again, thanks.
meedily 1 year ago
I've got an Olympia SM-3. What a well built machine, I can imagine the SG-1 is the same. I have a couple of questions for you since you're well versed in the Olympias. In your opinion, do you find any performance differences between the SM-3 and the SM-9? Also, are you able to touch-type with the SM-3/9 as well or is that something you're only able to do with the SG-1?
I'm acquiring quite a few (too many) typewriters trying to find "the one". Your imput is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
greeterboy 1 year ago
@greeterboy The SM3 and SM9 are the same inside with different outsides. I have big hands and if the typewriter is at the correct height I am able to touch type. The SG1 is a dream to touch type on though. Any desktop typewriter is built for long typing sessions and you will find it easy to type on. Desktop typewriters aren't sacrificing anything to be portable or light and it shows during long sessions. I would recommend a SG1 or any desktop brand for that matter. I just prefer the SGs
Bikeman1010 1 year ago
@Bikeman1010 I've learned that the SM3/4 is a carriage shift and the SM8/9 is a segment shift model.
meedily 1 year ago
Beautiful! How does the SG compare with the SM3 and SM9?
AinslieRiddell 2 years ago
@AinslieRiddell Unfortunately it is hard to compare the desktop and portable models. A portable, although they try, will never be as forgiving and as good of work horses as the desktops. If I were to say though, the SM9 and SM3's were what got me totally obsessed with the Olympia brand. With out my SM9 I probably wouldn't have ever pursued getting the SG 1.
Bikeman1010 1 year ago