Secrets of the Oliver . . . Typewriter, that is.

SECRETS OF THE OLIVER - EPISODE 1. Here we see how to do a simple repair on an antique Oliver Typewriter to fix the left hand margin and keep the carriage return from overriding the margin. Due to my computer's built in webcam, everything is reversed left to right.
www.johnstowntypewriterconservatory.com

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• Oliver typewriter
• typewriter
• secrets of the Oliver

[iguana5500]

I bought an Oliver # 5 at an antique shop about 5-7 years ago ($20 I think, maybe $10?). It sat at my Dad's cottage until today, as we started clearing out the cottage. I really want to restore it, but the keys are basically rusted almost together. I am fairly mechanically inclined, but have no idea how much work this is going to take, or whether the keys could possibly involve replating. Wish I could have seen what your's looked like prior to restoration.

[maartenrijs3]

@iguana5500 You can buy a product called "evapo-rust" on line which is water based, does not hurt decals or paint, and can remove rust by soaking the object in the solution. It works as a chelating agent to bond to iron oxide and remove it. That should help with your rusted keys. And, yes, restoration will involve work, BUT, it is well worth it!

[VintageTopHat]

Can I ask? I'm not familiar with Oliver typewriters in general but what on earth do those two keys (above the standard qwerty keyboard) do? And roughly how much is the number 9?

[maartenrijs3]

@VintageTopHat One key is for the tabulator, the other is the right margin release. Prices on 9s vary quite a bit as on all antique type writers and there is no blue book of values. For the machine in the picture I paid $30. Platen and feed roller recovery was about another $25. But the amount of time I put into this machine, if my time is worth as much as my auto mechanic's, pushes the price into the range of a grand! But, in case any one is wondering, my machine is not for sale.

[clockbuilderhg]

Beautiful typewriter but it's backwards! Your video is flipped.

[maartenrijs3]

@clockbuilderhg Yeah, I know. I wasn't familiar with how to operate the camera on my computer!

[TroutItOut]

This is very helpful and I look forward to checking out the other episodes. I have recently been given an Oliver no. 9 from my grandfather that his father actually used for his job nearly 100 years ago. I am trying to find as much info and guidance as I can about restoring my newly inherited gem!

[frankieboyfrankie]

Thanks for the "secrets of the Oliver" videos! They helped me a lot fixing my British Oliver 15! Looking forward to see the next episode. :)

[djkoepke]

@maartenrijs3 Yeah, my paint is kind of bubbly and worn. Its clean, but won't ever look really nice unless its repainted, which I'm not able to do.

[maartenrijs3]

@Enigma758 I hadn't thought of that, but, you are absolutely right, that could be done! I'm going to try it.