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Author Topic: Typewriters  (Read 3390 times)

Brad

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Typewriters
« on: July 30, 2014, 02:03:03 PM »
Its 2014 and I can't believe I'm shopping for a manual typewriter.

Frankly, it is still faster to type an envelope or an index card on a typewriter, so I thought I would look for a manual portable.

I can only find one new manual portable, an all plastic "Royal".  Mixed reviews. I'm thinking its flimsey.

Used there are hundreds available on eBay.  Buyer beware.

There are online firms that sell refurbished used typewriters this might be the way to go.  I'm thinking of either a pre-War Remington Streamliner or a late 1950's Olympia SM4.

Anyone got a favorite?
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Mackin USA

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Re: Typewriters
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2014, 08:26:14 PM »
https://www.google.com/#q=olivetti+typewriter

They were made in Italy but other than that they were great.
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Mr. Mackin

Drastic

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Re: Typewriters
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2014, 08:44:45 PM »
>made in Italy

So you need 2? One to use while the other is in the shop...
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ergophobe

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Re: Typewriters
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2014, 09:07:55 PM »
Quote from: Drastic on July 30, 2014, 08:44:45 PM
>made in Italy

So you need 2? One to use while the other is in the shop...

Just don't stack a French car on top of it unless you subscribe to Daniel Pinkwater's Theory of Displaced Misery, his explanation for why he drives a Peugot.

Quote
That's the Theory of Displaced Misery, and it pertains specifically to French cars invariably becoming the focus of the maximum suffering and frustration an individual life can sustain. Many people have volunteered that the theory seems to apply to their lives, or did when they got a Peugeot.

http://www.pinkwater.com/page/243/?post_type=question
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rcjordan

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Re: Typewriters
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2014, 01:28:16 AM »
>need two

Ollivetti used to make decent typewriters.  They went into the small computer and copier business for a while in the late 70's- early 80's.  They paid fantastic commission if you'd leave one of the big names like NCR --something like salary + 20%.  But nothing would stay running long enough to get paid.
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Brad

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Re: Typewriters
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2014, 01:38:24 PM »
I think Olivetti was the last major company still making manual typewriters into the 1990s, but those had been so cheapened down they had a terrible reputation.  The all plastic "Royal" I found can'tbe the original Royal company, has to be someone using the name.

I think the trick is to buy a rebuilt vintage machine from the heydays, roughly 1930 - 1965, when they were still making precision machines built like tanks.
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rcjordan

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Re: Typewriters
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2014, 05:46:25 PM »
Better check for a source for ribbons.  I do see IBM Selectrics on CL around $50-100.
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grnidone

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Re: Typewriters
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2014, 02:42:56 PM »
Around here, there are loads of old black typewriters in antique shops that even come with their own carrying case.

No idea the make or model though..

Have you considered getting a label printer?
http://www.amazon.com/Brother-QL-700-High-speed-Professional-Printer/dp/B005TJMC0S/
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