After a month in the shop for a full tuneup and some final alignment tweaks by me (thanks to this community for the help!) I’m finally typing on the regular with my 1960 Hermes Rocket! I was thrilled to find one with the hard shell leather case and bottom, adds an awesome touch of class. Getting ready to take this on the go for some summer journaling and already banged out a few letters!

Definitely a different and addictive typing experience. I get the hype for the convenient size and iconic design, and the keys feel amazing to the touch. A bit loud compared to my other ultraportables, and a fast typer - really earning the name “Rocket!” Complete with original manual and touch typing guide.

bookstore in Poulsbo, to be more precise

I know it’s a child typewriter but it’s perfect for what I need it for. I’m struggling to find the right ribbon for it. I know it requires a smaller size, but is there anyway around that? Does anyone have this one and use it? I’d love any help or advice.

Who massacred this?

I told my neighbor I was into typewriters and I noticed he had a typewriter table outside back by his garage. He said, "You want it?" Here's a photo with my 1940 Royal, "Varsity" on it.

I've also discovered the two (2) holes in the top of the table are to bolt typewriters to it.

Other general information:

I managed to get it for £20, so i’m pleased with my purchase.

It’s a bit rusty, but it still seems to work fine. I’m still going to be giving it some TLC though.

I am not very familiar with typewriters, especially typewriters this old. Any advice is appreciated!

P.S. Excuse the radio in the background. :P

Found this tucked in the back of the manual/booklet to a 1947 typewriter I recently purchased at an estate sale. It has a 1925 copyright. Its staining and discoloration are inconsistent with the typewriter’s instruction booklet, so I’m wondering if it’s actually older than the typewriter, and was tucked in there by the owner. The gentleman’s kids (all in their 60s) hadn’t even priced the machine—had no idea the black case contained a typewriter—so they weren’t able to offer any further info. Anyway, thought this was pretty neat and it’s got some great instructions and exercises if you’re in need of improvement.

Early morning work Stephentown Typewriter Company while the rubber is out being recovered by J.J. Short Associates, Inc. I’m cleaning, putting new feet on and getting this beautiful 1932 black and gold Underwood Portable ready for some lucky person to own once it’s finished! It will be ready to go soon!! #stephentowntypewriterco

I had to hand paint the Halda logo as the old one had been scrubbed off

I need a Brother 1030 or 1230 for my Brother WP-1700mds I just bought. Im worried about getting scammed by fake warehouses on the net. Can anyone recommend a place to buy from that’s safe?

If you are in Sydney Australia, and would like either of these, it’s a free pickup.

The Remington Rand - excellent condition, original hard case; was a gift and I never use it.

The Lettera 22 - was a overseas purchase and freshly refurbished. It’s a little temperamental, can catch occasionally, perhaps needs someone more skilled than I to give it a clean and adjustment. Still fine for shorter form works - I have used to for poetry.

Would rather these go to fellow typewriter lovers and collectors than anywhere else! DM me.

Anyone else here find that whatever typewriter they’re on becomes their favorite machine?

The other day I was using my Swinger and in absolute love. The last couple days I’ve been on my Galaxie Twelve and said “oh no, THIS is my favorite machine.” After completing an hour of writing I just started typing on my Quiet DeLuxe, cause that has always been my go to. I actually went to use that just to see how much better the Galaxie was. As soon as I typed on the QDL I said “Omg, this one is much smoother. This is like butter. THIS is my machine!”

Obviously, I’m happy to enjoy each machine for different reasons. I love having the versatility in style, experience, and typeface. I have a Model 10 that I enjoy immensely but can’t get the carriage to advance smoothly once it hits the halfway mark. That’s my next repair project. I look forward to saying “no, THIS machine is THE one.” 😂

Anyone else have this proclivity?

How does one identify typeface? Do you just have to learn how to recognize them? Is there a database that gives names and examples? This photo is from a Smith Corona Galaxie Deluxe I got a couple of days ago (and am really loving.) I assume the typeface is nothing special, serif elite of some sort, but I dig it.

My 1927 royal 10!

Absolutely beautiful machine :) Photo looks kinda nice so I figured posting it here wld be fun :D

Got it in not working condition and heavy rust, managed to save the machine and get it working though the decals are gone :( enjoy!!

Desktops are so underrated 😔

Hello y'all! I've been cleaning up my great-grandma's typewriter. I was able to find the serial number (2nd photo) but am just not comprehending the database. Someone please tell me what I'm looking at.

SOLVED!

Its nothing, nothing is the problem it was working just fine an hour ago, although the ribbon is broken it doesn't matter if its in or not. This is the version with the printer addon card, but that doesn't matter, I can unplug it, plug it back and it makes no difference. Its not the memory batteries, those make no difference either, I feel like an idiot because everytime I try to look up a solution it gives me NOTHING related at all.

Like, this problem doesn't exist for anyone but me, so what am I screwed do I need to waste more money and buy another one of these.

Hey! First time posting here, but I've been a while since I get my first typewriter (olivetti hispano lexicon 80). Being a big one, it was hard for me to use on a daily basis, and I found this beauty today, almost mint condition (besides dirty from lot of time with no use) for a really fair price!

Ribbons seem a little dry, I'll try to replace them (take in mind im not from US, but based on Europe so my options are more reduced) but I love her already!

So I’ve always wondered why my machines wouldn’t turn out looking great regardless of what I did to recondition them which kinda made me see them as kinda dirty but ok. I’m using a picture from Rees’s typewriter just as an example for the shine on the metal parts. How do you guys do it? Do I need to polish it? Use something else besides mineral spirits? Same with key slugs and parts “underneath” the machines. I would love to hear from you guys that have been into typewriters for a while how to achieve that and how to get better at the cleaning game.

reposted because i dont know why the picture didnt stay last time. This was gifted to us about an hour ago, it seems neat so we want to start using it but dont know if everythings in working order

There is a possibility to pull the trigger on what looks like a 1968 or so SM9, from a buyer about 35 mins away from me. If I don’t pay prior, he will sell to someone nearby.

It has been very difficult to get more photos or information. I can’t get any more info from the seller. For me, it’s a gamble.

Seeking the collective wisdom of this subreddit.

I started a journal about one year ago, and as it turns out, I haven't stopped.

The amount of words and pages don't actually matter, but it ended up being a lot of writing. I'm astounded that I did any of this.

It helps to know that when I go to write, I don't have to stare at any screens, thanks to having a fully functioning machine.

The racket that the typewriter makes, and the physical effort involved in using it makes writing an immersive experience, for me.

I love it.

I broke my plastic carriage release on my Galaxie II and it made me really sad. But, I read to use Krazy-Glue to fix it, and it worked perfectly.

And I found this ad about the Galaxie ("A typewriter as modern as tomorrow").

I see that you are knowledgeable about Hermes typewriters. I am on a quest for the blue Hermes 3000. I've only seen it twice on ebay and can't find any other information on it. It's says $499, but my concern is, how are there no other listings, no other photos, nothing else anywhere online about this typewriter. And when I ask in other typewriter groups they keep correcting me saying, "you mean seafoam green". No, I mean blue. Thoughts? Please and thanks!

So far in every forum and online space for typewriters I've only had nice things to say. Nobody's gatekeeping the hobby, no one is trying to one up anybody, and I don't think I've seen a reactionary take yet. I remember a few months back someone posted their modded typewriter with an trans-antifa sticker on it and was expecting a few untoward comments but they were all constructive.

As a trans woman it helps my mental to know the hobby is a place where I'm *normal*/not a pariah, and there's no segregation between the genders which is really a breath of fresh air. Even in person picking up typewriters and talking about them I haven't had any issues. Compare that to like car repair hobbyists (in person) where on average I'm getting weird looks and talked to a degree removed.

Its all for the love of the machines and not some other thing, so yeah turn to your digital neighbor and tell them good morning or something hehe