This Remington Scout from 1932 is a quite nicely preserved machine. Brought in by a customer for service after what I presume, was a successful typewriter hunt. The machine needed a good cleaning, new paper rollers (always) and new frame spacers. It really needs a new platen, yet puts good print on paper with the old one. Cosmetically, this typewriter is very attractive. This Scout has both upper and lower case, no tabs, no back … [Read more...]

This fine example of a Maritsa 2 Portable Typewriter is a customers brought to the shop for a little love. The typewriter  was recently purchased during a trip to Europe, I believe in Spain. Built in Bulgaria you don't see too many in the Northwest. The typewriter needed a thorough cleaning and had some corrosion near the carriage, some springs and screws were missing and the shift was a little wonky. The machine features a … [Read more...]

This Remington portable 5 machine from the year 1936 was a recent customer purchase and needed quite a bit of love to get it into top shape. The repair list; new frame spacers, new draw cord, new paper rollers, bent type bars, carriage return arm hanging up, tabulator not working plus the normal cleaning and tune up routine. The only thing left would be a new platen! Normally I don't recommend spending a lot of time on the Remington … [Read more...]

This Olympia SM2 portable typewriter was brought in for service. Undeniable it was dirty on first examination. Wow . . . what a mess. It was such a dirt bucket. Corrosion and rust, copious dust and debris, chunks of unidentifiable matter (yes I closed my eyes then whimpered). Also as I dismantled the machine for cleaning it became apparent this machine had been THRASHED. As in well used. As in worked hard and put away wet. Damn did I … [Read more...]

This sweet Torpedo Portable is a customer machine in for service. I love the creamy yellow color. The machine was skipping and needed some general cleaning. After the normal cleaning and tune up the skipping was still present. Usually a good cleaning is all you need. So what do you do? You go look at the escapement assembly to see what is up. In this case, the rocker assembly was still sluggish, the loose dog not returning crisply as it … [Read more...]

This Erika 10 typewriter came in to the shop after a customer bought it online. He knew when buying it that much work was needed. The case and typewriter were filthy, yuck. When I made up the estimate I noted the paper rollers were flat, sticking keys, and many many disconnected type bars. When I opened up the machine and vacuumed out all the crap I discovered that a couple of the links and springs were missing! Well darn it. Erika got all … [Read more...]

I like the Groma Kolibri portable machines and it is no wonder many of my collector customers have it on their wish list. This one arrived with a completely jammed escapement and a small mystery part in the bottom of the typewriter. Remember, if your machine arrives damaged, contact the seller right away and take photos if there is obvious physical damage. Often you will get your money refunded. The machine looked to be in otherwise good … [Read more...]

I always thought it a bit funny whenever Mr. Montgomery got in a customer machine that was so decrepit he laughed. Seriously though, every once in a while we'd get in a machine and the only thing Mr. Montgomery would put on the service ticket was NEEDS EVERYTHING. Well, that is what recently walked into the shop with this Underwood number 3 typewriter. Stored in a garage, then a shed, brought in just naked with dirt. Rust, carriage … [Read more...]

This Remington Model 5 Streamliner from 1937 is from a Spokane area customer. The machine was already in very good shape, yet with age all the rubber was pretty hard. I keep in stock platens for the more common portables so I had one on the shelf. This little guy received a new platen, new paper rollers, new feet, new draw cord and a replacement right side paper holder that was broken. Also the machine received a good cleaning, … [Read more...]

This Remington Noiseless Model 9 typewriter is a customer machine brought in for service replacing the paper rollers and platen. There is nothing as pretty as a shiny piece of industrial art and this one is a prime example. This machines carrying case is LARGE. Compare it to a Smith-Corona case. … [Read more...]