Choosing a Typewriter for Writers

#typewriters
In Episode 394, Joe discusses choosing a typewriter for writers who don't want to be collectors or mechanical tinkerers, just writers.
00:00 Introduction
01:10 A Machine That Writes
03:16 Mechanical Fiddliness
03:47 the Electric Alternative
07:36 Examples of Good Writers Machines
08:29 Small Portables
12:08 Medium Portables
15:20 Standard Manuals
18:18 Type-Bar Electrics
21:24 IBM Selectrics
22:13 Daisywheel Electronics
23:57 Where to Look
25:36 Conclusion

[@TypewriterASMR23]

Sage advice Joe. I was fortunate to have been gifted an Underwood SX when I was in high school in the 1970s. I wrote all my university papers, dozens of fictional works and hundreds of letters on that fine machine. I still write my drafts on a manual typewriter. My advice for those considering creative writing on a typewriter: buy one that feels good for you, set it up away from your computer, buy yourself a dictionary, learn the quirks of your typewriter and start typing. Soon it will become second nature. Don't expect a manual typewriter to do what a laptop can. In my view it is a different kind of writing -- more deliberate, more focused. There is nothing that compares. Enjoy.

[@douglasjackson9058]

Such a wonderful video Joe! So much great information 😁

[@andrewschrotenboer9445]

Love using my great grandfather’s 1957 Olympia SM3. Used to play with it as a kid (my first experience) and now do a lot of journaling with it.

[@c-5541]

Thanks for this awesome Christmas video, Joe! I am a philosophy professor, and I use typewriters for first-drafting, note-taking, and brainstorming. I totally agree with your advice: the best place to find a great typewriter is to look for the online or offline store front of typewriter repair shops. Here, in Brazil, I found awesome machines (including a perfect Voss 24) from this kind of sellers through Mercado Livre and even Instagram. Feliz Natal !

[@jsbphotog]

Wonderful video Joe!

[@christophermckellar1352]

Brilliant as usual, Joe! Merry Christmas.

[@the_jazmin]

I just bought a Brother SX500 daisy wheel typewriter as my first typewriter, and I’ve completely fallen in love with it! The delay isn’t the end of the world, and the actual print is so crisp and precise.

[@ronkelsey1983]

Typewriters have allowed me to express my thoughts and poetry that i wouldn't otherwise have. I am not a computer guy other than the things that i do at work. My handwriting is terrible. Anything handwritten by me is going to be hard to read. I tend to rotate through our collection when writing.

[@lorensims4846]

Interesting. I bought a 1934 Royal Model H that certainly looks old-fashioned, for a reasonable price on Facebook Marketplace. It almost works, but will need a lot of internal cleaning before it can be useful. I also bought a 1946 Royal KMM, similar to that dark one you show in your video. This one works well, but it is missing six screws: two screws from the front face and the four screws that attach the cover, so I have to use it with the cover off, but it works well. The keys are very dark and almost unreadable, but that's fine for me. I bought it to brush up my touch typing skills. Yes, a manual typewriter is somewhat like a manual shift automobile, except the typewriters were built much better and have lasted much longer than any automobile. I've never used an electric typewriter and I'm rather intimidated by them. The Hermes 3000 is very highly regarded so they are very expensive on the used market. I'm looking for a Royal Futura 800 from around 1960 because it is more portable than my standard desk typewriters, and is as fully featured as the KMM, with many extra features to make it seem more modern. If you're going to be using a typewriter, it will be, by definition, old, and so, quite fiddly and maybe difficult to get supplies for. I really think a laptop computer, ideally a newer MacBook Air, might be better for most modern writers. People who complain that a computer is too distracting need to learn to turn off all the notifications and work in full screen mode.

[@lynphillips2109]

I find that using my typewriter on a lower desk (seat of chair is approximately 11 inches from desk top) prevents wrist pain, and I'm finally on page 75 of my draft! Using a standard instead of a portable makes a big difference too. Royal HH is doing it for me, but that's my preference and the only working standard I have right now. Do what works for you. Love your videos.

[@ronkelsey1983]

Great job on the video! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@bigrecord]

So enjoy your videos!!!

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Your video contained my first typewriter! It was that Smith Corona, and it typed in a cursive typeface. It was even that color. I was still in elementary school, and I bought it from my neighbor for $20. Adult me wishes I had kept it. Adult me also owns way too many typewriters, so maybe I shouldn't listen to adult me!

[@dadtype2339]

17:18 Re-watching this one, and you Royal '47 KMM, that's the same the exact same typewriter, that Ray Bradbury used. Years ago back in 2004, there was a writing competition hosted by Francis Ford Coppola and Ray Bradbury, there was another producer with them that served as judges for this writing competition that was called the new century writers awards or The NCWA. The competition technically started in 2003 but the results in winners were not read until mid-may or June of 2004, I had submitted a story titled "Outer Darkness" to this competition, add eagerly waited a year to hear the results. Outer Darkness was a sci-fi horror about a ship full of American astronauts who come into contact with an alien abandoned derelict vessel that was haunted by the ghosts of its pilots these pilots were aliens not of Earth origin. The contest required that we had a maximum of 30 pages my story only used 21 of those 30 pages, and though I did not win the contest I was however on Mr Ray Bradbury's top 10 picks and nominated for the Ray Bradbury award, my story took second place in his nominations each judge Francis Ford Coppola he got to pick top 10 and another producer I forget his name but he got to pick top 10 as well that would make up the first and second and third runners up, I was number two of the top 10 I did not even get runner-up however, I did receive a certified typed letter from Mr Ray Bradbury and at the bottom of it where he typed and signed his name, he had typed: written on my '47 Royal KMM. I've seen the very machine that he owned the very 47 Royal kmm that he owned and operated, and even if I see the replica or the other models of the same year of the kmm like the one you have here, I'm reminded of the fact that my letter was ran through that Platinum that Mr Bradbury had typed and sent to me. I still get chills looking at those machines, the proud, and fun kind of chills. Excited to see this machine in your collection the first time I watch this show I had not realized or I had just missed it I hope this is still in your collection, and it is on my list of typewriters to collect.❤❤❤

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Great story, sorry you didn’t win. And yes, I still have that KMM, it’s a keeper!

[@someonespadre]

I’ve discovered the Remington Quiet-Riter and its sibling the Office-Riter. I’m not a fan of the Smith-Corona feel. Sure the Silent Super has more features but the Quiet-Riter is more pleasurable to type on in my opinion, your mileage may vary.

[@albender8572]

A great video for those of us who literally know nothing much about typewriters. I'll sure consider your thoughts as I'm buying my daughter a typewriter for the first time.

[@veciolupo]

Thanks Joe for a great overview of the Writers' typewriters and for featuring the daisy-wheel electronic machines. I think these deserve a more in-depth walk. Why so? Some of them have a computer interface to serve as printers. With some effort some models of these typewriters can be turned into a powerful instrument for generative arts. By merging the maths and programming with the capabilities of daisy-wheel typewriters, computer-aided artists could create incredible pictures. Do you see a horizon in this direction?

[@danstypewriter]

The KMM is the cream of the crop! Also any SM machines, I personally use an SM9 when I am traveling. As far as Hermes go, the 3000 is nice, but the 2000 has a way better feeling action. More snappy. Only downside is its a carriage shift that can be particularly heavy, which puts people off. Of course this is my humble opinion. Typewriter feel is unique to each person. :) Excellent video, as always, and sound advice!

[@TheSolidSnake1985]

I have some kinda Royal Custom from the 70s, idk how to accurately date and name it, but it's fully manual, and is near perfect, but my 'v' key loves to stick even after multiple cleanings, i still love the damn thing and use it for my work every chance i get.

[@spacegerrit9499]

I just checked what my favorite writer used. It turned out to be an Olivetti Leterra 32. So I bought that one.

[@tmunk]

I deny any guilt! :D

[@joebeamish]

What in your experience does a typewriter bring to the writing experience that’s unique?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Pure words, printed as ink to paper faster and neater than handwriting, with zero distractions. See my previous video interview with Woz Flint, she just published a book on this very topic. Thank you for watching!

[@spacegerrit9499]

first drafts. Typewriters only go forward and dont care about your mistakes. Perfect for first drafts.

[@mynameisjeff2567]

It kills me that i can't use my 2 typewriters anymore because they are too loud and the neighbors complain about it... Great video tho, the quality is 👌as always.

[@andrebartels1690]

In a bit disappointed, that my trusted Olympia SG1 doesn't feature in your recommendations. It's large, it's heavy, it's reliable, it's fast, it has spring cushioned buttons, it's a marvel of German engineering, and it has three colour settings for the standard half inch two colour ribbon. When you choose to put in an all black ribbon, you can have triple the ink mileage for your money. It's the love child of a leopard battle tank and a steinway piano, if you will. Edit: I forgot to mention the section shift, which is a real game changer for me.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

It wasn’t an exhaustive list!

[@philosynth]

Great review, thanks! I'm curious, how does the Olympia Traveller Deluxe compare to the Splendids in terms of overall user experience?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I’ve them, and an SF, and think the Splendids feel better - for me!

[@avq5]

How do you compare the Royal Mercury with your XL-747? I always hear great things about the Mercury but very little on the XL. I’ve always wondered if internally they are the same machine.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The XL747 is made by Brother, while the Mercury is made by Silver-Seiko. The Brother is a nice machine too, but slightly bigger.

[@ilovetech8341]

I am looking for a travel typewriter I could take in my luggage but not worry if I lose it. Any suggestions?

[@kd6bam]

Joe, My son Joe and myself picked up a Royal Academy electric typewriter. Not working because of bad drive belt. We have replaced the belt with an O ring that seems to work well. Motor powers up and everything works with the exception of carriage advance with use of keystroke. As the type bars strike the paper the carriage doesn't advance a space to the left as it should. If I use space bar it will advance the carriage properly. Intermittently the type bars will advance the carriage correctly, but it is maybe 1% of the time. Tab, back space, and other keys work. Do you have a video you could reference that maybe would give us a direction to troubleshoot this issue or any suggestions to adjust . All linkage and springs seem functional in undercarriage. Any help would be appreciated. My Son loves your videos!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I don’t have a video on this problem. If you type a space between each character, does the printing look normal? I would suspect something in the escapement is the issue. If you press and hold the margin release do the symptoms change?

[@kd6bam]

Margin release has no effect on issue.I have changed the ribbon (old ribbon was bad and could not see if it really was striking paper) and it appears the keys are not making a full stroke and not striking the paper. When I manually advance the keys to the paper with my hands, the carriage advances, so basically the stroke is short on all the keys. How can I adjust that?@@Joe_VanCleave

[@dadtype2339]

Trying to catch up lol ❤

[@klikruss]

Hello Joe Van Cleave! I watched your video on setting up the trigger mechanism kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXmYoY1tr895nJo, With my typewriter Oprtima Ellit 3, I have the same problem, I can’t adjust when I hit the key hard, there is a step, when I move the font lever with my hand, the carriage does not move. Previously, when I hit the spacebar, the carriage also stood in place, but I did it. Is it possible for you to show the adjustment of the Optima Ellit 3 trigger? Thank you in advance, Sergey.

[@ekurisona663]

how is it how expensive is it to use and maintain these once you've purchased it? ribbons, repair, etc? i need one for longterm use

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Ribbons last several months of constant use, they can be purchased online (I like to order from Ribbons Unlimited, they have nylon, cotton and silk ribbons). After being properly serviced they run best with constant use and keeping them clean.

[@ekurisona663]

@@Joe_VanCleave ty

[@demonprincess5634]

"reliable creative writing machine" That called a COMPUTER... no tinkerers required

[@stormshadow5555]

No thermal typewriters make good writer's typewriters or serious writer's typewriters? 😢...

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Mainly, the video was running long, and I get long-winded! The Canon Typestar 220 is a good performer on thermal paper.

[@mikamo]

“I want to use a typewriter but I don’t want to be a tinkerer” has the same energy as “I want to go sailing but I don’t want to learn to tie a knot.” One should get a toy boat for the bathtub, and the other should stick to laptops in Starbucks.

[@andrebartels1690]

Yep. Back then, tinkering was a necessary evil. Today, the physical experience is the reason why you choose to type. I understand when people intend to choose the machine which will cause the least hassle, or when they don't want to go through a collector's career when they just want to type. Taking a short cut to the right machine is okay for me, why not? But the tinkering is part of the thing. I wouldn't want to set up a tent for camping and then spend the night in a hotel room.

[@fredrichenning1367]

Why on earth would anybody write on a typewriter these days when computers are so cheap? On a computer, you can replace words, whole paragraphs or even pages (not ot mention "search & replace"and "spell check" -- not so on a "stone-age" typewriter. I did my master's thesis on a Olympia Splendid 33 -- what a hassle compared to today's word processor programs.

[@jean-olivierjanvier6030]

Typewriters are distraction-free and they help with creative flow for some people (including myself). Their action is very satisfying. It's also got auto-save! And you can correct stuff on a typewriter, just use a bit of correction tape!

[@fredrichenning1367]

@@jean-olivierjanvier6030 - Whaat do you mean by "distraction-free" -- and what the heck is "autosave" on a typewriter? You can make "small" corrections on a typewriter, yes, but try moving paragraphs around. Or going through and replacing a word.... And, when you finally have it typed, what are you going to do with it? To be published, it has to somehow "end up" in a computer, either by typing it all in again or by OCR. All THAT is avoided if you use a computer in the first place. So, "no comprendo"!

[@saulysw]

I accept all that you have written, and it is true. However, there is something about writing on a typewriter that some find noticeably different than a computer. It allows greater focus, and the limitations on editing encourage more forward progress. It may not be for you, but for others, it is much better.@@fredrichenning1367

[@Channelscruf]

@@fredrichenning1367Sounds like you’re happy to use a computer for writing. If I were in your shoes I’d continue doing that.

[@fredrichenning1367]

@@Channelscruf - Ha, ha.... good answer. Well, it is said that the famous Swedish author, Jan Guillou, who has written dozens of books, still uses typewriter. So, maybe there is something to it that I have missed.