Typewriter Video Series - Episode 173: Olympia SG-3

[@donaldlampert331]

Wow, a friend was clearing out her husbands storage unit, and was going to throw away a large typewriter ( hidden under a vinyl typewriter cover)….. As she said that I could have anything that was left, I just grabbed the monster and put it in my car, then looked to see what it was….. yes, an SG-3!! It was dirty and kinda greasy, but all there….. after a good cleaning, like you I found that the keys all felt stuck at the start of the stroke. Months later, today, I took it outside, and brushed xylol all over the interior works…. Better, but still that stuckness! Well, you solved it….. it’s goo on the typebar backs from the rubber type rest! Am now scraping brown goo off each type slug…., thank you so much!! These are beautiful beasts! ❤

[@aphexteknol]

What a great review Joe. I’ve never had the chance to type on a full-size manual like that, but I got a pretty good idea of what it would be like now. From the sounds of it, you don’t sit down to type at an SG3, but more like you climb into the cockpit of the machine with its imposing size.

[@johnandrewmunroe]

Super Grail! WIth all the bells and whistles.

[@VirtualGuth]

The Hurst shifter reference with regards to the Paper Injector control lever is perfect - great call!

[@joaquint6092]

Once more I wanna thank you for sharing your passion. For me it's like going to a festival! I enjoy it so much. Receive a big hug of gratitude and friendship from Spain. PD. I was in TUS during Christmas time. May be one day we'll meet in person.

[@scottlaughlin3411]

Joe, I began typing short stories in 1964 while I was stationed in the West Indies. I bought a Olympia SM9 from a Tucson used store and fixed it. I've learned a lot from your videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@4355dcox]

Great balls of fire I can see Jerry Lee Lewis typing on that machine! Very nice review and nice machine Joe!

[@copyrightfreevideobyttf]

That typewriter looks massive! But quite nice, and love the colors!

[@TheRealAstroChicken]

My SG1 is one of, if not the best, in my collection.

[@vincentaurelius2390]

Great video and wonderful review, Joe. I have a new appreciation for the SG-3.

[@davidcornillie]

Monumental machine Joe. It is a genuine event when you load the paper into that thing. Working through a similar sticking type bar issue on a Mercedes typewriter. Same symptoms but the material the bars rest on (rubber) seems to have deteriorated and turned into a tar-like substance so after cleaning, I'll replace it with felt. Thanks for another great TWVS video and congrats on getting published in Cold Hard Type!

[@austinholt4022]

I just grabbed one of these (well, almost the same -- it's got the Olympia circle on the right, and is missing that autoloader, so maybe not an SG3 exactly? (I'm still learning, lol). Spanish language, made here in Mexico (word is, that they still made parts for these old beasts here in MX as late as 2009, so staggeringly easy to fix if need be). Anyway, it ran me about $40USD, and it's just a delight to use. It is HEFTY. Cosmetically, not in the best shape -- the usual layers of rust, and plenty of good old-fashioned dings on the case, but everything still hums like a champ, solid as a rock. You can tell it's gotten years of use, and is good to go for many, many more! Really enjoyed watching this video, thanks for making this content, Joe!

[@VintageTexas59]

Thanks for sharing Joe, I picked up one yesterday, very heavy but what a great typewriter. The paper loader handle and construction is a nice feature ! It's a keeper for sure.

[@dianemaher3538]

Hey Joe, it was a Smith Premier 4 that had the clearance on the drinking glass.

[@mathieubrown4767]

Just picked one of these up. Thank you for your review which helped me to pull the trigger. I also have an SM-9 and, to your point, the Sg-3 is a different machine that still adds value. Lovely machine (if you have the room) Be well Joe.

[@lespaul6550]

This is a great channel! I really appreciate the work you've done reviewing and describing all the features in these wonderful machines. I totally get why cats like typewriters, they are both very soulful, mysterious species. I have an SG3, a later model, and it is by far my favourite typewriter. But man, these mothers are heavy!

[@BokBarber]

I just got a 1967 SG3 at thrift. It's my first full sized machine, and likely the last typewriter I'll ever need to buy. It joins my SM3 to complete a collection of two, though I've owned many more portables in the past. The 1967 is basically the same as the '65, but with a gray motif. It's kind of a halfway point between that earlier color scheme and the boxy logo models from the 1970s and 1980s. They did cheapen those nice yellow levers to remove the carriage; on mine they're just metal nubs. Otherwise I don't really see much difference. So far, even with needing a little bit of servicing, this is inarguably the nicest feeling typewriter I've ever used. How could it not be? The engineering and quality control in these things is incomprehensible. There's no real comparison to the feel, build quality and bells/whistles that full sized Olympias had. The only real downside to it is that it's just so huge; you need dedicated space for this monster. If there's ever a reason I wind up parting with it, it'll be because it's such a monster. Thanks for sharing your machine, and good luck with your typing adventures!

[@i.f.haddock527]

Great! I have been looking at them online for awhile; they are really inexpensive - not shipping.

[@sjrisher51]

This is a wonderful video.

[@Naolslager]

I just acquired an SG-1. Fantastic machine and it gives my SMs a run for their money.

[@seanmatthews5279]

A thing of absolute beauty. Trying to source one in the UK, but either the bland grey/black colour, or no paper injector.

[@rogergamble7880]

Great video about my favorite brand. Watching the machine shudder as you type made me wonder whether there is a device or method that can measure the stability of typewriters. Of all my machines, the SG-3 and my SM-9 seem to be the "quietest" typers (they shake and scoot sideways the least), with the edge going to the SM-9, but that's just the unmeasured opinion of an amateur based on the "feel" of individual machines.

[@BvsMAcosh]

I have the russian electric version of this, called Yatran. I could not find anything about it on the internet, like what do those levers do on the carriage, or those below the cover. So thanks! I'll also try my glasses now for carriage clearance.

[@TypewriterMinutes]

That’s a big ‘un. Nice review!

[@loveisall5520]

I owned one of these for many years a few decades ago. Sad that so many newbies have never tried an office grade manual; it's like the difference between an Instamatic and a Leica.

[@typepals]

It's all business on the outside, and a party on the inside! Diane Maher is a member of my Typewriter Pen Pals group on Facebook. I actually just typed up a postcard to her earlier today.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

I could be wrong Joe but I'm pretty sure this HUGE "OLYMPIA" was meant to be a professional "office" machine. Obviously NOT designed to be easily "portable" but still "moveable" if the need arose.

[@pkrail]

Still kicking myself for not grabbing one that was at a local thrift store a couple of years ago.. I hadn't really gotten into the collecting aspect at the time.

[@misterf7739]

Awesome.

[@JB-uv4hm]

Black keyed model in “All the President’s Men.” One of you gurus should do a typewriters in movies series.

[@perrybucsdad]

Joe, I just picked one of these up, and it appears to have the Excellence No 64 type... just curious how rare that typeface is? I think it is super cool myself, but not sure if this was a common typeface for the SG-3's. Now if I could only find a good video showing how to take this partially apart to clean as it is super dirty. I thought Phoenix Typewrite would, but Nada.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I don't have my SG3 any more, else I'd look into how to take it apart. You can disconnect and remove the entire carriage by means of the two yellow levers. That should give access for cleaning the escapement and typebar linkages.

[@perrybucsdad]

@@Joe_VanCleave Thanks Joe... yes, that's about all I know how to disassemble on this one. Unfortunately, there are not a whole lot of sites or videos covering the SG3 and taking it apart or repairing it. Thankfully, it works like a champ still, and that amazing typeface is gorgeous.

[@LeifDjurfeldt]

The heaviest desktop typewriter I have is HUGE Olivetti Lexikon 80e (the electric olivetti from the 50s) it weights sround 30kg // 66 lb It sits on a rubber "base", rather than rubber feet.

[@HoiPolloi-go1gu]

Help! My backspace is jammed, what do i do?

[@romanwinter9287]

Please tell me who knows, lettered lever arm sg1 and sg3 identical or not? If not the same, then which models of typewriters are they the same as sg1

[@manuelmaldonado4787]

How can I adjust the drawband on my typewriter olympia sg 3? It was loose and I put it back together, I tightened the screw on the white disc but it doesn't work.

[@nakitauchichica]

I recently acquired that exact typewriter in almost working condition and a few bits missing, very dirty and old.. How do I go about cleaning/fixing/getting parts for it?

[@berniepokorski6608]

Be careful there, Joe! These standards can become an addiction! Ask me how I know.....

[@christophermckellar1352]

Joe! Thanks for the fun review. Now I am confused. I have an Olympia machine that’s small enough to be portable, much smaller than that wonderful machine you just reviewed. Its serial number is 2424539. I had identified it as an SG3 from 1970. But mine is much smaller than your SG three. I think I must be using the database wrong. Any help?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

You have to first find the Olympia section with your model, then find the serial number range. For example, if it’s an SM series portable, your serial number would be an SM8 or SM9 from 1964. But there were also Olympia branded machines not made in Germany. You’ll see those listed also in the Data Base. Try matching what your machine looks like with pictures in the gallery, to figure out the actual model; then check the serial number data base for the age.

[@christophermckellar1352]

Thanks! Looks like it’s an SM8 from 1964. I love this machine!

[@leonardpearlman4017]

@@Joe_VanCleave I have often wondered why they don't write the MODEL NAME and NUMBER on the things somewhere? It's not a secret! What if someone likes your machine and wants to buy one like it? What do you tell them? It's crazy!

[@dr.mcfeats6274]

I am a big fan of the SG1. I have not had the pleasure of using the SG3. I am sure Olympia maintained its production standards. In fact, I would say Olympia is the most consistent in quality control over the decades. Those yellow levers are interesting. The SG1 has black knobs on the the outside shell. Everything else seems the same, including that inner red paint.

[@dr1613]

What are those yellow levers for?

[@leonardpearlman4017]

@@dr1613 Try to believe it; if you throw both of them back all the way, the carriage can be lifted off!

[@xsonz2]

so uh, I have an SG3 B and it looks nothing like this, and Ive found a single image on the entire internet on an ebay posting that offers me zero information about it. Assuming its a bulk order office workhorse. a few less features than the typical sg3, but a very wide carriage and possibly a larger body. Can you offer any insight on this thing? has kinda an 80's office computer aesthetic to it but i have no clue how old it actually is

[@Joe_VanCleave]

This is the first I’ve heard of it! In the latter years of the typewriter there was less thorough documentation, ironically. Perhaps someone else has insight? Thanks for your input!

[@xsonz2]

@@Joe_VanCleave I found out the B stands for Breitwagen, a wide carriage unit for ledgers and accounting. I still cant find any form of documentation online but a few others have come to this same conclusion. Your SG3 has more bells and whistles, but boy. If the SG3 is big then the SG3 B is offensively huge XD thank you for responding!

[@sheireland3737]

I’m trying to decide between the Olympia SG and a Hermes ambassador.. Which should I buy? Which would you guys prefer?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

If you like the feel of an Olympia SM3 or -4 better than a Hermes 3000, then get the SG. Otherwise the Ambassador will feel closer to a Hermes 3000.

[@mantisw3182]

Olympia SG-3 je zakon za mehaničare :-)

[@Niikkkoooo]

Hello, I'm French and I learned the typist 45 years ago on an OLYMPIA SG3. I will own one soon but I dot not have the mode of employment in French, and not found on the internet. I do not remember what the right and left levers are on the side of the cart ? On the french machine, there is a key (left of the A) Keyboard AZERTY with 4 points ? and what does the MR and SL keys mean on your machine ? Thank you very much, very cordially from FRANCE, Nadine

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The key with 4 dots is usually the dejammer key. When you accidentally hit two keys at once and the type bars get tangled, hitting this key will (usually) unjam the type bars. The MR key is Margin Release, it permits you to move the carriage past the right or left margin settings. The SL key is shift lock.

[@Niikkkoooo]

@@Joe_VanCleave merci Joe, cordialement de France

[@Niikkkoooo]

Joe, another question? what is the use of the 2 levers on the right and the left on the 2 sides of the cart? Do you have the user manual in French? thank you Nadine

[@wickedlyfancy9551]

I’ve got a old typewriter but I don’t know anything about this field. Who could I possibly ask about ?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Does it work? It probably needs cleaning. Do you want to write with it? It may need a new ribbon. There’s a rich resource at the Antique Typewriter Collectors group, and Antique Typewriter Maintenance group, on Facebook.

[@wickedlyfancy9551]

Yes it works and I’ve already cleaned it up and the case it came in. Just know it’s Olympian Deluxe

[@javiercabrera8390]

Love that T-Shirt. Too bad its going to go old soon. Robots are getting cheaper... ;)

[@claudiaorozco5028]

How heavy is it

[@LASTHOUR2024]

He said it's 36 pounds. A monster of a machine for sure! :)

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

This was OBVIOUSLY an "office desktop only" machine. Portable? Yeah, maybe if you happen to be an OLYMPIC (Pun most definitely inteded!) weightlifter! WOW! Typically GERMAN. OVER ENGINEERED but incredibly durable too!

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

I'm mercifully ALLERGIC to felines! If I had a cat though? I DEFINITELY would throw a cover over this or ANY typewriter. THEN "FLUFFY" could nap on it all she wished!