PRETTY IN PLASTIC!! The Underwood 378 typewriter that stole my heart

[@rustyalcorta3643]

I got one of these as a gift. All my Olivetti and Olivetti Underwoods have been gifts starting with an Olivetti ICO with glass keys and a Spanish keyboard when I was 12 in 1963. They also gave me the 319 that is exactly like this one but gray.

[@Doughboy842]

Such a sweet looking machine. And good condition as well. Who ever owned this in the past looked after it really well.

[@shirleylum2198]

Love it so much! I learned how to type on one, a "Underwood Olivetti", the office kind, circa 1975.

[@RabbiSteve]

Scored a 319 (which looks similar) of these on a ShopGoodwill auction for $29 total, including shipping & handling (winning bid was $16). It is in excellent condition and was my first manual ultra-portable (I now have two: this one and a Royal that needs some more cleaning before it will be usable). I love this machine so far. Sweet spot as far as weight and size. Light enough to carry around easily, but heavy enough *not* to slide around while using. I like the line spacing, which seems to be (from bottom up): double line, 1 ½ line, single line, ½ line (which I had never seen before), and no-line or free spacing (lever ratchets not engaged so the carriage turn just moves freely with turn. Also something I had not seen before on that particular control). This will be my go-to for now, when I just want to go to a park or something to write.

[@moringabriel2022]

I have it! Canadian French model good as new! It stole my heart too

[@RabbiSteve]

And thank you for this video.

[@southside_lullaby]

I am in LOVE w this plastic typewriter too! I have 5 typewriters I love but this has turned out to be the one I use the most since I bought it. I think BECAUSE it is so plastic it feels like a toy that I'm playing on and having so much fun. My metal machines are too much pressure to write the next great American novel....

[@certs743]

Cool video. I just picked one up at a local antique mall for 60 dollars CDN. I love the curvy two tone blue and white and it feels very smooth typing on it.

[@joellebrodeur1015]

I now have my mom's Underwood 319. I don't know how good of a typewriter compared to this one in the video. It looks identical, lol. My mom frequently rented a Selectric II when she had more intense writing projects. The Underwood she used when it was her only typewriter until she got a Brother word processor in the late 80s. The learning curve on that was a pain, even for me, so back to the Underwood. As old as Underwood is, only the case aged but the typewriter itself hasn't aged a bit. It is a loud typewriter in my opinion unless there's a lever to adjust how hard the letters are struck on the paper.

[@johnlennon1049]

Great video!

[@crystalbennett1069]

Hi Charlie! I love it! P.S. Miss seeing you and your crazy mustache on the social media accounts, but... I deleted my social media accounts. Got tired of all the drama people feel compelled to toss around. Anyway.... ttfn ;-)

[@rodneyhamilton182]

I have this machine and use it often.

[@Musique3579]

Great! I just picked on up today. Missing are the two screw-nuts that would be over ea. reel to hold it tighter.. Do you know where these can be found? The only "Plastic" Machine I have, but I like it too. (My model is the 316.)

[@sarigreen9749]

Maybe you can answer a question for me. I just scored one of these typewriters, for free (YAY), and I'm wondering which ribbon I would need to get for it. If you can help with an answer, I'd truly appreciate it!

[@artbarnstudiocreston1916]

I have the exact same one ... ordered a new ribbon...I’m pretty much loosing my mind trying to get the new ribbon to work tho :(. I’d love to see a video on how to install the ribbon!

[@TypewriterJustice]

download the owners manual for the Olivetti Lettera 32 from site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html since they have exactly the same guts. Keep in mind, you will need eyelets on each end of the ribbon for the reverse mechanism to function, and you might have to put a slight Bend in them for the eyelets to make it around the outer guide posts. Hope this helps!

[@brucetumpalan6399]

I have one of these, but a pretty banged up one, with the dust cover gone and a ribbon spool screw missing. Plus, it's semi-rusted. FYI It was from a junk find. Still types well but has a problem of skipping a letter occasionally.

[@danmiller6890]

Ah the curves........ :) Great machine!! Looks fantastic!

[@taylorc010]

Looks great. I found the same model online but the owner doesn’t know what ribbon it requires; they just said black and red. Are universal ribbons compatible with yours? Cheers

[@TypewriterJustice]

Taylor Cunningham - 99% of all typewriters use a standard 1/2inch (13mm) ink ribbon, and this one is no exception :)

[@taylorc010]

@@TypewriterJustice Thanks mate!

[@coreyprouse8900]

I just acquired this typewriter and it being the first one I've ever owned, I guess you could call me typewriter illiterate. Is there any way you could possibly tell me how to go about changing the ribbon, mine is dried up and I cannot find a video anywhere online. TIA.

[@TypewriterJustice]

as i mention in the video, mechanically this machine is incredibly similar to the Olivetti Lettera 32(same internal design) and so you can use that owner’s manual to learn your way around. There are two different free pdf versions of the manual, and i prefer this one site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/OlivettiLettera32_ManualEN.pdf Cheers!

[@calebrobertson9589]

Hey man, I have an Underwood 319 and the linespace lever will push the carriage to the right, but will not space the lines. I have to turn the knob on the side to space my lines. Any help on fixing that? Also, my bell is nowhere near as loud as yours.

[@cavitheangel1711]

Hello Charlie!!!! I see that your video is a year old but I found it as I search for help, I just bought the same model typewriter a couple days ago and I’m having a problem with the ribbon installation, the spoils don’t rotate...I don’t know if I’m doing something wrong or it was sold broken

[@wildflower2344]

I really, really want one. Thanks for the video. ~Vicki

[@gaellesinsaire]

Hello,I just got a Underwood 378 Typewriter yesterday and it's my first typewriter, how do I clean and what supplies should I use. I am clueless Please let me know.

[@TypewriterJustice]

@@gaellesinsaire congrats! they’re fantastic machines :) probably the best place to start is Richard Polt’s website, where a wealth of information awaits site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-restoration.html

[@pamelapowell8214]

I just bought one of these little typewriters and would like to give it a good cleaning. Is there a way to remove the body plastic without removing the carriage assembly?

[@TypewriterJustice]

yep - it all comes off, and furthermore, you should NEVER remove the carriage from a typewriter without a darned good reason; that’s a complicated operation best left to an experienced repair technician (most of whom will rarely remove a carriage)

[@crookedlight]

How does the olivetti lettera 35i fit into the 22 32 group?

[@gaellesinsaire]

I just brought an Underwood 378 typewriter, how to clean it, and to find a guide for it. Please let me know.

[@TypewriterJustice]

There is no single easy answer to this, but you DO have a good machine, and it is well worth restoring. if you want to do it yourself, a great way to start is by reading the ‘basic restoration’ tab of Richard Polt’s excellent website site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-restoration.html Should you decide to take it to a shop instead, there is also a list of repair shops at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html

[@teagan1910]

Where can you get this I’ve been trying to find it everywhere

[@based_gaming8853]

I recently bought one of these, but I can’t find ribbons for it, do you know where I could find them?

[@TypewriterJustice]

if you search for “Lettera 32” ribbons on ebay you will find them….same ribbon & spool

[@TypewriterJustice]

www.ebay.com/itm/OLIVETTI-LETTERA-32-TYPEWRITER-RIBBON-BLACK-INK-ONLY-/201603968757?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

[@twogreenthumbs5479]

HOw did you clean the blue part of the plastic? I have an exact one and my blue plastic has now turned to Khaki colour :(. mine was my dad's its about 50 years old

[@TypewriterJustice]

google ‘retrobrite’ plastic treatment - i’ve never tried it on blue, but i imagine it will work fine. i use liquid 40 volume H2O2 in a reflection box out in the sun

[@redsnipe4223]

Hi! Any idea on how to fix a carriage that won’t advance when keys are pressed?

[@TypewriterJustice]

Redsnipe 42 - yep, but first you have to determine why it’s not, as there are quite a few possible causes and very often more than one. If you haven’t already, poke around on site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/indexmobile.html to get your feet wet. There is a wealth of information there: a good tips section, an excellent list of active repair shops, service manuals, owners manuals, etc.

[@TheBunden]

Thanks for the video, just picked one up today for $40 CDN and it is in mint shape. The guy I bought it from had it bought new by his Mother in the early 80s is my guess. Is there a way to date it by serial number? Even Ted Munk has a question mark on the date (197x) on his in the TWDB. My serial number is 8039291 which makes it the newest model in the TWDB (which I plan on getting all of my 126 machines registered into eventually).

[@TypewriterJustice]

nice! that’s a good find :) re the year, if it’s not in TWDB then it might be lost to posterity

[@abigailmarie8938]

I have one of these I have been trying to sell at yard sales! wondering if you could tell me what it's worth in good condition? also where would be a good place to sell to find it a good home! Thanks

[@TypewriterJustice]

Abigail Marie - a lot of a typewriters worth depends on its functionality, so if yours is in working order & you’re willing to demonstrate it, you should try selling it online. I use eBay, and have pretty much always had good results; packing them for shipping can be tricky, but that’s what a lot of my videos are for :)

[@eleanorharbon3536]

Hi there! Not sure if you will answer but hey! Tomorrow I’m picking up a lilliput typewriter from a cancer research shop for £20. Is this good? Any tips? It’s my first ever typewriter but I’ve always wanted one! Any tips or advice would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance. Eleanor x

[@TypewriterJustice]

sounds like a great price! the 'lilliput' typeface can be a bit of a strain on my poor eyesight, so i personally lean more towards Pica, but it's definitely still useful. Nice score!

[@eleanorharbon3536]

Hi @typewriterjustice shame to say that when i got there it was gone! However i picked up a lettera 22 in dusty turquoise a couple of weeks later! For £35 from a charity shop store room! Live it so much works like a dream xx

[@shendaraalshedir1933]

Hello T.Justice- REALLY hoping u read this n will reply!🤞I just bought this EXACT one off Kijiji 2 wks ago for $35/Cdn. Great price as most were listed much higher. But the ribbon is dry. Today via Amazon l got 2 new ribbons delivered. (A spare just in case.) But the new is plastic & l can't figure out how to remove the old metal spools, so l can install the new plastic ribbon spools. Basically, l got the parts, noooo idea how to do it!- Do you know how l do it?? If you read this, thank you!

[@TypewriterJustice]

KEEP YOUR METAL SPOOLS!! just wind the new ribbon onto them! first take a picture to two(or twelve) of how the ribbon is installed, then unscrew the small silver knob on top of each spool to remove them

[@shendaraalshedir1933]

@@TypewriterJustice Omg, thank u sooo much for replying! Ok so now l know NOT to put the new plastic ones in it's place, so that's 1 problem solved t.👍u.!- And it did look to me like those silver knobs did have to get unscrewed b4 anything else could happen. So now the only thing is to find someone w/some kind of pliers + very strong hands 🤞as those knobs r really super tight. I have very bad arthritis in my hand joints, opening jars is a challenge! But at least now l have a good starting point. I REALLY appreciate your taking the time to reply + help, thank u very very much!! 🤗🐾

[@Ryowazza99]

Hello! I'm looking for a silent typewriter because I usually work at night. Do you think this could be a good solution?

[@TypewriterJustice]

Ryo wazza - not really. most of the time you will get better results with a metal bodied machine than a plastic one, but that is just a rule of thumb - plastic is normally loud. The rubber feet, the platen, your desk, and your typing pad all make a huge difference, and should be taken into consideration. I would recommend a Smith Corona Sterling/Silent, Hermes 3000, Remington Noiseless, or an Olympia SM3/4/5/7/9. You're going to have to put some work into your machine no matter what, but any of those models will do as an excellent starting point.

[@user-qw3sw5bd7n]

Where can I purchase one like this one?!!!

[@TypewriterJustice]

eBay, Etsy, and antique shops are my standard hunting grounds. To find a fully refurbished machine normally requires going to a typewriter shop, or finding a reputable seller online

[@TypewriterJustice]

in fact, there's a listing for this same model (though a different color) ending on the Goodwill website today www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/61679089

[@TypewriterJustice]

it's a 319 instead of a 378, but mechanically they're pretty much identical

[@user-qw3sw5bd7n]

TypewriterJustice thank you!

[@gaellesinsaire]

ire 1 second ago I have a underwood 378 with severe does anyone where I can get fix, I brought it on ebay.

[@TypewriterJustice]

there is a list of repair shops at site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html

[@mattrobinson47]

Besides color, what are the differences (if you know) btwn your Underwood 378 and Underwood 319s? They look identical, with the same features, same keys, same tab mechanism… Was it just the color? My 319 has same color body shell, but the case top and the botton are grey. Also, it reeks of out-gassing; very strong odor even after deep cleaning with mineral spirits etc