Typewriter Video Series Episode 347: Electric Typewriter Rodeo

[@indro71]

Never seen that snappy(!) Hermes! Nice vid. You did it again 😉

[@kerc]

I absolutely love the Hermes 10. I got mine, with cursive typeface (nice, huh?) for only $15 about two years ago. One of my all-time favorite typewriters regardless of the type!

[@ronkelsey1983]

I may have to talk Susan into getting a Coronet! Keep on influencing Joe!

[@AtelierDBurgoyne]

Haha! You are a great husband. Daniel

[@douglasjackson9058]

Great video and comparison. I have acquired several simalar machines. Love them for stream of consciousness typing.

[@Lysander-Spooner]

I have a Smith Corona Electra 120 with the Script typeface. Cool machine.

[@JeffCowan]

Joe, the exceptional channel curiousmarc covers a ton of the Apollo computers and radio electronics. Truly a marvel.

[@pkguy3]

The power return on portables really only factors in as a benefit, imho, for fairly fast or better touch typists like you mentioned to keep your train of thought. That being said a slow acting power return can hinder it as well. SCM really managed to package an office electric into a portable with the 6 series portables with that power return as well as the wide width tab bar across the top which is useable with either hand compared to the Hermes where it looks like you'd have to take your eyes of your work so your finger would find it. Enjoyed the vid.

[@ROBERTPACHECO-ds7in]

YES, JOE. I HAD BOTH SCM'S WITH AND WITHOUT ELECTRICFIDE CARRIDGE RETURN. I NEEDED THE ELECTRIC KEYBORAD BECAUSAE I COULDN'T HIT THE KEYS HARD ENOUGH TO PRINT THE LETTERS, BUT THE ELECTRICITY TOOK CARE OF THAT. STAY CREATIVE,, ROBERT

[@rodjapavlik5730]

Haha... "best of both worlds" - exactly the same thoughts about the Smith-Corona Electric. I really love the easy typing AND the lever. I really need that one. I just recently found one QWERTZ here in Austria and I'm quite happe with it. Unfortunately I destroyed the knob. Do you have one spare knob left?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Sorry, no spare knobs.

[@AtelierDBurgoyne]

I might have one but not sure which model ypu need. I'll contact you.

[@herik1263]

excellent video! I haven't had the opportunity to try an electric typewriter yet, I think I'll buy one later. The speed duel between typewriters was very creative. Is there an adjustment to speed up the carriage of the Olympia reporter a little?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

It might be the drive belt. The original was a flexible toothed vee belt, but I’ve replaced it with a round o-ring style belt. The highest load on the belt is during the carriage return, it may be slipping.

[@thestarwarsemperor8334]

So where could I aquire a smith corona series 5 typewriter?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

EBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, a typewriter repair shop, etc.

[@thestarwarsemperor8334]

@@Joe_VanCleave cool, thanks!

[@someonespadre]

There’s a really cheap Sears electric near me, I think it’s a SCM with Sears nameplate…”Sears” “THE ELECTRIC 1/with correction” Carriage return handle, no key for it. Does have a power shift key.

[@joeycredible]

How do you clean these with the electric parts? The mechanical ones can be degreased, hosed down and dried with air compression; what about these with the electric parts?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Don’t immerse the whole unit, but you can get rather liberal with the solvents, just keep them from the motor and belts.

[@christophermckellar1352]

Ha! Already I am very much enjoying your retirement! Continue.

[@d3DMediaPaintStudio]

Hello Joe, Will you guys be hosting any typewriter gatherings in ABQ anytime soon? :-)

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Saturday, March 11, from Noon until 4pm, at the Special Collections Library, will be our next public gathering. The library staff will also be doing a letterpress print-making demonstration at their museum in the library.

[@commandorpirx912]

Personally, just for convenience's sake, I like to use the distinction between "electric" (Selectric-style, thermal, etc., everything with a cartridge gliding on a rail or other, non-typebar, printing methods) vs. "electrified" (in which electricity animates a mechanical assembly with typebars), but I don't know if this distinction has any currency among the typewriter afficionados.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I think the terminology is still in flux - and I like your term!

[@cfloren]

The Selectric is still very much an "animated mechanical assembly" - you could power a basic Selectric with a windmill or a donkey turning a crank, and it would still work as usual with the right gearing. It's an amazing machine that happens to be powered by an electric motor, so in that way I'd argue it's the same category as a typebar electric ;-)

[@davidwalz3317]

I really like smith & corona typewriters, they are built like tanks and there are very available in the U.S.

[@brendablomberg8483]

❤️

[@Andykev]

I have the brown Coronet. I gave away the Olympia Reporter. I did not like it as much. Don't forget that it is getting harder to find replacement drive belts.... I hear a loyal subscriber tipped you off to using a "water filter 0-ring" to run the machine. Gramercy Typewriter Company told me you can't get the replacement belts any longer.

[@AtelierDBurgoyne]

Vee belts in those sizes are still made but are expensive.

[@fivewandhaul]

My daughter asked me if anyone found your message in a bottle.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Two of them have been found! I'll do an update soon.

[@cfloren]

@@Joe_VanCleave Did you send an SOS to the World?