this post was submitted on 15 Jan 2026
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[–] JargonWagon@lemmy.world 2 points 1 hour ago

Typewriters - mostly just buying/using them, haven't delved too much into the actual restoration/cleaning part just yet:

  • There's a Discord that has a lot of information and a nice, welcoming community.
  • Typewriter Database is a very handy tool to help you identify your typewriter model and year based on the serial number.
  • The case can get messed up depending what you clean with, so do your research well so that you don't accidentally strip the paint.
  • Estate/garage sales are great for finding typewriters.
  • When buying a typewriter, bring a piece of paper with you and test it out: type with every key, use the shift and caps lock, try the red and black inks, backspace, tab, set a few tabs and then tab through each one, reach the end of the line and see if the bell rings, etc. Don't let social anxiety get in the way of you testing a product before buying, especially if it's costing a pretty penny.
  • Speaking of price, I'm not sure how it is everywhere, but where I am you can get a good typewriter for under $100, even under $50, fairly consistently. I just went on OfferUp and I was able to find a few at around $50 that I would purchase myself tonight if I wasn't already strapped for cash.
  • The few typewriters I would spend over $100 on if I had the money (all in working condition, even better if it has a case): Royal Model 10 with the glass side, Olivetti Lettera 33, and the Hermes Baby.