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| 1972 Olivetti Lettera 32 6391963 |
I could have made my title "Olivetti Lettera" 32 times, like for the Oliver #5, but that would be silly.
My only excuse for buying so many typewriters so fast was so that I could get a lot of common typewriters at decent prices so on future eBay ventures I could focus only on the more special ones.
My only excuse for buying so many typewriters so fast was so that I could get a lot of common typewriters at decent prices so on future eBay ventures I could focus only on the more special ones.
Composed with my Olivetti Lettera 32
Very nice score! I am with you on the idea that most L32's are nicer to type on than most L22's, but it very much varies from machine to machine. I've encountered 2 or 3 L22's that typed very nicely, and at least 2 L32's that felt dead.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many variables that come into importance on a 40 to 80 year old machine such that I can imagine just about any variety of typing niceness can occur.
DeleteWhere it was stored later in life, how it was kept when it was newer, how much it was used, how it was used, whether it was dropped, if it was maintained profesionally...probably more variables than that.
Sweet little machine.
ReplyDeletePB B'laster solves nearly all lube problems, in my experience. But often the ribbon problems are caused by a little friction between the vibrator and the type guide.
That is always my first thing to check and this doesn't have any friction going on.
DeleteI should get some. I keep hearing about it all the time.
Have a look at where the ribbon vibrator pivots on its lifting arm, sometimes just a drop of WD40 will free it. If it still sticks after that then have a good look at the ribbon winding mechanism under both spools as they are both actuated by the same mechanism.
ReplyDeleteI know it is the ribbon advance mechanism, and I've tried with limited success due to not being able to remove the bottom panel. I can't find any screws to take it off, or clips or anything.
DeleteRemoving the bottom panel is doable, but tricky. If you can get a medium-size binder clip, it can help you get a grip on the feet. They are held in place by a mushroom-shaped metal piece that fits up inside the foot.
ReplyDeleteClamp the clip on to the feet, and gently ease them off, pulling parallel to the direction they are facing. Once you get one foot off, you'll see how they fit in place, just go slow and easy so you don't tear up the rubber.
With all four feet off, the bottom should hinge off easily. The feet are the secret!
I got the bottom off mine by levering with a screwdriver. If the bottom plate bends, bend it back when you are done. Should be minimal if you lever close to the mushroom head/rubber grommet fitting. The feet on my 32 are quite separately attached. Strangely, my '66 Italian example is also probably the least use I have. They are noisy little blighters, but they type like a dream.
ReplyDeleteMine had rubber so new that they popped right off like it was new! It is so obvious now, silly how I missed it. I guess I was expecting screws because I'd never seen a panel come off without them.
Delete