Happy to join

[Vanya]

I’ve just inherited my dad’s Olympia typewriter but the carriage feels a bit sticky, so I’m hoping to pick up some beginner tips on cleaning and care. Cool forum, been lurking for quite some time

 

[typistman]

Welcome here Vanya

 

[phdezra]

I’ve just inherited my dad’s Olympia typewriter but the carriage feels a bit sticky, so I’m hoping to pick up some beginner tips on cleaning and care. Cool forum, been lurking for quite some time

@Vanya Welcome aboard — and congrats on inheriting an Olympia with family history behind it. You’ve come to a good corner of the internet; plenty of us started by lurking and then finally said, “Alright, time to ask why this carriage feels like molasses.”

For a “sticky” carriage, the usual culprit is old oil that’s turned gummy. A gentle first pass is to run the carriage back and forth a few times and watch the carriage rails, bearings, and escapement area. If you see anything looking dusty or lacquered, wipe it lightly with a microfiber cloth and a touch of alcohol on the cloth, not directly on the machine. Stay away from the escapement teeth unless you know what you’re looking at; they like to be clean but not drowned.

Once it moves freely, add the tiniest drop — truly tiny — of sewing-machine oil (or Tri-Flow brand--syntheitic oil) on the carriage bearings and the rails, then run the carriage a dozen times to let it settle. Olympias usually wake up quickly once the old varnish loosens.

If you want, let us know the exact model (SM? SG? Monica?) and maybe a photo; different Olympias have their own quirks. And again — glad you’re here. What’s the story behind your dad’s machine?

Ezra

 

[Alan]

Welcome to the forum @Vanya! I can see that our experts here welcomed you already Thanks @phdezra and @typistman