Help finding a specific kind of typewriter...

[Daniel K]

Hi! My name is Daniel and I'd like some advice about finding a typewriter that allows the paper to lie (relatively) flat, like the Brother PersonaltType PY-80 does:
https://typewriterdatabase.com/1997-brother-py80.17336.typewriter

(Image credit goes to Guillermo Fernandez Boan over on TWDB)

I work in the printmaking department of a university in Australia. The department has collected a number of typewriters over the years but the one most useful to our students was the Brother PY-80 because it could type onto our thicker printmaking papers (like a 285gsm Fabriano Rosaspina or a 300gsm Hahnemuhl).
This is because when loading paper into the Brother you insert it down into the machine itself rather than needing to wrap it around a rubber roller, which we can't do to these thicker printmaking papers.
The Brother has a daisy wheel and ink-ribbon cartridge that move back and forth across the page, rather than the paper moving back and forth in a carriage.

Using the Brother the students enjoyed incorporating typewritten words and passages into their intaglio prints, often very beautifully.

Last year the Brother ran out of ink and I can not find a replacement cartridge anywhere.

My hope is to find a model of typewriter that incorporates this same paper insertion method, but that might use a more easily replaceable ribbon or cartridge.

At this point I'm fully prepared to hear that the Brother PY-80 is just a total weirdo and the only typewriter to ever work this way, but I thought it was worth posting on this forum and asking for help.

many many thanks for hearing me out.

dan.

 

[Alan]

Hi @Daniel K Welcome to the forum! If you’re after a machine with a softer touch, I think you can look into late‑50s Smith‑Corona portables. they’re known for light key action and smooth typing. They also show up often on eBay and thrift sites, so they’re easier to track down than some European models. Hope this helps!

 

[Daniel K]

Hi @Daniel K Welcome to the forum! If you’re after a machine with a softer touch, I think you can look into late‑50s Smith‑Corona portables. they’re known for light key action and smooth typing. They also show up often on eBay and thrift sites, so they’re easier to track down than some European models. Hope this helps!

Thanks Alan!
I'm really struggling to find a Smith-Corona, late-50s or otherwise, that has the lay-flat paper design that I'm looking for (like the Brother PY-80 in the photos).
Every Smith-Corona I've seen so far uses a rubber platen that the paper rolls around.

Did you have any specific models in mind?

 

[phdezra]

Thanks Alan!
I'm really struggling to find a Smith-Corona, late-50s or otherwise, that has the lay-flat paper design that I'm looking for (like the Brother PY-80 in the photos).
Every Smith-Corona I've seen so far uses a rubber platen that the paper rolls around.

Did you have any specific models in mind?

@Daniel K A “lay flat” paper does not exist with manual typewriters, except maybe some 1890s. Electrics yes, but manual typewriters don’t keep the paper curled once you are finished… easily uncurls and overall machine less likely to run into issues long term if you get a solid Smith-Corona or such. GL.

 

[Daniel K]

@Daniel K A “lay flat” paper does not exist with manual typewriters, except maybe some 1890s. Electrics yes, but manual typewriters don’t keep the paper curled once you are finished… easily uncurls and overall machine less likely to run into issues long term if you get a solid Smith-Corona or such. GL.

Thanks Phdezra, this IS helpful; it's good to know that I need to be looking for an electric typewriter.
It's not that I'm worried about manual typewriters curling the paper, it's that our 300gsm paper simple can't make it around that roller, they are too thick and stiff for a manual typewriter. The Brother was perfect for them.
Unfortunately I haven't found an electric typewriter that shares the Brother PY-80's lay-flat design yet. All the ones I've seen still use the rubber platen like a manual typewriter does.

I'll go read through the posts in the electric typewriter forums and look for good models.
If I can't find anything maybe I should repost my question there specifically.

 

[Alan]

Thanks @phdezra! And you're welcome to update of what you find, @Daniel K!