Comments on: Olympia SF Deluxe

By: Bob Margolis

Bob Margolis — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 16:51:20 +0000

In reply to Bob Margolis. Replying to myself: "upon which I am typing this" well perhaps because it was sneering at me from a foot off to the left, because my Traveller de Luxe is not yet Internet capable (what was I thinking?) and ... no comma before a parenthesis, I mean, really!

By: Bob Margolis

Bob Margolis — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 02:28:08 +0000

In reply to tastyrerun. I have the SF Deluxe and its followups, the Traveller de Luxe,(upon which I am typing this) and the, you know, last-in-line plastic Traveller de Luxe (which has fixed tabs, and power-space!) and also the SM8 and SM9, and yes, there is a big difference, but as Daniel says, these ultra-portables are traveling companions. I think the SF & Travellers are machines for fierce typists who wish to release their aggressions. They just don't seem polite and delicate, though you can, if you want., type gently on them. A lot more "clack" here than with the refined SM's. So, sure, you can love them so long as you deal with them on their own terms.

By: Jack Bloom

Jack Bloom — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 18:04:19 +0000

In reply to Daniel Marleau.

I have an SF Deluxe model with serial #95-0959275. I see on the twdb that all serial numbers that begin with 95 only have five or six numbers after. Mine is cream/grey with the green paper feed knobs, the more typical color combo. I cannot find anywhere that has a nine digit serial number. And I’ve written letters to Olympia, typewriting groups all over the world…for years now I’ve searched and every single person says one of two things: “you’re wrong, it’s only six digits after the 95” or “we don’t know.” I would give anyone $50 if they could tell me what year mine was manufactured. One person told me that my machine more than likely was a one-off, made for an executive (or the like) for Olympia. I’d love any illumination on this. Thank you!

By: Tim’s Museum of Obsolete Tech 6 – Tim Covell

Tim’s Museum of Obsolete Tech 6 – Tim Covell — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 00:49:44 +0000

[…] Olympia Travellers are not just common from their relative youth and rugged-by-nature design, but from their long period of manufacture – from around 1970 to at least 1987. And they are not a preferred machine for typing enthusiasts. There are compromises made to achieve the small size, such as carriage shift instead of the lighter basket shift. My Olympia Regina de Luxe is a more comfortable and capable machine. The Traveller also reflects cost-cutting compared to previous compact portables from Olympia. […]

By: Daniel Marleau

Daniel Marleau — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 20:20:10 +0000

In reply to tastyrerun. It's true. When stacked up against the larger portables, these smaller machines often don't pass muster. If you consider it your traveling companion, you won't be disappointed.

By: tastyrerun

tastyrerun — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 15:34:21 +0000

Wow. I picked up an SF Deluxe, it seemed to be in quite good condition, I gave it the usual cleanup and service and it just typed terrible. I was disappointed, told myself that even Olympia can’t be perfect all the time, and set it aside. Reading this I’m wondering if maybe I’ve misjudged the little critter. Probably just needs a more in-depth visit to the workbench. I’m going to give it another go. I love my SM 4, 7, and 9 machines. I want to love the SF too. Thanks for the writeup!

By: Daniel Marleau

Daniel Marleau — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 13:34:08 +0000

In reply to Jack Cochran.

1950s-1970s. You can see all the styles here:
https://typewriterdatabase.com/Olympia.SF.61.bmys

By: Jack Cochran

Jack Cochran — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 02:47:51 +0000

What years were the SF’s manufactured? Thank you!

By: JAYoung

JAYoung — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 17:51:33 +0000

There is a carriage lock at the left rear of the carriage, which should be in the rear position to type, or forward to lock and center the carriage to prevent escapement damage in transit.
I found my 1969 SF recently at great condition in a thift shop for $2.99, priced low, I suspect, because of its toy-like appearance in all its disco-era, blue-and-white glory. “Made in Western Germany.”
But this is no toy — the precision of the copy it produces is exceptional — especially for a compact mechanical.

By: PK

PK — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 18:12:32 +0000

In reply to John Baum. If the carriage is just sliding back and forth "loose" and it doesn't move when you hit the space bar or type a letter then it is likely that the drawband has either come off and the mainspring has lost it's tension.. You had best go online and look at YouTube and search typewriter drawband spiring, or the facebook group Antique Typewriter Maintenance group.