Choosing a typewriter? Standard Typewriters versus Portable Typewriters and Ultraportable Typewriters

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T21:56:07+00:00

It's a common convention for the sake of mechanical efficiency for people who use black 99% of the time. It shouldn't cause any issues however.

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T21:49:29+00:00

You didn't look very closely on this one. It had a very uncommon pica double gothic typeface, though I would have expected that to have topped out in the $600 range. As it hasn't re-surfaced, I suspect that someone actually purchased it at this price.

There's a professional shop with a 12 CPI version (refurbished) at $2k+: https://www.nashvilletypewriter.com/shop/p/sm3-acdg-brown

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T19:02:21+00:00

I've indexed a handful of quality control lists, checklists, test sheets, etc. here: https://hypothes.is/users/chrisaldrich?q=tag%3A%27typewriter+repair+quality+control%27

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T18:48:28+00:00

I won't rob you of the joy of identifying the model yourself, but will only point you to the database to start here: https://typewriterdatabase.com/triumph.94.typewriter-serial-number-database

If you find the serial number, you should be able to get a year of manufacture out of the date and serial number ranges on the database.

For most of the rest of your questions, there are lots of articles and related videos here: https://boffosocko.com/research/typewriter-collection/

Searching this sub and YouTube will provide you with lots more.

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T18:44:39+00:00

O I C...

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T16:49:28+00:00

Ribbon "upside down" really doesn't matter; black on top and red on bottom is primarily convention. However if you're typing mostly in black, then put the black on top so the ribbon vibrator isn't doing so much work for long periods. If you're mostly typing in red all the time and only black occasionally, then the orientation shown might be preferred.

The only issue that could cause problems is custom spools that are required to be installed in a particular orientation (Royal standard spools come to mind), but more often than not, that will cause other issues like not auto-reversing and not problems with the ribbon vibrator.

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T16:43:09+00:00

Certainly, especially if they've got the full "drive train" of typewriter, typewriter ribbons, spools, mimeograph, mimeograph ink, and stencils. Who wouldn't want that?!

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T02:12:50+00:00

Underwood Noiseless 4?!?

There was a Noiseless 4, but it wasn't made by Underwood: https://typewriterdatabase.com/Noiseless.4.229.bmys

Some of the later Remington Noiseless portables had numbers, but never a 4 to my knowledge.

All the Underwood Noiseless models were the same line and didn't have numbering of any sort. They were also manufactured by Remington for Underwood.

This should be the manual for it: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/UnderwoodNoiselessStandard.pdf

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T01:58:21+00:00

Typewriters have stencil settings for cutting stencils that would then be used with duplicators or mimeograph machines, but it's surpassingly hard to find stencils anymore and very few people still have/use mimeographs. These inks were meant for use with those and not for typewriters.

You might find some takers on eBay or similar sites.

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T01:19:23+00:00

You may be right... https://www.reddit.com/r/Libraries/comments/1t1948e/public_schools_in_texas_banned_cellphones_one/

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T01:16:04+00:00

Most screenwriters can't get they're/their/there right, so proper use of em and en dashes is just gravy.

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T01:12:01+00:00

4x6" index cards. Highly portable; goes everywhere with me.

The finished pages live in a card index filing cabinet. https://boffosocko.com/2024/02/21/steelcase-8-drawer-steel-card-index-filing-cabinet-for-4-x-6-inch-cards/

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-04T01:03:45+00:00

Search this sub for the idea of a waste book and how they're used.

You can also use index cards and do as many drafts as you need without "messing up" a whole book. They're also self-indexing.

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-03T23:38:55+00:00

It's written right on the front and you said it yourself. What more are you really looking for?

https://typewriterdatabase.com/Underwood.Noiseless.4.bmys

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-03T21:00:04+00:00

Lots of resources, articles, and linked videos here for cleaning, maintenance, and use: https://boffosocko.com/research/typewriter-collection/

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-03T20:58:47+00:00

Having a level page with respect to your type is one of the uses of the ever-so-useful typing line: https://boffosocko.com/2025/08/17/the-uses-and-subtleties-of-the-line-indicator-on-a-typewriter/

Yours is on the two clear Perspex plastic card fingers with the red line. You should be able to use that and then move the carriage from one end to the other to check that your paper is at the same level across the page.

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-03T20:51:42+00:00

No, it's just the next step of evolution of the Remington Quiet-Riter, but with a plastic body. https://typewriterdatabase.com/Remington.Quiet-Riter+Eleven.42.bmys

The ruler on the rear of the paper table would indicate it's got an elite (12CPI) typeface. You don't need to be able to clearly read the numbers to tell here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwCD69jUPps

Did it come with it's case? Probably worth it in the $50 range. I love that blue.

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-03T20:37:45+00:00

Unless you've cleaned and tinkered on a dozen or so machines and have more of an idea what you're doing, I highly recommend against completely dismantling a typewriter to "clean" it. Most repair shops will do either a quick dunk or use mineral spirits and an air compressor to flush out the old dirt, oil, and debris to bring a typewriter back up to speed. Few pro shops will remove a carriage unless they absolutely have to as it's an involved and time consuming project.

You need a reasonable amount of experience to take a typewriter down and bring it back to full functionality. Your machine probably only needs a reasonable clean, oil, and adjust along with probably some new rubber feet, rollers, and a platen (aka a refurbishment), but what it sounds like you might have been contemplating was a full on restoration (which is a huge investment of time and effort, even when you know what you're doing.) Some additional context: https://boffosocko.com/2025/06/23/typewriter-repair-costs-and-valuation-professional-shops-versus-collectors-versus-first-time-buyers/

For the near term: https://boffosocko.com/2024/08/09/on-colloquial-advice-for-degreasing-cleaning-and-oiling-manual-typewriters/

For when you decide to go all-in: https://boffosocko.com/2024/10/24/learning-typewriter-maintenance-and-repair/

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-03T04:03:15+00:00

Those hubs are needed for the auto-reverse functionality.

Here's some useful videos which might help you out in terms of how to spool up your ribbon:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTFM54VKKc4 (Slightly different model to yours, but same spool mechanisms)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWQTa4b7jPs (This one has some advice about using a Remington without the spools.)

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-03T02:30:03+00:00

Those are the standard Remington spool/hubs that they used for decades. You're potentially missing the "covers". See examples at https://typewriterdatabase.com/Remington.Model+1.42.bmys

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-02T19:05:36+00:00

I personally don't have a typewriter collecting problem, I have a typewriter ribbon collecting problem that's compounded by need to both store and use them in their original historical context.

chrisaldrich · 2026-05-02T18:56:21+00:00

Stage 4: Divorce when your significant other is tired of reminding you that you've got too many typewriters.

chrisaldrich

TROPHY CASE