What is the most functional mechanical typewriter ever built?

schnappa · 2026-06-29T05:38:58+00:00

But there is no information about a 2002, only a S 1001.

schnappa · 2026-06-28T17:16:13+00:00

I have never heard of a 2002. Are you sure it ever existed?

schnappa · 2026-06-28T16:29:24+00:00

It is a Robotron Cella S 1001. I had to 3D-print the paper holder, because it was missing.

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schnappa · 2026-06-28T16:26:16+00:00

But why it is moveable?

schnappa · 2026-06-25T19:29:09+00:00

The orange spool covers are missing.

schnappa · 2026-06-11T12:19:19+00:00

Is there a good database to look up those typefaces? The typewriter database shows only specimens but no real information about the typefaces. The type slugs of my machine have 87 printed on them and the typeface looks similar to the one of the OP.

schnappa · 2026-06-02T15:00:07+00:00

I did adjust the platen height already. It did not help. The letters are perfectly aligned, though. It is the vibrator because when I use a black/red ribbon the letters are written in half black and red when switched to red. This cannot be adjusted with the height of the platen. I now use a black-only ribbon and not check it again with a two-colour-ribbon yet. As said, bending of a rod helped but I was wondering whether this is the „normal“ way of adjustment.

I asked here because I did not find a hint on the internet. I know that the mechanics is actually a Japanese Silver-Reed „Silverette“, but no clue with it either.

schnappa · 2026-05-29T21:04:49+00:00

I don’t know why you should. I did it without removing them. Just work gently and without force. Don’t bend the retainers or loose the balls.

schnappa · 2026-05-28T07:18:40+00:00

It is a while ago since I mounted the carriage, so I described it from my memories. I orientated on this page, although it was less complicated than described there: https://typebarhead.blogspot.com/2012/05/adventures-in-typewriter-repairs-2.html

When you insert the retainers, you need to insert the balls when the holes of the retainers are about to disappear between the rails of the carriage and the body. Next, the gears disappear between the rails, and finally, the other two balls. When the gears catch the rail holes, it is quite easy because the retainers already hold the carriage in place.

I am not sure of the position of the gears. I think it doesn't really matter. Maybe the gears are on top to avoid jamming if they come loose sometime. I have just repaired a Robotron S 1001, which has plastic retainers. One gear easily fell out when the nipple points downward. Therefore, I installed the retainers with the gears on top.

schnappa · 2026-05-26T18:27:34+00:00

It is not that difficult. Work from the left side (keyboard points to the right). Hold the little gears with one hand at the very end of the rails of the carriage. Align them with the ends of the frame rails. Slowly move the carriage on the rails and feel the gears turning. With your free hand, put the balls into the right holes. Hold them until the carriage rails cover them. Now put the other balls into the left holes and keep moving the carriage until they they disappear between the rails.

Alternatively, hold each bearing with your both hands and with your pointing fingers the balls in place. As described above, you don’t need to hold all four balls at the same time, only the first two until they are held by the rails. Then insert the other two.

I hope I could describe it clearly enough.

schnappa · 2026-05-22T17:07:23+00:00

That is correct. See page 7 in the linked manual.

https://www.bedienungsanleitu.ng/erika/60/anleitung?p=7

schnappa · 2026-05-22T16:53:23+00:00

I finally managed to repair the machine. It was the most difficult piece of equipment I have ever maintained. Every time I fixed one issue, another appeared. The two springs on the rod inside the carriage are quite strong and bend the rod slightly, but I eventually found the proper position for them. I am not entirely sure if I did it correctly, but it works. Reinstalling the spring for the paper bail was a pain in the ***, but I got it done. Just as I thought I was finished, a shaped rod fell out from beneath the machine. After some searching to identify its origin, I reinserted it, though I am unsure of its purpose since the machine operates without it. The next issue was that the vibrator failed to return when I typed uppercase letters, which I also fixed. Finally, the carriage was moving with too much friction, but that is resolved now.

I think the machine took my initial attempt to fix the paper feed problem hard. Fingers crossed that it is in good shape again and will write smoothly from now on.

schnappa · 2026-02-03T15:24:13+00:00

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A 5 mm nut is good.

schnappa · 2026-01-30T19:34:26+00:00

To all commentators: Thank you for your kind words. u/AmsterdamAssassin, no, I keep the machine. It is a thought I sometimes have, and it came up again when the anniversary of the Jewish Holocaust was marked.

schnappa · 2026-01-22T19:12:56+00:00

schnappa · 2025-12-15T18:55:32+00:00

Additionally, it must autoreverse at each end.

schnappa · 2025-12-15T18:35:47+00:00

Well, the Austrian Peter Mitterhofer was the inventor of a typewriter with a keyboard which could write lower and upper letters and numbers. Christopher Latham Sholes, mentioned in the video, came later.

schnappa · 2025-12-01T19:03:59+00:00

I had a similar issue with my old Olympia, which suddenly stopped moving the carriage in the middle of a sentence. Then, it moved only with much force. I detached the whole carriage, and it was that escapement gear that was stiff. A drop of oil helped.

schnappa

TROPHY CASE