Ask HN: How do I buy a typewriter?

6 pointsposted a day ago
by indus

Item id: 44484642

14 Comments

mtmail

a day ago

Is the question on which type and what to look out for? Because the basic of buying seems straight forward. On my country's ebay there's over 1000 results.

I remember using a mechanical typewriter with Midi-type connector and a printer driver (not sure what the terminology is) for C64. The typewriter manual contained all the codes to control the typewriter, like a terminal. Would be fun to buy one of those and try to re-implement your own driver.

The mechanical typewriter had a buffer, you were able to type faster than the printing head could bring it on paper.

indus

a day ago

Challenge is to find something that is closed to refurbished like new. There are just a few manufactures in US, Japan, and India.

toast0

9 hours ago

Do you have a typewriter repair store near you? They usually sell refurbished machines as well as repair them and probably accept used machines for consignment. Personally, I just took my mother's typewriter, which used to be her father's, but not everybody can do that. It probably needs a new / refurbished platen, as the original rubber has hardened and most key presses result in double strike.

nicbou

19 hours ago

I live in Germany. I bought it on our Craigslist equivalent. It's a good-as-new Erika 11 and I love it to bits.

I'm sure that your community has a typewriter guru who would happily kit you out. Chances are your club knows about them and can point you towards the right people.

haebom

a day ago

I also sometimes feel nostalgic about typewriters. The clacking sounds, the whooshing noise when making a line break, and the clear finish with a "ding!"... But the typewriters I like are antiques, and I haven't seen any that actually work.

FreezerburnV

a day ago

I’ve bought multiple antique typewriters that all work just fine. Might need a little maintenance to clean the slugs/hammers or need a new ink ribbon (which you can buy on Amazon), but it hasn’t felt hard for me to find them at places like antique stores or estate sales.

eternityforest

a day ago

A lot of people really enjoy writing on paper. I never really got into it seriously, because it requires a lot of focus and effort, but it seems like such a cool idea.

You might get more interest if you include handwriting too.

indus

a day ago

Idea is to get into a tactile and mechanical setting. Hand written short drafts could be a starting point before starting to type.

user

a day ago

[deleted]

colesantiago

a day ago

ebay?

indus

a day ago

Researched a few sites. But wanted practical ideas. Saw people selling questionable used ones at ebay