Olympia SM3 & SM4 Typewriter Guide and Video Tutorial

Olympia SM4 Video Tutorial

SM4 Cover Tutorial

 Welcome to one of history's most beautiful writing machines. These are one of the few models that pair a bulletproof design with vintage appeal. The German engineering was legendary. The quality unspeakably high, from the smallest threaded screw to the modern molded case.

The crinkle paint is durable. {Be wary though, the colors will soil if touched too often with grimy hands}. 

The chrome holds up better on these machines than on most others from the era. While most machines have chrome that is pitted and rusted, these are generally pretty nice. Also, I'm able to cherry pick the best ones. Often, the flash of chrome in the peripheries, you'll notice it signifies the coming of the muse. A dance, perhaps?

While thse differ slightly in terms of features from year to year (some of these little differences are quite mysterious), they are all astoundingly smooth, graceful writers. Or they can be, once your digitally-indoctrinated fingers learn to break free and keep up.

They have that very controlled, German feel, which is beloved of so many.

Mostly they come in nice molded plywood cases, very modernist in inspiration, which hold together fairly well. Sometimes they come in a light boxy case like the SM7. It sort of depends. The most important thing is the quality of the machine. All of the cases, though they can be used, are mostly relics of a bygone era. I wouldn't trust your precious writing machine / soon-to-be family heirloom to an old plywood case. It's just too precarious. If you want to carry this thing up Everest, I'd advise a smaller machine, for one. For two, use a flight case of sorts.

At the upper left of the keyboard, there is a chrome switch. That is the carriage lock, mostly to be used during travel. Unlock that and you'll be ready to go. It will prevent the keys from striking and also the carriage from moving. It's just a little tab so sometimes it gets a little stuck in lock position. It is not bulletproof, and perhaps a weak design link (though not as weak as the pesky carriage lock on a Lettera 32, my nemesis).

These beauties have the added bonus of not being as easily stopped up by dust as other models.

I personally find them one of the faster typers, though the cumbersome carriage carriage shift takes a bit of getting used to and fingers strengthening. It's worth it, once you do. The fastest typer in the world used one (A Bluebird / Torpedo with a carriage shift), so don't be deterred if you're slow at first. Very similar, almost identical mechanics as the Olympia.

Because I oil selected parts, you should not need to do that again for many years. The ribbons are standard in size, and any universal typewriter ribbon should fit.

I sell ribbons here. They should last many months.

On the SM3, the tabs are physically set by sliding mechanisms at the rear, and the margins on top.

On the SM4, there is a tab set and clear key on the keyboard, on either side of the space bar) depending on if you get an SM3 or 4 and how early the model is, etc. {There are some SM4's that are earlier that have the prior style tabs}.

The ribbons will auto reverse when one side runs out. After sitting for a while, this mechanism can get a little stiff, so it is good to move them physically once in a while.

Here is the manual for your reference. (Sm3 | Sm4). Features are so similar either one should do the trick. Again, if you have a + and a - on either side of the space bar, you have an SM4. Otherwise, an SM3.

As for paper, you can use computer paper or any paper. I use specialty hand-made paper in that included note (which we sell here). A cotton resume paper has a nice touch. Vintage typewriter paper was traditionally very thin. Some people like to use a backing sheet to produce a different kind of impression (two sheets, essentially).

Take care of this machine, please, so that it lasts forever. However, don't go easy on it: it was designed to write, and is sure to do it for longer than your fingers, if caressed sometimes in between.

Please let me know if you have additional questions!

Seriously, though... enjoy the written rapture!

Steven Budden Jr.