Buying guides
Six long-form guides for the questions every first-time vintage typewriter buyer asks. Written for the typecast community, the r/typewriters newcomers, and the writers who just decided they want a real machine. No SEO filler.
Best first typewriter under $300 — 2026 picks
What $300 actually buys on eBay in 2026, which machines type well out of the box, and which cheap listings to walk away from.
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Decoding eBay condition grades for vintage typewriters
What 'used', 'tested' and 'for parts' really mean on a 50- to 90-year-old typewriter, and the photos that tell you more than any badge.
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Portable vs standard vs noiseless — which to buy
The main kinds of manual typewriter in the secondhand market, what each is good at, and what the tradeoffs cost you.
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Hermes 3000 vs Olympia SM9 vs Royal Quiet De Luxe — compared
Three of the most recommended vintage portables: Swiss, German and American. How they differ in feel, features, quirks and price.
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Ribbon spools demystified — Group 1 universal vs Royal vs Olivetti
Typewriter ribbons come on several spool types. Here is which one each model on this site takes, and what to do when a spool will not fit.
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The five fixes any 50-year-old typewriter probably needs
Hardened platen, gummed mechanism, dry carriage rails, perished feet and a tired case: what you can do yourself and what to leave to a specialist.
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