Why spools matter
A typewriter bought on eBay almost always needs a new ribbon, and ribbon is your first purchase after the machine. The ribbon itself is nearly always the same half-inch fabric, but it comes wound on different spools, and a spool that does not fit your machine's spindles will wobble, fail to turn, stop the ribbon reversing, or stop the cover from closing. Knowing which spool your machine takes saves a wasted order.
Group 1 universal (2-inch) spools
Most portables take the common 2-inch "universal" spool, sold with an adaptable centre so that it fits many different spindles. On this site that covers the Olympia SM series, Splendid 33 and SG1; the Hermes 3000, 2000 and Media 3; the Smith-Corona Silent, Silent-Super, Sterling and Galaxie; the Remington Quiet-Riter, Noiseless Portable and Travel-Riter; the Underwood Universal and Champion; the Adler Tippa and Universal 39; the Torpedo 18; the Facit TP2; the Imperial Good Companion 5; and the Brother Charger 11. Most ribbon sellers simply call these universal spools.
"Universal" is a description, not a guarantee. Some older machines, including early office standards like the Underwood No. 5, work best with their original metal spools. If a universal spool does not seat or turn smoothly, keep the originals and wind fresh ribbon onto them, which takes a few minutes.
Royal spools
Royal portables and standards, including the Quiet De Luxe, Futura, Safari and HH, use Royal-style spools. Many universal spools will not seat properly on a Royal spindle, so the ribbon may not feed or reverse reliably. Buy ribbon sold specifically for Royal machines, or transfer new ribbon onto the original Royal spools.
Olivetti Lettera spools
The Lettera 22, Lettera 32 and Valentine use Olivetti spools with a larger centre hole to suit Olivetti's spindles. Ribbon is widely sold on Olivetti-style spools for these models. The larger Studio 44 is usually described as taking universal spools, but check your machine's spindles before ordering.
Small 1⅝-inch Smith-Corona spools
The Smith-Corona Skyriter and Corsair ultra-portables use small spools about 1⅝ inches across. A 2-inch spool will not fit inside these compact machines. Ribbon on small Smith-Corona spools is still sold; look for listings that name the Skyriter or Corsair.
Hermes Baby and Rocket
The Hermes Baby is the awkward one. Standard 2-inch plastic spools are often too large: the gull-wing ribbon covers will not close, or the ribbon will not feed. The original small metal Hermes spools fit, so keep them and wind fresh ribbon onto them.
Winding your own
When in doubt, keep the original spools. Clip or tape the end of the new ribbon to the empty original spool, wind it on by hand with the ribbon flat and tight, and transfer the eyelets or reversing hooks if your machine uses them; these are what trigger the ribbon to reverse. Note which way the ribbon came off the old spool before you start, so the ink side faces the right way.
Rule of thumb
- Royal: Royal spools.
- Olivetti Lettera 22, 32 or Valentine: Olivetti Lettera spools.
- Smith-Corona Skyriter or Corsair: small 1⅝-inch spools.
- Hermes Baby or Rocket: the original metal spools.
- Almost everything else: 2-inch universal spools, or the originals if those will not seat.
