I love how many of the styling touches on this are identical to my Lettera 22. Psh, Olivetti.
I can't help much with the carriage, other than say if it only takes 2 screws, go for it. I've done so twice before (Hermes 3000 and Consul 221) and took only a few minutes to get seated properly.
Thanks Nick, I found the operation on my Hermes 3000 straightforward at the same time as being an absolute Chinese puzzle to get back on. Much exasperated swearing etc. The Lexikon LOOKS easy because the carriage and its sub-assembly are all one piece.
Hang on. Wait. Haha, now that I remember I didn't actually take it off! I only did the Consul, but with the Hermes I went for the absolute Chinese puzzle of getting the casing off with the carriage still on, which was probably just as difficult. I'm really tired and started fabricating grand typewriter repair whoppers, sorry. XD
The Consul's was all in one piece like that as well. It was very straightforward to put back on.
Well, if you ever want to take the carriage of an H3K - it is idiotically simple. Two turn-buttons and it is off. You just need to slide the carriage to and fro to ease out the motor unit. Reversing this is just as simple, but it took me many, many attempts. Something to do with getting to a state of one-ness with the machine before even tackling it. Alcohol helps.
Big! Impressive. Green. ;) You're right on two screws. (Only two hold the carriage, another 2 are adjustment screws.) The carriage lifts right off then. The aluminium housing is held to the frame by 4 screws from the top, the rear two are underneath the carriage.
When re-assembling mine a while back, I was surprised at how easy it was to get the carriage back on. (And that was a 19-inch platen.) A little wiggling to make everything mesh correctly again and it all still worked :)
What a gem. I've got all the time in the world for Lexikon 80's, being my first ever typewriter. Mine is an early model so is Ivera made, so will look forward to the Glasgow Italy story which I hope will come. Never have needed to take the casing or carriage off for any reason as it has always (touch wood) worked well.
Screws numbered one and two are the ones to take out, centralise your carriage and lift up. Do not fiddle with the other two screws in the photos as they are adjustment screws for moving the carriage backwards and forwards in relation to where the typeface strike the platen. With the tabulator, just make sure first that the carriage is free to move from left to right with no binding. If this is OK then I would look at the Tab brake, a little bit of judicious oiling will come in handy here. I suspect that the typewriter will get freer with more use.
Hello I bought an old house a few years back and found an Olivetti Lexikon 80, in mint condition, in the barn. It's got that wide platen and it's made in Italy. Where can I find the serial number? I'd really love to find out more about my new found typewriter.
Hi Jani, the serial number should be on the right-hand ribbon spool mounting which is visible when the ribbon cover is removed (just pulls off). Also, there is a useful resource about dating Olivettis here: The Typewriter Database and The Typewriter Story Museum in Bra, Italy.
Fine specimen, congratulations Rob. I have yet to acquire a Glasgow Olivetti, one for the future perhaps.
ReplyDeleteHope you get the info you need for that tabulator issue.
I love how many of the styling touches on this are identical to my Lettera 22. Psh, Olivetti.
ReplyDeleteI can't help much with the carriage, other than say if it only takes 2 screws, go for it. I've done so twice before (Hermes 3000 and Consul 221) and took only a few minutes to get seated properly.
Thanks Nick, I found the operation on my Hermes 3000 straightforward at the same time as being an absolute Chinese puzzle to get back on. Much exasperated swearing etc. The Lexikon LOOKS easy because the carriage and its sub-assembly are all one piece.
DeleteHang on. Wait. Haha, now that I remember I didn't actually take it off! I only did the Consul, but with the Hermes I went for the absolute Chinese puzzle of getting the casing off with the carriage still on, which was probably just as difficult. I'm really tired and started fabricating grand typewriter repair whoppers, sorry. XD
DeleteThe Consul's was all in one piece like that as well. It was very straightforward to put back on.
Well, if you ever want to take the carriage of an H3K - it is idiotically simple. Two turn-buttons and it is off. You just need to slide the carriage to and fro to ease out the motor unit. Reversing this is just as simple, but it took me many, many attempts. Something to do with getting to a state of one-ness with the machine before even tackling it. Alcohol helps.
DeleteBig! Impressive. Green. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're right on two screws. (Only two hold the carriage, another 2 are adjustment screws.) The carriage lifts right off then. The aluminium housing is held to the frame by 4 screws from the top, the rear two are underneath the carriage.
When re-assembling mine a while back, I was surprised at how easy it was to get the carriage back on. (And that was a 19-inch platen.) A little wiggling to make everything mesh correctly again and it all still worked :)
Thanks for the reassurance Robert, I'll give it a go!
DeleteAgreed. The carriage is shockingly easy to pull. Lube and work all the little rods and the margins and tabs will be better behaved. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dwayne - looks like I have a date with Olive Olivetti this evening!
DeleteA very handsome typer! Your post had an unexpected effect: it caused *my* Lexikon to climb quite a few slots in the servicing waiting list.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gem. I've got all the time in the world for Lexikon 80's, being my first ever typewriter. Mine is an early model so is Ivera made, so will look forward to the Glasgow Italy story which I hope will come. Never have needed to take the casing or carriage off for any reason as it has always (touch wood) worked well.
ReplyDeleteScrews numbered one and two are the ones to take out, centralise your carriage and lift up. Do not fiddle with the other two screws in the photos as they are adjustment screws for moving the carriage backwards and forwards in relation to where the typeface strike the platen. With the tabulator, just make sure first that the carriage is free to move from left to right with no binding. If this is OK then I would look at the Tab brake, a little bit of judicious oiling will come in handy here. I suspect that the typewriter will get freer with more use.
ReplyDeleteThat is a nice machine and a good story too! Can't wait to see the results.
ReplyDeletenice machine indeed.
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteI bought an old house a few years back and found an Olivetti Lexikon 80, in mint condition, in the barn. It's got that wide platen and it's made in Italy. Where can I find the serial number? I'd really love to find out more about my new found typewriter.
Hi Jani, the serial number should be on the right-hand ribbon spool mounting which is visible when the ribbon cover is removed (just pulls off). Also, there is a useful resource about dating Olivettis here: The Typewriter Database and The Typewriter Story Museum in Bra, Italy.
Delete