Olympia Typewriter Installing A New Ribbon 1001FN

The Olympia Traveller de Luxe S uses the 1001FN ribbon found on Google. The ribbon arrives in a sealed packet, and provides many months of typing joy. A good quality ink impregnated cloth ribbon can last for many years depending upon the usage.

This typewriter has wonderful fonts; however, they are at their best when the ink ribbon is new. It is also much easier to type when the ribbon is new. If you are hammering the keys to achieve a print, then the fonts will appear out of focus, because there will be too much pressure applied to make an imprint. Your fingers will also get tired easily. Ink ribbons are very cheap these days, and it is not necessary to be pounding away at the keys any more.

This typewriter will automatically advance the ribbon for each key press. When the reel reaches the end, it automatically changes the direction in which it turns; hence, the mechanism has auto-reverse function.

If you find that your spools are not automatically reversing, then the common mistake is in the threading between the guide pillars. These photographs show the proper way to thread the ribbon. As you can see, there is a flat vertical strip, which the ribbon goes over. This vertical strip senses the tension in the ribbon. When the spool reaches the end, the tension increases, and this mechanical signal causes the auto reverse mechanism to change direction.

Note that the ribbon threads through two holding clips at the top and bottom. Also, note that the black stripe is at the top, and the red at the bottom.

This Article Continues...