And now I want one of these, Thank Joe! Lol, very nice gift, I have no friends that gift me typewriters, course I also have no friends....lol as Metallica once said, Sad but True. Wait a minute, You're like a friend Joe...okay you can't blame me for trying. All jokes aside, what a beautiful machine and I would like to add it one day to my collection, very cool repair and as always thank you for bringing us along.
I have a two tone one of these (green with beige) that I bought many years ago for a few dollars at a salvation army or goodwill or something. I knew nothing about it, I just needed a typewriter and there this was. It's a lovely little machine so I've kept it. Anytime I think I should just get rid of it because I have no use for it, I play with it for a while and can't part with it. I'm not a collector - this is my only typewriter. Thanks for teaching me about it!
Fun-fact: Kolibri, originally a watchmaking company, produced a small number of pistols in the early 1900s, and they are among the smallest functioning production pistols ever made.
(Question) Like you Joe (and probably others in the Typosphere) I came to covet the Kolibri from watching that great film "The Lives of Others." After seeing its "pancake" height, the Groma K became my Grail machine. Fast forward nearly ten years. I have finally acquired a maroon-colored Kolibri from a great shop in Philadelphia (during the pandemic, I might add, the shop set up in a side garden with typewriters sitting amongst the foliage). I simply love this machine, however... the left margin skips; I have to consciously, upon return, hit the space bar to ensure for myself a cleanly-aligned left margin otherwise, it skips one, sometimes two spaces. It "feels" like a worn bracket or pin... I have the exact same issue with my 3-Bank Portable Standard Underwood -- the left margin skips. My question: Well, you know what the question is, but here goes: Where should I be looking to perhaps remedy this situation. Thanks, this was a great video. I pulled out my Kolibri and typed up notes as you were speaking -- how 2020!
Congratulations on fixing it! Picnics? I’m hoping you took video and are making RU-vid videos for us vicariously to enjoy your food fixin’s and views! Please!?
Lucky me, I found a Kolibri in a thrift shop for little money. Fun fact: the communist machine was branded by a famous West German mail order company (Neckermann). Next to the Hermes Baby and the Tippa it is one of my favourite ultra portables.
Hello from Germany, Like your Video and your solution of the problem 👍 Do you have an Idea why the paper release lever of my Kolibri ist Not working? Stay healty and make more interessting Videos ;)
Hi Joe! Thanks for your videos, I am a new typewriter owner and the Groma kolibri is my first. Mine however the bell doesn't sound. Is this an easy fix?
Assuming all the parts are there, it’s usually a problem with the bell clapper, that’s activated by the right margin stop, isn’t striking the bell properly.
Hi joe , interesting video . i've just bought my self a Olympia Traveller from Ebay . i'm just waiting for a new ribbon to arrive the old one is a bit dry .
Raymond Kilminster In my eyes the Traveller is a great choice. I have 3 of them (de Luxe in white, green and red, waiting for an effordable blue) and a UNIS in orange, and they are awesome workhorses. Not the fastest, needing a little pressure when typing, but for me this is perfect when typing letters because then I have time to think. Fun fact 1: A typewriter mechanic told me that every model has a slightly different type font. Fun fact 2: Argentine author Julio Cortazar and his wife and author Carlo Dunlop used Travellers when doing their awesome French motorway expedition - I enjoyed reading the book: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_autonautas_de_la_cosmopista).
Great video! I ve got a problem with my kolibri groma , the R arm it's broken, I need to change it for another one, I would be glad if you can tell me how to unset this part of my typewriter please. How we can still in contact? Regards from Chile.
I ordered one from Hungary after seeing it on The Lives of Others. I have been a Hermes Baby Rocket for years, so I look forward to A/B comparison. I may have some questions for you.
You know Joe it doesn't advance when I type it and it looks like there's some pieces of it that are missing. How would I get in touch with you if you were interested in repairing this? I am really liking the way it looks but it would be really nice if it functioned
Yeah, the filament drawband is broken. I can't tell if the mainspring is intact or not. The roller grip on the left hand side is also fractured. I don't know if it's going to be worth it to repair. What are your thoughts? I paid just over 300 bucks for it,
@@jhardycarroll Drawbands can be replaced, perhaps the spring motor is functional. The broken left platen knob is a shame, but it still may be usable using the right knob. I think you should see about replacing the drawband first.
@@jhardycarroll Since it's difficult to see getting your money back by reselling it as-is, you may either have to take the loss, sell it deeply discounted as a parts machine, or try repairing it. Other than doing the work yourself, perhaps a repair shop in your area would be willing to do it, which would add to the money you've already invested, but with the hope you'll end up with a working machine eventually.
Assuming both machines are in good working order, a larger portable like the Facit will have more features and may have a better touch. Keeping in mind that touch is often subjective - some people like a light, easy touch, while others like a solid, heavier feel. The obvious difference between these two is size and weight.
I was using Groma Kolibri a lot back in the 1970s as a teenager for my own projects and also for school. I noticed you are using black and red ribbon. Is the red colour any use in this mashine ? In my Kolibri letters going under the line like p g and y are red at he bottom. How to correct this, anyone ?
Love your videos. I'm looking for my first typewriter but unfortunately qwerty layout typewriters are very expensive in Poland. And because of that the only ones that I can find are the brutal communist ones :).
A great and similar machine is the Gossen Tippa B. I purchased one from Poland, with the QWERTZ keyboard. As an English-speaking writer, I do not find the keyboard an impediment at all. Good luck with your search. Etsy is a good site for typewriters, some sellers based in Europe.
@@Joe_VanCleave I just got a Hermes Baby in a lovely green color for a great price of just around 8usd. It's fully working and even came with instructions. Big thanks for your video about the Hermes rocket.
