How to Use an Electric Typewriter | Practical Steps & Safety First

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Using an electric typewriter requires a pre-use safety check, loading paper behind the platen, setting margins, and typing with a light touch to avoid jamming the type bars.

An electric typewriter works like a manual but uses a motor to drive the keys, which makes typing faster but demands a few specific habits. The motor and power cord need a quick inspection before you start — especially on machines built before 1975, where the cord may contain asbestos. Once you clear that check, loading paper and setting tabs takes about thirty seconds, and the typing itself is straightforward if you keep your fingers above the keys and let one key release before pressing the next.

Before You Plug It In: The Safety Inspection

Skip the pre-check and you risk a failed motor or worse. Three things to look at before you turn anything on.

  • Power cord. Cracked, frayed, or missing markings mean replace it. On pre-1975 machines, assume the cord contains asbestos — wear a mask, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, and eye protection, and work outside or in a fully ventilated space. The standard replacement is an 18 AWG cord with NEMA 15-P to 15 ends.
  • Drivetrain belts. Cracked, brittle, or frayed belts need replacing before they snap mid-sentence. The repair bible for disassembly is at the Typewriter Repair Bible.
  • Motor function. Plug it in and turn it on. A burning smell or loud buzzing means the motor is shot and must be replaced — this is not a “run it until it dies” situation. If it hums smoothly and smells clean, you’re good.

Loading Paper the Right Way

The paper release lever is the only thing that prevents paper from feeding crooked. Lock it first, then feed from behind the roller.

  1. Lock the paper release lever (usually on the right side of the carriage).
  2. Hold a sheet of paper behind the roller and turn the platen knob clockwise until the roller catches and pulls the paper up.
  3. Lower the paper bail to hold the paper flat against the platen.
  4. If the paper came up crooked, unlock the release lever, straighten the sheet, and lock it again.

Some later electric models have an autoload key that pulls the paper in automatically — check the top row of keys for a paper-load marking.

Setting Margins and Tabs

Margin and tab controls on electric typewriters are keys on the key top, not sliding levers like on manuals. The exact key varies by brand, but the logic is the same across Olympia, Royal, Hermes, Smith Corona, and Silver Reed models.

  • To set a margin: move the carriage to the desired position and press the margin-set key (often labeled “Margin” or “ML”/”MR”).
  • To set a tab stop: press the tab key, then the position key. For example, to set a tab at position 5, press Tab then press the 5 key.
  • To clear a tab: hold a tab-clear key (if present) or manually reset it per the model’s manual.

Typing Without Jamming the Type Bars

This is the single biggest difference between electric and manual: the motor fires the keys fast, and if you press a second key before the first one finishes, the type bars collide and jam.

Keep your fingers hovering just above the keys — not resting on them — and press one key completely before pressing the next. On an electric, a light tap is plenty; the motor does the work. If the machine has a repeat function (keys that keep typing while held down), be aware that jams happen fastest on those keys.

Fixing Errors

You have three options, depending on how clean you need the result.

  • Backspace and type over. Use the backspace key to go back one character and strike the correct letter. It will be slightly darker and may overlay the old one.
  • Cross out with X. Backspace to the error and type a capital X over it. This is the fastest method for drafts.
  • Use white-out. Brush or tape white-out over the mistake, wait for it to dry completely, then retype. Rushing this is the classic mistake — wet white-out smears under the type bar and ruins the page.

If you are in the market for a newer, more reliable model that skips the vintage motor and asbestos worries, our roundup of the best electronic typewriters covers current machines that avoid the biggest headaches of vintage electrics while still giving you a dedicated writing tool.

The Asbestos Warning (Pre-1975 Machines)

Electric typewriters made before 1975 used asbestos in the power cord insulation for fire resistance. If you own a machine from that era, the cord is a potential hazard. Replacement procedure: open the bottom panel (this is the step to do last to reduce dust exposure), cut the old cord, remove the asbestos-contaminated section in a sealed bag, and connect a modern 18 AWG cord — brown wire to live, blue wire to neutral, yellow-green to ground, using a wire nut. Full PPE and ventilation are mandatory: mask, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, eye protection, and a shower immediately after handling the clothes you wore.

Common Problems and Fixes

Problem Likely Cause Fix
Type bars jam Pressing keys too fast Let one key release before the next
Motor hums but nothing moves Belt broken or slipping Replace the drivetrain belt
Burning smell on power-up Motor windings or cord failing Replace motor or cord immediately
Paper feeds crooked Paper release lever unlocked during loading Lock lever, re-feed paper
White-out looks smeared Typed before correction dried Wait full dry time (check bottle)
Keys feel stiff or slow Dried lubricant or debris Clean type bars and segment with mineral spirits

Where to Find Manuals for Your Model

If you own a specific machine and need the exact procedure for margin stops, ribbon threading, or cleaning, manuals exist for most brands. A strong online archive is at Mr. Mrs. Vintage Typewriters, which lists manuals for Olympia, Imperial, Royal, Hermes, Silver Reed, Adler, and Splendid models. For deeper technical repair, the Typewriter Repair Bible covers disassembly and motor work.

Final Checklist: Using Your Electric Typewriter

  1. Inspect the power cord and motor before first use.
  2. Lock the paper release lever, load paper, lower the bail.
  3. Set margins using the margin-set key on the key top.
  4. Set tab stops with the tab key plus position key.
  5. Type with fingers hovered above the keys — one key at a time.
  6. Correct errors by backspace-and-X or dried white-out.
  7. Replace the power cord with an 18 AWG modern cord if the original is pre-1975.

FAQs

Can I use correction tape on an electric typewriter?

Yes, if the machine has a built-in correction-tape spool. Many 1980s and 1990s models (like the Smith Corona XL1500) use a lift-off correction tape that lifts the incorrect character off the page. Check the ribbon compartment for a second spool labeled “correction” before buying tape.

Why does my electric typewriter smell like ozone when I turn it on?

That is the normal smell of the electric motor’s brushes engaging and is harmless on a well-maintained machine. But if the smell shifts to a burning, acrid odor, the motor windings are overheating and you should unplug immediately. A replacement motor or a full service is needed before further use.

Do I need to oil an electric typewriter?

Only the carriage rails and platen bearings should be oiled, and only with a typewriter-specific oil (never WD-40 or 3-in-1). The type bars and segment should stay completely dry — oil there attracts dust and turns into gunk that jams the keys. When in doubt, wipe clean, don’t oil.

What voltage do most electric typewriters use?

Standard household units use 120V AC. Some later portable models accept 12V DC via a modified motor and battery pack, but that is a rare aftermarket conversion you cannot assume. Always check the label near the power cord entry before plugging in, and never use a voltage converter unless the manual explicitly permits it.

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