The Complete Olympia SM3 & SM4 Manual: Operation & Ribbon Replacement

I. Preparation & Setup

1. Release Machine from Case: Open the case and release the typewriter by pressing the two levers located on both sides of the machine. Slide the machine gently forward to disengage fully from the carrying case base.
   
2. Unlock the Carriage: Press the carriage lock to unlock the carriage. Press the carriage release lever (located near the platen knobs) to ensure the carriage moves freely.
   ⚠️ Important: Always hold the carriage when pressing the carriage release lever; otherwise, it will slide rapidly under spring tension!
   
3. Insert Paper: Feed your paper behind the platen roller and turn the platen knob away from you to bring the sheet forward. Ensure the front edge of the paper is flat and smooth to prevent jams.
   
4. Straighten Paper: Pull the paper release lever forward to release pressure on the platen, align the paper edge perfectly straight, then push the lever back to lock it in place.
   
5. Deploy Paper Support: Press the paper holder release button to deploy the paper holder. Adjust paper guide if necessary.
   
6. Set Margins: Squeeze and slide the margin stops to your desired location. Use the carriage release to move the carriage back and forth to test your typing width.
   
7. Select Ribbon Color:
   • Blue / Top Dot = Black or primary color (top half of ribbon)
   • White / Center Dot = Stencil mode (disables ribbon lift)
   • Red / Bottom Dot = Red ink (bottom half of ribbon)
   
8. Set Line Spacing: Adjust the selector lever on the left carriage arm:
   • Top Level = Single spacing
   • Middle Level = 1.5 line spacing
   • Bottom Level = Double spacing
   

II. Operating Your Typewriter

1. Typing & Margins: Move the carriage to the right, then begin typing. When the margin bell rings and the carriage locks at the margin stop, press the Margin Release key (marked with four dots) to bypass the stop and finish your word.
   
2. New Line: Sweep the Carriage Return Lever firmly to the right to advance paper to the next line and return the carriage to the starting margin.
   
3. Corrections & Spacing: Use the Backspace key to step back one character space at a time. To overtype a mistake, strike XXX or --- over the text.
   
4. Uppercase & Shift Lock: Hold either Shift key for capital letters. Press Shift Lock down to lock the type basket for continuous uppercase; press the standard Shift key once to release it.
   
5. Touch Control: Adjusts key stroke tension to match your preferred typing strength. Located next to the right ribbon spool—moving the lever forward toward the + sign increases key tension, while moving it backward decreases tension.
   
6. Variable Platen Release: Push the central button inside the right platen knob inward to disengage the ratchet indexing. This grants smooth, unindexed platen rotation for fine positioning or filling out forms.
   
7. Unloading Paper: Pull the paper release lever forward to easily slide your page out, or roll the platen knobs away from you until the page releases cleanly.
8. Locking for Transport: Lift the carriage lock and gently slide the carriage from either side toward the center until you hear and feel a click to lock the carriage safely in place.
9. Securing in the Case: Slide the two openings at the back of the machine onto the hooks located at the rear of the transport case base. Lower the front end of the machine slowly until you hear a click—this indicates the front catch has engaged with the frame and the machine is sitting flush and fully secured.
   

III. Tabulation System

The Olympia SM3 and SM4 share nearly identical mechanisms, but their tabulation systems differ significantly. Identify your model below to configure your tab stops:

Olympia SM3 (Manual Mechanical Tabs)

The SM3 features 6 individual tab stop metal keys located on the rear tab rack behind the paper tray.

1. Reach to the rear bar behind the carriage.
2. Manually slide any of the 6 individual metal tab stops to your desired column position.
3. Press the TAB key on the front keyboard; the carriage will slide and stop at the designated tab location.
4. For tabs that you do not need, slide them beyond your set margin limits so they stay out of the way.

Olympia SM4 (Key-Set Automatic Tabulation)

The SM4 adds an integrated keyboard tabulation control system alongside the space bar, plus a master clear lever on the carriage.

To Set & Clear Single Tabs:

1. Move the carriage to your desired column position using the space bar or carriage release.
2. Press the + key (located next to the space bar) to set a tab stop at that spot.
3. To remove a single tab, press TAB to travel to that stop, then press the - key to clear it.
   

To Clear All Tab Stops At Once:

• Pull the master tab clear lever located on the right side of the carriage (near the carriage arm) to instantly clear all set tab stops across the entire carriage.

IV. Ribbon Care & Replacement Guide

Step-by-Step Ribbon Replacement:

1. Lift the top metal cover upward to expose the inner ribbon assembly.
2. Set the ribbon color selector to RED so the center ribbon vibrator lifts high during typebar strikes.
3. Press two center letter keys (such as G and H) simultaneously so the typebars jam together, propping the ribbon vibrator up into a high, accessible position.
   
4. Release the retention arms and lift out both old spools.
   
5. Place new spools onto the spindles, aligning the pin with the opening on the spools, ensuring the Black ink half is on top and the Red ink half is on the bottom.
6. Thread the ribbon through the reverse fork guides on each side, then slide it through the slots of the center ribbon vibrator.
   
7. Gently unjam the typebars, close the top cover, and turn your color selector back to Blue for normal typing.