The Night Before Christmas

A New Arrival From Dante's Wardrobe

Last week on Dante's Wardrobe Ledeaux posted about Typospherian Miscellany

I commented about her Skyriter tag and Skyriters.  We had a few email conversations and I became the owner of one of her Skyriters in need of some care.

That machine arrived today while I was working on my car.  I took the time to test the machine and in doing so typed a short typecast about a machine that may spend the shortest time in my collection.  Since I now have it working and I will give it a tweak to get the right margin a bit smoother operating, make the needed repair to the platen, and clean the machine I have offered it back if she wants it.  Nothing like owning more than one Skyriter.

I like collecting, repairing and using these machines.  I find them about the easiest of all to work on.  That does not mean there are no problems.  I still have an escapement problem with my 1954 elite.  If I ever take time to work on it I may get it working correctly.  They are easy to take apart, but I do not have another escapement to put in it if that is the problem.  It also needs a few new shoulder screws which could be causing some of the problems.  

Before rethreading the ribbon the top half of the letters were cut off.

After rethreading the ribbon

This is the Skyriter after I unpacked it complete with the twisty tie margin bar repair.  It works.

It is difficult to see and I did not take any macro shots of the left end of the platen.  The platen needs undercut about 0.100 inch about 0.100 inch wide at the ratchet end of the platen.  I'll make that change next week when I can use a lathe.

As like all my Skyriters this machine is a fine typer.  When I get it clean and make the rest of the tweaks I'll install a new ribbon and it may be on its way back to Ledeaux.

It is such fun working on typewriters.  I do not know which is most fun -- working on a typewriter -- using a typewriter or passing one along to a new user or a fellow typospherian.

The box contains a modern Smith-Corona Sterling that will soon be making its way to a typospherian in Ohio.  I was still packing it when the Postman arrived to pick up the one I had ready for Richard P.  The Sterling is delayed a bit.

Finally, I forget who asked me for a backspace key for a Corona 3.  I lied and said I did not have one.  That was because I really thought I did not have the carriage for the one I have for parts.  Well, while cleaning the garage and restacking my pile of parts machines I found the carriage.  I have the backspace key.  Scott K.  for some reason I think it was you.  If you still need it please contact me and I will get it in the mail Monday or Tuesday.

Sorry for my impromptu sloppy typing.

It's 12.12.12!

The shift in print density noticeable more near the end and the not quite aligning letters are due to my typing while Mrs.  sleeps.  If I typed in the closet as Mike Speegle does, I'd awaken her.  The only closet in our house large enough to fit into is the one in the bedroom.  I tried using less pressure to keep the clacks as quiet as possible.

The parenthetical note should state from about and not for about.

Speaking of which...I think this typewriter will be the first to have its platen recovered and feed roller rebuilt by J.J. Short.

Check out their typewriter services page.

Celebrate today!  It is the last matching number day of the century!

Tom Hanks on ABC News -- With Typewriter

OK, the important part is he is helping a Veteran, but the segment shows one of his typewriter.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/military-staff-sergeant-works-tom-hanks-pursue-screenwriting/story?id=17908507#.UMZ3OHaa65k

No Time for Typecasting

Thanksgiving

Typing started to get to the area on the ribbon that thought may have some density variations.  It did.  Maybe over time the WD-40 may disperse.  I'll post about the J5 when I get time to do some photos.  I hope to do the J4 script machine before the J5.

Compare my lists and it is evident I did not complete my list.

Progress?

I started this and decided to install an H.F. radio in the garage so I could work in the garage or outside and still participate in the morning net. The humidity is low for Florida, but the humidity here is always high as seen in the first part of the typecast.  Each place I paused for only a few minutes or so resulted in the paper getting wavy.

So far the to-do list is only started.  I forgot that I also have about 12 hours of audio files that need edited and recorded to CD.  I also varied from the list and did a few other things.

Now that I am at least an hour or two late at getting to the car...

I bid everyone a VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Vacation?

Extra Typewriter

This was my first Hermes 3000 Techno Pica typewriter

After I posted this I see I scanned the typecast in B & W.  Sorry

Left replacement knob

Right replacement knob

Ribbon selector detent assembly

Ribbon color selector linkage

The Hermes could use a cleaning.  It works fine without the card guide, but without the guard it is impossible to align a line of type to correct.  It is also difficult to correctly align the paper, but can be done by aligning the ends.


The SCM below never really made it into my collection.  It is a fine typer and fairly clean.  The left carriage release plastic lever is missing.  Other than that it is complete and works fine.  I like this machine, but it is one too many so it goes to ????  I want to make room for older typewriters and those that are on my wish list like a Mill.

This SCM Sterling is presently on its way to a typosphereian

 The photo was taken in my garage so the machine looks more blue than its true grey color.

and this one is the next one I am thinking of passing on.

To all the Veterans: THANK YOU!

I'm a bit late, years actually.  I also wanted this to hit at 11:11:11 EST 11/11/12.

I had relatives and friends in WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam.  Some never made it home, some were injured, some disabled, and others who are here today.

Image Source

I cannot think of a way thank you properly or enough, the many Veterans of all the wars of all the military who gave your time, health, or life so that I can sit here and post a message on the internet.  I'll do my best. 

Words cannot express Thank You for all you have done.

Olympia SM 7

Baoer 388 Fountain Pen

The pen comes in a felt sleeve.  It was packed good in bubble wrap and a padded envelope.

Nice nib.  Not as much of a nail as some, but still hard.  Puts down a nice medium line a bit wetter than the orange top one from my previous post, but not as wet as a Waterman.

From my Hermes 3000 Techno Pica. 

The Century Mark and a Hermes 3000

Just cleaned and ready for a future post.

Well as normal I must apologize for all my typos.  I really do know how to spell.  I hurry too much when I proof my typecasts.

Here is the typewriter almost fully apart.  I did not take any photos of the carriage in pieces.

Having Fun with Typewrter Serial Numbers

Serial numbers at The Right Reverend Theodore Munk's Blog

and at The Typewriter Serial Number Database