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

Preview: My First Round Body Hermes 3000

This project was started in the spring of this year after I left the typewriter sit while I cleaned or repaired and cleaned machines I got after this one. It is the first Hermes 3000 I took apart. It sat perhaps 2 months while I searched for a little steel ball to fit the lever assembly. I have been anxious to use this one.  Turns out as I stated, it is a fine typer.

These are my previous posts on this typewriter.

First post on this typewriter

Second post on this typewriter

Favorite Typewriter Function Keys Location

I really like this key arrangement and I find it most handy.

Addressing an envelope on a Skyriter.  Bet you can't do this with a Facit!

Fact is that the more I use the TP-1 the less I like it.  The touch is nice, but more like that of the square body Hermes 3000. The carriage suspension is unique, but not as frictionless as the Adler/Gabriel machines.  I like the carriage lock/release location and the Tap, Back Space and Margin Release key locations.  The machine is probably most closely related to my first typewriter, an Olympia Praxis 48 for some really nice design points and then really lacking in others. The reason I replaced my Praxis with a Selectric in short order is because I could not use certain paper or file folders in it because of the poor platen design.

1954 Elite Skyriter Comes to Life, Almost

 As you can see my problem is not completely solved.  I think a complete dis-assembly and a good polishing of all the parts of the pivot assembly may help.  I'm open to suggestions.

The pivot joint and adjusting screws.  The right one after I adjusted it and the left as both were found.

 This is the lever that moves up and down into the escapement ratchet gear to hold the carriage as it moves only one space.

This is the pivot joint engaged to hold the platen after one letter is typed.

What I found is that this would stick engaged to the tooth or it would be in the middle of 2 teeth when the machine would skip or not feed to the next space.

First repair was to replace the original screw.  This screw has 2 shoulders. One fit into the slide and the bigger one held out with a small washer.  Without the washer there is too much slop in this joint.

More of the machine.  I stopped typing to take this one.

My Bunnell Spark Gap key. 

My Vibroplex Brass Racer Iambic Paddles.

Bugs
Even more Bugs

If you'd like to see more keys Google Morse Code Key and look at the images.

Many ham radio operators collect keys.  At one time code use is what separated hams from the other radio folks.  That is not so true any longer as the code is not required for a license.  One can have a lot of fun and never use the code.  I discovered that I can use the code and have even more fun.

I was one that did not like the code when it was required to go to the F.C.C. field office and prove you could send and receive the code.  I forget the requirement for the Novice class I think that was either 2 or 5 words per minute and was administered by a local ham operator with a General or higher class license.

To get a General required 13 words per minute.  I do not remember what the Advanced class required.  Extra required 20 or 25 words per minute.

I looked at it as a way to keep people out of the hobby.  After I got my Technician class I decided to at least get a General class license.  Anyone can learn 5 words per minute!  I found that to be true with all of the modern computer code programs available.

To make a short story and not bore you; After I got my General and got on the air I soon found CW or the Morse Code to be much more enjoyable than the phone bands.  I was soon building QRP (low power)  transmitters and doing mostly code no matter what power I used.

I encourage anyone interested in building or using radios to get their license and get on the air, learn the code and have fun.  Amateur radio encompasses much more than merely radio and the code.  There really is something for everyone.  One day I may make a USB typewriter to send code.  Then there is always RTTY (radio telegraph)  Many use a keyboard now, but the many teletype people still have the old typewriter keyboard teletype machines.

73 de Bill

The Radioheads in the Typosphere May Like This One

1 Year Ago Today

From the elite Hermes 3000.1