101 Years Old and Still going Strong

 

 

After I read over the typecast I noticed I typed the incorrect date.  I HATE when I need to reinsert a document to make a correction as no matter how good I guestimate where the type slug will strike, it is generally not aligned.

 

 

 

I have many photos from the early 1900s (and earlier), and most are Sepia toned.  I'm not sure I like the way the Canon SW-10 (or any digital camera does Sepia)

I measured the Durometer of the platen and find it is about 97 - 98 Shore A.  Not quite as soft as a new platen or a recovered platen, but not rock hard unusable either.

 

The left and right feed roller measure 95 Durometer Shore A.

None of the feed rollers have detectable flat spots. 

 

These readings make me wonder if the platen was recovered in the past Century, and the feed rollers replaced.  I know I could not do a proper measurement of the feed rollers in the carriage, but to approximate the accuracy of the reading, I could indent the feed rollers with my thumb nail, but not the platen.  Both of my Shore A Durometers are -1 of the calibration test standard.  Both measured the platen to the same reading.

1925 Royal 10

Optional Long-winded discussion of measuring Durometer...

 

I forgot to type about the correct method for checking cylindrical rubber items Durometer.  It is easy to spot check only one area and think that is the Durometer of the platen.  That is not how to check Durometer.  

 

The more areas tested, the more accurate the result for the entire cylinder, in this case 2 or more cylinders: the platen and as many feed roller accessible without removing the parts.

 

I test Durometer with a standard Shore A Durometer and 1kg standard (+/-10g is fine.  Mine is good to +/- 1g, but if not for lab surplus would not be affordable) lab weight.  The weight is required for consistent pressure on the Durometer upon the unit under test. 

 

The tricky part is keeping the Durometer flat upon the platen, and much more difficult for the pressure rollers.  

 

Off the carriage I use machinist's V-blocks to hold the parts to make measuring easier.

 

Measure the platen every 90° at each end (I measure the ends and about 1 or 2 inches in since that is where the paper fits) and in the middle by placing the Durometer flat onto the platen and while holding it with one hand, place the weight flat the on the top .  The weight will need balancing with your hand using the sides only.  Note the readings and then average to get a Mean Durometer of XX Shore A.

 

I make pencil marks along one end of the platen so I can get close to every 90°, or 1/4 revolution. 

 

In the carriage I can generally measure 2 places on the left and right end feed rollers.

Due to the size I can only get the Durometer in the center or as close as possible to center.

I try and get 2 readings.

 

I have several Adler platens and I think and Olympia that measure softer on the left half of the platen and harder on the right.  None of the machines indicate the right half of the typewriter sat in the sun or heat longer than the right.