Look what followed me home....

I picked up this hitch hiker earlier today

It contained some neat keys

Which is better -- this one with fill flash?

Or this one -- no flash?

I found another oddity on/in the database.  A carry-over from Dirk's original.
There is not a Signet Sr. listed.  Signet Jr, which I am guessing is what this one is incorrectly called and Signet which would be the incorrect name for the Sr.

I found where I noted the difference when I got my first Signet a few years ago.
This one is only a bit newer by the serial number but feeds paper better.  I think somewhere in its life the platen was recovered since today I did not realize until I went to remove my typecast that I had not closed the paper feed.  Platen is not real hard either although I would like to send it of to J.J. Short.

Typewriter Carrying Case Handles

Serial number starts with E signifying it is a Signet E2126.

First try on a Skyriter

Second one, Underwood.  As I got this one out after typing the post I noticed at some time I redid the end of this handle too.

This is the final handle for the Signet.

2 Days of ITAM Left, A Change of Subject: Royal Signet & Hermes 3000

3166170 makes this a 1963 according to the Right Reverend Ted Munk's Typewriter Database.

Strange.  I was just commenting on his comment in his post about a Hermes 3000 starting it all.  Reminds me of an article in the Chicago Tribune "What's so Special About a Hermes 3000?"  Answer: It has a way of making one buy more and more and more typewriters.

I planned an entirely different subject for this post as I was sitting at a pic-nic table behind the gas station on my way home from work typing on my Signet.  Maybe I will finish and use that typecast later.

Now is there a Pica Script Hermes 3000 lurking about as a .... well, I won't continue.  Mrs. M did not seem as pleased with this find I was with it.  As she thought I would be taking it apart using a part I need and selling parts on Ebay rather than adding another typewriter to my collection.

It's I.T.A.M.

My typing caused some double strikes or improper advance.

There is one thing I did not mention either (hope Jen does not read my blog) I played a Ukelin several years (decades) ago in a bluegrass band.  Normally I was the sound guy whenever I was involved in anything but a marching band or a polka band.

Royal Signet & KeeLox Blue Silk Ribbon

 Once again I noticed some words without spaces and some other things I wanted to mark before scanning and my feeble brain was not able to recall that until after I made this post.  I hope every one can understand my typos.  A New Year Resolution still not attained.

For those who never saw a city number and state, this was before zip codes.

 I do not know what was done in the U.S. Post Office before the zones for major cities.  The cities were the only places that had delivery zones.  These zones were replaced by the 5 digit zip code which has now been replaced by the 5 plus 4 digit code.  Most people do not use the second group of 4 numbers and it seems the delivery works just fine without them.  With automated sorting we will soon be forced into using them.  The 5 + 4 code has been around for about 20 years, but seldom used.  Well there are many more things in the Postal Specification.  Most people do not use 90% of it, but I found by using it packages do arrive faster.

This is Hermes 3000 #2 partially assembled with a test sheet in it. 

 This machine types nice, especially not having the bottom plate on it.  The towel does interfere with some things.  It probably affects the keys a bit also.

Sorry for the poor focus on some of these.  Lighting is not too good in the shop (which is part of my garage).  I free- handed these rather than setting up my tripod or lights or both.

The Hermes project is really progressing much easier than I thought it would.  The proof will be when everything is assembled and the typewriter works.

Then I plan to tackle a pair of Noiseless Model 7 machines.  One needs cleaning and one needs some minor repairs and a draw cord.  Speaking of which...I changed my first one today on an Olivetti Studio 44.  I used monofiliment for fishing since I was at work on my lunch hour and I had some in my truck. 

I never changed one on an Olivetti anything and I was surprised how easy this one was to replace.  I hope to be adding this machine to my collection when I finish cleaning and adjusting it.  This was one of those Ebay "every thing works fine, all the keys work and none stick".  Well, I will go into detail when I post on the Studio 44 sometime in the next year. 

Royal Signet Gets a New Blue Ribbon

I started this typecast yesterday afternoon hoping to add some pictures and a second part later in the day.  Things did not work as planned.  I decided to post it anyway.

I really should have added at least a photo of the neat old KeeLox gold and blue box that contained the ribbon.  Maybe later.

Here's the Answer to Taking Apart A Hermes 3000 Part 1 and the Hermes 3000 Taken Apart

The depressing typewriter, no back space, tabulator, left platen knob, right margin, bell, 1 or 0.  A 1932-33 Royal Signet.

I read on several sites about this being a depressing typewriter from the Great Depression.  I think it is quite neat.  I like the all upper case oblique or italic pica font.  I do get confused and hit the Z for a shift key at times though.  It's big brother is on my wish list.

Thank you Dwayne F. and Richard P.  you were the only readers who attempted to name the typewirter.  Dwayne answered correctly on the first post.

This is the typewriter I like to keep at work.  I may take my Underwood.  Then every other month I would have a different machine.

Plans are not to be too long to post on putting the Hermes 3000 back together.  I may do it before I do the Noiseless 7s.