29 Dec
2005
29 Dec
'05
2:41 p.m.
On Thursday 29 December 2005 14:20, Tim Shoppa wrote:
I'm looking to get a nice IBM Selectric
typewriter - for typewriter,
not computer console, use. Not too picky as to typeball etc., but
if someone wants to tell me what to look for and what to avoid, I'm
all ears.
In the past I've used both Selectric II's and III's and can't
say I prefer one over the other. I am looking to keep it for many
years with only light to moderate use so reliability/parts availability
is somewhat important.
Anyone want to recommend a US (or Washington DC) area dealer who
stands above the rest? Or should I just take my chances on E-pay?
There's a shop* in Los Altos, CA that sells IBM Selectric typewriters. Really.
As a member of the Computer History Museum PDP-1 restoration team, I used them
a few months ago to restore the non-electronic mechanicals of the IBM type
"B" typewriter which is the console for the PDP-1. The 1620 restoration team
also used them to restore the console of the 1620.
Here's their full address:
*Los Altos Typewriter, Moody Business Machines, 300 State Street, Los Altos,
CA 94022. Phone: 650-948-0714
I also see Selectrics in various condition "pop up" at various local (SF Bay
Area) brokers and scrappers fairly often.
Cheers,
Lyle
--
Lyle Bickley
Bickley Consulting West Inc.
Mountain View, CA
http://bickleywest.com
"Black holes are where God is dividing by zero"