PDP 8/L (was Re: Which PDP-8 is this? (ebay: 261232211533))

I've rebuilt a couple of Model 33s and some non-Teletype machines (Creeds, etc). My advice is t oassume the old lubricant has gunged up and that yopu will have to clean it out and relubricate -- not with WD40, of course. Unless you had a mis-sepnt childhood and are happy taking the thing apart and rebuilding it from memeory, I suggest getting the maintenance manuals -- and parts list -- if you can. I think some are on bitsavers. Then work slowly, take the machine apart into modules (in the Model 33, you can split the mechasnim into the 'typing unit', punch, reader and keyboard. Work on one apart at a time. Take it all apart, clean the parts, apply luybricant, put them nack together. The turn the machine by hand to check everythign is working correctly, and set up those adjustments you can. Then power up and set it up properly. The first Model 33 I did took a month or so. OK, I _didn't_ have the manuals, I was working by intuition. And I did have other things to do at the same time -- like 'A levels' (end of school exams). No I could do one i na couple of days. Don't apply power and see what happens. If there are lubrication problems (no lubricant, or hardened lubricant) you can do a lot of damage in a few minutes. -tony