9 Mar
2005
9 Mar
'05
5:45 p.m.
First I got "just a typing unit" for an ASR-33 (thought it was going to have
some more of the unit included)...not too useful, but it really sparked the bug...
Then I bought a unit and had it shipped. Poorly packed, it was virtually destroyed (ok the
case was destroyed) in transit. Pictures are at www.dynamicconcepts.us/Teletype. After
some re-construction, it is powered up, but I have been completely unable to get the
h-plate properly aligned...
So, I wend up to Vermont [I am in NY] to pick up another teletype. This one I carefully
transported back (after some disassembly), but once it was back together....you guessed
it....I cant align the DA$&*#*@MN H-Plate!
I have been working on those two units off and on since before the holidays, and have
become quite fustrated.
Then a teletype appeared on e-Bay, and it was local (actually between my home and
work!!!)...special bonus, nobody seemed to be biddingh it up [it was listed at the same
time as the infamous $1400+ unit]. I won it, and picked it up.
This time I secured the typing unit in place, AND marked the exact position of everything
with a marker!
I get it home and power it up. The main cam shaft is not properly secured (the hold down
just past the gear is broken)...No biggie..I have the original typing unit which can be
gobbled for parts. After transfering over the assembly containing the cam holedown, I
power it up again..
The keyboard works (NO H-Plate problems [yippie]), the paper tape punch worked [the reader
needs to be replaced, but I have a NIB unit for that], the type cyclinder spinds and
lifts, the hammer strikes...and a really faint improperly alligned imnage is all that gets
printed [Yes I have a brand new ribbon on it].
So at this point, I am wondering how to address this problem...The cylinder is well
cleaned (boy was there buildup), the characters look sharp on it, the rubber bumper on the
hammer is in apparant good condition [and not "soft"]....
Any clues appreciated... [wishing there was a traveling teletype repairman who wanted to
come to Long Island NY....]
David
10 Mar
10 Mar
12:43 a.m.
Quoth dvcorbin at optonline.net, in part:
[...] the type cyclinder spinds and lifts, the hammer
strikes...and a
really faint improperly alligned imnage is all that gets printed [Yes I
have a brand new ribbon on it].
So at this point, I am wondering how to address this problem...The
cylinder is well cleaned (boy was there buildup), the characters look
sharp on it, the rubber bumper on the hammer is in apparant good
condition [and not "soft"]....
But the character it tries to print is the correct one? If so, the
situation doesn't sound too bad. :) I spent part of today tinkering
with the ASR I just got and was working on exactly the same issue, oddly
enough; so maybe I can point you to the information I was using. Have you
got a copy of the January '63 ASR-33 technical manual from Bitsavers or
one of its mirrors (273B_Mod32_33_TechMan_Jan63.pdf, in the Teletype
section)? If so, on Adjustments p. 4-94 there's a quick guide to some of
the print-quality adjustments. (The faintness of the image might be the
horizontal alignment of the platen, which is covered on p. 4-64.)
...I have to say, I'd forgotten the beauty of ASR-33s! The level of
mechanical acumen, intricacy and craft of the design never ceases to
impress me. _Damn,_ these people were clever! I'd forgotten just how
enjoyable it is to see that ingenuity with my own eyes... and it's good,
because that enjoyment somewhat offsets the creeping terror I sometimes
get that it might never go back together again and I've stupidly opened
Pandora's Box Of Spare Parts. :) :) :)
-O.-
2:46 a.m.
> O. Sharp wrote:
>The faintness of the image might be the
>horizontal alignment of the platen, which is
>covered on p. 4-64.)
I will have to pull out my copy....
>...I have to say, I'd forgotten the beauty of
ASR-33s! The level of
>mechanical acumen, intricacy and craft of the design never ceases to
>impress me.
And the ASR-33 is generally considered to b the "runt" of the Teletype
Product line from that era....
3:33 p.m.
Then I bought a unit and had it shipped. Poorly
packed, it was
virtually destroyed (ok the case was destroyed) in transit. Pictures are
at www.dynamicconcepts.us/Teletype. After some re-construction, it is
powered up, but I have been completely unable to get the h-plate properly
aligned...
So, I wend up to Vermont [I am in NY] to pick up another teletype.
This one I carefully transported back (after some disassembly), but once
it was back together....you guessed it....I cant align the DA$&*#*@MN
H-Plate!
The first thing to check is that you have the typing unit correctly
seated on the rubber mounts. If not, the H-plate will never fit.
Then fit the H-plate into the lever on the typing unit (side with the
deep slot to that lever). Slide it to the left with a screwdriver in the
slot, then turn the motor by hand (the H-plate will rock as you do this)
until it will slot in to the lever on the keyboard. Sometimes it helps to
press a key to release the keyboard mechanism.
If you've got this far, there can basically only be 3 problems.
1) The trasmit clutch engages all the time (even though the keyboard trip
lever is in the down, untripped, position)
2) Pressing a key does not release the trasnmit clutch
3) After presssing a key, the transmit clutch engages all the time until
you reset the trip lever by hand.
What's happening on your units?
[...]
that], the type cyclinder spinds and lifts, the hammer
strikes...and a
really faint improperly alligned imnage is all that gets printed [Yes I
have a brand new ribbon on it].
Do you know the ribbon is still good (they can dry out in storage)
So at this point, I am wondering how to address this problem...The
cylinder is well cleaned (boy was there buildup), the characters look
sharp on it, the rubber bumper on the hammer is in apparant good
condition [and not "soft"].... >
Any clues appreciated... [wishing there was a traveling teletype
I assume you've got the maintenance manuals...
From what I rememebr, if the chracter is darker one
side than the other,
you loosen the nut on top of the cylinder and slightly rotate
it. If it's
darker at the top or bottom, you adjust the platten assembly position.
Have you been over the lubrication instructions? If the hammer lever is
sticking, it won't print properly. Personally I'd strip the carriage down
and clean and lubricate it, but you probably don't want to do that....
repairman who wanted to come to Long Island NY....]
YEs, but you can't afford me :-)
-tony
7228
days inactive
7228
days old
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ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
dvcorbin＠optonline.net -
ohh＠drizzle.com