Teletype cheap

[steve shumaker]

Thanks all for the comments - as usual, this list offers up stuff you 
can't get with Google.  Bill,  you started a thought in your comment but 
didn't complete it - was it significant?:         "and if you can find 
away to transport the TTY with the..."


Steve

On 10/27/2018 6:46 AM, Bill Degnan via cctalk wrote:
> On Fri, Oct 26, 2018, 11:31 PM Tony Duell via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
> wrote:
>
>> On Sat, Oct 27, 2018 at 3:38 AM steve shumaker via cctalk
>> <cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
>>> OK, got it.  Will be my first one. Now, how does one transport the
>>> thing?   Does it easily come off the pedestal?   Can it be laid on it's
>>> back?  Anything need to be secured before it gets moved?
>> It does come off the stand easily. Do not lay it on its back without
>> either removing or securing the typing unit (main mechanical chassis).
>>
>> To expand on that....
>>
>> To get it off the stand, first take the backplate off the stand (I think
>> it's
>> a couple of obvious screws). There may be a power supply for the reader
>> inside the stand, there may be other electronics (unlikely). Unplug the
>> cables.IIRC the reader power supply just unclips.
>>
>> There are 4 screws going up through the top flanges of the stand into the
>> base pan of the machine. Get a couple of (strong) friends to steady the
>> machine
>> itself and take the screws out. Then just lift it off the stand. It
>> _will_ tip forwards
>> if not steadied, hence needing the friends.
>>
>> The typing unit is only resting on rubber vibration isolators, it is not
>> fixed
>> down. There is a hole on the bottom of the machine where you can fit
>> a screw (it was some kind of self-tapping thing) into the cast metal
>> base of the typing unit to anchor it. But I find it easier to remove the
>> typng unit.
>>
>> To do that, take off the top cover : Pull off the knob on the front and the
>> platten knob. Slide the front nameplate thing down to remove it. Take
>> out the screws thus exposed, the thumbscrews on the back. There may
>> be a screw at the rear left corner of the reader cover (on the side) but
>> it is almost always missing. Lift off the cover.
>>
>> Unplug the connectors at the back of the call control unit (electronics
>> chassis) and disconnect the wires from the little leaf swtich at the rear
>> right of the typng unit.
>>
>> Now look down behind the rear right corner of the keyboard. There's
>> a flat metal plate, the 'H plate', so called because of its shape that
>> connects the keyboard trip linkage to the typing unit. Put a flat
>> blade screwdriver in the slot and slide the H plate against spring
>> tension to free it. Get it out.
>>
>> Then lift the typing unit -- complete with the carriage, motor, and
>> tape punch -- up slightly. Slide it towards the rear to free the runout
>> linkage from under the keyboard. Take the typing unit all the way out.
>>
>> -tony
>>
>
>
> Really check carefully for the small inset screw near the reader on the
> side of most tty covers.  If you try to remove the cover before removing
> this screw you'll RIP the cover near the reader and possibly crack the
> cover.  The presence of this screw is a good sign, it means that the
> teletype has never been parted out and/or only serviced by a professional.
>
> Take good photos before you disassemble anything.  Avoid removing the cover
> of the keyboard keys at all costs.
>
> See vintagecomputer.net/teletype/  from there download a  how to "101" pdf
> with useful info how to wire it up and a few other things about getting
> started not already mentioned..
>
> It is very possible that the reader motor is installed in the pedestal.  If
> so, you will have to detach it first before you remove the TTY from the
> pedestal (not sure if this was already mentioned).  Take good pictures
> before you remove the reader motor from the pedestal because it tends to
> fall apart the way it's installed into pieces that will have to be
> re-assembled.
>
> I usually remove the screws from inside of the pedestal.  There is no
> reason to disassemble the actual TTY for transport and if you can find a
> way to transport the TTY with the
>
> My getting-started philosophy is to clean out the dust and crud, check the
> fuses, make sure the printer and keyboard bars are straight, make sure the
> 4 gold pins in the reader are straight and replace the print hammer
> rubber.  Then power it on in LOCAL mode.  If it does not continuously
> chatter you're in good shape.  Start with the local keyboard/printer to
> work first.   Leave things like the UCC-6 (power supply) and reader relay
> (if there is one) as is until you know why you need to change something.
> TTYs have a different wiring but you need to understand the context of how
> it was used before you return yours to "stock".  If you determine you need
> to oil a stuck part use sewing machine oil or NYE oil (my choice), but it
> will not hurt a clean TTY to hold off on the oil until you start heavy
> use.  They're pretty robust machines.
>
> Bill
>