[CW] CW MILLS (Typewriters) - A Great Site

[Richard Knoppow]

    I also have had the unhappy experience of knocking a 
typewriter down and smashing it. Mine was an Underwood standard. 
I have another to replace it. Typewriters are very tough about 
wear but are fragile about being dropped.
    If you want to learn touch typing its not too difficult but 
you must learn the right technique and practice. Not too 
different from code. While most of my typing is on a computer I 
try to practice on a mechanical machine every day. It builds the 
strength in your hands, coordination and discipline. Decent 
machines are available at reasonable prices. There are decent 
portables but, in general, an office machine is a better choice. 
Far more portables exist because many of them were never used. 
They were bought for some temporary use, or as gifts, and have 
spent most of their lives in their cases in some closet. Office 
machines, OTOH, were usually workhorses and were often scrapped 
when replaced with something else.
     There used to be many books on typing. Show you the 
rudiments and have exercises. Good posture helps. There are some 
military training films on You Tube.
    When I was in highschool (they don't have highschools any 
more) typing was not considered a fit occupation for a boy. That 
was before computers. I taught myself to touch type as an adult 
when I went through a difficult time and needed some 
accomplishment. I am only sorry I didn't do it sooner.  I bought 
my first machine, a Royal office machine, at a thrift shop for 
three dollars. I still have it. The machine I have in here is an 
Underwood Standard c.1948.  I do not have an all caps mill, never 
found one. The Navy had both office machines and portables. FWIW, 
mills made for telegraph work generally have plain zeros while 
radio machines have the slashed zero. You can copy just fine on a 
standard machine using lower case (makes the numerals available) 
but it looks funny.  As far as kids being good at it I think kids 
are often very good at all sorts of things they are introduced to 
early especially if they are fun. As far as my own speed I don't 
worry about it much. I have a friend who is a legal secretary who 
can do near 200WPM. I just try not to make too many mistakes.

On 6/8/2020 5:02 AM, Joe Pontek Sr wrote:
>
> Hello, all.
>
> Back when I was stationed at Andrew AFB, Washington, D.C.,
> President Washington's birthday was a big deal and many
> holiday sales about. I went to a store for typewriters and
> bouight an electric mill in good shape for $5.00 and the only
> thing needed might have been the platen roll as it was a bit
> hardened.  I did treat it and it worked great until one time
> when getting up and caught my belt on the typewriter table
> and sent it to the floor, thus breaking its cast frame.  I almost
> learned touch typing on it.  As I was a TTY technician, all caps
> were normal to me.  I would love to have another one.  My
> 12 year old can touch type at 53 WPM, now to teach him
> and his brother the code.
>
> One thing many have missed in the discussion about speed
> on CW.  It is the ability to spell or, rather,  the inability to
> spell.  If you think the knots or loss of my hair is due to 
> fighting,
> wrong !  It was from my mother trying to beat information
> about spelling into my head !
>
> On 6/8/2020 5:08 AM, BURNS MARTIN JR wrote:
>> Thanks David for this.  During my 32+ years, I've used many of 
>> those pictured with the exception of the portable mills. To 
>> say they took a BEATING would be a serious understatement.  
>> Sprocket feed with 6 ply "chatter roll" put some 
>> serious stress on those iron horses.   Even back in the 50's I 
>> often thought that some I used should have been in the 
>> Smithsonian Museum, hi.
>> I'd sure love to have one to put on the shelf just for the 
>> memories.  I keep looking at the yard sales in thrift stores.
>> Best to all....stay safe and well.
>> 73
>> Tony W4FOA
> -- 
> Regards, Joe, K8JP/V31JP, Ronnie, Martin & Sidney Pontek
> 175 Diamond Loch Rd., Apt. 5
> Gilmer, TX 75644-9374
> U.S.A.
> or
> P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
> (Hopkins Village) Belize
>
> 903-204-2318 (My TX cellular)
> 903-884-5990 (Skype telephone number, Belize & TX)
> Also, K8JP, member FOC-1743 Feb 2001, QCWA-LM21894, OOTC-4607, A1OP, SKCC-3171T, NAQCC-5798, Flying Pig-2819, FISTS-7625CC951, A1C-2299, SOC 1075, CFO, 10-10 22977, PG1915841, CW Rag chewers #21,
> Facebook: Joe Pontek
> Skype: v31joepalooka
> LotW
>
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> =30=

-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL