[GreenKeys] Cleaning Teletype machines

[Don Robert House]

Excuse me... but I have never seen an official recommendation from 
Teletype Corporation on the use of degreasers or water in cleaning 
machines.  The policy of dunking typing units (only typing units) was 
practiced only by ex-military folks at Illinois Bell.  Officially the 
policy was discouraged.

It is very easy to miss points that need lubrication after the 
degreasing process.  Our technicians in the Waukegan shop used a 
commercial degreasing agent in a tank and submerged the typing unit. 
Then they rinsed the unit with water and tied the unit to a radiator 
to dry it.  Then went through a step by step lube point by lube point 
to oil and grease everything required by the BSP (Tech Manual)  This 
process was used only on typing unit that got excessively dirty from 
locations like steel mills, concrete plants, etc.

The rest of us used lint-free 9" x 9" wiping cloths and, as mentioned 
previously, TriClor as provided by Western Electric.  Small brushes 
were used as well as special canister vacuum cleaners with the hose 
adapted to a very small orfice.  Felts were a concern but the biggest 
problem was making sure all of the springs in the typing unit were 
lubricated according to the practice.

Much of the time the stunt box would be removed on M28 and M35 typing 
units to check for wear and any bent tines.  If the box was worn wear 
plates are available to repair the damage.

Old Don
TTYMAN