[GreenKeys] Teletypewriter Ribbon Re-inkers Article Info

[Jerry]

The original article that describes how to modify a basic model 15 reinker 
so it can be used on a model 28 is located in the June 1972 issue of Ham 
Radio Magazine.  The author was none other than Mr. Teletype himself, Irv 
Hoff (w6ffc)..

I have been using these on various model 28 teletypes since that article 
came out (33 years ago now, egads!), and purchased reinkers from him way 
back then.  It appears to me they are the same type that DRH is offering for 
sale now.

I have used the same nylon ribbon and a tube of ink (as listed below) for 
several years now and gotten very good performance.  In fact, I don't recall 
ever wearing out a nylon ribbon, and just by opening the little reservoir 
lid and filling it up about half way, keeps my ribbons in perfect printing 
condition.  After a couple of fills, the ribbon is well inked, and will last 
quite a while even after the ink well is empty.  I never worry about it 
until I notice the print is getting a bit light, and then I add a bit more 
ink, and I'm ready to go for many more days of printing.  I've got several 
cartons of ribbons stashed, along with a  couple of cartons of the tube ink, 
and am set for the duration.
 A lot of us tried using external ribbon reinkers over the decades, but they 
were a pain mainly because you had to remove the ribbon from the teletype, 
and mount it in the external reinker, add ink, then get it all inked up and 
then reinstall it in the teletype.  It was messy and time consuming.

The modified model 15 reinker allows one to re-ink a ribbon while using it 
at the same time!

I've been using this same method for some 30+ years now, and its worked very 
nicely. I have found the original information that Irv came up with to work 
better than anything else I have ever tried.

Using one of the reinkers that DRH sells and modified as per the article in 
the old issue of HRM makes that entire scenario painless, quick, and really 
easy to maintain your ribbons.  I do admit I was to lazy to put one on all 
the teletypes I had running at one time, and I did use the modified reinker 
on one of the 28's to take care of other teletypes I had running around the 
shop.  It still worked better than trying to use one of the external hand or 
powered units.

The ink listed below is the same exact ink as outlined in the original 
article, the only difference is it only comes in purple now.  One used to be 
able to buy it in black, but not for some time.  The purple looks very nice, 
especially if one is using good white paper.  Some of us tried various types 
of other inks, but none of them were of the correct viscosity to work as 
well as the ink mentioned in the original article...

I'll talk to George over the next few days, and with his concurrence, I'll 
scan the article and send it to him for posting on the RTTY Server he has 
set up.  Those of you who don't have access to the June 1972 issue of HRM 
can then just go to the server and download the article.


http://www.ncr-direct.com/Dispatch.jsp?page=0&.CurrentState=NCRKeywordSearch&textfield=165149&searchmethod=like&from=search&__FFCSessionID=C07FE17E8DB00101CFA9EAF7F8350100&searchfield=Keyword

Replenishment Ink (Tube)

Stock Number: 165149    12/CT     $36.40 per case


During the last twenty years, NCR has grown to be a dominant ribbon
manufacturer for one simple reason - unsurpassed quality. The goal of our
R&D staff is to design cassettes that not only meet stringent fit & function
criteria, but also achieve the longest possible character life. In fact,
most of our ribbons outperform the original equipment manufacturer!


  a.. Longest possible character life.
  b.. Lowest failure rates.
  c.. Lowest Total Cost of Ownership.
  d.. Meet or exceed OEM specifications.
NCR ..... Setting the standard for ribbon quality!

Jerry -n6jp-