[GreenKeys] Finally, smell of hot oil

[Jim Haynes]

On Tue, 23 Feb 2010, Gerry Block wrote:

> I haven't done it in a while, but I disassembled the entire selector
> assembly of the WU 2B printer and cleaned all the parts.

I've had to do that to a few of the 2B machines.  On taking the selector
apart I found the separator plates had a green varnish-like substance
on them.  The green probably comes from the nickel in the plating, but
I don't know what caused the varnish.  Maybe W.U. didn't used the standard
Teletype lubricant, or maybe even the standard Teletype lubricant forms
the varnish over time.

>  I forgot how
> interesting the design was.  These people were gods of mechanics.

The legend is that Howard Krum came up with that particular design on
a visit to Coney Island, and sketched it on a paper napkin.

> This machine is interesting in that the motor doesn't have a fan - just a
> flat disk.  I find this to be a defect as it doesn't blow the smell around
> as effectively.
>
That is also typical of Western Union.  I have no idea why they preferred
a plain flywheel to a fan.