[GreenKeys] Teletype 33-ASR Paper Feed Issues

[Robert Jarratt]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: GreenKeys [mailto:greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf
> Of Rick Bensene
> Sent: 16 January 2016 23:12
> To: greenkeys at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [GreenKeys] Teletype 33-ASR Paper Feed Issues
> 
> Greetings, all,
> 
> Some time ago, I acquired a very nice 33-ASR teletype that was in mostly
> working condition.
> 
> With useful hints, and a few parts from generous donors on this list, I
was
> able to get it 100% functioning, and have been enjoying using this
wonderful
> old terminal on my Altair, PDP 8/e, and hooked up to a more modern
> computer running an emulation of HP 2000/Access Timeshared BASIC.
> 
> Recently, the machine has been not feeding paper reliably.  I thought at
first
> that the problem might be in the linefeed mechanism, but as it turns out,
it is
> working perfectly.  The platen advances one position reliably every time a
> linefeed is received (in LINE mode), or when the LINE FEED key is pressed
in
> LOCAL mode.
> 
> It turns out that the paper is actually slipping...like the platen and
roller's grip
> on the paper is not good enough to pull/push the paper
> through the paper path when a linefeed occurs.   I've also been able to
> observe this when manually advancing the paper with the knob.
> 
> The platen itself is in nice shape...however, it seems kind of "polished".
It
> has a somewhat dense surface.  I seem to remember that the 33's I used in
> school had platens that seemed softer, and had a more
> textured surface.   The rollers also seem to be somewhat hardened.
> 
> I suspect that this probably means that I have to send the platen off and
> have it redone.  I have seen reports here from a number of folks who have
> sent their platens off for rebuilding, with very good results.
> 
> However, I'm wondering if there is any kind of temporary thing that I can
do
> to make the platen grip the paper more reliably until I can get a time
when I
> can tear the thing down and send the platen off for rework.
> 
> Also, I foolishly didn't stash the postings to the forum that had
information
> about the places that folks have sent their platens off to for rework that
have
> had good results.
> 
> Any suggestions on any of this would be most appreciated.

Here is the text of one of the emails I have saved on this subject:

I did the platen and power roll on a flexowriter with the inner tube of an
bicycle. I removed a small amount of the original platen on a lathe and
rolled the inner tubing over the platen with the help of a bullet shaped
dowel to guide the tubing to the platen. unfortunately I did not make any
pictures. the key is that you end up with the inner side of the tube as the
outside on the platen.

simon

On 26-09-15 22:19, Eric wrote:
> I'd like to have my model 19's platen done, but I'm not sure I want to
take disassembly and reassembly...
>
> Eric
>
> On September 26, 2015 12:43:19 PM PDT, David Tumey <davetumey at yahoo.com>
wrote:
>> Keys,
>> I had a platen restored recently by J.J. Short Associates in NY as 
>> recommended by Cory Heisterkamp (hat tip).  Just wanted to share the 
>> results, contact information and pricing.
>> The company did a phenomenal job on the restoration, the platen came 
>> back looking like brand new.  I installed it into the '369 machine 
>> today and ran it for a couple hours.  Print quality, tracking, 
>> alignment, drift, tractor force, all excellent!  The left margin held 
>> to within 1/32" over 400 printed lines.  Line spacing is perfect as 
>> well.  Cory was right, these guys are a great resource and enjoyable 
>> to work with.
>> It took about 7 days to do the work and the cost for one platen was 
>> $69 including shipping and tax.  I pulled the other platens and sent 
>> them off for restoration - should be good for another 40 years.
>> I attached a couple "after" photos, but unfortunately I lost the 
>> "before" photo.  It looked like what you would expect after 4 
>> decades, hard as a rock, small surface cracking, etc.
>> Contact Peter or JohnPhone: 315-986-3511Fax: 315-986-2827E-mail:
>> office at jjshort.comVISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.JJSHORT.COM J.J. Short 
>> Associates, Inc.P.O. Box 183Fairport, New York 14450-0183 
>> Thanks.--daveW5DT
>>