[GreenKeys] Teletype 33-ASR Paper Feed Issues

[Rick Bensene]

Don Lampert wrote:
> 
> To somewhat revive the rubber platen, with a soft rag, apply a coat of
basic
> automobile brake fluid, and let it set about an hour. After that wipe
off any
> excess fluid and let it dry for maybe another hour It will soften the
surface
> rubber enuf to give it friction and grip. May eventually dry out, but
can be
> done again.
> That's what we typewriter folks do.
> 

So, today I have Don's recommendation a try.

I took a soft cloth, and put some standard DOT 3 brake fluid on it, and
carefully wiped down the (previously paper-slipping) platen on my 33ASR.
I let it stand for about an hour, and then wiped off the excess on the
platen and the roller below with a clean, dry cloth. I waited another
hour, and double-checked for any remaining visible fluid...there was a
little from the roller under the platen that I carefully wiped off.  

I noted that the platen indeed felt less 'slick', and had a slight tack
to it.

I decided to let it set for another couple of hours.

When I came back to it, the slight tack had disappeared, and it just
seemed "grippier".

So, I threaded up the paper, and it seemed to advance very nicely by the
manual knob.

I powered the Teletype up, and did some testing by typing lines of text
in LOCAL mode with a RETURN, LINEFEED at the end of each line.

The paper advanced the right amount, reliably, every time.

I hooked the Teletype up to my emulated HP 2000/Access system (SimH),
and proceeded to run the AMAZIN program that generates nice printed
mazes.   The mazes looked great...no problems at all with the paper
advancing properly.

Thanks so much, Don, for this great suggestion.  While it may not be a
permanent solution, it definitely kept me from having to pull out the
platen and send it out for  replacement of the rubber.

This list never cease to amaze me with the expertise and helpfulness of
the folks here.

Best to all,
-Rick
---
Rick Bensene
The Old Calculator Museum
http://oldcalculatormuseum.com