[GreenKeys] Model 26 usage

[georgeengeman at aol.com]

The Model 26 was the first Teletype that I ever had and I obtained it in 1962 by dragging it out of the attic in a house in San Francisco. Even though I no longer own it, I still think that it has one of the nicest-feeling keyboards of all of the Teletypes I have used.
If this unit has been sitting around for a while, before running it under power I would be sure to check to see that the lubrication has not dried out in the several places where parts move together, especially the felts in the clutches and the typewheel and its associated mechanism.  The '26 was considered a lighter duty machine compared to the Model 15 and 19 sets.  So, some care is needed to insure no damage is done by frozen parts due to dried-out grese and oil.  Back in the old days, the lubricants were not as good as what is available now and they (e.g., KS7474 oil) tended to dry out over an extended time forming a difficult to remove goo.
It is too bad that the companion table for the '26 was not gotten with the machine, but I suppose some sort of substitute can be had.  As I recall, there were shock mounts on the bottom of the '26 that fit into pocket holes on the companion table.  These were apparently for acoustic noise reduction when the '26 was running.  I suppose some sort of plywood could be drilled to accept the shock mounts if they are present.  Or, a layer or two of scrap carpet can be used under the machine.
'The Radio Amateur's RTTY Handbook' (first edition, 1957) has some basic info on the '26 including circuit diagrams for the unit and table on pages  20 - 22.  Similar info with more detail on the '26 is presented on pages 37 - 43 in 'The New RTTY Handbook' by Byron Kretzman, W2JTP (SK), 1962 edition.  Back issues (1953 - 1958 time frame) of the 'RTTY Journal' (formerly known as just 'RTTY Bulletin') have some more info on the care and feeding of the '26.  Some of this literature is now on-line, but I have not tracked it down.
In my opinion if one is new to this fascinating hobby and gets hold of an old machine, extra care in starting it up after a long hibernation or unknown storage conditions is essential to insure that some satisfying success is forthcoming.  Parts for these older machines are becoming very difficult to obtain.  
Have fun!  George, W6BN
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