[GreenKeys] Just bought an Ebay ASR33 in the UK

[ian parr]

Well, I now have the teletype.

Disconnected from the pedestal - a rat or mouse seemed to have made its home in the pedestal as it was full of horrible debris. The pedestal houses a large step down transformer and an old UK mains plug was fitted which is encouraging that it has perhaps been used over here.

Case removed (one small crack in the main body) and I have carefully vacuumed the debris from the base and wiped off the cobwebs etc from the unit.

It doesn't look quite so bad and most of the crud appears to be rather stale grease covering almost everything.

Observations so far:

  1.
The punch unit seems a bit rusty and is missing a spring from the rear (see photos) so Ill certainly need one of those (advice or source welcome please)
  2.
The tape reader plastic cover seems to have a clip missing/broken from the RHS to hold the plastic down.
  3.
The print head hammer seems to have most of its original rubber in place but its crumbly and needs to be replaced with a vinyl cover. Encouraging though as I hope it mead the print head has not taken a bashing from metal.
  4.
The platen knob is missing - I can't easily turn the platen so it may be seized but I didn't want to apply any force as perhaps it needs some power to move ?
  5.
The front facia panel and local/online know is missing
  6.
Some signs of heat/burning from the large resistor board on the RHS as the board is discoloured.
  7.
The keyboard keys are really 'chalky'
  8.
The 'here is' button seems to be stuck down.

Pretty much everything seems to have some movement where its obvious it should move.

Some photos after it has had a wipe down:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DUwW8V4CboXCssUx6
________________________________
From: WAYNE <teletypeparts at comcast.net>
Sent: 05 February 2025 17:55
To: ian parr <parrid at hotmail.com>; greenkeys at mailman.qth.net <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [GreenKeys] Just bought an Ebay ASR33 in the UK

Ian,

Doug's advice is good.  There is a wiki site you might want to refer to before you pick up the 33.

https://wiki.theretrowagon.com/wiki/Teletype_Model_33

Look up "Assembly after pickup" and reverse the info about installing the machine on the pedestal to remove it.

Some other good info there as well.

I can send you some parts sometime including the vinyl hammer to replace the rubber one that is on it.  Instructions for replacing that on the wiki site as well.

Go slow and enjoy the work.  It will take some time to get it all up to snuff.

Best regards,

Wayne
KB1FDW
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