Last night, before going to bed (pacific time), I caught up on some blogs. From Ted Munk's, I discovered the Virtual Herman's conference, which had just concluded. I'd not heard of this, before, though I did notice that it is connected to the gathering of typewriter enthusiasts shown near the end of California Typewriter. 

Is this intended to be a regular event? If so, how frequently? And, how does one find out about it before it actually happens? And, will videos of yesterday's presentations be made available sometime as VH1 was? 

[and, my condolences to Mr. Munk on the loss of Number Six]

Looking more closely at the pictures: Pete, did you re-stitch those cases, or are they simply that immaculate? If you re-stitched them, did you do that yourself, or is there someone who does that sort of thing? I've a couple cases that could use help and I've not yet learned to do this sort of thing. (Though I do like the excuse to learn, but if I did everything myself, I'd get nothing done...)
 

I've seen an equal amount of praise and affection for the early 40s QdLs as well as for the late-40s-50s vintages (Dreyfus and following). Obviously the body and key-caps are different, but beyond that, is there a significant difference in the writing experience of them? 

I've really enjoyed my early 40s QdLs, but haven't been in the same room as a later model. Just wondering how the other side lives... 
 

Thanks, Sky! That's exactly what I was looking for. Nice coincidence that this came up only a few weeks ago.

Hmm... I wonder if I can find any old pill bottles (or photos of them), or better still - unused blanks... 

Rob

I'm looking for a service manual for the Hermes 2000. I've not found any on the web so far. How much similarity is there between the 3000 and the 2000? I.e. if I got Ted Munk's Hermes 3000 Typewriter Repair Bible, am I 80% of the way there?Meanwhile: I've got a Hermes 2000 that came to me with a carriage that's frozen a half inch or so right of center. Carriage release levers do nothing, nor do space, tab, backspace, or letters. (letters don't make it all the way to the platen, either, as if the line lock is on). Any suggestions?

I notice that the carriage release levers move a bar that runs under the carriage and engages a vertical post. Looking under the typewriter, that post moves something near the star wheel, under the back-space pawl. That moves almost freely and doesn't seem to do anything other than contact the side of the star wheel and move away. The star wheel won't budge. No signs of rust or corrosion. A fair amount of oil is there.



Looking down the carriage rack from the side, I see nothing engaging the carriage except a gear connected to the star wheel, and the bearings.I'd hoped to remove the back panels to get a better view on what's going on, but that requires moving screws behind the carriage...

Any tips or hints? Or sources of drawings for the escapement and carriage?

(My current theory: years back, the typewriter had been put away, correctly engaging the carriage center lock. Then, the previous owners opened up the case, and, not knowing how to disengage the center lock, tried to force it (as often happens on RP1s and RP2s). Looks to me that they opened the case with a little force, too, which seems to corroborate the theory).

Thanks!