1 - Pete E.
- Typewriter Talk Elite
Offline 
- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
- Posts: 2,149
Show Us Your Favourite Tools...
This $ 15 purchase off of eBay is one of my most valued and favourite tool in my cleaning & servicing arsenal. It is made by "Capri" and it has a handy pressure/flow control knob on the back of the blow gun. My air compressor also has a pressure regulator. This knob on the Capri is just handier, but I use both adjustment points.
I can also slip on a piece of 1/4" OD tygon tubing to extend the metal tip of the wand further down into a machine if that is needed.
Here is an eBay link to one of several sellers. (No affiliations...)
.
- Pete E.
- Typewriter Talk Elite
Offline
- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
- Posts: 2,149
Re: Show Us Your Favourite Tools...
These are another favourite on my workbench.
Also from eBay.
I have one filled with denatured alcohol, one with lacquer thinner, and one with light sewing machine oil. These with the metal caps and metal applicator needle are much better than the all plastic variety you see for sale, as well.
.
- •
Thread Starter- Lucas Dul
- Speed Champion
Offline
- From: Chicago
- Registered: 01-1-2018
- Posts: 250
Re: Show Us Your Favourite Tools...
Those needle bottles are awesome! I have one for oil. I think one of my favorite tools is probably my spring hook, use it on every job.
It's hard to pick a real favorite since I use so many on each machine!!
Typewriter Service Tech (and avid nerd)
- Pete E.
- Typewriter Talk Elite
Offline
- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
- Posts: 2,149
Re: Show Us Your Favourite Tools...
I have some nice sets of hollow-ground screwdrivers but find myself using these two 8" long screw drivers made by Klein Tools Co. in the USA as my workhorses.
These 2 are special as I bought them brand new when I started a 4-year electrician's apprenticeship in 1972. That trade allowed me to put myself through college to get a 4-year Engineering degree and a 2nd. degree in Molecular Biology.
These screwdrivers are normally used by electricians but since I put them to use on my first typewriter repair job, they now have place-of-honor on my typewriter work bench.
These Klein screwdrivers can still be purchased today and are still made in the USA.
.
- •
Thread Starter- Pete E.
- Typewriter Talk Elite
Offline
- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
- Posts: 2,149
Re: Show Us Your Favourite Tools...
I created this meme and printed it out and pinned it on the wall above my work bench.
When a machine is kicking-my-ass...I look up to the wisdom of Tom Hanks...
.
- •
Thread Starter- CoronaJoe
- Touch Typist
Offline
- Registered: 24-1-2016
- Posts: 141
Re: Show Us Your Favourite Tools...
I've been using the Wiha screwdrivers for their precision blades. Typewriter screws always have the extra narrow slots, especially the metric ones on Olympias. For the broader head, particularly the extra wide truss head used to retain levers; I've had to customize a couple. Grind them thinner, then hand lap until the blade is square and flat. So far no cam outs. Wish I could say that about some of my machines; Its a pet peeve seeing nice chrome polished screw heads all chewed up. Like numb brain plumber techs using pipe wrenches on chrome fixtures.
- Pete E.
- Typewriter Talk Elite
Offline
- From: Idaho - USA
- Registered: 23-6-2020
- Posts: 2,149
Re: Show Us Your Favourite Tools...
Slonik 600 lumens, head lamp.
I finally got a nice 600 lumens model from Slonik with an adjustable light beam. You can also step down the lumens output from 100% to 5% lighting output.
I am glad I went with the single LED lamp model at 600 lumens. I think their 2-lamp, 1,000 lumens model would simply be to bright.
The head-strap is very comfortable and it stays put.
I got mine on eBay for about $ 35 with free shipping.
Now I can use my two hands for tools and I have light exactly where I need it and point my head.
As the light beam on my model is 300 ft., I even use it for early morning walks when it is still dark outside.
Battery run time is 3.5 hours at highest light output (100%) and 8.0 hours at lowest light output. Full recharge time is about 2.5 hours, only. Battery is rechargeable with a hidden USB power port under one of the side knobs.
.
- •
Thread Starter- robmck
- Speed Champion
Offline
- From: Seattle, WA
- Registered: 31-1-2022
- Posts: 325
Re: Show Us Your Favourite Tools...
This is a good thread for finding out what's actually useful. I often wonder if I should be keeping an eye out for old typewriter repair tools - e.g. type bar benders, key ring removers, spring hooks, etc - and wondering if I should find some, or make due with what I have.
Meanwhile, my favorites: I have found the Chapman screwdriver set a friend gave me to be essential, and was surprised at how helpful a simple lazy susan is.
- Aaron the Paisley
- New Member
Offline
- From: East Central Indiana
- Registered: 03-12-2021
- Posts: 7
Re: Show Us Your Favourite Tools...
I have a magnifying visor that I found at Harbor Freight. It is my constant companion when work on typewriters
' ( : : : )
- Laurenz van Gaalen
- Speed Champion
Offline
- From: The Netherlands
- Registered: 20-7-2019
- Posts: 391
Re: Show Us Your Favourite Tools...
One of my biggest favorites is my home built ribbon spool winder. Simple yet effective.
Other favorites are my adapted screwdrivers. One with a thin blade for screws with a narrow slot, and one for bolts used to lock the on feet adjustment screws on Tippa's.
The honourable mention goes to my set of segment rings. They make the replacement of specific typebars a much easier job.
