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- KatLondon
- Key Master
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- From: London
- Registered: 11-10-2014
- Posts: 995
Re: Backing sheets
Oh, my SG1, if you don't use the mylar sheet you need AT LEAST two backing sheets. I've used three backing sheets in there before now. Needless to say, not my normal first choice machine to use, though it types like a dream. The mylar is a game-changer.
- Uwe
- Moderator
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,410
Re: Backing sheets
Spazmelda wrote:
I need to try one out on the Royal Empress. That lady packs a punch. I think something needs to be adjusted on it, because it will go so far as to punch out an O completely, it smacks the platen so hard.
Surviving Empress models seem to be notorious for having really hard platens, so less an issue with punching strength, but rather a platen that can't take a punch any more. I know this came up in another topic, but I used many applications of rubber rejuvenator on one Empress and it went from blowing holes through paper and ribbon to just leaving a heavy indent in the paper. It's usable now, more so with a backing sheet, but I plan to go another few rounds with the rejuvenator since I've got nothing to lose.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- Spazmelda
- Key Master
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- From: Ohio
- Registered: 25-2-2015
- Posts: 830
Re: Backing sheets
Perhaps that is it. I don't recall how hard the platen is. I know that I picked one up from an antique shop and sent it to a friend, and that one did the same thing. So I figured it wasn't uncommon. Maybe I will use that one to try out the heat shrink tubing I got a while back and see how that works. I don't know that I care for it enough to have the platen professionally redone. I'll try the mylar sheet first and see how that does.
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Thread Starter- Repartee
- Key Master
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- From: Brooklyn
- Registered: 12-10-2015
- Posts: 683
Re: Backing sheets
I need to try one out on the Royal Empress. That lady packs a punch. I think something needs to be adjusted on it, because it will go so far as to punch out an O completely, it smacks the platen so hard.
I thought my IBM model B had some unique skill for doing that - sometimes p's or other closed letters, but usually just lower case o's. And it does have an extremely hard platen - might be slightly softer if it were made from certain kinds of soft stone!
Surviving Empress models seem to be notorious for having really hard platens, so less an issue with punching strength, but rather a platen that can't take a punch any more. I know this came up in another topic, but I used many applications of rubber rejuvenator on one Empress and it went from blowing holes through paper and ribbon to just leaving a heavy indent in the paper. It's usable now, more so with a backing sheet, but I plan to go another few rounds with the rejuvenator since I've got nothing to lose.
Which brand?
I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I don't think the hardening process can actually be chemically reversed. And I had better mind my p's and q's here, because I now remember that Spazmelda actually is a chemist! But I believe hardening results from certain kinds of cross linking and that softening chemicals don't break these bonds but compensate by weakening the rubber in other ways. So the original rubber is just not coming back, but better than nothing.
"Damn the torpedoes! Four bells, Captain Drayton".
- igotztowrite
- Touch Typist
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- From: California, USA
- Registered: 08-11-2015
- Posts: 109
Re: Backing sheets
If you happen to try this out, please let me know how it goes for you!
This is the mylar I got, and it has the added benefit of being frosted on one side, slick on the other, and already cut to letter size (some of the others I had to cut down to size).
I ordered the 5 pack 5mil and have been using it for a few days. I love it! It saves me from throwing away the backing sheets (save the trees!) after a few pass throughs and so far, does not retain too much of the curl when left in the typewriter for days.
Thank you so much for the suggestion! 
- Uwe
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,410
Re: Backing sheets
Which brand?
I use two and they work equally well, possibly because it's one company actually making it for both Max Pro (max-pro.com) and Blow Off.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- Spazmelda
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- From: Ohio
- Registered: 25-2-2015
- Posts: 830
Re: Backing sheets
Repartee- I'm actually a molecular biologist. My husband is the chemist, but he doesn't know any more about rubber than I do, I don't think. I'm sure we have discussed on here before that the rejuvinators don't really rejuvinate, and right, I do think it's irreversible chemical changes that lead the rubber to harden, and that the reconditioners can help with grip and soften a little, but aren't going to undo the chemical changes that occurred with time.
Igotztowrite- Thanks for posting how they worked for you. I'm glad they are useful!
I did try the mylar sheet out on the Empress and it made a big difference. It still leaves a noticable impression on the paper, and periods do mark the mylar some, but it's better. Maybe she does just need a new platen. Someday... I've got about 4 others in line in front of her to get new rubber first.
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Thread Starter- AccidentalScribe
- New Member
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- From: Magnolia Texas
- Registered: 14-11-2016
- Posts: 12
Re: Backing sheets
So I landed on this thread and after reading I remembered I had some of these in my sewing box. It fits, and it seems to work really well for backing my paper.
- Uwe
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,410
Re: Backing sheets
That looks interesting. What weight is it (thickness), and where would you buy it, from a sewing machine shop?
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- AccidentalScribe
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- From: Magnolia Texas
- Registered: 14-11-2016
- Posts: 12
Re: Backing sheets
Not sure about weight but its relatively thin. its meant to be cut with household scissors. I cant remember if i bought this at hobby lobby or Joanns fabric store. But a sewing or fabric store should have them.
