1 of 1- Woodman
- Novice Typer
Offline - Registered: 30-5-2018
- Posts: 27
Blickensderfer 7 platen removal
Hello,
This is my first adventure into this forum or any forum for that matter. There seems to be a number of experts who contribute to the discussions and although I have not found a great deal on Blicks I am sure someone out there will have the answer to my problem.
The Blick I have recently acquired is generally in pretty good nick apart from the platen rubber which is complete but split along the length and roller behind the platen which has a pronounced flat. I can’t do anything about this until I get the platen separated from the carriage. This appears to be very difficult without removing the platen knobs. However, I find no grub-screws in the knobs and am assuming that the knobs are threaded on to the spindle. I am reluctant to try unscrewing without being sure I am on the right track, Bakelite is very brittle especially when old and the last thing I want to do is ruin a beautiful machine.
I would add a picture but haven’t yet worked out how to do it.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Woodman
- Fleetwing
- Typewriter Talk Vet
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- From: Hartford, CT USA
- Registered: 30-6-2015
- Posts: 1,011
Re: Blickensderfer 7 platen removal
I totally cannot help you with your Blick, though I would love to have one someday. I think there are a number of contributors here who can help, though.
And welcome! I'm kind of amazed that you've avoided the world of online forums (fora?) until now, but you have chosen well!
- Woodman
- Novice Typer
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- Posts: 27
Re: Blickensderfer 7 platen removal
Thanks for your welcome. I am normally a “work it out for yourself” sort of chap but this time I am really stuck.
I started getting interested in typewriters about four years ago, my first being a Hermes Baby which remains one of my favourites but after an initial burst of eBay purchases of 1950s and 60s machines, all portables, I have turned to earlier machines and the Blick is my latest and may be my last purchase unless I can find a pre 1900 Blick 5.
Mechanical things have always been a fascination. Started with vintage cars, moved to motorcycles and now I am too old for such things so have reduced the size to typewriters and life goes on a bit longer!
I’ll wait patiently for the experienced Blick surgeon to contact. Cheers
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Thread Starter- Fleetwing
- Typewriter Talk Vet
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- From: Hartford, CT USA
- Registered: 30-6-2015
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Re: Blickensderfer 7 platen removal
Sounds like you'd also be a natural with mechanical cameras -- you fit a lot of those in a closet. Don't ask me how I know.
- Woodman
- Novice Typer
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- Posts: 27
Re: Blickensderfer 7 platen removal
Ah, yes. I did go through a photography phase as well. I have recently passed my last film camera on to my grand-daughter who is now the proud owner of a Rolleiflex given by her aunt. I was a bit upstaged!
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Thread Starter- Fleetwing
- Typewriter Talk Vet
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- From: Hartford, CT USA
- Registered: 30-6-2015
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Re: Blickensderfer 7 platen removal
A Rollei is quite the gift!
- Totally_Not_Ben
- New Member
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- From: Germany
- Registered: 05-3-2018
- Posts: 7
Re: Blickensderfer 7 platen removal
- Woodman
- Novice Typer
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- Registered: 30-5-2018
- Posts: 27
Re: Blickensderfer 7 platen removal
Back from the dead! Sorry about this long absence and particularly apologies to Totally Not Ben whose contribution I did not acknowledge.
However, I have found the solution to my own problem which may be of use to anyone encountering the same problem. The thing is that the Blick 5 does not have a knob on the left end of the platen as does the No: 7. Logically, I thought, the left hand knob would have a left hand thread, however, this is not the case. In fact both knobs have a conventional right hand thread.
You may have noticed that a six month delay has occurred since I opened this thread. It took this time for me to raise enough courage to try a little force, there again I have 83 years of life behind me and things move fairly slowly at this age!
Happy tapping.
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Thread Starter