1 of 1- Chunk66
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Spool cover fit on a 1948 Remington De Luxe Model 5
I recently worked on a '48 Remington de Luxe Model 5, and I've notice that the spools drag on the inner surface of the covers preventing the ribbon from advancing. Is this common, are the spool covers dimensionally unstable over time? The interference is very slight, but it's enough drag to affect the ribbon advance.
Yes, these are the original spool covers; and Yes, the metal spools are appropriate Remington spools.
Rgds,
CT
COVID made me do it.
- Chunk66
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Re: Spool cover fit on a 1948 Remington De Luxe Model 5
No one has experienced this issue before?
COVID made me do it.
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Thread Starter- M. Höhne
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Re: Spool cover fit on a 1948 Remington De Luxe Model 5
We need to know what you are talking about. Are these the two soft plastic individual teardrop-shape covers that push onto the spools spindles, or some other cover? Those covers are a material that can warp, yes, and another issue is that they are side-specific and they have to also slip over a second post in addition to the spindle. So if that's what you have, then check those points and then inspect where the interference is and decide what exactly is causing it. If it's warping, for example, you might reshape the cover in hot water. But if you have some other type of cover then let us know.
- skywatcher
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Re: Spool cover fit on a 1948 Remington De Luxe Model 5
Hi Chunk
Just did a little Google searching using the information you've given so far. This appears to be the machine with the Bakelite keys and as M. Höhne indicates, the two individual tear drop shaped spool covers. I personally have never handled one of these machines so have no idea of the composition of the ribbon covers. Given the year of the machine, I'd be inclined to say most probably Bakelite, but may also be some form of hardened resin like Parkesine or Celluloid. How stable these materials are in varying climatic conditions like heat or cold can be a contributing factor as can the fact that they are 72 years old.
As Mr. Höhne says, see if you can find where the interference is actually occurring between the spool and the spool cover, and are the covers side specific, if so are they installed on their intended side. Hope this gives you a few things to consider as you progress with your diagnostic investigation. All the best,
Sky
We humans go through many computers in our lives, but in their lives, typewriters go through many of us.
In that way, they’re like violins, like ancestral swords. So I use mine with honor and treat them with respect.
I try to leave them in better condition than I met them. I am not their first user, nor will I be their last.
Frederic S. Durbin. (Typewriter mania and the modern writer)
- Chunk66
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Re: Spool cover fit on a 1948 Remington De Luxe Model 5
Yes, these are the original teardrop shaped, individual spool covers. I did not know if the spool covers were a conventional plastic (which would be dimensionally unstable over time) or if the covers were bakelite.
I'll find a mandrel of appropriate radius and try reforming the covers with heat.
COVID made me do it.
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Thread Starter- M. Höhne
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Re: Spool cover fit on a 1948 Remington De Luxe Model 5
There is no such thing as conventional plastic; there are thousands of formulations with nearly as many different characteristics. What method do you use to determine whether a material is Bakelite, which I don't think my covers are but I never tested to find out. Better check out the material and how it will react to heat. I suggested hot water because my covers feel like the kind of material that will respond to heat but if I were to actually try reforming them, I would proceed cautiously. There is a shortage of these covers.
- Chunk66
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Re: Spool cover fit on a 1948 Remington De Luxe Model 5
If anyone cares to know this little bit of information about the spool covers for Remington streamline 'writers, The spool covers are indeed made of a thermoplastic which can be reshaped and reformed with controlled heat. They are not made of a thermoset material like the keys.
I solved my cover fit issues by finding some ceramics of the appropriate radius and reformed the cover "skirt" over the ceramics with heat. The covers now fit as they should.
COVID made me do it.
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Thread Starter- skywatcher
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Re: Spool cover fit on a 1948 Remington De Luxe Model 5
Hi Chunk
That's great to hear, a little research, experimentation and perseverance netted you the desired outcome. Glad you were able to get this one sorted out and thank you for the tip about re-forming the covers if needed. All the best,
Sky
We humans go through many computers in our lives, but in their lives, typewriters go through many of us.
In that way, they’re like violins, like ancestral swords. So I use mine with honor and treat them with respect.
I try to leave them in better condition than I met them. I am not their first user, nor will I be their last.
Frederic S. Durbin. (Typewriter mania and the modern writer)
