1 of 1- LynnJ
- Novice Typer
Offline - Registered: 22-9-2020
- Posts: 25
Are escapement pica vs elite interchangeable?
I think my repair person swapped a pica machine escapement out and put an elite typewriter escapement in. Seems to type a bit funny and the letters seem rather condensed. Is it my imagination? Is the spacing controlled by the type rack or does the gear on the escapement affect spacing?
the parts machine was otherwise identical.
lynn
- Phil_F_NM
- Speed Champion
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- From: Mid-Atlantic region
- Registered: 16-4-2020
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Re: Are escapement pica vs elite interchangeable?
The escapement absolutely controls the spacing. It limits how far the carriage moves with each keystroke.
Phil Forrest
- skywatcher
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- Registered: 14-3-2013
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Re: Are escapement pica vs elite interchangeable?
Hi Lynn
As Phil says, the escapement wheels are totally interchangeable. The carriage rack and the escapement pinion will always have the same pitch so they will mesh properly. The difference is in the number of points on the star wheel. For example, a Smith-Corona Galaxie-12 was available with 6, 10 and 12 CPI. The rack and pinion were the same on all the machines, the only difference was the number of points on the star wheel dictating how many clicks it took for one revolution of the pinion. Hope this isn't too confusing, I'm a mechanic by trade, so tend to talk technically. 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)
- M. Höhne
- Key Master
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- Posts: 624
Re: Are escapement pica vs elite interchangeable?
Huh. So maybe there is a way to fix the atrocious letterspacing on Royal models with the Vogue font; fit an elite starwheel in there.
- SoucekFan
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Re: Are escapement pica vs elite interchangeable?
skywatcher wrote:
Hi Lynn
As Phil says, the escapement wheels are totally interchangeable. The carriage rack and the escapement pinion will always have the same pitch so they will mesh properly. The difference is in the number of points on the star wheel. For example, a Smith-Corona Galaxie-12 was available with 6, 10 and 12 CPI. The rack and pinion were the same on all the machines, the only difference was the number of points on the star wheel dictating how many clicks it took for one revolution of the pinion. Hope this isn't too confusing, I'm a mechanic by trade, so tend to talk technically. All the best,
Sky
I can't speak for Smith Corona, but on Royals, the escapement pinion and rack would also differ depending on the pitch. Looking at one of my parts catalogs, the same would be true of Underwood, as well. I have only personally dealt with this on a Royal, so I have never bothered to check other makes.
- LynnJ
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- Registered: 22-9-2020
- Posts: 25
Re: Are escapement pica vs elite interchangeable?
Thanks for the replies. It’s a Torpedo escapement put in a SeniorRiter unit. Same machines really. Interesting that the star wheels might be the same. I’ll do a couple of type samples and post them. I have a Bluebird that I think is pica, so could show if there’s a difference. I wish I was a more talented/experienced technician. I enjoy working on typewriters but have my limits. Need an apprentice position somewhere. I’ll post the pictures soon.
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Thread Starter- LynnJ
- Novice Typer
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- Registered: 22-9-2020
- Posts: 25
Re: Are escapement pica vs elite interchangeable?
Here’s an image of the type
- •
Thread Starter- LynnJ
- Novice Typer
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- Registered: 22-9-2020
- Posts: 25
Re: Are escapement pica vs elite interchangeable?
Better link.
Here’s an image of the type
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Thread Starter