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hmmmm, maybe we need an adding machine section, or "other machines"?
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Hi Mike,
This section in the Forum is titled "Vintage Office Machines"...so I figured electro-mechanical "adders" was appropriate herein.
Plus this section has not been used, much, in the past...so I thought I would try to breathe some life into it.
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BTW...on the Olivetti : Seller had indicated it stopped working when he pressed a lot of keys all in a short period of time.
I thought it might have been a blow glass-fuse...but this machine does not have it.
After I cleaned years of ribbon/ink gunk, paper dust, and old dried was-like grease from the machine, I plugged it in and the machine sprang to life.
I think I see a bi-metallic thermal over-load device near the capacitor...which may be self re-setting after the over-amp heat condition has cooled down.
On some other machines, the over-load device has a red reset plunger you can push in to reset once the bi-metallic device has cooled down, enough.
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aha, Got it, already a section and this is in it. I was not paying attention.
Pete E. wrote:
Hi Mike,
This section in the Forum is titled "Vintage Office Machines"...so I figured electro-mechanical "adders" was appropriate herein.
Plus this section has not been used, much, in the past...so I thought I would try to breathe some life into it.
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My Hermes calculating machine is sans-a-case.
Took a gamble on this nice case (with a Tower machine) for $ 13 USD.
Figured if the machine cannot be made to come back to life...that my Hermes will have a nice case.
.
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That Tower case should clean up nicely.
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I think it will. Also, I am optimistic the Tower machine will clean up and get back to work.
I believe the Tower was made by Underwood at this time. Underwood had their "Add-Mate" model which is very alike except for their more rounded body cowlings...of which the Tower is much more angular.
IIRC...some Tower-branded manual typewriters were actually Underwood machines, too.
.
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Have this Olivetti coming home in a week or so. Sadly, also without a case.
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Pete E. wrote:
I think it will. Also, I am optimistic the Tower machine will clean up and get back to work.
I believe the Tower was made by Underwood at this time. Underwood had their "Add-Mate" model which is very alike except for their more rounded body cowlings...of which the Tower is much more angular.
IIRC...some Tower-branded manual typewriters were actually Underwood machines, too.
.
I acquired an underwood just like that one. Works great but had to order some of that 5/16" ribbon from ribbons unlimited. I'll take some pictures soon and post. has a pretty nice case too.
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Bummer...eBay sent a note that the Tower machine & case seller had cancelled the sale and posted up a full refund. Reason was "out of stock". Maybe the seller had seller's remorse with my low winning-bid...??? Oh well...not to be.