Offline

Always wanted to get a Florida machine in my hands to see its Patria/Swissa heritage.
This machine was made in Spain.
Not expecting it to knock my socks off...more curious to see how she types once serviced.
My guess is that it comes from the later 1970's or so.
Will probably be a catch & release for me...
.
.
.
Offline

Typewriter spa-day will begin tomorrow...but I got a head-start this pm.
Everything works...except the bell does not ring. Matter-of-fact, the bell and its spring-loaded lever is completely missing from the machine.
I can live with no bell...the right margin works to stop typing and the M-R button works to let you type beyond the stop. That is good enough for me.
.


Offline

Case/lid cleaned up nicely. No re-paint needed.
I used Scrubbing Bubbles spray cleaner first. Followed with some 800 grit wet/dry emery cloth with denatured alcohol as the wetting-agent.
.
Offline

Clean and service done.
Without its case-lid, the machine weighs in at 11.6 lbs.
Character is Elite with 100 characters across its 9" wide platen.
Bottom metal pan (exterior) was rusted so it got a sand-down and new paint. Also installed 4 new feet.
Added peel & stick felt to interior surfaces.
New silk R&B ribbon added to small, metal 1-5/8" diameter metal spools that I had in my stash.
Adjusted the M-R linkages so it can be activated with less force.
Still needs a slight adjustment for upper/lower case alignment. Will do that in a day or so when the machine gets some use and settles in.
It is a decent machine. Maybe a C-student. Would I buy another ? Probably not. Not as good as my Swiss Junior. Maybe be trader-stock in the future. Or a gift-away.
.
.



Offline
If you find the parts that you need, would those be the no-bell piece prize ? :-)
Offline

Hi Tom,
That's a good one !
BTW,,,my Florida weighing in at 11.6 lbs. really surprised me. Especially with just about all the body cowlings are made of a soft plastic.
My 1949 Remington Model 5 which is a very stout and robust machine (even with its Tab-like "Self-Starter" function) only weighs in at 11.2 lbs.
.
