- BrianE
- Touch Typist
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- From: San Antonio TX
- Registered: 27-5-2015
- Posts: 143
Re: Another machine destroyed in the post
TypewriterGuy wrote:
My Smith Premier 4 for parts came today. Well then....
The mainspring was torn off the cast iron frame.
One platen knob was smashed.
The cast iron frame is missing a chunk that was there in the photos.
But the parts I needed were not damaged! So thats okay! lol
Im replacing the carriage right now, sanding down some of the rust. Then Im going to try and somehow get those typefaces off. Cant be too hard, since most of them in the parts machine are out anyways.
Wish me luck!
Glad from your other posts that it seems to be working out, but the condition yours came in is really starting to worry me.
For mine, DHL says it's on it's way to USPS. (It last reported at Frankfurt airport so presumably it should be in US by now.)
USPS says they've recieved "electronic notifaction to expect it."
For those who might have more experience in these things...
Typewriter probably sitting at US Customs? Fed-Ex, UPS, and (in the past) DHL have always breezed through customs. Not sure what the delay is, but everything I've read about DHL after 2009 seems very negative.
Waiting for it & hoping it will get here at all is not fun. : (
- ztyper
- Key Master
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- From: Somewhere in New Jersey
- Registered: 01-10-2014
- Posts: 773
Re: Another machine destroyed in the post
Alright, I just wasn't sure. And getting it back on isn't too hard if I remember, but be patient an steady. Oh, also keep track of your ball bearings!! I cannot stress this enough for I lost a ball bearing for about 20 minutes and it was the most fearful 20 minutes of my life. Work on a level surface and put the bearings in a place where they won't roll around.
A high schooler with a lot of typewriters. That's pretty much about it.
- beak
- Key Master
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- From: Qld Australia
- Registered: 24-3-2013
- Posts: 912
Re: Another machine destroyed in the post
Well! Very good news today; a Royal HH arrived from America in excellent order - not a scratch.
The seller was very reasonable, and even asked me about packing before I could bring the subject up. I sent him this link:
which he seems to have followed to the letter. It certainly seems to work, and I recommend it.
Sincerely,
beak.
- •
Thread Starter- malole
- Inactive Account
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- From: East Anglia, UK
- Registered: 02-6-2014
- Posts: 330
Re: Another machine destroyed in the post
Good video. I watched the one he made for shipping a Royal portable as well. Glad your machine arrived safely! If only everyone shipping typewriters on ebay was like that seller!
- BrianE
- Touch Typist
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- From: San Antonio TX
- Registered: 27-5-2015
- Posts: 143
Re: Another machine destroyed in the post
Well! Very good news today; a Royal HH arrived from America in excellent order - not a scratch.
The seller was very reasonable, and even asked me about packing before I could bring the subject up. I sent him this link:
which he seems to have followed to the letter. It certainly seems to work, and I recommend it.
Congrads & thanks for the link.
So two schools of thought then?
One: *lock* carriage with straps so it can't move to right
Two: *release* carriage so if box is dropped can absorb shock better & not damage... Escapement correct term?
Whatever it's called, think I like second idea better.
Glad you posted that because I might have to *return* a typewriter. Don't know how e-bay would decide if seller were to claim, "Working perfectly when mailed. Buyer sent it back broken!"
- malole
- Inactive Account
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- From: East Anglia, UK
- Registered: 02-6-2014
- Posts: 330
Re: Another machine destroyed in the post
I have seen old manuals which talk about taking out the immobilising tags etc that have protected the escapement, and removing shipping blocks from the inside of the case. Now we have to make up our own ways of doing things and if something obviously works well, then I'll give it a go. I have always padded the inside of the carrying case, and wrapped the carriage in clingfilm. This simple way of protecting the escapement whilst also wrapping tight with cling film makes sense to me. As long as nothing can move during transit, then you're going to be typing right out of the box!
- Uwe
- Moderator
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,410
Re: Another machine destroyed in the post
So two schools of thought then?
Two: *release* carriage so if box is dropped can absorb shock better & not damage... Escapement correct term?
Whatever it's called, think I like second idea better.
You may like it, but that's not how manufacturers shipped their own machines. I consider it to be less schools of thought than a right and wrong way. If a typewriter has a carriage lock, use it, and a secondary method such as plastic film to keep it in place. It would take one hell of a whallop to damage the escapement past that point, but if you want to be really safe engage a carriage release lever too. In short, secure the carriage so it can't move at all, and disengage the escapement from the carriage if you want a little more insurance.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- TypewriterGuy
- Typewriter Talk Vet
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- From: United States
- Registered: 24-4-2015
- Posts: 1,250
Re: Another machine destroyed in the post
And if its a portable typewriter, put LOTS of newspaper or whatever your using next to the carriage sides so it cant move.
Back from a long break.
Starting fresh with my favorite typer. A Royal Futura!
- KatLondon
- Key Master
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- From: London
- Registered: 11-10-2014
- Posts: 995
Re: Another machine destroyed in the post
Just reviving this thread. I had a conversation a minute ago with the NICEST guy at a charity in Birmingham, from whom I just bought this Princess 300. They gave a phone number in the listing, so I just called them to talk about it.
The bad news: they use MyHermes, and it's a central office decision; I've told him how notorious they are but he can't do anything about it.
The good news: he was very happy to take advice, and said I should email him instructions for packing a typewriter safely. He's also going to look into useing the Royal Mail instead and quote me a price. They had rather wildly overquoted on the shipping cost anyway, which led me to think they might be using a better courier; I think it might cover Parcelforce, as the machine is only small. We'll see.
For those of you in the UK, the charity is The Jericho Foundation and they do really good work. They also apparently have quite a few more typewriters in the back. I told him that if he gets behind the packing thing, they can sell the machines better online by mentioning in their listings that they'll pack well, as collectors know it's a big risk.
Happy story!
- Typewriterlv
- Platen Punisher
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- From: Los Angeles, CA
- Registered: 25-9-2015
- Posts: 90
Re: Another machine destroyed in the post
i've purchased 3 typewriters in the last week and have emailed each seller to ask that they pack the machine carefully and secure the carriage, etc. these are the responses i got:
Machine #1 the Seller said he will secure and double box. Made be feel good to know he knew to double box it especially since this machine has the farthest to go (international seller)
Machine #2 The seller just said he will pack securely. I don't know how assured I feel about this brief response but this machine has the shortest distance to go.
Machine #3 Seller said he read my instructions but felt confidant everything would be fine because " the machine locks into the case" (which is broken and flimsy already). This shipment worries me the most.
Hopefully they all arrive okay and by the end of next week, they should all be delivered. we will see.
Last edited by Typewriterlv (21-10-2015 10:45:14)
