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I have no plans to sell this one side it was my grandfather's. I just got back from dropping it off at Word Play. I'll see what Richard recommends. In my note to him I said I was willing to spring for all new rollers and platen if necessary.
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Richard emailed me and told me he was able to get the platen off. He said the knob twists off, but it did take a lot of force. So, that mystery is solved.
Now I face a dilemna. He says the feed rollers in front, under the platen, are fused to the shaft. He thinks they are meant to be that way. He doesn't know if this would cause a problem for JJ Short as far as replacing the rubber. He says he could do a "less professional restoration" by sanding them down and finding something to slip over them. So, I'm trying to figure out... Do I go the professional route or do I have them simply restored to functional? I've written JJ Short an email trying to describe the issue and I will see what they say. I'm torn. On the one hand, I really want this machine to be tip top. On the other hand, maybe restoration is good enough. It's not like it's a super valuable machine, just sentimentally valuable.
I am going to have the platen recovered, for sure. So that's ~$60 right there. Probably at least another $100 if I have the feed rollers recovered.
So conflicted!
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If only we all had a Richard Polt in town Wait and see what JJ Short say about the feasibility, you might have your decision made for you. But saying that, I wouldn't have any hesitation in having Mr Polt do the job. Great news that the platen was able to be removed too. Looking forward to seeing this machine all shiny & rubbery again!
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Well, if itwas your grandfathers, I wouldget it professionallydone.
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Haha, in two comments you guys have completely captured my conflict. I absoloutely know that Richard will do a fabulous job. If he says he can do it, I know he can. Then as Guy says, it's my grandfather's machine...
Malole, you are right. My answer from JJ's may solve the conflict.
Last edited by Spazmelda (01-7-2015 13:07:51)
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Well, heres what you can do.
Get it done, not professionally, but enough so its sort of new. Its a bit cheaper. But, its not proffesional.
Get it done by JJ. Its profesional. Not covered by heat shrink or anything, its real rubber, BUT its a little more.
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Richard said he would try to find some automotive tubing that would work. So it would be rubber. That leans me over to the restoration side. I was a little uncomfortable with the idea of heat shrink as a durable repair, although I know people have used it. I've used some of the shiny heat shrink to rewrap batteries, and I know it can crack easily. I've never used the more rubbery type of heat shrink, but I'd worry about layers wearing off. So... I told him to go ahead and try to find some automotive tubing that would work, and if he can't find something suitable we'll just send it out to JJ.
JJ did write back and said the rollers being attached to the shaft shouldn't be a problem, so going that route will work if he can't find something.
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Great! Cant wait until itsdone, your going to have to post before and after photos.
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Hey, I finally got the Rheinmetall back. I had know that Richard was going out of town, and the platen didn't arrive it time for him to get it on before he left. Well, it was certainly worth the wait! It looks great. The new platen is fabulous. Now I want to replace more platens.
You'd never be able to tell the feed rollers are automotive tubing. They look perfect and pristine. I'm so pleased.
Close up of the new platen and feed rollers.
I also picked up this lovely lady from a coworker of Richard's. I had been wanting one, and in fact already had purchased a instruction manual for one on ebay when I ran across it for a very inexpensive price. (Royal Empress, btw)
Last edited by Spazmelda (19-8-2015 11:31:07)
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Here is a before and after of the rollers: