1 of 1- ztyper
- Key Master
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- From: Somewhere in New Jersey
- Registered: 01-10-2014
- Posts: 773
Finicky Feet
I just never seem to have any luck with typewriter feet. The rubber on my Royal 200 basically crumbled away. And since my Royal Portable Model 'P' has arrived, I've noticed that its rubber feet have zero cushioning qualities. They're entirely intact, and I don't want to replace it if it's lasted nearly 90 years. Is there anyway I can restore the rubber?
A high schooler with a lot of typewriters. That's pretty much about it.
- Uwe
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Re: Finicky Feet
Platen (rubber) rejuvinator might help, but I've never considered the feet to be a cushioning device. You could always use a typewriter mat if you want some vibration absorbtion between the machine and the surface it's sitting on. I can sympathize with your sentiment to keep the machine original, but when it comes to feet I don't have any qualms with replacing them with some new rubber, which is one of the easier repairs providing the feet are not grommet style and have straight forward mounts.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- ztyper
- Key Master
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- From: Somewhere in New Jersey
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Re: Finicky Feet
I guess what I meant to say was that when I type on it, the whole machine slides to the left. But I'll see if anything I can find in my house might help. Otherwise, I'll just replace them.
A high schooler with a lot of typewriters. That's pretty much about it.
- •
Thread Starter- Uwe
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Re: Finicky Feet
It's actually very common for a portable to move as you type with it. I use a small piece of rubberized shelf mat - the stuff you buy to put on kitchen shelves - and it stops every typewriter from moving at all. A proper typewriter felt pad will do the same thing with the added benefit of helping to quiet things a little.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- Ektagraphic
- Touch Typist
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- From: Mass.
- Registered: 05-10-2014
- Posts: 146
Re: Finicky Feet
I just got a typewriter mat to try to help out with portables sliding and it is great! My typewriters now stay right in one place and don't move an inch even with fast typing. The pad only cost me around $13 and was fully worth it. It stops the click and clack from resonating through the table/desk, so the machines become a bit quieter too.
- colrehogan
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Re: Finicky Feet
Uwe wrote:
Platen (rubber) rejuvinator might help, but I've never considered the feet to be a cushioning device. You could always use a typewriter mat if you want some vibration absorbtion between the machine and the surface it's sitting on. I can sympathize with your sentiment to keep the machine original, but when it comes to feet I don't have any qualms with replacing them with some new rubber, which is one of the easier repairs providing the feet are not grommet style and have straight forward mounts.
What is a grommet style foot? I am thinking that is what is on my Corona 3 - which also needs some new feet (IMO).
Smith Premier typewriters are cool!
- Uwe
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- Registered: 12-3-2013
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Re: Finicky Feet
There are myriad variations, but essentially it's a rubber foot that has to press through a large metal opening and is held in place by the rubber that is above and below the metal. Many typewriters have feet such as this, and there are work-arounds, but they're a much bigger pain to deal with than feet that are bolted into place.
Example:
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
