Typewriter Talk / Blickensderfer 7 platen removal

**Posted by Woodman** 31-5-2018 11:26:27

Hello,
This is my first adventure into this forum or any forum for that matter. There seems to be a number of experts who contribute to the discussions and although I have not found a great deal on Blicks I am sure someone out there will have the answer to my problem.
The Blick I have recently acquired is generally in pretty good nick apart from the platen rubber which is complete but split along the length and roller behind the platen which has a pronounced flat. I can’t do anything about this until I get the platen separated from the carriage. This appears to be very difficult without removing the platen knobs. However, I find no grub-screws in the knobs and am assuming that the knobs are threaded on to the spindle. I am reluctant to try unscrewing without being sure I am on the right track, Bakelite is very brittle especially when old and the last thing I want to do is ruin a beautiful machine.
I would add a picture but haven’t yet worked out how to do it.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Woodman

**Posted by Fleetwing** 31-5-2018 14:31:39

I totally cannot help you with your Blick, though I would love to have one someday. I think there are a number of contributors here who can help, though.

And welcome! I'm kind of amazed that you've avoided the world of online forums (fora?) until now, but you have chosen well!

**Posted by Woodman** 31-5-2018 15:48:56

Thanks for your welcome. I am normally a “work it out for yourself” sort of chap but this time I am really stuck.
I started getting interested in typewriters about four years ago, my first being a Hermes Baby which remains one of my favourites but after an initial burst of eBay purchases of 1950s and 60s machines, all portables, I have turned to earlier machines and the Blick is my latest and may be my last purchase unless I can find a pre 1900 Blick 5.
Mechanical things have always been a fascination. Started with vintage cars, moved to motorcycles and now I am too old for such things so have reduced the size to typewriters and life goes on a bit longer!
I’ll wait patiently for the experienced Blick surgeon to contact. Cheers

**Posted by Fleetwing** 31-5-2018 20:01:05

Sounds like you'd also be a natural with mechanical cameras -- you fit a lot of those in a closet. Don't ask me how I know.

**Posted by Woodman** 01-6-2018 01:53:36

Ah, yes. I did go through a photography phase as well. I have recently passed my last film camera on to my grand-daughter who is now the proud owner of a Rolleiflex given by her aunt. I was a bit upstaged!

**Posted by Fleetwing** 01-6-2018 05:40:11

A Rollei is quite the gift!

**Posted by Totally_Not_Ben** 11-6-2018 09:44:49

I found a guideline for disassembly of the Blick 5 and 6: https://catch55.home.xs4all.nl/projects/blick6/
I do not know how similar in structure those are to the 7 since I never had the chance to get my hands on one but maybe that helps.

**Posted by Woodman** 02-12-2018 07:52:43

Back from the dead! Sorry about this long absence and particularly apologies to Totally Not Ben whose contribution I did not acknowledge.
However, I have found the solution to my own problem which may be of use to anyone encountering the same problem. The thing is that the Blick 5 does not have a knob on the left end of the platen as does the No: 7. Logically, I thought, the left hand knob would have a left hand thread, however, this is not the case. In fact both knobs have a conventional right hand thread.
You may have noticed that a six month delay has occurred since I opened this thread. It took this time for me to raise enough courage to try a little force, there again I have 83 years of life behind me and things move fairly slowly at this age!
Happy tapping.