Typewriter Talk / Hermes 3000 (3rd. Gen) --- In-Coming...

**Posted by Pete E.** 02-5-2024 16:43:34

This Made-In-France Hermes 3000 (from 1971-1972) is in-coming and should be in my hands late next week.

Owner said it all works and there are no cracks or missing chunks of the plastic cowling and/or cover lid.

Found myself wanting this variation over the 2nd. Gen. Eventually its production moved to Hungary and ran into the late 1970's before the end.

Its styling reminds me a lot of my Hermes 10 (Electric). See last photo, below.
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**Posted by quicktapper** 04-5-2024 12:21:16

In regards of quality, how would these later plastic-bodied machines that were made in France, compare to the earlier 3000s that were metal-bodied and made in Swizterland?

**Posted by Pete E.** 04-5-2024 12:36:34

QT,

I presently only own a very nice Gen. 1 machine...made in CH in 1964.

I will report once I get this made-in-France machine in my home and after a good clean and service. The reason I went after this one is to see for myself how these machines fare and copare to my earlier machine.

Maybe other Forum members who own both (or all 3 generation machines) will provide their thoughts...
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**Posted by quicktapper** 05-5-2024 08:17:09

Thank you Pete.

**Posted by Pete E.** 20-5-2024 11:25:21

Well...the first machine arrived and I think the seller dropped it on the floor before he snapped on the lid and put it in the box. Bunch of plastic cracked and one of the carriage rails broke in half.

I worked with PayPal and American Express...and got a full refund and get to keep the machine since the owner did not want it back. Good machine to harvest parts from.

Today I have this other machine coming in. Waiting for the Fed Exp truck.
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**Posted by Shamwari** 21-5-2024 11:22:44

Pete E. wrote:
Well...the first machine arrived and I think the seller dropped it on the floor before he snapped on the lid and put it in the box. Bunch of plastic cracked and one of the carriage rails broke in half.

Ouch, painful! At least you got a spares machine, but still painful.

**Posted by Pete E.** 21-5-2024 12:17:27

Getting ready for some "transplant" surgery this morning.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 21-5-2024 12:36:04

My 1972 Hermes 3000 all cleaned, serviced, and repaired with parts from my "free" machine.

Issues fixed included :

1. Ribbon selector lever (plastic) was cracked so my "donor" machine gave up a replacement.

2. Back-space and margin-release buttons were not returning to their start positions after being pressed. The plastic cut-outs around the buttons needed some filing with jeweler's files so the buttons could move up/down without binding.

3. Left-side floating margin was getting stuck at the 30-character position along the platen length. Careful cleaning with lacquer thinner and a minor reforming of some metal sorted out that issue.

4. Replaced both platen knob with ones off the "donor" machine as the others were starting to show some hair-line cracks in their plastic.

Will strip the "donor" machine tomorrow to stock-pile usable parts for the future. It's body cowlings went into the trash bin as the machine was dropped and a carriage rail did crack in half.

In terms of typing on this French-made Hermes 3000, it is very good and competent. If I did not have my 1st, generation Hermes 3000 (Made in Switzerland), I would be very pleased with this French-made machine, However the use of more and more plastic shows in its performance and this machine just does have the rock-solid and precise feel of my 1st. gen. machine.

Eventually, this French-made machine will be a catch & release in some future trade for another machine to my liking.
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**Posted by robmck** 21-5-2024 13:37:03

Congratulations, Dr. Pete! I'm glad the surgery was a success.

Interesting, too, to hear your impressions of 1st vs 3rd generation. Thanks!

**Posted by JJH** 22-5-2024 12:24:58

A very nice looking machine; and it seems like you did a wonderful job restoring it. Thank you for sharing.