Typewriter Talk / Hermes 10 Electric

**Posted by Pete E.** 28-2-2022 22:02:22

Should have this one in my home by week's end.

It is a 1971 Hermes 10 Electric.

Cannot wait to get it in my hands. More photos once I go through it on the work bench.
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**Posted by Uwe** 01-3-2022 10:36:11

Although many (most?) will trip over themselves and pay a small fortune to get a first generation 3000 model, I think the designs of subsequent manual generations and this electric (and the Media models) are equally intriguing.

**Posted by Pete E.** 01-3-2022 10:52:56

I did have to pay a "dear" price of a bit over $ 200 USD since I was up against another bidder.

But two other machines for sale here in the USA out of Washington State have asking prices of $ 685 and $ 650, respectively. First one is fully serviced with a new platen in a retail shop. Second one is claimed to be fully refurbished and cleaned but interior photos show otherwise with lost of correcto-tape and eraser dust and sold from a home business.

Since I got some bargain prices for the last 2-3 machines in-coming, I do not mind spending a bit more on this Hermes 10.

I am hoping it types was well as my Olympia SGE-35 and my Facit 1840. Similar size, weight, and foot print amongst these 3 machines.

I suspect the case with my in-coming machine is not factory-issue...but seems like it did its job keeping good care of the machine. I will probably go with a nice cotton dust cover on the machine when in my home.

**Posted by Pete E.** 01-3-2022 10:57:56

Curious...I watched Joe Van Cleave's video with his Hermes 10.

His machine is a bit unusual in that it does not have a carriage release push button feature on the left side of his machine. Only on the right side.

I am not sure if I have seen that, before, on any other Hermes 10...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfitKX_E-Rg

**Posted by Pete E.** 02-3-2022 14:03:57

Here is the screen-grab of the machine in Joe's video, above, with the lack of a platen knob on the left side.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 03-3-2022 15:41:32

Home and just off my work-bench for a cleaning and service.

The duplex pair of belts were slipping upon start-up. They had a white powdery coating on them (maybe out-gassing) which I clean up with MaxPro Rubber Rejuvenator. They are now clean and very grippy.

Will order a new set (just a bit smaller in OD) so there is just a bit less slack to the belts when on the pulleys.

This Hermes 10 is quite a remarkable machine. Very precise, very sure-footed, very fast, and it has a keyboard "touch control" that actually works well.

Plus my aging eyes really appreciate it is Pica size font.

I will clean and polish up the hard case tomorrow. The bottom of the case has a rigid plastic molded/formed insert to hold the Hermes 10 tight in place. So it looks like the factory may have had cases available.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 04-3-2022 21:03:16

Case cleaned up nicely and just need a dab of touch-up paint here and there.

Case handle base is labelled as "Platt".

And a previous owner placed 3 stick-on, raised plastic letters in gold of "CHO"...maybe a surname or initials...(???)

The bottom, interior of the case has a molded & formed insert which fits the "foot-print of the machine perfectly.

Two metal (plastic coated) braces just inside the case handle to keep the machine in place and open-foam padding on the inside of the case top to help pad the top of the machine. (leaving the machine's impression in the foam.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 04-3-2022 21:43:13

I was having a case of déjà vu about my Hermes 10 case...then I realized I have an almost identical one with my Facit 1840 Electric...with the exception that there is not a "Platt" name-brand on that case.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 06-3-2022 10:42:39

So my new variety of belts came in from McMaster-Carr on line.

Tried 2 differing sizes in two differing rubber hardness.

The winner is :

O-ring ...Buna-N, durometer 70A, ~ 4.75" OD (diameter) and 1/8" round (width, thickness).

I tried the 90A hardness of the rubber, but they seemed too stiff and not flexing much at motor/pulley start up.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 10-3-2022 09:39:41

As far as "best" machine for me...I would rate them in the following order :

1st. Place - Olympia SGE 35 (with its all metal body works)

2nd. Place - Hermes 10

3rd. Place - Facit 1840 (bit too much plastic used in the mechanics)

But all three (3) machines are very good electrics and none will leave my hoard any time soon.

I also have an Olympia SEP (made in Japan) so does not compete with the others, above, but the SEP is still very enjoyable...being an electric with a manual carriage and CR lever...which still gives a "typing" experience.
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Hermes 10 Electric - In Coming...