Typewriter in Fraktus

After Anvil, there is Fraktus!

via orf.at

Lady and Gentlemen, your expertise for typewriter identification, please.

xmas is now

According to Starbucks corporation, christmas starts now, in the first half of November. Why do I say that? Christmas carols and the barista's santa claus hat led me to this conclusion.

So here is a little advance on your christmas presents (which should incidentally cheer you up for nanowrima):

 

poor people's typewriter

Back in the days, typewriters were precious and costly items. In Switzerland, someone came up with the idea to construct a typewriter for the less fortunate. The idea was simple: cut production costs by saving a certain number of keys. This way, the typewriter would become affordable for everybody. The market is good, it provides for everyone!

Here is an example of a poor people's typewriter, graciously provided by the Alfred R. Wepf collection:
  

replacing my Yost's ink-pad

Beware! There is two white mice in this post. Now read on.

Not long ago I was lucky to get this beautiful Yost No. 11. First action was to fix the drawing cord, which kept me busy for one hour. Once done, the carriage moved as needed. The type-slugs of this 1910+ typewriter rest on an ink-imbued felt ring. The latter had dried out over the decades (it might well be one century). So I tried to fix this.

Still not at its best, but a nice result for this Yost 11 with replaced and self-inked pad. Here is for details:

The original inkpad

pretty hard, 100 year old felt

the new material, pressed felt. i was lucky to get a piece with the perfectly fitting diametre.

original colour: blue

The old felt-ring came off fine, scraping the remains with a screwdriver to finish the job.

fitting the new felt pad

I applied this several times over, and let it soak in over night. This is special ink used for colouring metal. The other base type of ink is for use with rubber types.

putting back the ring with the new ink-pad was somewhat tricky. i managed by fixating the typebars with a cord, pulling them towards the middle. after which i could fit the ring back without problems.

I can't believe I own this cool machine!

Thanks for watching, and Happy Typing!

All Saints' Day