@Cameron: interesting comment -- in fact, people usually perceive me in person as very low-key and laid back. It must be that my blog expresses my inner turmoil!
@Mike: Thanks for reminding me of the term googie. That's what this is: the googie typewriter!
It's a nice one, but still a bit misaligned. For example, the A prints too left and high, it means that typebar is hitting on the left side of the guide (the letter will print even higher with a light keystrike) , or hitting on the right and being "thorwn" to the left (in this case will print with good alignment with a light keystroke). So, when you figured out the problem, you only have to bend the typebar to the right position.
Yes, the black and white needs a siren and flashing lights, if only in photoshop. And a box of doughnuts on the dashboard. See what a warped images of the US we have this side of the Atlantic?
That has a nicer font than my model, the first brown and beige QTDL model which was essentially a souped-up Finger Flite Champion. Although I really prefer the warmer color scheme on the early version, I really like the newer ribbon cover and carriage lever on those later QTDLs (and the B&W version is super-cool as well). The font is also nicer on the ones you have. You're getting a very clean type. Are you using a normal ribbon?
I asked about your ribbon, because I recall you mentioning using another kind of ribbon -- graphite or some such thing? Is that difficult to use? I suppose that other kind of ribbon would be nice insofar as it would never dry out. Am I correct about that? I think that would be very useful for those typewriters that don't make it into rotation very often and see little use.
On some typewriters you can use a carbon ribbon, which is a thin plastic strip coated with carbon on one side. The best kind is made for the IBM Selectric I and is a non-correctable, single-use ribbon. Although they can't be reused, one of these will last quite a while because they are very long, and as you say, drying out is not an issue. They create a very precise typescript.
However, the typewriter mechanism needs to advance the ribbon far enough with every keystroke that there is no overlap between characters on the ribbon. As I recall, the Underwood portables do not advance the ribbon far enough to make it possible to use a carbon ribbon.
Very nice typewriter from the trademark Deluxe to the great color scheme. The typeface is wonderful. I need to add this model to my wish list.
ReplyDeleteThey sure knew how to design a logo back then, didn't they?
ReplyDeleteWow, I wonder if they ever sold this type of machine in my country; I'm definitely adding it to my wish list too.
ReplyDeleteI like the googie-style paper-holder-upper-thingies! I'd never be able to use that thing; I'm far too high-strung.
ReplyDelete"Paper support." You named it right there. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteWonderful typeface, indeed! Very distinctive.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I can't imagine you being SEDATE...
It reminds me of what I should do with my finicky Olympia SM-3, which bunches the ribbon every time I shift. So, I should use all lower-case letters!
@Cameron: interesting comment -- in fact, people usually perceive me in person as very low-key and laid back. It must be that my blog expresses my inner turmoil!
ReplyDelete@Mike: Thanks for reminding me of the term googie. That's what this is: the googie typewriter!
There is one for sale on eBay now, by the way.
Amazing typewriter design, and amazing typeface. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteNice! I have that typeface in Elite on my Underwood Golden Touch. Sadly, mine is the fairly unexciting boxy design, but I love it anyway. (:
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice one, but still a bit misaligned.
ReplyDeleteFor example, the A prints too left and high, it means that typebar is hitting on the left side of the guide (the letter will print even higher with a light keystrike) , or hitting on the right and being "thorwn" to the left (in this case will print with good alignment with a light keystroke).
So, when you figured out the problem, you only have to bend the typebar to the right position.
You're quite right. I got the capitals and lowercase aligned better, but many individual typebars could still use some work. Thanks for the tips.
DeleteI'm enjoying the fact that it's taken ten years to start working on this. Every typewriter has its moment. Beautiful. And thanks for the font.
ReplyDeleteRob
Yes, the black and white needs a siren and flashing lights, if only in photoshop. And a box of doughnuts on the dashboard. See what a warped images of the US we have this side of the Atlantic?
ReplyDeleteIt's all true, all true.
DeleteHere is a nice example of a black-and-white 1952 Chevy cop car.
That has a nicer font than my model, the first brown and beige QTDL model which was essentially a souped-up Finger Flite Champion. Although I really prefer the warmer color scheme on the early version, I really like the newer ribbon cover and carriage lever on those later QTDLs (and the B&W version is super-cool as well). The font is also nicer on the ones you have. You're getting a very clean type. Are you using a normal ribbon?
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a typical nylon ribbon. Thanks for your comment and I love your blog.
DeleteThanks for the kind words about my blog, Richard.
ReplyDeleteI asked about your ribbon, because I recall you mentioning using another kind of ribbon -- graphite or some such thing? Is that difficult to use? I suppose that other kind of ribbon would be nice insofar as it would never dry out. Am I correct about that? I think that would be very useful for those typewriters that don't make it into rotation very often and see little use.
On some typewriters you can use a carbon ribbon, which is a thin plastic strip coated with carbon on one side. The best kind is made for the IBM Selectric I and is a non-correctable, single-use ribbon. Although they can't be reused, one of these will last quite a while because they are very long, and as you say, drying out is not an issue. They create a very precise typescript.
DeleteHowever, the typewriter mechanism needs to advance the ribbon far enough with every keystroke that there is no overlap between characters on the ribbon. As I recall, the Underwood portables do not advance the ribbon far enough to make it possible to use a carbon ribbon.
Thanks for the info (and the warning about the Underwoods)!
DeleteI finally found one of these on eBay - woo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteGreat, congratulations!
Delete