Here's the typewriter that goes in the case whose handle I replaced with "one weird trick."
This typewriter was quite grimy, so I removed the shell (fairly challenging) and gave it a bath in an ultrasonic cleaning tank. Mitch Hamm alerted me that such tanks, big enough to dip a portable while keeping its keys out of the water, are now available for a mere $150 or so. Here's the Royal undergoing what sounds like electroshock therapy, but is really just a micro-agitated bath. Concentrated Simple Green Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser was added to hot water in a 1:20 ratio.
Now this good ol' Royal is ready to write!
Handsome! :D
ReplyDeleteThe ultrasonic bath trick looks interesting, but my Google search on such devices turns up nothing. Inquiring minds want to know. Got any more info?
ReplyDeleteHere's the product on Amazon.
DeleteExcellent, thanks! I was very excited to see that this unit would also do “mental cleaning”, according to the description. After years of breathing PB Blaster fumes, this is just what I need! I immediately sent in my order. Thanks, TomR
DeleteHa ha, I hadn't noticed that! Presumably a typo for "dental." (Just plunge your face into the thing and your teeth will be shiny ... no, I think they mean dentist's tools.)
DeleteI wish they were that cheap in Europe. I need to cough up twice hat amount for a sizeable ultrasonic cleaner. But it's the best way to get all dirt out from every crevice. Maybe one day.
ReplyDeleteHad a feeling whatever was in that case you fixed up would be either maroon or green, but also anticipated chrome trim. Maybe yours is an early version of that machine? Looks like it's elite too, yes? Such a handsome typewriter.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's elite. I guess the Model A doesn't have chrome. I find it hard to keep track of all the minor variations of Royal portables in the '30s, but The Typewriter Database helps a lot.
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