FAQS + HINTS TO RESTORATIONS

FAQs = FREQUENT ASKED / A N S W E R E D Q U E S T I O N S ****************************************************************** & H I N T S TO R E S T O R A T I O N S ... to (A) CALCULATORS ... to (B) SLIDE RULES ... to (C) TYPEWRITERS ... to (D) TELEPHONES ... to (E) MULTIMETERS ... to (F) CLOCKS ... ( A ) CALCULATORS ... ********************** 1st FAQ: " What is my Calculator worth ?" ------------------------------------------------------ More often I get this question from around the world. Here my usual answer - and SORRY - I will NOT ANSWER anymore EMAILS dealing with this topic. There are 3 main-points to consider: (1) Is the machine working ? (2) Are parts missing ? (3) The overall look ? Rust ? Dents ? In general there is no common answer possible. The "fair price" is, what a collector is willing to pay and what the seller is accepting. Only the "look & feel" of the collector give the decision "Is it worth the money?" and / or "Is it possible to repair?". After bad experiences in EBAY, I buy only what I can "see & feel". Flea Markets, Thrift Shops or Antique Malls are good for this! Often there is a big discrepancy of sellers ideas for the price and the reality of the market - but if you are patient enough and can wait, you will see the price dropping. Otherwise you may be lucky to get an unexpected "treasure" for "nearly nothing". This is the fun in the real world - not to compare with the "VIRTUAL REALITY of EBAY". 2nd FAQ: " What can I do to fix my Calculator ?" ------------------------------------------------------ In most cases it is impossible to give advices via email without seeing the candidate. But I summarize here some TYPICAL PROBLEMS / SOLUTIONS I was asked: 1st IMPORTANT ADVICE: --------------------- Before you apply (eg.) WD-40 to the gearings, clean the inner of the machine as good as possible with tweezers, brush, vaccuum cleaner, ... Make sure that you not lost any tiny parts like springs, ... WD-40 is good to open locked gears - BUT! Over months it becomes sticky and the gears are locked again. To avoid this problem, use a SILICONE(-Spray) after successful application to remove the residuals left by the WD-40. 2nd IMPORTANT ADVICE: --------------------- Be aware, that all takes longer than expected. Find a working area where nobody disturbes your stuff over days. See as an example: MONROE / Model-1 / OlderVersion ... Organize your working area! Have little bowls for screws and springs. Use paper and pen to make lots of notices and sketches. Take digital photos to document the procedure in sequence. Be brave but careful: Everybody has started once. MOTORIZED CALCULATORS are special problems: If it works it happens so quick, that you can not see what goes wrong. It is necessary to RUN IT MANUALLY. To give you an idea "How to do" see as examples: ASTRA, BURROUGHS_Class-9, CONTEX-55, HAMANN-AUTOMAT-S (1st+2nd Vers.), MERCEDES-EUKLID-22, VICTOR US/GB NonMetric ... BUT !!! Sometimes it doesn't work right manually !!! The designer had taken into account gravity & mass-moment ... "My Adding Machine print crazy results - ???" --------------------------------------------- Make sure, you have cleared the internal memory by pressing TOTAL = [T] Key ( or the aquivalent one ) before you start a test-calculation ... "Some Input-Levers of my BRUNSVIGA-13RM are blocked" ---------------------------------------------------- In contrary to "Expert Advice" I had success with application of WD-40 first and Silicon Spray second. If it fails, you have to disassemble the Pin-Wheels to find out why. As an example see under DIAGRAMS: PIN-WHEELS ... MONROE / Split-Stepped Drum Type: --------------------------------- If wrong numbers are transfered into the arithmetic unit, probably the "Half-Tooth-Wheels" of the MONROE- CODING are not moving right. Look under DIAGRAMS in the SPLIT-STEPPED DRUM to understand the principle; use WD-40 to free the gears, later apply Silicon Spray ... 10-Block Adding Machine: ------------------------ If wrong numbers are transfered into the arithmetic unit, probably the MATRIX is defect. Look under VICTOR / TALLYMASTER to get an idea for fixing ... New RIBBONS for VICTOR Adding Machines: --------------------------------------- Find the solution under VICTOR, REMARKS ... Missing KEY: ------------ Make your own! As examples see; The [+] KEY in MERCEDES-EUKLID-22, or the (NON-ADD) KEY in BURROUGHS CLASS 3, OR the DECIMAL POSITION MARKERs / RESET KEYs: CONTEX-20 or REMINGTON, OR the BLUE & RED BUTTONS on top of the CONTEX-55, ... Missing DECIMAL MARKERS: ------------------------ Make your own! As examples see BRUNSVIGA-10, MERCEDES-EUKLID-38MS, PRODUX-MULTATOR, THALES-MEZ, THALES-CER, ... Missing LEVER CAPS: ------------------- Use colored insulator pipes! As examples see HAMANN-MANUS, MELITTA, PRODUX-MULTATOR, or make your own - e.g. the DELETE CAPS in TRIUMPHATOR CN2, ... Missing Paper TEAR-OFF BLADE: ----------------------------- Use a piece of a pocket saw! As example see MONROE 811-H14 (=Olympia), ... RUBBER FEET are detoriated: --------------------------- Use tub stoppers! To get suggestions see BRUNSVIGA-13RM, FACIT CA1-13, NUMERIA 8213, ORIGINAL-ODHNER, SCHUBERT-DRV, ... or be inventive ... THALES-CER, ... Special POWER CABLES: --------------------- To get examples how to re-use the old plug: MONROE / Model-1 / OlderVersion, PRECISA 208-10, VICTOR / Full-KBD / E-Model / ArtDeco, ... When the original cable is missing ??? BE INVENTIVE !!! MAKE YOUR OWN PLUG OUT OF PIECES, GLUED IN A PLASTIC LID ... Example for the MONROE / Model-1 / NewerVersion used in Germany ... ... A N D B E C L E V E R : When the 110 V motor is for AC/DC, than you can use a POWER-DIODE in sequence ( e.g. BYT-56M ) to run the calculator on 220 VAC OUTLETS in Europe !!! FEMALE ANGLE PLUGS ??? ( to put calculator against the wall ) ------------------------------------------------------------- When not available, make your own !!! Examples: Using a damaged plug for the FACIT EK ( w.POWER-DIODE ) ... or another ... ... for CELLATRON-R31 or WALTHER DIWA-32 ... Or another for the HAMANN AUTOMAT-S ... ... See the difference in size: What if you want a MALE ANGLE PLUG too ??? ------------------------------------------ May be you have to make your own !!! Example ... ... In a modified film-box, sealed with 2-component-glue Crumbled POWER PLUG: -------------------- Install a modern one! As example see VICTOR-AUTOMATIC, ... Missing SERVICE-KEY for BURROUGHS Calculators: ---------------------------------------------- Look under BURROUGHS how to make one ... BELL is missing: ---------------- Make your own! See some examples ... THALES-MEZ, ... BROKEN LEVERS: -------------- Be inventive! See some examples ... RESULTA-7P, ... BROKEN COVER: ------------- Use 2-Component-Glue and some stabilizing material, e.g.: TRIUMPHATOR CN2, TRIUMPHATOR CRN2, VICTOR US/GB NonMetric, ... Other Examples of " T Y P I C A L " WORN-OUT ERRORS: ------------------------------------------------------ A BRUNSVIGA-10 could NOT RESET TO ZERO properly, because the worn-out mechanics. To prevent that the RESET COMB in the axle of the ARITHMETIC snaps in his PARK POSITION GAP just before all figures are reset to zero, a TIP OF A WIRE (glued-in on top of the right side) guards the worn-out edge of the park position gap: BRUNSVIGA-10 In a CONTEX-10 the Matrix tend to stuck on the right side and had to get a left-push on the little red slider to be freed for working. My SOLUTION: Out of sheet metal (from a fish can) a SPRING was cut, folded and fixed in the right position by a KEY-RING. At the end of each machine cycle the matrix was pushed right - but bounced back on the spring into the right position - ready for the next operation CONTEX-10 ... Other Examples of difficult but successful Restorations ... ----------------------------------------------------------- HAMANN-AUTOMAT S, MERCEDES EUKLID 22, MERCEDES EUKLID 29, MERCEDES EUKLID 38MS, THE MILLIONAIRE, MONROE 1 (OLD), PRECISE, VICTOR TALLYMASTER, ... "How you have measured your CALCULATOR DIMENSIONS ..." ------------------------------------------------------ I put an imaginary box around the displayed machine. The ERRORS may be about 5 mm or 1/8". Taking the WEIGHT was sometimes a problem too: The machine was too heavy for the kitchen scale - but too light for reliable reading on the person scale ... "... and what about YEARS ?" ---------------------------- Different sources show different numbers. Take the given year as a REASONABLE GUESS. "Why COFFEE MUGS or BEER STEINS with some Machines ?" ----------------------------------------------------- My 1st picture with a mug was the MONROE Model-1, because the electrical cord was so unwilling to stay in place for the shot. It was my 1st E-Machine. After that, I made a joke out of for ALL MOTORIZED MACHINES. "What about TEST-PATTERNS for Calculators ?" -------------------------------------------- There are "Professionals" known ... o "Without 8" as Multiplication Pattern: 12345679 * 9 = 111111111 o "Repeat Addition" (special for motorized calculators): 370370 ... 037 * 3 = 111111 ... 111 * 6 = 222222 ... 222 ... * 27 = 999999 ... 999 ... and for additional Tests ... Andreas Graebe/TFH has produced useful patterns for "EasyProof" & "MinimalCrankTurns" ( 10 .. 15 Digits ) (10) 977768 * 9091 = 8888888888 (11) 513239 * 129894 = 66666666666 (12) 56111055 * 9901 = 555555555555 (13) 265371653 * 29309 = 7777777777777 (14) 36666663 * 909091 = 33333333333333 (15) 4408646237 * 100812 = 444444444444444 My "EasyInput" patterns for 11 .. 14 Digits are: (11) 1234567 * 54321 = 67062914007 (12) 1234567 * 654321 = 807803114007 (13) 12345678 * 654321 = 8078036374638 (14) 123456789 * 654321 = 80780369635269 "Without 8" as Division Pattern: 37037037 / 3 = 12345679 My favorit Division Pattern is: 22 / 7 = 3.142857|142857|... Cliff's favorit Division Pattern is: 355 / 113 = 3.141592920 ( R = 40 ) ( The real value of "PI" is 3.141592654... ) ( B ) S L I D E R U L E S : ****************************** CURSOR of a historic Slide Rule is missing: ------------------------------------------- Make your own! How? (0) May be STIFF PLASTIC is good enough ??? Otherwise: (1) You need a TEMPLATE for benting - Take into account the hight of the "glass" ( "How-To-Make-The-Glass?" see next paragraph! ) and space for the spring Make a block in the right size out of aluminum or pertinax (2) Make a METAL SHEET in the right width but DOUBLE LENGTH ( You need more material for benting force! ) (3) Bent it around ( with the aid of a vice and using a distance piece ) (5) Now reduce the oversized "slider-ends" for fitting (6a) If the "tracks" are precise, you need no spring ( e.g. FABER-CASTELL, NESTLER, see there ) (6b) When necessary, make a SPRING out of a strip of bronce, bent it around an cut the ends ( e.g. LOGAREX, see there ) (4) Mark the WINDOW, drill a hole and fretsaw it out (5) Smooth edges, corners and surface with file and sandpaper (6) After making the "GLASS", glue it, adjust it over the scales ( use only points of component glue in the 4 corners ) Examples you can see under ... ( "MouseOver" their cursors - allow "PopUp-Windows" for this HomePage! ) ARISTO ( Pocket / Mahogany ), FABER-CASTELL MINI-POCKET 74/91, FABER-CASTELL COLUMBUS 342, FABER-CASTELL DISPONENT 1/22A, LOGAREX 4542-27403, NESTLER-KAUFMANN 40, ... The GLASS of the CURSOR is broken or missing: --------------------------------------------- Make your own out of PVC from CD Cases! Use a sharp X-ACTO to scratch the hairlines; use permanent marker to color it and whipe the rest away with a drop of alcohol on a cardboard. Examples you can see under ... ( "MouseOver" their cursors - allow "PopUp-Windows" for this HomePage! ) ARISTO ELEKTRO 914, DIETZGEN MANIPHASE MULTIPLEX 1732, FOWLER VEST-POCKET CALCULATOR, KEUFFEL+ESSER 4097_D Pocket, MANTISSA-RECORD 1731421, NESTLER-DARMSTADT 0210, NESTLER-PRAEZISION 27, NESTLER-ELECTRO 37, SIC 120, ... The CURSOR of a PROPORTIONAL SCALE is missing: ---------------------------------------------- Make your own out of a Paper Clip! NORMA »GRAFIA«, ... How to RE-SEW the LEATHER CASE: ------------------------------- With scissors & tweezers, remove the old threads. Use a heavy duty thread about 4-times longer. NEEDLES on B O T H E N D S. Start with equal long halfs. Go through the EXISTING HOLES from both sides ( mutual right/left ). Tighten after every twin-loop. At the end go back 3-times and cut close. ARISTO-POCKET 812 SIMPLEX, ... ( C ) T Y P E W R I T E R S : ****************************** A CORONA-3 FOLDABLE TYPEWRITER had to be restored: Have a look & smile at my solution(s) ... BELL is missing: ---------------- Make your own! See some examples ... ADLER, ... BROKEN LEVERS: -------------- Be inventive! See some examples ... GROMINA, HAMMOND, RHEINMETALL, ... BROKEN COVER: ------------- Use 2-Component-Glue and some stabilizing material, e.g.: TRIUMPH, ... ( D ) T E L E P H O N E S : **************************** "I got a TOUCH TONE TELEPHONE - IT WORKS - BUT NOT ITS KEYBOARD ?" ------------------------------------------------------------------ The older keyboards are sensitive to the polarity of the incomming wires. Exchange the wires (RED, GREEN) either in the outlet or in the telephone; or use a "crossed" cable between telephone & outlet. As an example see: BELL/WE-2500. A TEST-TELEPHON can show how the outlet's polarity "should be". "The BELL of an historic TELEPHONE is not working ???" ------------------------------------------------------ May be there is nothing defect with; may be it is RE-WIRED(?) to be silent in the sleeping room ? Two telephones came in this way: DIAL-PRINCESS & DIAL-CONTESSA In both telephones the BLACK WIRE of the BELL was connected to SCREW (G). After RE-WIRING TO SCREW (LI) the BELL WORKED AGAIN !!! "How to REPAIR THE COIL-CORD CONNECTIONS of an historic TELEPHONE ?" -------------------------------------------------------------------- For flexibility, every "ONE" of the 3 wires consist of many threads of thin wires, wound around cotton strings and there are more plain cotton strings for durability. There is no way to solder the wires. Cut the damaged cable away. Remove 2" of the outer and 1/2" of the inner insulation. Carefully separate the "wire strings" from the plain cotton strings. Cut the cotton strings away and fold the wire strings back parallel to their insulation. Than press it in the OLD, UNFOLD & CLEANED metal hook connector to have the electric contact. As an example see: MONOPHONE (1937) ... "How to MAKE AN EXTERNAL TRANSFORMER for the »PRINCESS« TELEPHONE ?" ------------------------------------------------------------------- As an example see: PRINCESS TRANSFORMER ( E ) MULTIMETERS ... ********************** "How to restore a BROKEN BAKALITE HOUSING?" ------------------------------------------- See some examples ... LAB DC μA METER ... "How to make SHUNTS to use sensitive A-Meters for higher Currents ?" -------------------------------------------------------------------- When you want to expand (eg.) the 10 mA-Range to 100 mA-Range, than let a 10 mA current go through the instrument: It shows FULL SCALE. Now connect an EXPERIMENTAL RESISTOR (= "SHUNT") parallel to the instrument until it shows a 10-times reduced current = 1 mA. This is the value of the searched SHUNT! See some examples ... LABOR LOW-LEVEL AMPERE-METER PORTABLE DC / AC VOLT / AMPERE METER ... "AC is not working right - How to repair the historic RECTIFIER ?" ------------------------------------------------------------------ See some examples ... PORTABLE DC / AC VOLT / AMPERE METER ... ( F ) CLOCKS ... ***************** "How to repair electro-mechanical clocks ?" ------------------------------------------- See some examples ... QUELLE WORLD CLOCK KUNDO WORLD CLOCK ... impressum: ******************************************************************** © C.HAMANN http://public.beuth-hochschule.de/~hamann 11/11/11