Blickensderfer 5 typewriter - ready

The Blickensderfer 5 typewiter that was in a bit of a state (and missing several bits) is now again presentable and in its transport case.

Taken out of its case, it is complete, clean and even functional.

This machine probably dates from 1906. Instead of a metal plate with patent dates, has a gold decal shield with patent dates on the side.

The replacement carriage-release bail as well as the paper-tray rack are made from knitting-needles. A new 3D-printed carriage knob fitted, replica of the original pattern. For proper paper-handling, a replica was made for the missing ruler as well. 

From browsing The Typewriterdatabase, number 5's of this period should have a nickel-plated ruler, rounded edges with a numbered scale. Number 7's have a blank ruler. Early machines straight corners. Later models, i.e. the Rem-Blick show a black ruler with the scale in white. Being uncertain of how the result would come out, made a replica ruler for each of the possible variants - to see what would be achievable/acceptable and not look too out-of-place.

Fortunately, the scale lettering came out quite well and accepting a spray-painted brushed-nickel appearance instead of proper shiny nickel, the nickel-scale variant was fitted. To mount this and also replace the refreshed feed-roller, again the carriage was taken apart.

Viewed from normal 'use' distance, the ruler is not too jarring. More importantly, it functions in guiding the paper over the platen. (The new keys also blend in fairly well, may yet be replaced by slightly improved specimens.)

Outcome of re-building the wrecked little Blickensderfer; a presentable and functional Blickensderfer 5 typewriter.

It is now quite usable to type a letter or two. The roller-inking and typewheel mechanism is however much more temperamental than a typebar+ribbon system. Using the Blickensderfer next to e.g. an Underwood 5 the difference is very noticeable - the Underwood is so much more robust and forgiving than the Blickensderfer, not even mentioning its speed.

The Blickensderfer on the other hand is amazingly compact, offers endless variety in typefaces and easily swaps color and simply looks 'cool'. With some care and adapting to the touch and rythm of the machine, it is really usable and able to produce decent work too.

Ingenious little machine! 

Turning of the Screws - adjusting the Blickensderfer

This Blickensderfer 5 typewriter was out of adjustement from severe knocks to the frame - so it was unavoidable to attempt to re-adjust the typing mechanism. Adjusting the typewheel mechanism with its several set-screws dotted around the machine is somewhat intimidating, further made interesting by the bent-parts taking some adjustments out of the range of the set-screw.

Even though intimidating, there logically has to be a way to simply converge on a properly adjusted Blickensderfer step-by-step. The factory turned out hundreds of machines per week - there will have been a 'recipe' for the adjuster to efficiently adjust a machine. (Some of the training material or instructions for the factory would have been great here.)

The basic method of selecting the right rotation for a specific key is fairly straightforward. As nicely illustrated in below sketch, the wheel is rotated by the difference in deflection between bars G and D as actuated by the stepped-section of the key-lever. 

(G. Tilghman Richards - 1938)

The bar D is actuated first, rotating the wheel as it rotates one "quadrant" C downward via the transmission of the geared-prongs (essentially very small sections of large gear-wheels). The rotation stops when the keylever also touches and starts actuating the bar G that causes the whole typewheel stack plus the other quadrant B to start moving in sync with C. Also moving quadrant B is part of the trickiness - this is timed via the set-screws on the base of the mechanism. Quadrant B is actuated via a prong (with set-screws) that is part of bar G.

Another trick is that the static quadrant is locked at first, to prevent any slippage or being pulled along as the wheel rotates. It is held by the hook shown in the diagram; only by actuating the bar D corresponding with the quadrant is this hook pulled out of the way to allow movement. 

The start of ajusting probably was to set the set-screw for each side to to start touching the other side's prong just as the universal bar G starts to move. That means for the right side of the keyboard, the left set-screw must be set to ensure the left prong moves in-sync with the central 'universal prong' and vice versa. Likely that is the start of adjusting the base. The next step is to check that the least-deflection keys (here T and E) are balanced. And when the top-assembly is installed, to screw inward just enough for the lock to be released. I.e. for the unlock of key E on the right-side of the keyboard the left screw (red) and vice-versa.

On this banged-up specimen the left-side could not be brought in-range. At the maximum setting, the letter E would not rotate before the universal bar G stopped it. To fix without attempting any more bending, bar D was padded with copper shim to 'cheat'. This is too soft and not durable, but it'll hold for now. 

The three set-screws on the top-assembly regulate the wheel locking-moment and release - when the balance of T and E is right and the opposing quadrant is unlocked just-in-time, then the centre screw (yellow) sets the range of the end-rotation. This then adjusts so that the largest-deflection key (Z and J) register correct.

Another trickiness of the mechanism is a prong that locks the typewheel in its rotated state from below. Probably its function is to prevent any smudging from the wheel starting to rotate back before it has fully left the paper. When the typewheel stack is rotating back upwards again, this lock needs to be pushed out of engagement. The right set-screw (purple) adjusts the timing via a bail to trigger this unlock. It is sensitive. (The left set-screw is an imposter; this merely is the mounting srcew of a spring.)

After a lot of time staring at the mechanism and imagining what the steps would've been, this little Blickensderfer 5 is starting to make sense again!

There still are some characters that are at the edge of their range (wrong character about 1 in 10 times) and the unlocking is likewise at the edge. I.e. when depressing the lowest-rotation character, a clear resistance is felt from the other side's quadrant slipping off the locking-hook. Even though this adjusting mostly worked, there are likely more details/tricks (that were well-known in Stamford 120 years ago). Probably more small tweaks as the machine 'settles in'.

Another aspect is that the adjustments and details of the wheel mechanism were changed over time by Blickensderfer - this adjustment worked on a 1905-ish No. 5, but an older or newer machine or e.g. a No. 8 are likely to be slightly different.

Result is that this project machine has now cleared its biggest hurdle to again becoming a typing machine! :-)

Cleaning the Blickensderfer 5 head-assembly (writing cipher)

The head assembly of the Blickensderfer typewriter is a bit daunting to take apart completely. For this one, the main pivot-rod was left in place, but the other bits were removed for proper cleaning.

The ink-roller bracket was completely bent out of shape and the thumb-screw for adjusting spring-tension was also bent badly. Fortunately it was possible to bend this back (a bit) without snapping the threaded rod. The fact that these parts were both bent so severely means that the top-casting of this Blickensderfer 5 got a very nasty knock at one time.

Most of the paint-splatter could be removed without damage, but the thick lacquer had also been chipped in many spots.

To make these chips less noticeable, a method to mask these was tried. First filling-in with black enamel paint.

And then followed by sanding the filled-in areas smooth and level with the surrounding paint, using fine, wet P400 sandpaper.

That was then followed by a polishing (car-polish for black) and given the sewing-machine oily-rag treatment.

Definitely still visible as damaged areas, but much less noticeable from a distance. A different, high-gloss enamel lacquer could have been used to better match the surrounding gloss. Nevertheless, the whole appearance is deemed good enough for now. (The typewriter is 120 years old, it's allowed to have some blemishes and show wear.)

The whole top assembled again and placed back onto the machine. Then popped-on a brand-new Italic typewheel (Blickensderfer Mfg Co catalogue number 440) plus a new ink-pad and to see if it works!

Yes, the machine types! 

However; the printed characters are not what's on the keys, and not always the same characted for a key either. (That was the 'w' that was pressed repeatedly, not the 'f'.) It's now a bit like a cipher machine.

From checking how the machine is out of adjustment, this is almost certainly caused by the top-casting being bent backward. This threw the wheel-locking out of adjustment and made it unusable. If the fall/knock happened long ago when it was still in use, it would definitely then have been 'retired' to the shed, basement or attic.

A quick check of the adjustment screws of the base also showed-up that the geared-prongs of the actuating bars also are bent. These bars are now impossible to adjust to be in-range with the adjustment screws.

Much more puzzling to be done! The little typewriter shows it can write, now only to make it write sense :)

Case for the Blickensderfer 5 cleaned up

The most-common type of wooden case for the Blickensderfer 5 typewriter is a plain wedge-shape carrying case with a leather handle. From pictures available online, these cases seem plain wood - or at least they look plain, unfinished wood.

This specimen looked fairly bad, but underneath the hinges a spot of original finish remained - looking almost as if it'd been lacquered. The exposed, weathered surfaces however didn't look as if they'd ever been lacquered. Adding that almost all cases seen online look unfinished - perhaps these cases were originally not lacquered but oiled wood.

Whatever it originally was, this one was first sanded down to remove all water-staining and mold-spots - down to bare wood and made smooth. At least, smooth to the touch, if not to the eye. 

Where the case was coming apart, the cracks were glued and clamped - left for a day to fully set. In the meantime, the brass fittings were cleaned and given a polish.

Then linseed oil was applied and rubbed with a soft cloth. This really darkened the wood again and made the grain stand out. It then becomes noticable that the sides are made of single pieces of wood, split over top and lower half of the case.

The fittings mounted again and a new leather strap cut from 3.5 mm saddle-leather was fitted. The handle-brackets originally were nailed onto/into the wood, now instead fitted with screws.

Structurally fine, clean and still looking its 120 years.

The inside only cleaned lightly with a damp cloth - and the pencil scribbles on the screw-cap were removed (rubber eraser). The rubber machine buffers will be replaced when the machine is ready for a fitting - to ensure a snug fit. 

The case is ready to hold a Blickensderfer 5 typewriter again! (being assembled...)