Joe Van Cleave
The Handi Desk
updated
00:00 Introduction
00:37 Brother Correction Tape
06:10 Hermes Rocket Imprint
09:59 Royal "O" Draw Cord
12:31 Royal "O" Case
15:52 Royal Saturn Platen
18:26 Conclusion
You will be surprised to know that the total number of possible typed pages, while not infinite, is bigger than the observable universe!
Get your Typewriter Repair Bible here: lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&contributor=Ted+Munk&page=1&pageSize=50
00:00 - Introduction
00:59 - Key Lever to Guide Comb
01:45 - Guide Comb to Key Link Fulcrum Comb
02:20 - Key Link Fulcrum to Ribbon U-Bar
02:45 - Ribbon U-Bar to Touch Selector
03:18 - Ribbon U-Bar Arm Adjustment
04:14 - Ribbon U-Bar to Ribbon Vibrator Link
04:56 - Bichrome Selector
05:37 - Ribbon Lift
06:02 - Key Lever Spring Bar
07:07 - Sub-Lever Segment
07:44 - Type Bar Link
08:17 - Type Bar Clevis Links
09:30 - Type Bars and Segment
10:10 - Type Bars at Type Guide
10:35 - Type Bar U-Rocker
11:15 - Ribbon Feed
11:58 - Escapement Gang Trip
12:23 - Escapement Rocker Adjustment
13:18 - Conclusion
Paying professionals to repair typewriters can be expensive for collectors with a number of machines, so it makes sense to learn how to do some of the work yourself. In Episode 416, Joe restores a beautiful Royal Model "O" typewriter.
Errata: The Royal Model "P" proceeded the Model "O"
00:00 Introduction
01:54 Assessment
05:52 Cleaning
07:38 Draw-band Replacement
12:05 Detailed Cleaning
13:40 Testing & Adjustment
14:31 Paint Polishing
15:04 Final Thoughts
In Episode 415, Joe demonstrates how to remove and install the platen in a Silver-Seiko Royal Mercury or Royal Saturn.
Useful Links:
Royal Mercury Repair Bible: lulu.com/shop/ted-munk/the-silver-seiko-700-series-typewriter-repair-manual/paperback/product-1vg9rrpg.html?q=&page=1&pageSize=4
JJ Short & Associates (platen and roller resurfacing service): jjshort.com/typewriter-platen-repair.php
Interested in using your typewriter to correspond with fellow typists around the world? Sign up to Type Pals: typepals.com
Electric typewriters using type-bars and movable carriages can be a great solution for the writer looking for the mechanics of a manual machine with the ease of use from an electric motor, but as they age, problems can arise making the writing experience less than pleasing.
The Royal Saturn is one of the smallest, lightest and quietest type-bar electric typewriter ever made. In Episode 414, Joe finds a solution to the Royal Saturn electric typewriter's impression adjustment.
Joe's review video of the Royal Saturn: youtu.be/e8dZ13pbLs8?si=FKbdwUFeO53DluWg
Ribbons Unlimited: ribbonsunlimited.com (tel:443-857-3615)
9/16" ribbon: 74BKRD
In Episode 413 of the Typewriter Video Series, Joe reviews the 1938 Royal Varsity.
Joe receives an audio cassette tape letter from fellow tapist Ted Munk, part of our ongoing TAPE PALS project.
This video is part of the Tape Project playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwMhC_klUByWD9W5vkk4dIyviNhAu76bg&si=bmnHiIp1ZQGCetnE
Amateur audio tape recordings and audio letters have a long history: web.archive.org/web/20090815114558/http://theaudiokitchen.net/whats-cooking-here
In Episode 412, Joe makes a set of ribbon dispensers to transfer bulk ribbon to individual spools.
Lucas Dul's Chicago Typewriter website: typewriterchicago.com
Bob Marshall's Typewriter Muse website: http://typewritermuse.com
Baco Ribbon & Supply Co.: (314) 968-2258
ABQwerty Type Writer Society Substack: abqtypers.substack.com
STL file for 3D printing the hub insert (you will need to print two of these): github.com/JoeVanCleave/Baco-Typewriter-Ribbon-Spool-Hub/tree/main
In Episode 411, Joe demonstrates how to troubleshoot sticky type bars on manual typewriters, how to clean and degrease them, and troubleshooting a heavy touch.
00:00 Introduction
01:06 The Stickiness Test
04:57 Finding the Sticky Joint
06:37 Degreasing Sticky Joints
07:39 Full Cleaning & Degreasing
10:23 Stiff Key Action
14:28 Conclusion
Joe, accompanied by Pablo and Chapo, videos the April 2024 partial solar eclipse from Albuquerque.
In Episode 410, Joe fashions a makeshift clear plastic card guide for an electric-powered SCM 6-series machine.
In Episode 409, Joe discusses his most valuable tool for conducting public typewriter events: his typewriter collection itself.
The ABQwerty Type Writer Society: abqtypers.substack.com
00:00 Title
00:13 Introduction
01:58 My Typewriter Evolution
02:35 Typewriters as Functional Tools
04:16 Typewriters and Writing
06:04 Carusoe versus Restorers
08:24 Collecting for Public Use
10:01 Conclusion
In Episode 408 of the Typewriter Video Series, Joe delves into the Paper Empty feature of the Brother EP43 thermal typewriter and why some machines have it while others don't.
Known serial number sequences and Paper Empty feature:
B6115xxxx = Has Paper Empty feature
E6146xxxx = Does not have Paper Empty feature
F6420xxxx = Does not have Paper Empty feature
Joe reviews the Holland-made Remington Ten Forty, a surprisingly full-featured portable typewriter.
Joe shows how to remove and service a Smith-Corona 5-Series typewriter escapement.
Get you own printed typewriter repair bible here: tinyurl.com/3jpzt9x2
Joe reviews a set of 3D-printed brackets for holding rolls of thermal paper for use with thermal typewriters.
Joe's Thermal Typewriter Video playlist: youtube.com/watch?v=6q479NSlDFg&list=PLwMhC_klUByWW_0jyROXtyYbb5Aeknmpl&pp=gAQBiAQB
Joe explores the practice of reproducing or retyping historic typewritten documents, as a method of gaining insights into the original writers, their thinking processes and writing methods.
Images used in this video are licensed Creative Commons CC-BY-SA 4.0.
What happens when you acquire a "parts machine," intended to fix another machine in your collection, and it ends up being too good not to keep?
Are you wanting something more from your typewriter hobby? Typewriters were meant to be written on. Here are eight ideas for how you can use your typewriter for writing.
Link to Type Pals community: typepals.com
Link to Joe's Blog: joevancleave.blogspot.com/?m=0
Link to the Typosphere Website: http://typosphere.blogspot.com/?m=0
Join the Typosphere here: http://typosphere.blogspot.com/p/join-typosphere.html?m=0
One Typed Page Blog: onetypedpage.com
00:00 Introduction
00:49 1. Letter Writing
02:08 2. Blogging
03:57 Blogging as Citizen Journalism
04:38 3. One Typed Page
05:17 4. Journaling
06:32 5. Memoirs
08:06 6. Personal Essays
09:45 7. Recipes and Hobbies
10:19 8. Zines
11:27 Conclusion
In Episode 401, Joe shows how he repaired a noisy carriage return silencer on a Hermes 3000 typewriter.
In Episode 400, Joe discusses the wonderful world of typewritten letter writing. Imagine sharing your love of typewriters and writing with fellow aficionados from around the world!
Become a typewriter correspondent at: typepals.com
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Paper Quality
03:31 Letterheads
04:58 Corrections
07:43 Personalizations
09:37 Envelopes
13:51 Embellishments
15:52 Organizing
21:00 Addressing Envelopes
22:50 Final Thoughts
Joe creates a 3D-printed Japanese-style abacus!
This prototype has five rods and is sized for adult hands. Besides printing the parts listed below, you will need five brass tubes, each 1/8 inch (or 3.175mm) diameter and five inches (or 127mm) long.
For permanently assembling the frame, you will need Weldon Acrylic Cement and a needle applicator; or cyanoacrylate glue.
Links to OnShape files for this project:
Beads (You will need to print 25 total): cad.onshape.com/documents/f49f7648bed7c10d169b70c7/w/f11f54cfd372db8fc726597d/e/95e8c7b4db8b354b3807a11e
Side Frame (You will need to print 2 total): cad.onshape.com/documents/e27130f407f07daafac5aa14/w/769fa6c8a882eb0083042a6f/e/445cb344c34afd98def2722c
Top/Bottom Frame (You will need to print 2 total): cad.onshape.com/documents/fdb00db71cc12cf1124ac0b5/w/4ac462d5586a253f9c0c5baa/e/f64f1bbdefafec53693de485
Middle Bar (You will need to print one): cad.onshape.com/documents/98424b377bc1ce610def7fac/w/f6a34186bd61a6fb44a0a48a/e/5efd56bdb0d7168ed333cc7e
Joe reviews subtraction, and long division using repetitive subtraction, a good technique for dealing with longer, multi-digit divisors.
Link to files used in this video: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kZ1J_ENjjOn423s7luKMHZnMO7tyIxT4?usp=sharing
The Abacus Series Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwMhC_klUByWTHdxChZshk3tyE4ylvaE3
A good quality soroban for adult-sized fingers (no relation to seller): http://tinyurl.com/2s42fpac
00:00 Introduction
01:10 Kojima's Soroban Books
01:55 Long Division
03:29 Example 3-digit Long Division on Paper
05:38 Pinwheel Calculator Division
07:04 Subtraction Overview
09:16 Subtraction Operation Problem Evaluation Procedure
10:06 Example Subtraction Problems
13:28 Division via Repetitive Subtraction
16:31 Another Pi Problem
16:54 Conclusion
In Episode 399, Joe demonstrates how to replace feed rollers on a 1920s era Remington Portable.
In Episode 398, Joe discusses typing speed, errors and neatness. How important is typing speed today, and how critical are errors to you?
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Equipment used in this video:
Main Camera - Lumix G7
Main lens - Leica DG Summilux 1:1.7/15 ASPH
Overhead Mic - AKG D880 microphone
Mic Mixer - Saramonic SmartRig+ audio mixer
B-Roll camera - Canon Vixia HF R80
In Episode 397, we attend the book signing event at Bookworks in ABQ for Woz Flint's new release, The Distraction-Free First Draft.
"Unplug, forget perfectionism, and write more than ever using a typewriter."
In this video, Woz reads from her new book, and answers audience questions about writing and using typewriters.
wozflint.com/book
oneideapress.com/woz-flint
Bookworks in ABQ: bkwrks.com
The ABQwerty Type Writer Society: abqtypers.substack.com
00:00 Introduction
00:21 Woz Reads from her book
13:47 Q & A Session
29:04 Conclusion
In Episode 396 of the Typewriter Video Series, Joe reviews a made-in-England version of the Hermes Rocket small portable typewriter.
Joe reviews the Marchant Type XLA mechanical pinwheel calculator.
Link to example problems, including how to calculate square roots using pinwheel calculators: http://www.jepu.info/computing/calculating_with_mechanical_calculators.html#squareroot
Professor Chris Staecker's Pinwheel Calculator Review: youtu.be/iOYbDwGbung?si=FDcfW_05Im4q6X6U
How a Pinwheel Calculator mechanism works: youtu.be/YXMuJco8onQ?si=dKTmM5ii1WB0rbNc
00:00 Introduction
01:06 Weight, Size & Case
02:26 Basic Operation
04:10 Addition
05:24 Subtraction
06:23 Multiplication
09:50 Division
14:17 History
16:50 Conclusion
In Episode 395, Joe ponders the question of how perfect does a typewriter have to be in order to serve as a tool for creative writing.
00:00 Introduction
00:59 How Usabe is it?
01:13 Deal Killers
04:46 Minor Issues
10:08 Dependency on Purpose
11:52 Tolerance for Fiddliness
15:30 Conclusion
In Episode 394, Joe discusses choosing a typewriter for writers who don't want to be collectors or mechanical tinkerers, just writers.
00:00 Introduction
01:10 A Machine That Writes
03:16 Mechanical Fiddliness
03:47 the Electric Alternative
07:36 Examples of Good Writers Machines
08:29 Small Portables
12:08 Medium Portables
15:20 Standard Manuals
18:18 Type-Bar Electrics
21:24 IBM Selectrics
22:13 Daisywheel Electronics
23:57 Where to Look
25:36 Conclusion
Link to The Distraction-Free First Draft: oneideapress.com/woz-flint
Link to the ABQwerty Type Writer Society: abqtypers.substack.com
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00:00 Introduction
01:09 Woz's Background
01:32 How long has she been writing?
01:47 How did her writing process evolve?
02:37 How did she start writing using typewriters?
03:12 Where did she get the idea for this book?
03:46 What other analog writing tools does she use?
04:31 What are "Plotters" and "Pantsers?"
05:18 How does she use digital tools alongside analog?
06:35 How did she find her first typewriter?
07:59 How does she not obsess over collecting typewriters?
08:38 What are the advantages of writing through the first-draft errors?
09:57 What is her role in the ABQwerty Type Writer Society?
10:37 Woz explains her upcoming writers workshop.
11:18 Her new writing projects.
12:12 How can curious writers get connected to typewriters?
12:52 Should a writer buy a professionally reconditioned typewriter?
13:21 Closing thoughts.
Ethan Moses walked across Albuquerque, from Tijeras Canyon on the east to Nine Mile Hill on the west, documenting his journey, and now he's working on a film project of his trek. Joe hung out one day as Ethan was editing his film.
Ethan's Personal channel: youtube.com/@ethanunlimited/videos
Cameradactyl Cameras: youtube.com/@CAMERADACTYLCameras/videos
One of the most distinctively styled typewriters in all of Olivetti's lineup was the Ettore Sottsass-designed electric Praxis 48. In Episode 392 of the Typewriter Video Series, Joe dives deep into this award-winning beauty from the late 1960s.
Robert Messenger's Oz Typewriter Article: oztypewriter.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-olivetti-praxis-48-typewriter.html
Manual Entry's Blog Article: http://manualentry.blogspot.com/2011/08/rescued-olivetti-praxis-48.html
Mass Made Soul Article: massmadesoul.com/olivetti-praxis-48
00:00 Introduction
00:46 Electrified Carriage Return
01:26 Return Clutch Repair
04:05 Power Cord
04:44 Test Typing
05:14 Keyboard Design
07:07 Controls & Features
17:30 Styling
18:37 Owners Manual
20:21 Final Thoughts
Joe explores how to measure the widths of your typewriter's characters.
00:00 Intro
00:35 Measurement Systems
02:18 Procedure Overview
04:03 How wide is the line?
07:33 Counting the characters
10:38 Metric vs Imperial units
12:19 Example measurements
16:34 Table of Sizes
17:35 Metric vs Imperial Graph
118:15 Closing Thoughts
Joe ponders where things are at in his studio, and devises a solution!
Joe explores another binding solution for loose pages, this time a springback binder that doesn't require punched holes.
A5 Veloflex Springback Binder: tinyurl.com/muy33xed
Updated news about the HandiDesk project, including ideas for how to customize your HandiDesk 2, and some mini-HandiDesk models.
What is a HandiDesk? Check out these videos:
Original HandiDesk prototype video: youtu.be/3B9Ojm_rhOk?si=ZtpGeq7QQLNzMg0J
HandiDesk 2 video: youtu.be/8yjU0BZVsr8?si=o2yWOQtw1e1la6O4
Cameradactyl Store link to HandiDesk 2: cameradactyl.com/buttergrip/jvchandidesk
00:00 Introduction
00:50 Questions answered
01:44 HandiDesk 2
01:59 Custom Surface Finishes
03:44 HandiDesk 2 Experience
05:15 Ethan Moses Interview
06:24 HandiDesk 2 Mini
08:40 HandiDesk 3 Prototype
10:05 HandiDesk 2 Mini Thoughts
10:28 HandiDesk 3 Thoughts
11:28 Closing Thoughts
In Episode 390 Joe demonstrates how to keep the type slugs of your manual typewriter clean.
Bergeron Rodico cleaning putty: amazon.com/Bergeon-Rodico-6033-One-Touch/dp/B01AIPW9KU
In Typewriter Video Series Episode 389 Joe reviews Brian Krause's book "The Old-School Typewriter Algebra Workbook."
Link to Brian's book: amazon.ca/Old-School-Typewriter-Algebra-Workbook/dp/B0CLMCSD96
In Episode 380 of the Typewriter Video Series, Joe and Ethan 3D print a replacement platen knob for a Brother EP43 thermal typewriter.
Link to the CAD files: cad.onshape.com/documents/36ef72fa791d3053b832a043/w/4c81d363b95f4f86ea9957f5/e/add6f26e9737f4f551bf2602?renderMode=0&uiState=65417c1967c786101a34e572
Joe has another hairbrained idea of making archival silver gelatin prints from toy camera thermal images.
Joe dives into a kid’s thermal-printing digital camera that also shoots video! Are toys like this just for kids, or creative adults too?
Gregory Short’s Type Pals & Type Club Live: typepals.com
Ted Munk’s thermal camera blog articles:
munk.org/typecast/2023/10/15/mail-call-more-chops-than-a-chinese-typewriter-a-cute-and-delightful-surprise
munk.org/typecast/2023/10/16/thermal-typewriting-on-thermally-printed-photos
munk.org/typecast/2023/10/17/mail-call-two-letters-and-thermal-madness
Joe and Ethan Moses cobble together a 12-foot long pinhole telescope for photographing the October 2023 annular solar eclipse onto Fujifilm Instax Wide film.
Ethan's Webstore: cameradactyl.com
In Episode 379, Joe compares two small typewriters from different eras: a 1922 Remington portable and a 1958 Hermes Rocket. Could either of these machines work as a portable creative writing solution?
00:00 Introduction
02:27 Remington Portable
13:54 Hermes Rocket
2020 Concluding Thoughts
Inspired by those 1970's gameshow stick microphones, Joe cobbles together his own version.
The 2023 Phoenix Typewriter Roundup: youtu.be/1_4RVEtVBy4?si=K9FlL7YGlXdVRC7O
Joe visits the typewriter community gathered for the 2023 Phoenix Type-In, hosted by Changing Hands Bookstore and First Draft Book Bar, organized by Brian Goode and Ted Munk.
In Episode 377 of the Typewriter Video Series, Joe delves deeper into the 3D-printed Selectric I/II type ball elements available from David Hayden of Selectric Rescue.
Link: selectricrescue.org
I have no business affiliation with Selectric Rescue other than being a paying customer; my review is based on my own findings.