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Got an old typewriter at a pick up yesterday. I looked it up on ebay and they're only going for about $30, not really worth my time, plus it's really heavy. Was wondering if anyone else had ever broken one down for the gears and other steampunk-ish parts?
Hadn't had my coffee yet...did a search and read a couple threads and revised my ebay search...I think I'll be tearing this baby down! The brand is Underwood and even though it's in rough shape on the whole, I think I can pull some decent pieces out of it.
Yes, if it has the glass keys instead of plastic, it's worth it on the keys alone. People love to make bracelets and things from these that say something.
all the time but with everything that looks fun to make stuff with big burnt electron guns from scopes and all sorts of things are great as long as they fit in a flat rate box lol but even so I have seen people pay $70 to ship a $15 item to uk
If you read the old threads then you know there are millions and millions of screws holding a typewriter together.
I picked up one last week read the old thread, said pssh they are over exaggerating. well let me tell you 50 screws and two pieces later it got dung in the shred pile. Maybe yours will be easier but that's too much work for me, and I love busy work.
i agreeQuote:
Originally Posted by NHscrapman
i did a typewriter once- just to see what was in it
next time im taking it in whole
i dont care if they pay me shred/sub grade price- its not worth the time spent opening all those screws.
Most of the old typewriters have heavy cast aluminum shells that are worth taking the time to remove. There are other large pieces of cast on the insides that can be a pain to get to, especially since I only have the patience to get one cleaned down all the way. If the internal pieces are big enough you could take an angle grinder to them and clean them up faster than taking all the screws out. Still, at least get the shell off.
Also on the oldest electric types there is a decent sized motor inside.