Simple Green concentrate and a soft toothbrush cleaned up the Teletype really well. Stubborn oil residue came off with a fingernail or toothpick. There are several springs that probably could come loose with vigorous scrubbing so I was careful to use light pressure. I set these subcomponents in a plastic tub and sprayed and scrubbed for awhile, then rinsed and set them in the sun. There are small spots of rust sheen here and there, but ill very lightly coat surfaces with oil.
Disassembly of the subcomponents was surprisingly easy. Just a small handful of fasteners, two electrical disconnects and the typing unit and base/keyboard unit came out without a fuss. Now that it is clean and I am confident there are no exposed electrical contacts, I can reassemble and test after lubrication according to the manual – Teletype Bulletin 217B
If there was an answer back feature, the music box like drum would be behind the keyboard on the right, the “Here Is” key would be one of the red keys. This model did not come with it which means I’ll have no means of getting an idea of where it was in service.The Typing unit turned out very well.The Keyboard and Base unit dataplateThe felt pads that hold oil all seem in good shape
Before I plug this in, I need to inspect the machine to ensure it won’t be damaged or gummed up as it begins to operate. A helpful person that sells parts for these machines recommended simple green as a gentle degreaser, followed with lubricating according to the manual. Manuals can be found at Teletype Corp. Maintenance, Installation, Operation, and Parts Publications (navy-radio.com) although getting familiar with the terminology will take a bit
The last page it typed with perhaps a news wire
This machine is gummy and dusty, but as far as I can tell there is no mechanical damage or electrical burns on it. Wires all appear intact. The primary motor that gets everything moving spins freely and moves the internals around quite a bit in what I think is correct operation.
Called a range finder in the manual, I thought this set words per minute, but there is a gear that does that somewhere in the machineDataplate for the typing unitTyping unit and maybe the code bar mechanism at the bottom
Looking at the manual, it appears that there were two paper feed mechanisms, and I have the ‘sprocket feed’ type. Modern term seems to be ‘continuous form’ paper, which if the dimensions are the same, appears to be readily available. Its been decades since I have seen this type of paper though. The sprockets are a fascinating mechanism, the teeth retract as they rotate to only be out when needed to pull paper, and retract when they would get in the way of the mechanism. It appears to be working smoothly.
The keys don’t ‘press’ which may be normal if there is no power applied. Nothing appears bent or broken underneath.What should be the communications interface, with a Tip/Ring/Sleeve plugThe tip/ring/sleeve plug ends up on this board, with 5 and 15 being connected as well as chassis ground. These panels are at the bottom cabinet of the machine, above the paper storage and in front of the electrical service unit
I will have quite a bit of cleaning ahead of me as there are many places gummy residue is hiding, but I am fairly optimistic that this is in good shape and will be either working or repairable.
Ill have to interpret what connections 5 and 15 are and that should move me towards understanding the input output of this device. Using some sort of serial connection isn’t possible directly, it requires a fairly stout (likely 60ma) current to drive it.
This is a wall mount machine, but someone in the past made a cart for it. It is a very heavy device.
The AN/PRC-9 sets was disappointing to miss out on, but I did get one item I have been after, a teletype.
Last time I saw a teletype in service was mid 90s, email and other electronic communications made these unnecessary since you could print what you needed and discard the rest without wasting consumables. Like the Remington typewriter I have, these mechanical devices are fascinating and the distinctive sound they make should be nostalgic for anyone visiting the station that worked with teletype when they were in service.
It appears to be in good condition, with no obvious damage, but getting this hooked up to something to drive it will be a challenge. Goal will be getting it cleaned up, operational, and able to type things I send it from a Raspberry Pi using FLRIG and FLDIGI. Actual RTTY seems fairly rare these days but I should be able to send text from any digital mode, or really any text that I want a printed copy of.
