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| This is the huge cast iron base that the typewriter sits on. Originally, it would have tables on the arms for holding copies or papers. The arms should also have another part, which would hold the surfaces, but they were missing. |
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| This is a good shot of the column adding/subtracting registers and the mechanism. When you press a number and you have it set to add/subtract, it puts the numbers into the registers, which are the 6 boxes on the back, above the machine. |
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| This is the row adding/subtracting register. It adds up all the numbers that you type in a row, and displays them so that you can type them in a total column. This has a clever way of changing from add to subtract depending on which column register you are currently inputting to. |
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| This is the interesting typeslug I was talking about. It types the star, or "Clear Signal" character. this can only be pressed if the row adding/subtracting register is cleared. The typist would press this at the end of the line because it was proof that no numbers would carry over to the next line, and mess up official records. |
Here are the pens I have made:
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| The first one. The little ridge on the bottom part originated from me gouging to far into the wood. In the end, I think it turned out pretty nice. Not very shiny though. |
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| This was the second that I made. It is actually a mechanical pencil. It was a lot better than the pen, and more shiny. |
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| Here is one that I made with my own wood from a tree that fell outside my house. It is ash, I think. This is my favorite wood pen thus far. |
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| And finally, my favorite of all: A shiny acrylic pen modeled after a Montblanc Meisterstuck. |
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| This pen turned out really shiny. |
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| Here it is next to a real Montblanc. The one I made is bigger, heavier, and the mechanism is just as smooth. |
Quick update: I just posted this machine on TypewriterDatabase.com, if you are interested. My username is mderscheid.
As promised in the comments, here is a link to the user's guide of the Elliott Fisher machine, if anyone is interested:
Click Here
Holy cow! I have only seen drawings of these machines. That is impressive!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I can't really find anything about these on the internet, but a while ago I did (amazingly!) happen to find an old user's guide to the machine on Google Books. I still haven't read the whole thing, but it was neat to see some of it's hidden functions, like what I said about the "Clear Signal" key. I will update the post with a link to it.
DeleteGreat looking monster of a machine! I've only ever seen old photos and drawings of it, never one live.
ReplyDeleteVery nice looking pens.
I guessed it -- Richard beat me as the first member. He's quick.
Thanks!
DeleteThe machine was a pretty neat find. As soon as I saw it, I knew it must be pretty rare. I went home and did some research, and I couldn't find anything! After I bought it, I had to wait about two months before we could get back to the store to haul it home, because it was just so heavy and big, and it didn't fit in any of our cars!
Nice pens. When you say you make them, do you get the innards as a kit or do you rebuild old pens? (or do you machine your own mechanical bits?) :D
ReplyDeleteI buy the metal bits, brass tubes, and material, then I turn them and assemble them. As soon as I get the right tools I am going to start making them without having to buy kits. This is just a start, there is much more to come!
DeleteWhat a fabulous contraption, and I'm impressed with your pens too.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteRobert Messenger just posted about this machine:
ReplyDeleteoz.Typewriter
Interesting! I enjoyed reading about that stuff. Thanks for pointing it out!
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