Speed Restoration

If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 WPM, you're going to see some serious shit.

I fully expected it to take at least a solid week, based on my usual habits regarding time spent in the workshop. But for reasons not to be explained, I decided to see just how quickly I could get one of these turned around (especially due to them being my specialty).

The results were positive, though the expediency of the cleaning efforts was certainly helped by the fact that the machine actually worked with me, whereas most seem to actively resist my cleaning and restorative attempts. Save for the one thin rod not wanting to come out, all other screws and parts came apart properly, the rust was only a real problem on the topside of the carriage, and  by golly even without oil the cleaned pieces worked right.

Behold, El Zorro Espanol!

 Yes yes, I know I'm terrible at taking pictures. But it should be easy to tell how much cleaner this Fox is now. The paint is a bit iffy, and there is evidence that it was actually repainted previously, but I decided to just give it a layer of protective wax rather than really try to buff it up or anything. Apparently having sat in a Texas storefront for the better part of a few decades, I like to think it has a "Texas Sun-baked" sort of look.

Line 'em up, Knock 'em down

Welcome back to FNN, the Fox News Network, bringing you round the clock information and pictures about everyone's favorite typewriter brand.

I decided to crack open the Typewriter Repair Bible just for the heck of it as I worked on the Fox 24.

But there were no sections on Fox. A wonderful resource for the sane individual who doesn't completely dissect his or her machines for cleaning and repair without hesitation. I am not sane. Still, at some point I will most likely look for helpful tips within this magnificent tome; for now, I know Fox well enough I suppose.

The finished No. 24 in all its glory. I was able to find quite a few small changes that the company made by this point, outside of the obvious ones like the keytops. Most of the changes seemed to be aimed at making it cheaper to manufacture.

Typesample, complete with little accent markings so that the machine can be used for a multitude of languages I presume. Cool little curly F which I assume is some country's currency symbol.

Cash Register: Check

Fox 24: Check

Fox Sterling: Entering Restoration Stage 1

You were introduced to this wonderful little Fox Sterling a few posts ago. It is special due to its spanish keyboard, of which I know of no other Fox portables to possess.

Everything is set for the operation. For once, I decided to time myself to see how long it takes to disassemble the machine.

It took a whopping 4 minutes for me to get to this stage.

Carriages are cleaned last in this workshop, so here we have the main body of the machine.

And roughly 34 mintues later, here's what we have. I was slowed down quite a bit by the thin rod that runs along the back of the frame (holding in a part of the keylever system) which refused all attempts to come out. I had to be a little unorthodox in my methods, but I eventually got it out.

It may look like a mess, but beleive you me; This is a well organized disaster zone. I've done this enough times, after all.

I was thrilled to find that what I thought was rust was really just a dirty, old oil coating. There is still some rust, by all means, but nowhere near what I had expected. Here, you can see how nicely the keylevers will clean up.

 This episode of the Fox News Network brought to you by Purple Power industrial strength degreaser; when steel wool just isn't as efficient as it should be, cut through the dirt with highly corrosive chemicals.