Pages

▼

Thursday, 9 April 2015

Then & Now: The Restored Smith-Corona Model 88

 Less than a week ago it looked like this. Now it doesn't ...
It's actually taken only four days to transform it. Two days were washed out. To be honest, these photos don't do it justice. I just had another look at it - it is a real transformation.
Gone are the mountains of rust, the forests of leaves and twigs, the jungle of giant wasp nests, the spider webs and bird poo (plus the tabulation system, I readily confess).
I will detail the final stages of the repainting and reassembly ASAP. For the time being I'm enjoying having a nice looking, sweet working (and sweet smelling) Smith-Corona Model 88. 
Right now there are a few minor adjustment still to be made. For one thing, the replacement shift key (off a spare parts Royal Diana) isn't blending in so well, but fortunately I have left myself another option there.
at

8 comments:

  1. Piotr Trumpiel9 April 2015 at 22:03

    What a transformation indeed! Ugly duckling to a swan in two days - that's hard work and dedication.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous10 April 2015 at 02:57

    I have so enjoyed watching your Model 88 come back to life. Your posts are always a lively read.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Richard P10 April 2015 at 04:29

    Bravo!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ted10 April 2015 at 04:53

    Looks wonderful! Another one saved to soldier on! :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. shordzi10 April 2015 at 05:23

    drastic fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Don Lampert10 April 2015 at 09:13

    Of course it looks wonderful - but was it worth it, as a practical typing unit - is it a quality typer, and how does it "feel"
    Awaiting the final chapter - does it live happily ever after, or should it have been given a quiet burial?
    Tis remarkable no matter what!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous10 April 2015 at 21:37

    Fabulous work, as always!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous16 April 2015 at 01:02

    It looks great; nice job! Would you mind sharing your technique for restoring the plastic keys? It seems common for them to get hazed over, as if it's mildew.

    ReplyDelete

I do not accept anonymous comments.
I only allow comments under User IDs provided I know who that person is.
Do not ask me to evaluate typewriters.
Comments must be relevant to the post.
As the author of these posts, I make the decisions about what they contain - it is not open to discussion.