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1st FAQs: "What is my Calculator worth ?"
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More often I get this question from around the world.
Here my usual answer - and SORRY - I will NOT ANSWER
anymore EMAILS dealing with this topic.
There are 3 main-points to consider:
(1) Is the machine working ?
(2) Are parts missing ?
(3) The overall look ? Rust ? Dents ?
In general there is no common answer possible. The
"fair price" is, what a collector is willing to pay
and what the seller is accepting.
Only the "look & feel" of the collector give the
decision "Is it worth the money?" and / or "Is it
possible to repair?". After bad experiences in EBAY,
I buy only what I can "see & feel". Flea Markets,
Thrift Shops or Antique Malls are good for this!
Often there is a big discrepancy of sellers ideas
for the price and the reality of the market - but
if you are patient enough and can wait, you will
see the price dropping. Otherwise you may be lucky
to get an unexpected "treasure" for "nearly nothing".
This is the fun in the real world - not to compare
with the "VIRTUAL REALITY of EBAY".
2nd FAQs: "What can I do to fix my Calculator ?"
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In most cases it is impossible to give advices via
email without seeing the candidate. But I summarize
here some TYPICAL PROBLEMS / SOLUTIONS I was asked:
IMPORTANT ADVICE (A):
---------------------
Before you apply (eg.) WD-40 to the gearings, clean
the inner of the machine as good as possible with
tweezers, brush, vaccuum cleaner, ... Make sure
that you not lost any tiny parts like springs, ...
IMPORTANT ADVICE (B):
---------------------
Be aware, that all takes longer than expected. Find a
working area where nobody disturbes your stuff over days.
See as an example:
MONROE / Model-1 / OlderVersion ...
Organize your working area! Have little bowls for screws
and springs. Use paper and pen to make lots of notices and
sketches. Take digital photos to document the procedure in
sequence. Be brave but careful: Everybody has started once.
MOTORIZED CALCULATORS are special problems: If it works
it happens so quick, that you can not see what goes wrong.
It is necessary to RUN IT MANUALLY. To give you an idea
"How to do" see as examples:
Hamann / MERCEDES-EUKLID-22,
HAMANN-AUTOMAT-S (2nd Version),
...
"My Adding Machine print crazy results - ???"
---------------------------------------------
Make sure, you have cleared the internal memory by
pressing TOTAL = [T] Key ( or the aquivalent one )
before you start a test-calculation
...
"Some Input-Levers of my BRUNSVIGA-13RM are blocked"
----------------------------------------------------
In contrary to "Expert Advice" I had success with
application of WD-40. If it failed, you have to
disassemble the Pin-Wheels to find out why.
As an example see the PIN-WHEELS under DIAGRAMS
...
MONROE / Split-Stepped Drum Type:
---------------------------------
If wrong numbers are transfered into the arithmetic
unit, probably the "Half-Tooth-Wheels" of the MONROE-
CODING are not moving right. Look under DIAGRAMS in
the SPLIT-STEPPED DRUM to understand the principle;
use WD-40 to free the gears
...
10-Block Adding Machine:
------------------------
If wrong numbers are transfered into the arithmetic
unit, probably the MATRIX is defect. Look under
VICTOR / TALLYMASTER to get an idea for fixing
...
New RIBBONS for VICTOR Adding Machines:
---------------------------------------
Find the solution under VICTOR, REMARKS
...
Missing KEY:
------------
Make your own! As examples see;
The [+] KEY in Hamann / MERCEDES-EUKLID-22,
or the (NON-ADD) KEY in BURROUGHS CLASS 3,
OR
the DECIMAL POSITION MARKERs / RESET KEYs:
CONTEX-20 or REMINGTON,
OR
the BLUE & RED BUTTONS on top of the CONTEX-55
...
Missing DECIMAL MARKERS:
------------------------
Make your own! As examples see
BRUNSVIGA-10,
Hamann / MERCEDES-EUKLID-38MS,
PRODUX-MULTATOR,
THALES-MEZ,
...
Missing LEVER CAPS:
-------------------
Use colored insulator pipes! As examples see
HAMANN-MANUS,
PRODUX-MULTATOR,
or make your own - e.g. the DELETE CAPS in
TRIUMPHATOR CN2
...
Missing Paper TEAR-OFF BLADE:
-----------------------------
Use a piece of a pocket saw! As example see
MONROE 811-H14 (=Olympia)
...
RUBBER FEET are detoriated:
---------------------------
Use tub stoppers! To get suggestions see
FACIT CA1-13,
ORIGINAL-ODHNER,
SCHUBERT-DRV,
...
Special POWER CABLES:
---------------------
To get examples how to re-use the old plug:
MONROE / Model-1 / OlderVersion,
PRECISA 208-10,
VICTOR / Full-KBD / E-Model / ArtDeco,
...
When the original cable is missing ??? BE INVENTIVE !!!
MAKE YOUR OWN PLUG OUT OF PIECES, GLUED IN A PLASTIC LID ...
Example for the MONROE » MODEL 1 « used in Germany:
A N D B E C L E V E R : When the 110 V motor is for AC/DC,
than you can use a POWER-DIODE in sequence (build in the plug)
to run the calculator on 220 VAC OUTLETS in Europe !!!
Crumbled POWER PLUG:
--------------------
Install a modern one! As example see
VICTOR-AUTOMATIC,
...
Missing SERVICE-KEY for BURROUGHS Calculators:
----------------------------------------------
Look under BURROUGHS how to make one
...
BELL is missing:
----------------
Make your own! See some examples ...
For C A L C U L A T O R S :
THALES-MEZ,
...
For T Y P E W R I T E R S :
ADLER,
...
BROKEN LEVERS:
--------------
Be inventive! See some examples ...
For C A L C U L A T O R S :
RESULTA-7P,
PRECISE,
...
For T Y P E W R I T E R S :
GROMINA,
RHEINMETALL,
...
BROKEN COVER:
-------------
Use Compound-Glue and some stabilizing material, e.g.:
For C A L C U L A T O R S :
TRIUMPHATOR CN2
...
For T Y P E W R I T E R S :
TRIUMPH
...
Other Examples of " T Y P I C A L " WORN-OUT ERRORS:
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A BRUNSVIGA-10 could NOT RESET TO ZERO properly, because the
worn-out mechanics. To prevent that the RESET COMB in the
axle of the ARITHMETIC snaps in his PARK POSITION GAP just
before all figures are reset to zero, a TIP OF A WIRE
(glued-in on top of the right side) guards the worn-out
edge of the park position gap:
BRUNSVIGA-10
In a CONTEX-10 the Matrix tend to stuck on the right side and
had to get a left-push on the little red slider to be freed
for working. My SOLUTION: Out of sheet metal (from a fish can)
a SPRING was cut, folded and fixed in the right position by a
KEY-RING. At the end of each machine cycle the matrix was
pushed right - but bounced back on the spring into the right
position - ready for the next operation
CONTEX-10
...
CURSOR of a historic Slide Rule is missing:
-------------------------------------------
Make your own! How?
(0) May be STIFF PLASTIC is good enough ???
Otherwise:
(1) You need a TEMPLATE for benting -
Take into account the hight of the "glass"
( "How-To-Make-The-Glass?" see next paragraph! )
and space for the spring
Make a block in the right size out of aluminum or pertinax
(2) Make a METAL SHEET in the right width but DOUBLE LENGTH
( You need more material for benting force! )
(3) Bent it around
( with the aid of a vice and using a distance piece )
(5) Now reduce the oversized "slider-ends" for fitting
(6a) If the "tracks" are precise, you need no spring
( e.g. FABER-CASTELL, NESTLER, see there )
(6b) When necessary, make a SPRING out of a strip of bronce,
bent it around an cut the ends
( e.g. LOGAREX, see there )
(4) Mark the WINDOW, drill a hole and fretsaw it out
(5) Smooth edges, corners and surface with file and sandpaper
(6) After making the "GLASS", glue it, adjust it over the scales
( use only points of component glue in the 4 corners )
Examples you can see under ...
( "MouseOver" their cursors -
allow "PopUp-Windows" for this HomePage! )
ARISTO ( Pocket / Mahogany ),
FABER-CASTELL MINI-POCKET Model 74/91,
FABER-CASTELL COLUMBUS Model 342,
FABER-CASTELL DISPONENT Model 1/22A,
LOGAREX 4542-27403,
NESTLER-KAUFMANN Model 40,
...
The GLASS of the CURSOR is broken or missing:
---------------------------------------------
Make your own out of PVC from CD Cases!
Use a sharp X-ACTO to scratch the hairlines;
use permanent marker to color it and whipe the
rest away with a drop of alcohol on a cardboard.
Examples you can see under ...
( "MouseOver" their cursors -
allow "PopUp-Windows" for this HomePage! )
MANTISSA-RECORD Model 1731421,
NESTLER-DARMSTADT Model 0210,
NESTLER-PRAEZISION Model 27,
NESTLER-ELECTRO Model 37,
SIC Model 120,
FOWLER VEST-POCKET CALCULATOR,
...
"How you have measured your CALCULATOR DIMENSIONS ..."
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I put an imaginary box around the displayed machine.
The ERRORS may be about 5 mm or 1/8".
Taking the WEIGHT was sometimes a problem too: The
machine was too heavy for the kitchen scale - but too
light for reliable reading on the person scale ...
"... and what about YEARS ?"
----------------------------
Different sources show different numbers.
Take the given year as a REASONABLE GUESS.
"Why COFFEE MUGS or BEER STEINS with some Machines?"
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My 1st picture with a mug was the MONROE Model-1,
because the electrical cord was so unwilling to stay
in place for the shot. It was my 1st E-Machine. After
that, I made a joke out of for ALL MOTORIZED MACHINES.
"What about TEST-PATTERNS for Calculators?"
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There are "Professionals" known ...
o "Without 8" as Multiplication Pattern:
12345679 * 9 = 111111111
o "Repeat Addition" (special for motorized calculators):
370370 ... 037 * 3 = 111111 ... 111
* 6 = 222222 ... 222
...
* 27 = 999999 ... 999
... and for additional Tests ...
Andreas Graebe/TFH has produced useful patterns for
"EasyProof" & "MinimalCrankTurns" ( 10 .. 15 Digits )
(10) 977768 * 9091 = 8888888888
(11) 513239 * 129894 = 66666666666
(12) 56111055 * 9901 = 555555555555
(13) 265371653 * 29309 = 7777777777777
(14) 36666663 * 909091 = 33333333333333
(15) 4408646237 * 100812 = 444444444444444
My "EasyInput" patterns for 11 .. 14 Digits are:
(11) 1234567 * 54321 = 67062914007
(12) 1234567 * 654321 = 807803114007
(13) 12345678 * 654321 = 8078036374638
(14) 123456789 * 654321 = 80780369635269
"Without 8" as Division Pattern:
37037037 / 3 = 12345679
My favorit Division Pattern is:
22 / 7 = 3.142857|142857|...
Cliff's favorit Division Pattern is:
355 / 113 = 3.141592920 ( R = 40 )
( The real value of "PI" is 3.141592654... )
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© C.HAMANN www.tfh-berlin.de/~hamann impressum 02/22/10
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