May 1, 2011

Today's tinker....


I'm working on an old Hammond "Multiplex" typewriter restoration at the moment.  I bought this machine on EBAY awhile back and it's getting close to completion.  When I first bought it, I had no idea what a project it would turn out to be.  When I first started on it, I couldn't figure out how the thing worked.  It looked like some "Steam-Punk" robotic crab.  It's like no typewriter that I've seen.  My first goal was just to figure out how the thing worked.  Little by little, it came to life!  Maybe that's why I like working on these old machines....it's kind of like Dr. Frankenstein....."IT'S ALIVE!!!!!"  I basically finished up cleaning and oiling the mechanical parts, now I turn wood worker and try to salvage a chewed-up, splintered, broken wooden base and lid.  Here's what it looked like to start....

ENGLISH TALL CASE CLOCK

My friend David and I recently purchased a 19th century tall case clock from a estate sale. It is a 30 hour clock with one weight.  David did some research and found it to be from the early 1800's built by Thomas Hartnall in Cirencester England.  I overhauled the movement and plan on sending the hand painted dial to a painter in England to restore for us.