Impatient for a machined aluminium replacement, I tried a softer, more easily worked material. Ready-made shapes sprung to mind: draughtsmen (like you play draughts with), a wheel from a wooden toy (which I didn't have) or some kind of turnery for cabinet makers. The drawer pull won the day for having a centre guide and I got them from the same shop I get replacement bushes for my Olympia SMs. Wonder if I could get them stock ribbons?
That is a fine solution! Best-looking I have seen so far. Of course, the wood does not match the Hermes color scheme, but the natural woodgrain gives the typewriter a rather alluring bohemian look. Besides, wood should be much easier to paint to match if preferred. Looking forward to hearing how it works out over the long run.
ReplyDeleteCute! Well done.
ReplyDeleteClever, and they look good.
ReplyDeleteThat looks great! I like to use corks as you know - especially the ones with plastic tops.
ReplyDeleteGood thinking! Now if you could whittle a suitable platen cover, you'll be a hero.
ReplyDeleteHeh, Michael, the day will come when you're whittlin' new ribbon spools and carefully cutting a bedsheet into thin ribbon pieces to sew together into a ribbon :D
ReplyDeleteI imagine this in some dark wood on a glass key Royal.
ReplyDeleteThat could work nicely, especially on a wood-grain painted Royal 'O'. If only Royal's platen knobs were as unfuture-proof as Hermes's.
DeleteVery nice solution. Now to find some Hermes green to paint them, although they look fine as they are.
ReplyDeleteVery good! My solution once was to use a plastic top from a milk bottle. But this looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteMartin A. Rice, Jr. How did you use a milk bottle top?
DeleteElliot, you can find Martin here: http://johnstowntypewriterconservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ also, Bill has a solution: http://offountainpenstypewriters.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/tale-of-hermes-3000-substitute-platen.html
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