[GreenKeys] Model 15 clutches

[Tom Hunter]

Chris,

I am looking at Teletype Bulletin 144 (1931), Page 11. I had trouble with
the mainshaft clutch on my 15. The driven part is the one with the spring
behind it. When released, the spring drives it into the teeth on the
driving part which is locked to the geared part of the shaft. The spring
would not move my driven part. it was stuck to the shaft. I put some oil on
the shaft between the two sets of teeth and, with the motor off, forced
mine to engage (I forget how.) Then I put oil behind it and forced it back
again. Back and forth, adding oil occasionally and also rotating it, until
it would slide freely. Presto when I turned it on, my machine started
typing. It looks like you also have a clutch that won't disengage. Same
thing. Get it to slide back and forth smoothly with oil and a little work.
See the group for the proper oil to use. I am fortunate enough to have
genuine Teletype oil.

Any place you see a felt clutch, (a disk of felt between two shiny steel
discs held together by a strong spring) that felt must always be saturated
with oil.

Mine had other problems. Yours may also. Study Bulletin 144 and Tackle them
one at a time in order. It will eventually start to work.

It is a great feeling to see one of those old clunkers start to type again!

Take a look at this site: http://www.aetherltd.com/refurbishing15.html

This fellow seems to know what he is talking about.You will also find model
15 manuals there.

I work on my 15 in an unheated basement and my 28's in my unheated radio
building. The weather is getting cold now and cold Teletypes get flaky.
They settle down in the spring.

I bought a parts washer from Harbor Freight to bathe Teletype pieces in
Simple Green. My Simple Green is now black. I will replace it next spring.
and get back to work on my 28's or on another 15 if I can find one.

I want to take two 15's to a school, where a friend is the security guard,
and set them up between two classrooms for a few hours. I want 15's because
the operation is much more intuitive than a 28. If other schools ask, I
will take them anywhere in the district.

I will be asking the group soon for help with with the final problem on my
15. The baseline on the page is very uneven.


Tom N3CRK
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