- Last 7 days
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en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
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Ultra One, a restoration firm whose specialty product is a de-rusting solution which is designed to remove only rust while leaving the underlying metal, paint and decals intact.
Could Ultra One's rust solution be used on typewriters?
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en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
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en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
- Nov 2024
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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Start of an outline for a longer article on typewriter tools<br /> Suggested by reply to u/Confident_Avocado768 at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1gy25og/christmas_gift_help/
If they've been doing restoration for a while, try to find out what they already have to avoid duplication. Anyone who's done a few machines is likely to have a lifetime supply of lubricant (it really goes a long way) and is likely to have gone well beyond cotton swabs. The sort of kit you mention would be more appropriate to someone who's recently gotten their first typewriter, not someone who has restored more than a machine or two.
Chances are that you can up the level of their restoration tool bag with a small handful of inexpensive and easy to source options:
- oiler bottles for solvents/cleaning
- spring hook (push)
- spring hook (pull)
- spring hook (captive)
- wiping cloths (cotton)
- nylon, brass, and steel brushes (example; 2 or 3 sets of these are always useful)
- high quality wool mats make a great (soft) surface for working on machines (as well as for typing on). Here's some details and a link to a well-recommended one.
I've documented some of my own versions of these with links at https://boffosocko.com/2024/08/11/adding-to-my-typewriter-toolset/
Slightly more expensive tools that they may not have:
- hollow ground/precision screwdriver set ($35-150)
- Lucas Dul and others often suggest the Chapman typewriter set: https://chapmanmfg.com/products/0623-r-typewriterset
- Others recommend the slightly more ergonomic Weaver multi-bit gunsmith tool kit: https://www.bushnell.com/gunsmithing-tools/driver-and-hammer-sets/multi-bit-tool-kit/WV-849718.html
- Small air compressor ($75-$150) for cleaning out machines
If you really want to shoot the moon and they're into the older vintage machines, you could get them a new pair of keyring pliers: http://mytypewriter.com/hello-qwerty-typewriter-keyring-pliers-kit.aspx
You can also browse Lucas Dul's kit for other ideas via this presentation: https://virtualhermans.com/lucas-dul
Good luck and Merry Christmas! 🪛🛠️🎅🏼🎄
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caig.com caig.com
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CaiKleen™ RBR - CAIG by Caig Laboratories, Inc.
via https://reddit.com/user/k1lky/ at How can I cork my platen? And if it's the same than rubber. : r/typewriters
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www.3dtypewriterparts.com www.3dtypewriterparts.com
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www.mohawk-finishing.com www.mohawk-finishing.com
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https://www.mohawk-finishing.com/products/wood-touch-up-repair/fillers/fil-stik-putty-sticks/
Putty sticks (aka paint sticks) are good for filling in nicks and dings on furniture.
These putty sticks and some crayons are also great for restoring the colored index lines on typewriters as well as other colored metal parts and occasionally on some plastic typewriter keys.
M231-10104 SYY Red<br /> M230-0054 Crimson Rose #SN292<br /> M230-0046 COCONUT, COTTON, BRIE, HEAVY CREAM, SNOWFLAKE <br /> M230-0090 Picket Fence
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- Oct 2024
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www.amazon.com www.amazon.com
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A 42 pocket cell phone "hotel" could be repurposed to hold the typeslugs and typebar assemblies for typewriters being disassembled, cleaned, and then reassembled.
There are smaller 30 and 36 pocket versions, but 42 is just about right for the number of typebars most typewriters have.
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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Royal KMM KMG Typewriter Feet Spacers Original Smashed Rubber Replaced by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]
Squished rubber feet spacers on the Royal standard typewriters can cause interfere with the universal bar and when they do, they'll need replacement.
This is the same sort of interference seen on Olympia SM3s due to their squished/flattened rubber gaskets, though the symptoms are different.
"Phoenix typewriter. Have a Royal day!" <br /> A slightly different sign off from Duane's usual... :)
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www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/typewritermaintenance/posts/3902381636665923/
Buckram is a good choice of material for recovering pre-war black typewriter cases.
TypewriterCellar on Instagram may have some good ideas in this area.
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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Does anyone know how do they make new platens?
reply to u/General-Writing1764 at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1g7a8y5/does_anyone_know_how_do_they_make_new_platens/
I'm guessing that JJ Short is taking the original, removing the rubber. Placing the core into a mold and pouring in new material which hardens. Once done they put it on a lathe and turn it down to the appropriate (original) diameter. Potentially they're sanding the final couple of thousands of an inch for finish.
I'd imagine that if you asked them, they could/would confirm this general process.
The only other shop I've heard doing platen work is Bob at Typewriter Muse, but I haven't gone through his YouTube videos to see what his process looks like. (I'm pretty sure he documents some of it there.)
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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Typing Technique and Typewriter Design by [[Will Davis]] and [[Dave Davis]]
As early as 1932 Royal salesmen would use poor typing technique on purpose to cause skipping and piling and then use proper technique on their own machine to show how much better their typewriters were compared to the others.
Some repair and service manuals had sections about tuning a typewriter to the level of technique of the user. These may have included 5-6 specific adjustments for allowance to a particular user's technique, as an example indicated in this video.
"pounded out" - used by a heavy handed typist and now skipping (mentioned possibly in an Ames Repair Manual)
In the mid-century, the service life of a standard machine was 1-3 years of continual (heavy) use. After this it would have been remanufactured or swapped out.
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www.amsterdamtypewriter.com www.amsterdamtypewriter.com
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Amsterdam Typewriter began selling these around 2024-09-24: https://www.facebook.com/groups/typewritermaintenance/posts/3869850413252379/
One set consists of 45 normal keys (12.2mm) + 4 shift keys (16.2mm)
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www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
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Suggestions for rubber feet replacement options for typewriters:
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4 single hole rubber stoppers and 1/4 20 bolts or studs. About 5$ per typewriter.
- multiple rubber washers (glued together)
- rubber feet designed for guitar amplifiers
- Antony Valoppi sells some https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794856020751839/user/546380959/
- shock absorption bumpers from auto parts stores
- https://mytypewriter.com sells
via various people at https://www.facebook.com/groups/typewritermaintenance/posts/3877326325838121/
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www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
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This 1937 Remington Noiseless 10 came out nice and shiny. My secret? Smear Pledge with your fingertip, let it dry, buff.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAveGA2OiyF/ via Richard Polt
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- Sep 2024
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www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
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#6-40 internal hex are easy to find.
Joe Bellicini indicates that the set screw threading for the platen knobs on the Royal Quiet De Luxe is #6-40.
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typewriterdatabase.com typewriterdatabase.com
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Peel the masking tape off and install some 2 mm EVA craft foam is what I'd do with it. Or if originality is desired, you can get a pretty good match on that cloth tape they used.
James Grooms recommends 2mm EVA craft foam for typewriter noise insulation.
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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via https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1fkmj9d/i_refinished_my_olympia_sm3_case_a_while_agoheres/
The traditional curvy Olympia SM3 cases can be stripped down to bare wood and stained and refinished with beautiful results.
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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reply to u/NoDoctor4602 at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1fjrjns/ive_spent_a_few_days_searching_for_any_concrete/
In the mid to late-1950's and after several typewriter manufacturers made limited runs of gold plated typewriters for special anniversaries or for bonuses to salespeople. They're uncommon, but not rare. I've seen at least 6 or seven pop up on auction sites in the last 6 months. If you really want one, watch the lower end of Facebook Marketplace, ShopGoodwill, Craigslist, et al. where one will assuredly pop up for a much more reasonable price. I'm not sure if it was this one or another I've seen since April, but one of these went up for sale on ShopGoodwill.com recently and sold for about $600. A week later it was listed on eBay for several thousand just like this one. Given the timeframe, I doubt they spent any time cleaning, oiling, or adjusting it in any fashion—it was a pure flip. I've also seen this recently with Royal typewriters with a less common, but highly collectible Vogue typeface: a Royal P sold for about $900 there and was listed on eBay shortly after for over $1,500 with no indication that it was cleaned or adjusted. (If you watch some of the sites carefully, you can pick up a Vogue machine for under $100 easily enough depending on the type and condition.)
In my mind, as a collector, I'd try to find one in the wild and clean it up or I'd want it in stunning restored condition for over $2k. You might be just as well off picking up a working model for $100-$150 and gold plating the pieces yourself. It would probably be cheaper in the long run and you'd have a better machine in better condition. Some sucker with money to burn will eventually buy a Gold Olympia SM3 for over $2,000.
Here's a vew posts/videos as examples of gold plated machines:<br /> - A video of another Gold Olympia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnUHgyABjw0<br /> - Royal QDL https://typespec.com/weve-got-gold-in-them-thar-hills/<br /> - https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kasbah-mod-typewriters_n_1453776
If you're looking for something great that you'll use, I recommend visiting a repair shop that has some stock to try out some machines to see if you'd like their touch/fee/aesthetics first. Visiting a type-in or two might give you some experience with a wide variety of typewriter models as well. Then try to find a rare or exceptional version that's worth putting some money into. Why put so much into an Olympia if it turns out you're an Olivetti, Royal, or Smith-Corona person? https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html (I desperately love Royals, but Smith-Coronas and Remingtons are much more forgiving of my mediocre typing technique, a fact which pains me dearly and cost a few hundred dollars and some sweat equity in cleaning and tuning machines to discover). Incidentally, I'll mention that for about $2,000 you could easily purchase a wide variety of about two dozen machines (even with shipping) and be able to get something truly exceptional in terms of condition and function.
Incidentally, the higher prices of $250-600 for repaired/refurbished/restored machines being sold by repair shops are usually what Harry Beercan is using as a pricing guide when he's selling his grandmother's musty, broken, old typewriter online not knowing that several hundred dollars in labor and parts has been calculated into the selling price.
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.comRust?1
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Aluminum Foil Method: Tear off a small piece of aluminum foil and dip it in water or vinegar. Rub the rust spots gently with the foil. Aluminum is softer than chrome and will not scratch the surface while effectively removing rust. As you rub, the foil reacts with the rust, helping to dissolve it. Steel Wool Method (Use with Caution): If the rust is more severe, use fine steel wool (#0000 grade) to gently scrub the rusty areas. Be careful not to press too hard, as steel wool can scratch chrome if applied too aggressively.
Suggestions for removing rust from chrome on typewriters and typewriter cases.
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www.amazon.com www.amazon.com
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074SV5WTX
Drive belts u/NisKildegaard recommends for SMC electric typewriters. via https://new.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1f7mhz6/comment/llb1peu/
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- Aug 2024
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typespace.square.site typespace.square.site
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https://typespace.square.site/
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mgchemicals.com mgchemicals.com
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https://mgchemicals.com/products/electronics-maintenance/specialized-cleaners/rubber-renue/
Some have colloquially suggested using MG Chemicals' 408C Rubber Renue to restore old rubber parts on typewriters (particularly feet, rollers, and platens).
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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u/repschlerman recommend the rubber feet from https://www.ebay.com/usr/biermeister1 as good rubber replacements versus NOS and other options which has hardened over time.
https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1evkm3w/new_rocket_feet/
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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Colloquial repair solutions for hard platens: <br /> - use backing sheet(s) - light sanding and cleaning with organic solvents - Brake Fluid soaking for an hour followed by drying time (see also: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-restoration.html) - Rubber Renue https://mgchemicals.com/products/electronics-maintenance/specialized-cleaners/rubber-renue/ - Methyl salicylate and alcohol mixture - Sanding and/or lathing and resurfacing with heat shrink tubing and/or by bicycle inner tube
Actual repair/restoration/recovery:<br /> - J. J. Short Associates, Inc. https://www.jjshort.com/typewriter-platen-repair.php
see colloquial advice at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1ewb36f/rubber_renue_to_soften_platens/
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This has been an ongoing "philosophers stone" in the repair community for a long time. Hard platens are the result of the rubber losing its moisture, there's virtually no way to fix that long term. Brake fluid, rubber renew, even the wintergreen oil trick only temporarily soften platens/feeds. They will absolutely go back to their former state after a time. (1-2 months) You can sand the exterior and clean with organic solvents to restore grip and improve the original platen, but recovery is really the only long term fix. *There's a ton of back and forth about the sanding method, particularly from the old timers being salty about it. But I have seen HUNDREDS of old platens in machines that have absolutely been sanded by repair folks back in the day, so there's definitely value in the process.
Kirk Jackson, Nashville Typewriter via https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1ewb36f/rubber_renue_to_soften_platens/lj24vxx/
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catch55.home.xs4all.nl catch55.home.xs4all.nl
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https://catch55.home.xs4all.nl/tech/page4.html
Paul Robert makes vintage and antique waterslide decals for typewriters. Purchase via: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TypewriterDecalShop
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www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
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Yanni Giftakis recommends melting crayons into the letter groves of typewriter keytops to replace their missing paint with a heat gun, much the same way D&D players will fill in the groves on their dice.
This is similar to Richard Polt's recommendation "To restore faded paint on keys and scales, try Lacquer-Stik Fill-In Paint."
via https://www.facebook.com/groups/typewritermaintenance/posts/3831371387100282/
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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making custom paint for my typewriters........ by [[Just My Typewriter]]
Color matching typewriter paint with fingernail polish<br /> use phots to match colors
Based on her analysis, ranked:<br /> - Blank Beauty https://www.blankbeauty.com/<br /> - Orly Color Labs https://colorlabs.com/<br /> - Color Club https://colorclub.com/products/the-polish-factory-custom-nail-polish
Physically matching colors in person in a store may be better.
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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How to find typewriter parts (Buying a Bad Typewriter ep 3) by [[Just My Typewriter]]
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buildingdesks.blogspot.com buildingdesks.blogspot.com
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make the stops from a strip of 0.032" x 1/2" x 12" K & S brass from Ace Hardware
Brass Tab Stops for Remington Noiseless 7 Typewriters by [[David Randall]]
David Randall made some custom tab stops for his typewriter with some thin brass, a hacksaw, and a file.
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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Restoration: Royal 10 by [[Just My Typewriter]]
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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Easy Maintenance: Replacing Typewriter Feet by [[Just My Typewriter]]
Tags
Annotators
URL
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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Revisiting my first typewriter restoration... by [[Just My Typewriter]]
Interesting to see someone with some broader experience looking back at what they'd done before and describing how they'd do it now.
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Royal KHM - Techniques for Polishing Antique Glossy Black Paint by [[Dr. Typewriter]]
He used a single round of Turtle Wax cleaning compound (taking care not to over use as it can remove clear coat), then Mother's Wax to bring back the shine of black enamel paint on an early 1900s typewriter.
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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Vintage Typewriter Clean Polish Buff Gloss Enamel Paint to a Mirror Shine by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]
Duane polishes and buffs black gloss enamel paint on a black typewriter to a mirror shine.
His preference is for Nu Finish Scratch Doctor automotive polish.
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www.instructables.com www.instructables.com
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Restoring a 1926 Typewriter Case by knife141 on Instructables
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typewriterdatabase.com typewriterdatabase.com
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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oztypewriter.blogspot.com oztypewriter.blogspot.com
- Jul 2024
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www.m-morren.nl www.m-morren.nl
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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how to SOUNDPROOF a typewriter by [[Just My Typewriter]]
She uses piano felt to restore the original felt rests of a Smith-Corona Skyriter. Technically not soundproofing, but restoration. We get the point.
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johnlewismechanicalantiques.com johnlewismechanicalantiques.com
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https://johnlewismechanicalantiques.com/cleaning-and-restoration/
John Lewis lays out his restoration process here
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johnlewismechanicalantiques.com johnlewismechanicalantiques.com
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https://johnlewismechanicalantiques.com/
John Lewis in Albuquerque, NM, a typewriter repair person since 1966.
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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Fun tip:
Spraying down a typewriter body and painted portions with oil before treating with lacquer thinner will help to prevent the etching of painted portions which might be splashed during the cleaning process.
It may help to spread the oil out with a cloth or by hand, particularly on the rulers.
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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What are the must have tools for a maintenance of a typewriter, some tools you recommend, some that make maintenance a little bit easier
reply to u/riatai69 at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1e3c0zy/tools_for_a_deep_maintenance/
You can do a tremendous amount with just a few things:
- thin Philips screwdriver with a small magnet to hold/catch screws
- small adjustable wrench
- bottle of Simple Green (or other mild cleaner)
- can of mineral spirits (naphtha, paint thinner, varnish remover, PB B'laster etc.) with a standard/cheap restaurant refillable ketchup/mustard squeeze bottle
- Toothbrush (and/or brass bristle brush)
- canned air
- a piece of string (useful for reattaching some pieces without more specialized tools, and particularly for reattaching springs)
- light machine oil (gun or sewing machine) for very lightly oiling your carriage rails
- YouTube for watching lots of typewriter repair videos
If you want to go higher end and do a lot more
- a set of spring hooks with push/pull ends
- full set of small wrenches
- more custom screw drivers
- a nice thick felt pad (approx 15" x 15" x 1/2"+ for having a place to sit your typewriter on without scratching it up)
- a small lazy susan big enough to set your typewriter on to more easily manipulate it
- air compressor (to replace your canned air)
- bins and trays for storing typewriter parts and screws while you're taking them apart and putting back together
- a set up for spraying down/washing out typewriters (DIY ideas include paint roller trays or plastic milk crates as a base and plastic bins for catching the run off)
- wiping cloths or similar cloth rags for wiping things down
If you want to go crazy
- Keyring pliers
- set up for respooling ribbon from 330+ yard spools
- The Manual Typewriter Repair Bible https://typewriterrepairbible.com/ as well as various other repair manuals and all the tools listed within them.
- storage shelving for 100+ typewriters
- a small collection of machines for parting out
- an 800+ square foot workshop space
- a publisher for you book about typewriters
When you're really ready for full-on insanity
- professional dunk tank and fire suppression equipment
- Your own typewriter repair shop and storefront
- I hear there's one for sale in Cambridge, MA https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/05/17/business/cambridge-typewriter-new-owner-retirement-tom-furrier/ It probably comes with everything mentioned above as well as lots of machines for parting out.
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mytypewriter.com mytypewriter.com
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http://mytypewriter.com/hello-qwerty-typewriter-keyring-pliers-kit.aspx
Charles Gu at MyTypewriter.com is selling new typewriter keyring pliers!
ᔥ[[Typewriter Chicago]] in Type Shop, Ep. 15: The Ultimate Keyring Toolset Guide at 2022-12-29<br /> (accessed:: 2024-07-08 08:23:36)
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www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CSy6XubgVIK/?img_index=1
I love the idea of hiding interesting visuals underneath the hood of a typewriter. This could be done with a variety of papers, decals, etc., but could also be done with custom printed fabric over felt to get the noise dampening.
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www.etsy.com www.etsy.com
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Meagan Syata is the repair genius behind Unplug Typewriter Company https://www.etsy.com/shop/UnplugTypewriterCo/<br /> https://www.instagram.com/unplugtypewriterco/
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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Part 2: COMPLETE Olympia SM3 Typewriter Service/repair- SO YOU WANT TO BE A MECHANICAL ENGINEER?!? by [[The HotRod Typewriter Co.]]
An excellent video in terms of coming to understand the functionality of a typewriter versus how the pieces interact to effectuate those functionalities.
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www.mrmrsvintagetypewriters.com www.mrmrsvintagetypewriters.com
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- Jun 2024
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www.jotandtittletypewriters.com www.jotandtittletypewriters.com
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www.phillytypewriter.com www.phillytypewriter.com
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www.etsy.com www.etsy.com
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https://www.etsy.com/shop/TypewriterDecalShop
Run by Paul Robert
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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Five Fairly Fun Fixes For Free by [[Joe Van Cleave]]
Advice for typewriter ribbon printing, especially as silk ribbons age and more quickly gunk up the loops or letters like "e" or "a". Nylon ribbon and a thin plastic backing sheet can be helpfu.
Use of bookbinder's glue on fabric of typewriter cases, then layers of shoe polish.
General advice for replacing feet on typewriter cases.
Small incremental improvements to your typewriter can be easier and more sustainable than trying to do everything at once.
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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How A Rusty 1930s Royal Typewriter Is Professionally Restored | Refurbished | Insider
Done by Lucas Dul. Some particularly interesting portions on adjustments after restoration. He generally touches on the order of adjustments he makes, but in brief rather than completely.
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www.phillytypewriter.com www.phillytypewriter.com
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James Norris is the owner and operator of Ex Nihilo 3D Print and Design in Spring, Texas. He has always had a fascination with figuring out how things work and seeing if there was a way it could be better. In late 2016 his wife, a burgeoning writer, purchased their first typewriter. He soon became obsessed with all the amazing parts and mechanisms. From there the typewriter collecting began.From the first Olympia, to an inherited Olivetti, to his first Selectric, and so on.While repairing these machines he realized that there where a few setbacks. The most immediate being parts availability. So armed with his 3d printer he designed and printed his first part. A Selectric cycle clutch pulley in mid 2021. After showing the 3d printed part to some like minded individuals he was happy to learn that they were as excited as he was. He loves to design new parts and accessories to bring these typewriters back to life.James is thrilled to be working with Philly Typewriter, and looks forward to helping with your current and future parts needs. James lives in Texas, is married with two children.
https://www.phillytypewriter.com/parts-mfg.html#/
James Norris does 3D printing of replacement parts for typewriter restoration projects.
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tsesaraheverett3.wixsite.com tsesaraheverett3.wixsite.com
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.comSkyriter1
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Skyriter
These have been selling at auction sites over the past several months for $45-$75 plus shipping based only on pictures and without any information at all about their working condition, so all-in you probably got a great deal. I'm just finishing up work on cleaning up a 1951 2Y series Skyriter myself, and I really like its typing action. Don't throw away the spools if it came with them as they're non-standard and slightly smaller than the ubiquitous universal spools. This being said you can buy the standard 1/2" ribbon and manually spool new ribbon onto your existing spools. Mine didn't have spools at all, but I found some replacements (with ribbon) at https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/. Take note that it's not a bichrome machine, so you can buy a single color ribbon.
There are two screws that hold the chassis of these into the bottom of their case. They're hiding just underneath the carriage. Once removed, the typewriter lifts back and up and out of the base. You'll find the serial number on the right hand side of the frame underneath the platen and can use it to date your machine with the database: https://typewriterdatabase.com/smithcorona.86.typewriter-serial-number-database. Based on appearance alone, I'd place it as a 1960 3Y series based on the color, the badging and the white keys. You can look at others' individual models and notes at https://typewriterdatabase.com/Smith+Corona.Skyriter.86.bmys. If I'm right about the date, Richard Polt has online manuals available for the 1960 as well as others at: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjumGF9NFE8 is a pretty solid cleaning primer. Searching YouTube will uncover some potential additional advice in addition to what you can find at https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-restoration.html or in his book. I will say that in cleaning mine, the mineral spirits dissolved the glue holding the felt on underneath the typebars, but it was in terrible shape anyway and needed replacing. The foam strip underneath that felt came out unscathed without much effort on my part to be careful with it.
Most of the mechanics are pretty basic and easy to clean/service. Unless there's something dramatically wrong with it, you could very likely clean and service it yourself. (As an example, I had to re-slot the mechanism for the margin release which was almost too easy.) Even the mid-level repair issues for it can be easily found on YouTube if you're handy with a screwdriver (Joe Van Cleave and Phoenix Typewriter in particular have several model specific videos on the Skyriter). The platen and rollers come out fairly easy with a small screwdriver and removing one half of a spring on the back of the paper tray. This gives you great access to clean the escapement from above as well as to potentially send them off to JJ Short Associates for replacement via https://www.jjshort.com/typewriter-platen-repair.php. If you're less handy, Polt's website has a list of repair shops around the world that could clean/repair it for you.
Good luck with it. I hope you like yours as much as I like mine. They're one of the most solid and sought after ultra-portables out there.
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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Removing rust from typewriters
Steel wool can be useful for removing rust from keylevers and other parts on typewriters, but can leave dust/slag behind which can be a bear to clean up especially when used on typebars.
De-rusters like Evaporust can be useful, but should be tested against causing harm to other parts of a machine. Some rust removal chemicals can strip galvanization from machine parts. Olympia typewriters in particular are infamous for galvanized steel parts.
Another option can be to use a rotary tool (like a Dremel) with a wire brush head to remove rust.
Take care and be sure to use proper eye protection against dirt, dust, and chemicals when doing this sort of work. Also make sure you have proper ventilation and/or a mask to avoid breathing in dust and toxic chemicals.
Richard Polt's site has additional resources for typewriter restoration: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-restoration.html
Reply to https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1da2zg6/how_do_i_remove_rust/
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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Also are the key caps supposed to be that yellow or is that from cigarettes.
For yellowed glass keys on typewriters, there's usually a key top covered by a piece of paper with the key glyph on it which is sandwiched in with a small piece of glass and a metal ring that holds it down with several metal tabs underneath the key to hold it all in place. There are custom keyring pliers for quickly removing and replacing the papers which needs care not to crack the glass. Otherwise you can manually bend the metal tabs on all your key rings to remove them and replace the papers. (This is generally a LOT of work either way.) See: https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1csni4d/neat_find_on_clients_kmg/
I prefer the yellowed patina of the older key papers, so I tend to leave them versus spending the time and effort to replace them.
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Die taz zum Torpedieren des Green Deal und besonders des EU-Renaturierungsgesetzes durch die EVP und über die Rolle Manfred Webers. https://taz.de/Agrarlobby-gegen-Naturschutz/!6012538/
Tags
- law: Nature Restoration Law
- institution: EASAC
- EVP
- EU-Verordnung für ein nachhaltiges Ernährungssystem
- Copa-Cogega
- EU
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft (AbL)
- Februar 2024
- Verabschiedung des Nature Restoration Law durch das Europäische Parlament
- Agrarlobby
- EU-Verordnung für einen nachhaltigen Umgang mit Pestiziden
- Gemeinsame Landwirtschaftspolitik
- Tilmann Disselhof
- Manfred Weber
- Deutschland
- Green Deal
- Naturschutzgipfel in Kolumbien Herbst 2024
- Henrik Maaß
- NGO: NABU
Annotators
URL
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en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retrobright
This process can be used to whiten yellowed plastics.
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- May 2024
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www.bedlamcreations.com www.bedlamcreations.com
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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Congratulations on that beautiful machine!
Don't listen to the nay-sayers who likely have very different priorities and esthetics. If this is your machine, and you love it, then "own it".
It does look like a standard (as opposed to portable) typewriter. (Standards are often better and more robust typers due to their size and design.) Likely a Model 1 or Model 2, but I don't have specific knowledge beyond a cursory glance at the typewriter database. You can start by looking at examples of machine types and bodies at https://typewriterdatabase.com/smithcorona.86.typewriter-serial-number-database.
From there, the Model 1 says "Electric Serial Numbers Concurrent with Standard", so scroll down the page and see if you can identify a year based on a serial number you should be able to find underneath the hood. You can try https://typewriterdatabase.com/Smith+Corona.Standard.86.bmys, but I don't see any later models there, so perhaps no one has documented one before and you could be the first.
Then start with Richard Polt's site https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/ where you may likely find a manual and if you're lucky a repair manual. Surely there will be a few manuals for similar 50s standard S-C manual typewriters which should at least get you started. His site has a wealth of other information to give you pointers. His book The Typewriter Revolution (2015) has good intro chapters on cleaning, basic repair, and restoration. YouTube may have some useful videos as well. The typewriter database will have some later model S-C electric machines which you might try searching for on YouTube as well and it's highly likely that the design changes weren't so drastic that those may help you significantly.
For basic cleaning, try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjumGF9NFE8 which has some solid advice. Obviously take care with respect to getting the electrical portion of your machine wet.
I've not done any electric machines before, but if I recall, I seem to have read/heard (maybe from Tom Hanks who I know has a 50s electric Smith-Corona) that the early electrics only went as far as doing power for the keys, so it should be reasonably repairable if it doesn't work out of the box.
I'm sure you'll love it. With any luck, you'll also get some serious enjoyment and sense of accomplishment out of cleaning it up. If nothing else, it'll give you a wealth of experience in making the attempt and you can apply that to other machines if you continue collecting and typing. Some of my first machines weren't immediate "successes" until after I'd been able to tinker with others and was able to come back to them with a more experienced hand.
Have fun with it!
reply to https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1cuzy04/please_can_someone_identify_this/
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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Typewriter 101: THE CLEANING GUIDE! by [[Just My Typewriter]]
A solid primer for cleaning typewriters
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www.jjshort.com www.jjshort.com
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J.J. Short Associates, Inc for Typewriter Platens, Feed Rollers, Bail Rollers, Finger Rollers, and Power Rollers https://www.jjshort.com/typewriter-platen-repair.php
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3dtypewriterparts.com 3dtypewriterparts.com
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Polt, Richard. The Typewriter Revolution: A Typist’s Companion for the 21st Century. 1st ed. Woodstock, VT: Countryman Press, 2015.
annotation URL: urn:x-pdf:65fe580cf845ed035c4e57ad02a987cf
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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it is not mold; it is plasticizers coming out of the plastic. I remove it with various means: alcohol, polishing with a very fine polish, Goo Gone™, naptha, and such.
The white gunky substances seen on the plastic keys of old, unmaintained typewriters generally isn't mold, but plasticizers coming out of the plastic. These can usually be cleaned off using simple household cleaning products or if necessary heavier cleaners (Goo Gone, alcohol, naptha, etc. - test these on hidden parts first to ensure they don't react with or destroy the plastic or remove the paint of the key letters) followed up by light waxes or polishes and buffing.
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ber10thal.com ber10thal.com
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Speaking of the keys, they had crap all around them. I used a slightly damp towel and Turtle wax rubbing compound. A light rubbing removed the dirt.
Wiping dirty plastic typewriter keys with a soft cloth and then waxing/buffing them can bring them back to life.
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Here it’s outside being cleaned with Mineral Spirits, and carb and choke cleaner. I took one trip to the eye doctor when the carb and choke cleaner bounced and sprayed into both my eyes. I was fine, but wear eye protection.
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The feed rollers and platen were also a mess. I cleaned them with Bar Keepers Friend and water. Soft scrub also works.
Cleans them but probably doesn't repair them.
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www.classictypewriter.com www.classictypewriter.com
- Apr 2024
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www.reddit.com www.reddit.com
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reply regarding painting typewriters at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1cflyf2/help_identifying/
It's been a while since I've done it, but I've sent vintage metal filing cabinets out to have them powder coated with stunning results. If you have someone local who does this, they'll be able to handle the details and give you color options. It may be best to give them the individual parts of the frame you want done and not the whole machine (especially so they don't lose or destroy anything vital). You can get some interesting colors and still have the older vintage look.
I've also been contemplating doing a brushed steel finish and several layers of shiny clear coat. I've done it to a few desks before (here's an example of a table with a brushed/enameled top though it's got a slab of glass on top too), but haven't done it with a typewriter (yet).
Depending on your area, you might find an auto repair artist who could strip the case down (sand blast/bead blast) and give you some real artwork including ombre paint, sparkle, racing stripes, etc. Just for fun, how cool would it be to have a matching "Jerry Orbach typewriter" if you had a Jerry Orbach car? If you're a Star Wars fan, it could be cool to have a typewriter done to look like either R2-D2 or C-3PO, for example. Or maybe cover a 1977 Smith-Corona Galaxie 12 with brown faux-Wookie fur and a bandolier Chewbacca-style!!! If you're going in, you may as well go all-in, right? (But definitely stop before you end up restoring one of the old black batwing-style Oliver's to fit it with a Darth Vader helmet dust cover...)
If you go with straight paint, your local paint shop can recommend the best combination of primer and paint formulation for painting onto metal. (The small sample pint sizes of paint may be more than enough to do a single typewriter.) They'll give you more color options than you could possibly want. You'll want a high quality paint brush and some paint thinner so that when you apply, the finish comes out buttery smooth as it dries. Various spray paints may be options as well, though here you may not have as many color options.
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www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
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Der Guardian kritisiert in einem Editorial den Verzicht auf Kernelemente des Green Deal in der europäischen Agrarpolitik, darunter die Nicht-Verabschiedung des Nature Restoration Law. Er verweist auf eine Umfrage, die zeigt, dass eine Mehrheit in Europa eine konsequentere Klimapolitik unterstützt.
Tags
- mode: comment
- 2024-04-08
- project: European Green Deal
- event: renouncement to reduce agricultural emissions
- process: lowering climate ambition
- law: nature restoration law
- event: scrapping of changes to the agricultural policy
- actor: agribusiness
- event: renouncement to halve the use of pesticides
- country: Europe
- event: farmers' protests
- actor: European Commission
- topic: surveys
Annotators
URL
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- Feb 2024
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www.repubblica.it www.repubblica.it
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Sizilien leidet gerade unter extremer Trockenheit, die zu großen Einbußen bei der Orangenernte führt. Sie gehört zu einem anhaltenden Prozess der Aridifizierung, durch den sich die Bedingungen in Sizilien immer mehr denen im heutigen Algerien annähern. Ausführlicher Bericht in der Repubblica über die mangelnde Vorbereitung der Region auf zunehmenden Wasserstress, unter anderem die mangelnde Aufgeschlossenheit für die Regeneration von Böden und Gewässern, wie sie das Nature Restoration Law der EU vorsieht. https://www.repubblica.it/green-and-blue/dossier/siccita--gestione-acqua/2024/02/08/news/siccita_sicilia_arance-422075670/
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- Nov 2023
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Zum stark verwässerten und wenig verbindlichen Renaturierungsgesetz der EU stellt die taz fest, die EU sei als verlässliche Partnerin für die ökologische Transformation ausgefallen. Es bleibt nur noch die kommunale Ebene. https://taz.de/Schwaches-EU-Renaturierungsgesetz/!5972203/
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www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
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In dem sogenannten Trilog-Verfahren haben sich Vertreter:innen des europäischen Parlaments und der europäischen Kommission auf eine endgültige Version des Nature Restoration Laws geeinigt, durch die bis 2030 20% der Land- und Wasserflächen der-unter Schutz gestellt bzw. wiederhergestellt werden sollen. Vor allem aufgrund des Einflusses der europäischen Volkspartei wurde die von der Kommission vorgelegte Version des Gesetzes stark verwässert. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/10/eu-strikes-landmark-deal-nature-restoration-law
Tags
- institution: Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre
- program: european green deal
- country: EU
- law: nature restoration law
- expert: Sofie Ruysschaert
- expert: Katrin Böhning-Gaese
- expert: Guy Pe’er
- process: nature conservation and restoration
- institution: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
- 2023-11-10
- NGO: BirdLife Europe
- expert: Josef Settele
- mode: legislation
- actor: EVP
Annotators
URL
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- Sep 2023
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www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
- Aug 2023
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www.liberation.fr www.liberation.fr
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Die marine Hitzewelle im Sommer gefährdet die Existenz des Korallenriff vor der Südspitze Floridas. In einer großangelegeten Rettungsaktion versucht man, wenigstens einzelne Exemplare der vom Aussterben bedrohten Korallenarten zu retten. https://www.liberation.fr/environnement/climat/canicule-marine-en-floride-il-nest-pas-trop-tard-pour-sauver-les-coraux-mais-il-est-essentiel-dagir-rapidement-20230815_567SKZH3VBGMZBTL2LNKMST2UU/
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maatschapwij.nu maatschapwij.nu
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John D. Liu: “Door het landschap te herstellen, herstellen we de menselijke ziel”
John D. Liu in MaatschapWij over herstellen van natuur en mens
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- Jul 2023
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www.derstandard.at www.derstandard.at
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Der Standard interviewt den deutschen Ökologen Josef Settele zum Renaturierungsgesetz der EU. Settele gehört zu den 6000 Wissenschaftlerinnen, die sich in einem offenen Brief für die Verabschiedung des Gesetzes ausgesprochen haben. Er bedauert, dass es Abstriche beim Schutz von Ökosystemen gab und weist darauf hin, das mit diesem Gesetz die Verpflichtung zum Schutz von 30% der Gesamtfläche noch bei weitem nicht erfüllt ist. https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000179484/das-gesetz-sichert-unsere-ern228hrung
Offener Brief von 6000 Wissenschaftler:innen zur Unterstützung des Nature Restoration Law: https://zenodo.org/record/8128624
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IM Umweltausschuss der EU ist das Renaturierungsgesetz durchgefallen – vor allem wegen des Widerstands vieler Abgeordneter der Europäischen Volkspartei. Ohne dieses Gesetz sind die Klimaziele der EU kaum zu erreichen.
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www.derstandard.at www.derstandard.at
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WWF und Greenpeace haben in Österreich die EU-Parlamentarier aufgerufen, für den Entwurf der Kommission für das Nature Restauration Laws zu stimmen. Die Europäische Volkspartei hat gegen dieses Gesetz, das ein wesentlicher Bestandteil des green Deal ist, kampagnisiert. https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000178340/entscheidung-im-eu-parlament-abstimmung-252ber-renaturierungsgesetz
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www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
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In der EU versuchen Konservative in einem Bündnis mit der extremen Rechten, das neue Gesetz zur Wiederherstellung von Naturräumen im Plenum des Europaparlaments endgültig scheitern zu lassen. Der Guardian stellt diese Politik in den Kontext einer breiter angelegten Anti-Klimapolitik der europäischen Konservativen und Rechten.
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Hintergrundinformationen zum Renaturierungsgesetz der EU. In der vergangenen Woche wurde der Entwurf der EU-Kommission vom europäischen Parlament mit Modifikationen verabschiedet. Das Gesetz verpflichtet die EU-Staaten zu Wiederherstellungsplänen und zur Orientierung an Indikatoren, wobei die konkreten Vorgaben vom Parlament aus dem Entwurf gestrichen wurden.
Bericht der EU-Kommission zur Situation der Ökosysteme in der EU: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX%3A52020DC0635&from=DE
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www.newyorker.com www.newyorker.com
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To compare the Garnett and the Pevear-Volokhonsky translations of “The Brothers Karamazov” is to alight on hundreds of subtle differences in tone, word choice, word order, and rhythm.“These changes seem small, but they are essential. They accumulate,” Pevear said. “It’s like a musical composition and a musician, an interpretation. If your fingers are too heavy or too light, the piece can be distorted.”“It can also be compared to restoring a painting,” Volokhonsky said. “You can’t overdo it, but you have to be true to the thing.”
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- Apr 2023
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www.thefizzcollection.co.uk www.thefizzcollection.co.uk
- Oct 2021
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uthaiforest.org uthaiforest.org
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On Tuesday, 7 September 2021, during the Ecosystem Restoration Camps fireside chat, Hui Ran Too presented the work in Thailand in the Uthai Forest.
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- May 2019
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www.mormonnewsroom.org www.mormonnewsroom.org
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Religious Freedom Restoration Act
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- Jan 2017
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www.raintaxi.com www.raintaxi.com
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The second, you have to live with for a while, before you can hear where it wants you to go. But for that, you need time and attention and effort, resources that are deeply endangered, in the era when all music is available to anyone from anywhere all the time.
Attention / Rock n roll
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