1959 Neckermann (Groma) Brillant Junior #641669

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Paolo Dal Chiele (pdcox)
Created: 03-14-2020 at 06:13AM
Last Edit: 03-14-2020 at 07:28AM

Description Hunter 15 Photos 2 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

The machine was not working: the main problems from the mechanical point of view were the line space lever not turning the platen (it was moving freely) and the mechanism of reversing the rotation of the ribbon blocked. From an aesthetic point of view, the paint showed clear signs of wear, but overall it was in good condition without rust, and also the bag was in good condition.
To repair the mechanics I had no choice but to almost completely dismantle the typewriter, which in the case of Junior / Kolibri requires a lot of patience.
In my experience, it is the only machine that has the chassis made up of 4 distinct parts, with many components that are interlocking or interacting by contact, which requires great attention especially during assembly. In addition, chassis and body are connected not only with the fixing screw (10!) but also with four springs, those connected to space bar being particularly tricky to remove and install.
The problem with the ratchet was that some foreign materials entered the mechanism causing the misalignment of the components; repair consisted in cleaning carefully each component and slightly bending the metal tab that hooks the gear wheel.
More complicated was the repair of the ribbon reverse mechanism, particularly because of the very little access to the faulty part.
In a way that I cannot frankly imagine, the rotation axis of one of the two contact flanges that ensure the transfer of the movement from the ribbon was deformed, and all the component of the right mechanism were out of alignment.
Now everything is in good working conditions, and the only problem remaining is the alignment of the type.
Altogether, the Junior/Groma is a very interesting machine: to obtain such a compact size this machine has been designed developing truly brilliant and complex solutions, such as the type bar links, which are not simple bent wires with hooked ends, but formed links with variable section and S-fixing.
If the derivation from Gromina is obvious, it is so re-conceived in every part - for the main purpose of facilitating production - that it can be considered as a substantially new project.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Finally back to good working conditions. Repaired, cleaned, oiled and lubricated, ready for work.

The evident signs of paint wear confirm that the machine was seriously used. The colours scheme is lovely, one of my best for Juniors/Kolibri.

Bag in good conditions inside...

...and outside.

The mechanics in four parts. Taking the Junior apart require patience, especially the first time. Lot of pictures before any phase of disassembly absolutely necessary . Note the link of the vidrator which is the only element connecting the front and the rear of the chassis. The carriage lift, space bar and backspace mechanisms act by contact between the respective levers, and are not fixed to each other.

To reach the deformed pin of the right ribbon reverse mechanism (since the machine is upside down, in the the picture in on the left) I had to disassembly the entire rear part of the front chassis member, after removal of the typebars, the typebars segmnent and whatever was on the way....

Same fate for the carriage.

The reason of such an extensive process is obvious, considering that with the assembled machine was not even possible to identify the problem.

The faulty pin from above, after removal of the typebars.

From this picture is possible to appreciate the deformation of the pin. The problem was made worse in case of the right mechanism because of the presence of the escapement advance leverage, which made access to the faulty part more difficult.

Here is the pin with the flange removed and before to be brought back to its correct alignment. Note ribbon advance gears.

The lever mechanism after removal of the protection panel.

Here is the mechanism cleaned and with all components realigned.

Hunter: Paolo Dal Chiele (pdcox)

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Status: Typewriter Hunter
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Interested in historic motoring and vintage cars, I received a typewriter as a bonus when I bought and old off-road car. The previous owner had found somewhere a typewriter produced for the German army and when he sold me the car he gave me the typewriter too. As I learned later, it was a1961 Olympia SM7 Robust..
Of the typewriters I value more character than perfection, the signs that time has left and the stories - or fragments of stories - of those who used them ...