ASR-33 Saga Continues...

[O. Sharp]

Quoth dvcorbin at optonline.net, in part:

> [...] the type cyclinder spinds and lifts, the hammer strikes...and a
> really faint improperly alligned imnage is all that gets printed [Yes I
> have a brand new ribbon on it].
> 
> So at this point, I am wondering how to address this problem...The
> cylinder is well cleaned (boy was there buildup), the characters look
> sharp on it, the rubber bumper on the hammer is in apparant good
> condition [and not "soft"]....

But the character it tries to print is the correct one? If so, the 
situation doesn't sound too bad.  :)  I spent part of today tinkering 
with the ASR I just got and was working on exactly the same issue, oddly 
enough; so maybe I can point you to the information I was using. Have you 
got a copy of the January '63 ASR-33 technical manual from Bitsavers or 
one of its mirrors (273B_Mod32_33_TechMan_Jan63.pdf, in the Teletype 
section)? If so, on Adjustments p. 4-94 there's a quick guide to some of 
the print-quality adjustments. (The faintness of the image might be the 
horizontal alignment of the platen, which is covered on p. 4-64.)

...I have to say, I'd forgotten the beauty of ASR-33s! The level of 
mechanical acumen, intricacy and craft of the design never ceases to 
impress me. _Damn,_ these people were clever! I'd forgotten just how 
enjoyable it is to see that ingenuity with my own eyes... and it's good, 
because that enjoyment somewhat offsets the creeping terror I sometimes 
get that it might never go back together again and I've stupidly opened 
Pandora's Box Of Spare Parts.  :) :) :)

                      -O.-