Quite simply – most have gone to the dump !

Not a week goes by that we do not receive Emails in our inbox requesting parts for Graphotype machines.

All of the Addresograph-Mutigraph dealers have long since gone out of business.  Factory support does not exist since A-M as a company is no longer in business.

Those that had large caches of spare parts, found these parts were worth more money as scrap than it cost to warehouse and store - much of the spare parts have been sold off for their weight as scrap metal.

From time to time Graphotype.net is contacted from individuals that have small caches of spare parts and we do negotiate and attempt to purchase them but most of the time the sellers want a kings randsom and we cannot come to an agreement.  Graphotype.net cannot afford to purchase spare parts if there is no margin left to recover our money or to resell the parts.  As stated above, it costs money – lots of it, to store and warehouse parts in hopes of one day selling those parts for enough money to recover the overall costs associated.

Parts drawing for Class 6100, Class 6200, Class 6300 Graphotype machines

For those buying a Graphotype - the best thing you can do is make sure the machine is complete when you buy it.  There are so many Graphotype machines out there that I cannot imagin bying a machine not running, missing parts or damaged, unless you needed it for the parts.  If the machine you are interested in purchasing is not running, I would pass it up, as another running machine will become avaliable soon enough.   Unless you need a machine for parts, I would never buy an incomplete machine or a machine that was missing parts.  While some parts can be found through the Graphotype network, many parts are simply not avaliable. 

There is no Graphotype supply stores full of spare parts avaliable.  It is not like restoring a classic car, there are no auto parts stores or companies offering remanufactured or reproductions parts.  No company is making parts for these Graphotype machines, there quite simply is not enough of a market to make it economical to fabricate replacement parts for these machines.

Average machine shop rates are between $75.00 and $100.00 per hour for machine time.  If you need to have something manufactured you can expect to pay more for the repairs or parts than you paid for your machine.  As owner of Graphotype.net this is a hobby for me.  My full time job is owner of a full service machine shop with manual and CNC equipment and I can tell you that it is not economically feasible for me to “tool up” and make replacement parts for Graphotype machines.

Die Head parts diagram for Addressograph Multigraph Graphotype

 While there are no supply parts stores that carry spare parts for these machine anymore, there are several options still avaliable to the Graphotype owner that is in need of parts.

There are several people that have parts or donor machines from time to time.  Inventory changes rapidly so there is no one source of parts that can be published.  It is recommended that a person seeking parts contact Graphotype.net and we will provide you with information to suit your needs.

If you notice in this photo you can see the following items:

• Stop arm
• Stop ring
• 8 retracted stop gates – seated in the stop ring
• 4 extended stop gates – raised above the stop ring

Ok – so did you figure out what is wrong with this photo?  It is the four (4) extended gates raised up above the stop ring.  This machine will not run if these gates are extended.

There can only be one gate extended at a time.  When the machine is operating properly only one gate is extended up and the stop arm swings around to stop on that gate.  The stop arm then causes the Graphotype to trip the hammers that hit the dies and punches which imprint the character on the tag.  Once the character is imprinted the stop gate is reset by the machine in the retracted neutral position down into the stop ring and the stop arm starts to rotate again until it hits another stop gate and the process repeats itself over and over.

How did these gates come to be raised up all at the same time?  There are two possibilities, one is that someone was typing or pressing keys on the keyboard when the machine was turned off.  The other is that someone was typing too fast for the machine and jammed up the machine.

How do we reset the gates into the retracted position?  Use the metal lever on the left hand side of the keyboard with the round ball on top.  The reset lever will pull all the gates back down into the retracted or neutral position.

What other things can be seen in this photo?

• This machine has NOT been lubricated
• This machine has not been cleaned
• There is rust on the stop gates that are extended.

Many times people will purchase a machine that has been sitting unused for years or worse abused and not lubricated.  When you purchase a machine before you start to imprint tags the first thing we recommend is to test all the keys on the machine to ensure they are functioning freely and are properly lubricated.

Check back soon for a blog on testing the keys on the keyboard.

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Photo by Tiwonge - from Flickr

Many times the key caps will be lost, damaged or become illegible over time.  Weather and age can cause the key cap material to become brittle, crack and break.  Chemicals, solvents and lubricants can cause key caps to become illegible or damaged.  Other times key caps are lost simply because they are knocked off or fall off.

While original Addressograph Multigraph key caps can be located from time to time, original key caps are becoming increasingly harder to find.  When one finds original key caps the set us usually incomplete and more often than not the one cap you need is the one that is missing!

Photo by Tiwonge - from Flickr

We recommend that you pull a known good key cap from your Graphotype machine and inspect it so that you have an idea how they mount.  Better yet take one of the good key caps with you when you go to look for replacement key caps so you have a known good sample with you thus eliminating any guess work.

Several people I have visited with have gone to thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales to purchase old typewriters.  Many times you can find old typewriters for $10.00 or less.  Before you buy just any old typewriter pull one of the key caps off the machine to make sure that the two are interchangeable.  Not all typewriter keys caps are interchangeable with Graphotype machines.  Keep this in mind if you buy a typewriter for its key caps if you do not have a sample from your Graphotype to compare it to.

PLEASE – be respectful of the merchant and others seeking old typewriters -  if you find that a key cap you have pulled off a prospective machine will not work with your Graphotype, please, please put the cap back on the original typewriter so person behind you can purchase a complete machine.  Attention to detail and common courtesy – these are virtues of a true Graphotypist.

eBay is a good place to look for key caps, at any given time there are dozens of auctions for key caps going on, just make sure the key caps will fit your Graphotype before purchasing.

Happy Hunting.

Give your Graphotype a shot !

Three steps to a happy Graphotype – Clean, Oil, Oil

#1 A CLEAN machine

#2 OIL to lubricate machine

#3 OIL to prevent corrosion to machine

Lubricating a Graphotype is critical to the proper operation of the Graphotype machine.  Illustrated here we have a page from a Class 6200 Graphotype showing the factory recommended oiling points.

 
Oiling Points on Front of a Class 6200
Graphotype machine.  Total of 38 locations.

Oiling points on Rear of Class 6200 Graphotype
Flywheel removed for illustration.  There are a total
of 20 factory recommended oiling points.

The Class 6200 Graphotype has 50+ recommended oiling points illustrated in the factory operator’s manual.  When looking at any Graphotype it is immediately evident there is more than one place to put the lubricating oil.  In fact on Class 6300 and 6400 Graphotypes the lubricating points seem endless.  Class 6100 and Model 350 manual machines are not exempt from oiling requirements either, as a matter of fact the G1 / 6100 Class machines have as many oiling points as the Class 6200.

The main focus of this blog is not the oiling points on a Graphotype, but rather how the heck does one get way down into those tight areas to lubricate everything?  Most of the oiling points are not easily accessible with a standard bottle of oil?

The Tag Tech’s personal preference and one of the most important tools in my Graphotypist’s tools box is a GLASS SYRINGE and long needle.

After much research and trial and error, I found that for me – a glass syringe and long needle was the best solution for reaching into and lubricating those hard to reach places found on all Graphotype machines.

A long blunt needle or long needle such as a catheter/spinal/epidural needle will allow you to reach all those nooks and crannies as well as areas normally inaccessible with a standard oil bottle.

The syringe needle combination also allows me total control over how much oil is applied and helps me not over oil.

Personally I use a B&D (Becton, Dickinson & Co.), 20cc glass syringe with “Luer-Lok” tip and a 6” long blunt tipped 14 gauge Yale needle.  I purchased both the needle and syringe in separate auctions on eBay.

For more ideas on Graphotype oiling and lubrication see our Oiling tools page on the web site.

For more information on the notch in WWII Dog Tags and the Addressograph Model 70 – Click Here

For anyone that owns or inspects an Addressograph Model 70 will notice on the data plate it says “PAT NO. 2116235 AND OTHERS”.  If you research this Patent Number 2116235 this number returns a “Printing Device”, but it does not resemble an Addressograph Model 70.  The 2116235 device is a desktop imprinter for transferring data from embossed plates onto paperwork.

2,116,235 - F. E. Curtis – Printing Device – May 3, 1938

The concept of the 2116235 patent is similar in function to the Addressograph Model 70 but through research we have found several other patents the specifically deal with the Addressograph Model 70 and the notch in the WWII military identification tags or WWII dog tags.

2,342,698 – C. H. Sand, Jr. – Printing Machine - Feb. 29, 1944
 This Patent is clearly the Addressograph Model 70 – The text of the actual patent clearly outlines what the notch in the identification tag is for and how the notch is used.  The drawings of the patent show the registration pin as 62 and the notch in the identification plate as a-3.  Anyone who claims the notch was a tooth notch in the military dog tags is mistaken or uninformed.

On page 2 of Patent 2,342,698 – it clearly states, “A suitable pin 62 carried by the head is adapted to coact with the notch a-3 in the plate and allow it to reach final position, shown in Fig. 1, only when the plate is inserted that end foremost and with the type on the plate facing downwardly.”

2,342,699 – C. H. Sand, Jr. – Printing Machine – Feb. 29, 1944
 This Patent is also the Addressograph Model 70 though the verbiage is slightly changed.

On Page 2 of 2,342,699 – “When a properly positioned plate is inserted to the limit of its inward movement, so that the notch a-3 comes about the stop pin 62, the end of the plate abuts the front end of the latch 70 and forces it rearwardly, thus causing the shoulder 15 to clear the plate 25 to release the platen arm, and then operating lever 40 may be actuated to swing the platen arm upwardly to effect the printing.  If, however, the plate should be inserted the wrong end foremost, the convex end thereof would strike the pin 62 before the end of the plate abutted the front end of the latch 70 and accordingly the latch would not be released and no operation of the platen could be effected.

The same result takes place if the plate is inserted wrong side up, because in this case the notch a-3, which is at one side of the axis of the plate would be distance from the pin 62 so that the plate could not be inserted sufficiently to release the latch.

It will be seen, therefore, that the device is only released for operation of the platen when a plate is inserted in the proper position for printing, and this is one of the features of the present application.”

2,540,704 – W. H. Wolowitz – Reversible Printing Plate – Feb. 6th, 1951
 It appears this device was based on the Addressograph Model 70 but was adapted for use by plates other than military identification plates or dog tags, maybe for medical applications in hospitals.

For more information on the notch in WWII Dog Tags and the Addressograph Model 70 – Click Here

The Addressograph Multigraph Company said the ONLY lubricant that should be used with Graphotype machines was DURO-VIS.  DURO-VIS was oil that was produced for and marked by the A-M Company up until their closure in the 1980′s.

DURO-VIS OIL CAN

The official designation of this oil was:
AM INTERNATIONAL, INC., MULTIGRAPHICS DIV.
DURO-VIS/LUBRICATING OIL, PART #:MA-78A, MA-81A
NSN: 9150-00-953-7364

Ok, what is the point of all this information if Addressograph-Multigraph is no longer in business?  We visited with people that knew what DURO-VIS was and people that knew the chemical composition of DURO-VIS they indicated to us that the oil was highly refined 20 weight oil with several special additives that would not attack the bronze bushings and bearings in the Graphotype machine.

DURO-VIS has very similar properties of SAE20 – none detergent oil.

“ DURO-VIS is not Automotive Oil – it is not 10w30 or some other multi-weight oil.
“ DURO-VIS is not Sewing Machine Oil
“ DURO-VIS does not have tackifiers such as Lucas Oil – tackifiers used in this type of equipment will damage the bearings and will not lubricate the machine correctly.
“ DURO-VIS does not contain paraffin’s, wax or soluble wax based emulsifiers added to the lubricant.
“ DURO-VIS does not have additives that attack bronze or bronze based products such as bearings, gears, races, etc.

BUY DURO-VIS:

Where can I get DURO-VIS Oil for my precious Graphotype machine?  At present there are two sources of DURO-VIS Oil.  One is a printing press supply company that only sells it by the case with a minimum order of two cases or you can purchase it from Bruce in his eBay store (eBay – Username: TristateUSA).

TristateUSA Superstore
eBay Username: Tristateusa
Phone Number: 812-744-1060
Store Owner: Bruce

Currently Tristateusa is offering DURO-VIS in 6oz and 2oz bottles.  Please visit their eBay store for current pricing.

Graphotype.net recommends DURO-VIS oil at this time for all Graphotype machines until we can find a commercial equivalent available on the open market.

BRONZE THOUGHTS:

Bronze is considered a yellow metal and it has been used for years as a bearing surface because of it’s unique wear properties.  Just as bronze is a different color than steel it reacts differently to chemicals and lubricants than does steel.

It is important to note that Graphotype machines have many bronze bushings, gears and parts, these bronze parts can be attacked and destroyed by certain types of oils and lubricants available in the commercial sector.  All lubricants are NOT the same, oil is not just oil as many believe – if you care about your equipment you need to educate yourself and use the correct lubricants or you will damage or destroy your equipment.

SEWING MACHINE OIL:

It is important to note here that some sewing machine oils also contain additives that do NOT react well with bronze.  Do not use just any oil available.  Do not use sewing machine oils that have a paraffin base.  Not all sewing machine oils are bad for Graphotype machines but you as an operator must educate yourself to find out which ones are safe and which ones are not.  Don’t just ask the sales person at the local hardware store or sewing machine supply house, make sure you read the data on the sewing machine oil itself.  If in doubt ASK, or review the MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) that should be avaliable with any and all chemicals and lubricants.

THE CLUTCH:

Another note is that there are 20 discs in the clutch, 10 of steel and 10 of Bakelite, the use of the wrong oil in the clutch can cause degradation of the Bakelite discs to where they will disintegrate.  No oil in the clutch is also a major cause of premature clutch failure.  With no lubricant in the clutch the steel discs will wear the Bakelite discs away.  You do not want to use an oil such as 3-in-one as this lubricant contains paraffin and it will build up on the surfaces of the clutch and discs and cause the clutch to not work correctly.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR GRAPHOTYPE AND IT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

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I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people tell me  . . .

I lubricated the whole machine . . .
I used a whole can of WD-40®

Folks – I cannot stress enough WD-40® is NOT a LUBRICANT!

Let me say this again – WD-40® is NOT a lubricant! WD-40® is not a lubricant by any stretch of the imagination and definitely not by the definition of a lubricant as used with Graphotype machines.  So if WD-40® is not a true lubricant, what is it?  It is a great product manufactured by the WD-40® Company that does great things such as clean, preserve and penetrate it also has many wonderful properties that make it an essential in almost any well rounded tool box, but a true lubricant WD-40® is NOT!

Clearly stated on WD-40®’s own web site is these words:

Did you know . . .

• WD-40® can clean your bike & tools, remove grease, and lubricate locks, hinges & all moving parts
• WD-40® removes paint, gum, rubber cement, stickers and other adhesives
• WD-40® loosens and penetrates rusted or stuck bolts and plumbing joints

A great CLEANER, penetrating oil and light preservative: This is what WD-40® is; but a true lubricant it is not.  In the world of “Graphotype Machines,” WD-40® has its place in every Graphotypist’s tool box but NOT as the primary source of lubricant for these machines.

On the WD-40 web site they state: “WD-40® is the ultimate multi-purpose problem solver. WD-40® cleans/degreases, penetrates to loosen up stuck parts, prevents corrosion and is a light lubricant.”

The WD-40® Company does make two different products that we as Graphotypist’s indeed consider to be true lubricants.  These true lubricants that will interest Graphotypist’s are:

• 3-IN-ONE® Multi-Purpose Oil
• 3-IN-ONE® Motor Oil

On the WD-40® web site they define 3-in-one oil® as: “3-IN-ONE®, with it’s special drip spout, enables you to lubricate without any overspray or splatter. 3-IN-ONE® is ideal to use on tools, rollers, hinges, in-line skates, wheels…nearly everything that moves.”

If WD-40® is not a lubricant what purpose does it have being in my tool box if I am working on or maintaining Graphotype machines?

When you come to possess a new machine with an unknown maintenance history, are restoring a machine or just need to clean an existing machine in your inventory, WD-40® can be an essential tool to help you clean and properly maintain a Graphotype machine.  Improperly applied or over applied lubricants over time collect dust, dirt and grime as well as become thick and sluggish gumming up the workings of a Graphotype machine.  To clean gummy and thickened lubricants, rust, dirt and grime from your Graphotype WD-40® is great and GRAPHOTYPE.net recommends this product for cleaning.

Graphotype machines that sit idle will corrode, rust and gum up.  The keyboard gates and the gate ring on the Class 6300 Graphotypes seems to be particularly susceptible to sticking and corrosion.  The keyboard what and what kind of ring – I don’t know what you are talking about?  If you remove the cast iron cover just above the keyboard on a Class 6300 machine you will see a horizontal platen that has a round ring with cut outs around the circumference of the ring.  The cut outs are slots for gates that slide up and down transferring the keyboard selection to the die carousel so the desired character is imprinted.

We will be blogging about this ring at a later date and how to care for and maintain this ring at that time but for the purpose of this post we will use this ring as an example.  If your keyboard is stuck, or difficult to operate you might take a look at the gate ring as a starting place.

If the gate ring has visible corrosion, dirt or grime then it is time to clean the gate ring.  We would recommend using WD-40® on the gate ring allowing it to soak into the gates and saturate the metal.  After a good soaking and the proper manipulation of the keyboard to ensure that everything is working correctly, it is time to clean the WD-40® off the machine.

We recommend cleaning the WD-40® from the machine with rags and paper towels. Once the WD-40® has been removed as much as possible it is time to actually lubricate the gates and gate ring.  We recommend that you actually take a true lubricant such as the 3-in-one® oil and lubricate each gate with ½ a drop of oil per side of gate.  The gates only need the slightest layer of lubricant on them to function properly.  Over lubricating the gates can cause problems just as much as not lubricating the gates.

3-IN-ONE® Multi-Purpose Oil

This oil is fine but it is not recommended by GRAPHOTYPE.net as your primary lubricant.  Being a Multi-Purpose oil this formulation has some addatives that are not needed for Graphotype machines.  If no other oil is avaliable then use this oil as an emergency alternative until you can locate some proper lubricant.

See our BLOG about DURO-VIS for the correct lubricant for Graphotype machines.  If you cannot find DURO-VIS then use 3-in-one® Motor Oil (for electric motors – in the blue and white can) as an alternative until you can find DURO-VIS.

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