25 Nov 2013

Alpina is strange

1957 Alpina SK24 93861














Sent from my new Alpina SK24

12 comments:

  1. A lovely machine and font. Sounds like one or more parts in the "d" linkage is bent. The way the typeslug hits the platten too high suggests an issue in that part of the linkage. The way the linkages are all jammed together it is difficult to see what is going on. Perhaps a strong LED flashlight and patient peering at diffferent angles will revel something. And then, how to fix it. Such a fine machine - worth professional attention.

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    1. I've found the offending part, one of the two wire linking pieces in the D linkage, but I can't seem to perform the correct adjustment on it.

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  2. Good you found this great machine. Beautiful photos. What's the serial number?

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    1. 93861. As a rule, I put the serial number along with the year and model as a caption under the first image of the post. This time, of course, I accidentally put it under the second image. Fixed.

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  3. Excellent photos! I agree that this is a fascinating-looking typewriter, very distinctive. Good to see you back at the important work of typecasting, just after your intercontinental voyage.

    By the way, here's a quiz: can you name the function of the "spikes" on the back of the typeheads, shown so clearly in your closeup photo? Their function dawned on me recently, after only about 19 years of typewriter collecting!

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    1. Well, compared to in Tbilisi with only one English typewriter, typecasting here is an incredible amount of child-in-candy-store fun for me.

      I think it's to deflect any incoming typebars so they don't smash their typefaces on each other. I also think I read that somewhere else a few months ago... XD

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    2. The Alpina certainly has some of the most impressive ones I've seen.

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  4. Thanks for your review of the Alpina, I've always been curious about it since it looks so unique. I've read a couple of stellar reviews; your take seems more realistic. Then again, as we've always known, typing feel is largely a matter of preference.

    One thing for sure: that is one precise machine, the letter alignment on your typecast is impeccable.

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    1. One can get a better typewriter for less money, but if one really wants an Alpina, it probably wouldn't be a disappointment.

      I agree, it is very precise. I think it's precise enough that when something small goes wrong, like the d key, it sets the whole experience off balance. This is a typewriter that needs to be perfect, I think.

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  5. A beautiful typewriter and the case is one of the best I've seen, The "d" doesn't look that far off to me.

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    1. Probably the nicest looking case I own, and it also has one of the simplest and easiest ways to remove and secure the typewriter in it. :)

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