Typewriter Video Series - Episode 45: Hermes Rocket

  Рет қаралды 24,466

Joe Van Cleave

Joe Van Cleave

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 89
@johnc.bojemski1757
@johnc.bojemski1757 3 жыл бұрын
What I LOVE about my manual typewriters? They DON'T raise my already ridiculously high CON-ED electricity bill when I use them! Also... No extra equipment to buy. What a concept? It's an "all in one" machine. Writing implement which puts out a "hard copy" at the same time? Wow. Imagine that?
@Hyperion_Studios1
@Hyperion_Studios1 2 жыл бұрын
And no fossil fuel pollution too!
@takarasights
@takarasights 2 жыл бұрын
Very cool. My dad gifted me the green version, and I love it. Beautiful little machine.
@carvermarks
@carvermarks 5 ай бұрын
Duhhh, latch-pin holes . . . I opened up a long-forgotten, stuffed in the closet, Rocket, only to have a screw--that I still haven't sorted its proper home out--but I thought it might go in te empty latech--pin holes . . . nope.
@johnc.bojemski1757
@johnc.bojemski1757 3 жыл бұрын
Oh... This one is the "gem" that reporters used to carry with them EVERYWHERE they were sent to cover stories. It was relatively lightweight, incredibly durable and most importantly BULLETPROOF reliable too! You COULDN'T ask for a better writing tool at that time for the job! This, I'm pretty sure, is the one of the many which the late ANDY ROONEY owned and cited in his "homage" to all typewriters.
@johnc.bojemski1757
@johnc.bojemski1757 3 жыл бұрын
I'm ALWAYS amazed at how much complex mechanical engineering went into the design of these machines. Just the manual ones. Never mind the later electric powered units. Sheer genius!
@copyrightfreevideobyttf
@copyrightfreevideobyttf 2 жыл бұрын
It's so cute and small! Hope it survived and hasn't retired yet.
@carvermarks
@carvermarks 5 ай бұрын
Thanks, I feel like I just met an old friend and got all caught up . . .
@RogerHyam
@RogerHyam 2 жыл бұрын
Having just stripped and cleaned my 1939 Baby Empire (a Hermes Baby made in England) it is really striking the similarities. The Rocket looks like a Baby + 20 years of improvements. Evolution in action!
@quadraphonicfreak
@quadraphonicfreak 4 жыл бұрын
Joe, I have four of those Hermes Baby machines. They date 1938, 1947, 1966 and 1972. I would highly recommend that you try a 1930's machine, sometimes known as the "featherweight". Those machines have such a nice, easy, snappy touch that reminds me of the touch a full size Royal model 10 has. The other Hermes models I have also have a decent touch but nothing close to the one from 1938. But they are very difficult to find in decent condition though.
@GraniteValleyDave
@GraniteValleyDave 6 жыл бұрын
Fascinating video - you're incredibly good at explaining what's going on. Thank you for the high quality content mate.
@condundrop
@condundrop 5 жыл бұрын
I have one of these. my all-time favorite.
@tomtrompowsky8806
@tomtrompowsky8806 10 ай бұрын
A solemn postscript indeed! A dead typewriter is like the losing a friend, even if put on display on the shelf.
@virginiaprime6866
@virginiaprime6866 4 жыл бұрын
I have one of these...it has a kind of sloping joined up typeface, really lovely. Thank you so much for this video it has helped me to fix my issue with the ribbon which kept twisting because I was threading it wrongly. All the best to you from London UK
@amitganguli8011
@amitganguli8011 4 жыл бұрын
I got mine (a Hermes Baby) from my father (still alive). Originally bought from Switzerland. It has an Rupee (the old Rs) symbol where the cent symbol is located on the Rocket! My 4 year old now "uses" it, loves the red color.
@juanitabonita717
@juanitabonita717 3 жыл бұрын
Thats is the one I have. Trying to fix something today ! :-)
@canonixus850
@canonixus850 2 жыл бұрын
Bought in Switzerland...but not for Swiss market for sure. The mine has a domestic keyboard for french speaking part, smybols on this key are à and :
@josegaldeano1112
@josegaldeano1112 3 жыл бұрын
hello, I have an equal one, but the tape doesn't come back automatically, is that so? the eyelet stops on the lever but does not reverse the direction. thank you.
@manuelk.1424
@manuelk.1424 3 жыл бұрын
Hello Joe, I've recently a Hermes Baby, which is identical to your rocket. Thanks to your videos I've managed to make it work again (all was good, but it needed lots of cleaning, given that the keys were completely stuck), but now I have a problem with the spools, they don't turn when the lids are closed. Obviously they're not the original spools (they've got the Pelikan logo on them), so I bought some other spools, but I think they're too large in diameter as well (meaning 2 inches - 5 cm). Could you tell me the diameter of the spools in your rocket? In case the one that are on their way will not work, I think I'll have to make them smaller myself - it won't be hard, since they're just plastic...
@dlacrue6652
@dlacrue6652 9 ай бұрын
One idea for replacing a part that isn't made anymore is contacting a machinist. The cost may or may not be prohibitive, but if it's sentimental like this one and you still want to use it, asking couldn't hurt.
@davidm.sgriccia9903
@davidm.sgriccia9903 4 ай бұрын
Where is the line between Baby & Rocket if there is no marking of Baby or Rocket?
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 4 ай бұрын
They were the same machine, just marketed under different names.
@davidm.sgriccia9903
@davidm.sgriccia9903 4 ай бұрын
@@Joe_VanCleave Oh. OK. Thanks for the reply. BTW - landed my 2nd ROOY today.
@chriskincaid6035
@chriskincaid6035 5 ай бұрын
Thank You ...
@bruhjun
@bruhjun 8 жыл бұрын
So grateful for this series! Kind regards,
@njm1962
@njm1962 2 жыл бұрын
Hello Joe, I messaged you in episode 46 about the screw and little piece of metal but I forgot to mention when I slide the platen to the right it doesn't advance the paper ...any ideas?
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 2 жыл бұрын
The mechanism on the left side of the platen does the line spacing via a ratchet mechanism that engages the sprocket on the left end of the platen, as you engage the carriage return lever. You'll need to examine in detail what isn't working properly. lt could be something bent, or broken, or missing.
@canonixus850
@canonixus850 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for all the explanations. Learned a lot of stuff on my Hermes Baby. I'm swiss and I have the Swiss keyboard...so no 1 key but also no 0 (used for é) , I guess the O has to be used 😀 My kids are fascinated by this object coming from other ages.
@VishalVoraUK
@VishalVoraUK 8 жыл бұрын
Hello Joe, I'm a new subscriber and absolutely loving the content. So much so that I've just picked a Hermes Baby! Very excited to get it up and running. A ribbon is due to arrive in the post (mail) shortly. Its in great condition, paint loss but what can one expect after all these years. Could you repair a strip down and repair process? It has the original spools but I guess means the new ribbon will have to be wound on. I think the machine was made in 1964/65. I look forward to more videos in due course, and should I ever come to the USA, to visit you, in the Baby in hand. Yours, Vishal Vora, London
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 8 жыл бұрын
Vishal, congrats on the typewriter. The universal style replacement ribbons, with plastic spools, should fit just fine onto the machine. Just save the old metal spools, they're nice to keep as part of the machine's provenance. As for the paint, if it's the crinkle, textured finish, those are hard to repaint and look original. I've never attempted it myself. My personal philosophy is just to keep the machine the way it is, wear and all, as it shows its history. Other people do like to repaint their machines, even in wild colors. As for a complete strip down and repair video, that's probably beyond my abilities, since I don't have the skill and experience of a professional technician. But there are many problems that can be tackled by amateurs such as myself. Cleaning, degreasing and relubrication seems to be what most machines need. Check out the Typoshere - the typewriter blogger community, at typosphere.blogspot.com/. The "Mighty Blog Roll" on the right column is the list of active typewriter bloggers, lots of wisdom and information there.
@pedrogil4804
@pedrogil4804 4 жыл бұрын
Hi Joe - Thanks for your videos, great content and delivery. Can I ask you a question? I bought a Hermès Baby 1947. It fades the top of the letters (seems the carriage is set a bit too low). I am trying to adjust the lower case types by raising the carriage slightly, but cannot find the nut & bolt to do so, on either side. Do you know where I can find them? (I already checked the top corners, under the carriage, but it only has 1 nut and bolt on each side, to adjust the uppercase types, but nothing for the lower case types as far as I can see). Thanks in advance.
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 4 жыл бұрын
This might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2mwYZqBbKqpl6s
@bojangojkovic6187
@bojangojkovic6187 7 жыл бұрын
Greeting Joe, I must tell you your videos are superb quality. I have learned so much about typewriters with your videos. I have found two Hermes Babies and would like to hear your opinion about which to buy. The machines are 1938 Hermes Baby and 1954 Hermes Baby. Looking forward to you answer :)
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 7 жыл бұрын
It would be best to know the condition of each one. Without that information, I can only assume that the newer *might* be in better condition ... but that's assuming a lot. I personally wouldn't buy either one without testing them. Good luck.
@a.6221
@a.6221 4 жыл бұрын
hello, I have just gotten a baby hermès from around 1969 and I can’t figure out how to push the carriage return lever in, it doesn’t fold and I can’t find any manuals for this online. do you by chance know what to do?
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 4 жыл бұрын
If it's the older style that's real short and folds, you first push it to the right (toward the side of the carriage), then, holding it in that position, push the line spacing selector lever all the way to the back; it should engage in a slot in the return lever bracket. That will lock the return lever. Then fold down the return lever so it's flat.
@Melvorgazh
@Melvorgazh 6 жыл бұрын
ps: about the wearings of the parts, would it be difficult to make a copy the over used metal part, by a metallurgist maybe? Or even a blacksmith? Take care.
@Beardmaneats
@Beardmaneats 4 жыл бұрын
Does the Hermes Baby / Rocket need a specific size ribbon? When I type the letters "b, l, k, h" the top half of the letters never appear clearly with the first press of the key or do I just need a new ribbon?
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 4 жыл бұрын
If the tops of the letters print light on the first press, then print darker afterwords, it sounds like a problem with the ribbon advance mechanism, it’s keeping the ribbon from fully raising. How do the upper case characters print?
@Beardmaneats
@Beardmaneats 4 жыл бұрын
@@Joe_VanCleave could there be a possibility that the keys are not hitting the page all the way? When I press down harder the full letter appears
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 4 жыл бұрын
@@Beardmaneats Are you touch-typing? Try two-fingered typing with your index fingers, perhaps you're not applying enough force.
@Beardmaneats
@Beardmaneats 4 жыл бұрын
@@Joe_VanCleave that could most likely be it, the last Hermes I had didn't require much force and it was gentle that's why I bought another one
@deemdoubleu
@deemdoubleu 7 жыл бұрын
Nice video, I have just acquired an Empire Aristocrat which is virtually identical (made under license in England). It has a few problems which I hope to fix but I think it is a nice object even if not 100% functional.
@johnc.bojemski1757
@johnc.bojemski1757 3 жыл бұрын
Does anybody know of a typewriter "club" in the lower Westchester County, NY. area? Only repair/maintenance shop near here is down in NYC (Manhattan, near Union Square. Yeah... THOSE GUYS!)
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 3 жыл бұрын
John, I had to start my own typewriter club in my community.
@johnc.bojemski1757
@johnc.bojemski1757 3 жыл бұрын
@@Joe_VanCleave Wow! I'm NOT surprised. Well? If it's my ONLY resort? I may have to follow YOUR example and just do it myself. I'll letya know how it goes, eh? Thank you for your REPLY! Much appreciated Joe! Keep "clickety clacking" on!
@Melvorgazh
@Melvorgazh 6 жыл бұрын
Fairly moving story. Hey, Joe again :) I saw one of those, or was it a Baby, not 100% sure, on eBay, it was from 1944. Saw the Rocket is definitely nicer than the Baby you would say? I am looking for another QWERTY typewriter and I can't decide yet between a Rocket or a Good Companion 4 or 5. Do you think the Good Companion are +- as good as the Rocket Hermes?
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 6 жыл бұрын
The Rocket and Baby are essentially the same machines, though they evolved over several decades. The English-made Good Companions are a heavier machine than the Hermes; not sure about the Japanese-made versions.
@PinoShah
@PinoShah 5 жыл бұрын
Joe, thank you for the videos, how does one remove the casing on a Featherweight - do you have a video for that? TIA.
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 5 жыл бұрын
Haven't worked on one of those but, from pictures I've seen, try removing the screws around the rim of the base.
@PinoShah
@PinoShah 5 жыл бұрын
@@Joe_VanCleave yeah, already removed the two front and two back ones, the front loosened up, not the back, thanks.
@UberSchluh
@UberSchluh 6 жыл бұрын
Hey Joe! I'm a big typist myself but I've got a bit of a problem. I travel a lot, for various different reasons, & my two main typewriters -- a Smith Corona Silent Super 5 & a Hermes 3K -- just don't cut it for travel. Would you recommend the Hermes Rocket or a different ultra-portable unit?
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 6 жыл бұрын
The Rocket is a great travel machine, as is the Smith-Corona Skyriter. These two are the best ultra-portables I've tried. But, depending on you situation, some of the Brother and Silver Seiko portables (like the Royal Mercury) are also good, they're just a bit bigger and heavier.
@UberSchluh
@UberSchluh 6 жыл бұрын
Picked up a Skyriter that I found at an antique store just the other day, great unit for a great price. It has some problems, but none that I can't fix myself. Thank you so much!
@techguy9023
@techguy9023 5 жыл бұрын
Is the keyboard cramped on the rocket? Do most pre 1960’s portables not have tab keys? When was the tab feature introduced?
@Melvorgazh
@Melvorgazh 6 жыл бұрын
Looks great! But there is no ! key. In later models maybe?
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 6 жыл бұрын
Yes, in many of these kinds of machines to make an exclamation symbol you typed a period, backspaced then typed the apostrophe (a shifted 8).
@Melvorgazh
@Melvorgazh 6 жыл бұрын
Cheers, Sir '.' And that @ key? How commun is it you think? Cause I am looking for a portable typewriter with the +, the ! and the @ keys. Thanks a lot! :)
@JavierCabreraBrothers
@JavierCabreraBrothers 6 жыл бұрын
Would you say this is a good travel typerwiter? (plane, etc). I mean, light, portable, small? (or which one you would recommend?)
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 6 жыл бұрын
The problem of choosing travel machines is the competing demands of needing small size and light weight while being subjected to potential damaging handling conditions; and many of the most desirable small, light machines are in high demand on the used market, and as such are expensive to replace. And small + lightweight = fragile. Rather than take a Hermes Rocket/Baby or Smith-Corona Skyriter (two of the smallest, lightest and most popular machines), I'd recommend a Japanese-made Brother (or one of its rebranded kin like the Webster), or a Silver-Seiko machine like the Royal Mercury. These aren't as small or light as the Hermes or Skyriter, but are more durable, very reliable machines that are easier to replace if they get damaged beyond repair. The trade-off will be size & weight, and the touch of the keys is often a bit heavy. But they are easy to get used to. I keep a Brother-made Webster XL-747, in robins egg blue, in a shoulder bag ready to go, including typing paper and correction tape, as my "grab & go" machine. I also have an Olympia SF in another bag that's also for grab & go typing. The Olympia SF and Traveller De Luxe are another choice. Solidly built and reliable, but easier to replace than a Hermes or Skyriter. If you're travelling by car rather than plane, I'd recommend taking a bigger portable. We drove from ABQ to San Antonio earlier this year with a Remington Quiet-Riter. One of the larger medium-sized portables. I'm glad we took it. No, I didn't lug it to a coffee shop on foot, instead we drove. But it's a great machine, rugged and reliable, with great looks.
@vincent_kr
@vincent_kr 4 жыл бұрын
Sir, Iam big fan of type writers, i love your videos .I have 2 doubts, which liquid is using to clean inside the type writer And for polishing which which one is to use ?
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 4 жыл бұрын
For polishing, if it has a smooth finish, use car wax, if it has a crinkle finish use a toothbrush and a gentle cleaner like a very mild soap. For inside the machine, it’s best to keep it clean and dust free, not much oil is needed, mainly on the carriage rail bearings, everywhere else degrease it and keep it clean.
@johnc.bojemski1757
@johnc.bojemski1757 3 жыл бұрын
It's just like owning a vintage AUTO!
@av8bvma513
@av8bvma513 8 жыл бұрын
Hey joe! Wouldn't it be cool, if some smart guy built a teeny little led light setup that we could mount inside our typewriters? Light up the paper, light up the cool and exotic mechanicals?
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 8 жыл бұрын
That's a great idea. The challenge would be making it universal for most any typewriter.
@yvonnetaylor9331
@yvonnetaylor9331 6 жыл бұрын
My gosh... You mean almost like a laptop?? 😜😂😂😂
@danlinder2249
@danlinder2249 8 жыл бұрын
Great video Joe!
@seannead.wharton4595
@seannead.wharton4595 4 жыл бұрын
Is the platen easy to remove?
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 4 жыл бұрын
It wasn’t easy for me to remove. I ended up sending it to Bill Wahl in Mesa, AZ and he did a fine job. It’s important to know one’s limits, and also to support the professional shops once in a while.
@av8bvma513
@av8bvma513 8 жыл бұрын
Hey Joe! Another great video, thanks for doing this high quality and high value stuff for us, as it is very much appreciated. The Hermes/Empire range have a feature oft missed by owners/users, the l/h platen knob locks and unlocks from the index gear. "Top to the Front" Gotta remember that, as many have been tightened beyond belief, and knowing the Right direction to be straining in is vital.
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 8 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for the info. I often forget some detail or fact, like the two l levers on the side of the machine just forward of the ribbon spools for manually reversing the ribbon.
@av8bvma513
@av8bvma513 8 жыл бұрын
Yup. Back in the day, good pilots used typed out "Check-List" pieces of paper, sometimes laminated, to ensure all the important things were done in the correct sequence.
@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536
@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536 Жыл бұрын
Nice video.
@johnc.bojemski1757
@johnc.bojemski1757 3 жыл бұрын
The "BLACKBIRD"? REALLY?... WOW! PS: "...If this machine could talk...". Actually Joe it can! If your friend NEVER changed the ribbon it CAN be read and deciphered successfully SOOOOO... YES! IT CAN "TALK".
@lairdsky4604
@lairdsky4604 3 жыл бұрын
Looks identical to my Baby Empire 👍
@misterf7739
@misterf7739 8 жыл бұрын
Have you ever taken a machine on a flight? If so, did you run into any trouble at the security checkpoints?
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 8 жыл бұрын
I have not! Only taken them on car trips. Maybe one of these days.
@misterf7739
@misterf7739 8 жыл бұрын
Would you recommend it? The thought of some irritable security goon damaging or confiscating my machine terrifies me... But the thought of spending more than a month without a typewriter is also mortifying... I'm lost in deliberation!
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 8 жыл бұрын
I remember reading someone's blog on the Typosphere about doing just that. They took the machine through carry-on, it was spotted in the X-ray scan and hand-inspected. Other than curiosity, there wasn't an issue.
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 8 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure if I'd "recommend" it, but if you HAD to get across country in a short period of time - with a typewriter - don't take your best portable machine. Maybe take a thrift store beater portable to test the idea.
@leung9401
@leung9401 7 жыл бұрын
I'd like to take a Hermes Baby on a flight with a Lockheed Super Constellation.
@AndrewKerensky
@AndrewKerensky 6 жыл бұрын
Crikey this is the same identical typewriter as a Baby Empire Aristocrat :-)
@Melvorgazh
@Melvorgazh 6 жыл бұрын
Hey, Joe! I love the look of that typewriter! So it was used by tue militaries a lot then? I noticed there is no + key. Do you think some later models of the Rocket or Baby had that + sign? With the @ sign at the same time? Cheers!
@Joe_VanCleave
@Joe_VanCleave 6 жыл бұрын
I'm not certain. Here's a later Rocket with the @ symbol. www.pinterest.com/pin/18366310951004510/ I didn't see any pictures of Rockets with + symbols on my brief Google image search, so they don't appear to be very common.
@Melvorgazh
@Melvorgazh 6 жыл бұрын
Lovely! I saw one just like this on eBay. I tried to make a + sign on my Splendid 33, by typing lower case L basckspace then - but it didn't give a nice result. I bet depending on the font sometimes it can work better.
@Melvorgazh
@Melvorgazh 6 жыл бұрын
Ok. Thanks a lot, Joe!
@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536
@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536 Жыл бұрын
It is a rocket.
@MadanLal-ul8wx
@MadanLal-ul8wx 28 күн бұрын
Hello joe Iam from india I have a royal portable typewriter if you interested then u contact me
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