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Borroughs Tan Colored Adding Machine

May 4, 2015 By Paul

2015-04-30 16.32.29We get only a few cash registers and adding machines in the shop these days, and it is too bad as I love working on these mechanical wonders. This adding machine is a 7 row and capable of $10,000 increments. The keys were sticking and the basic add, subtract and multiply functions were intermittent. It had not been used for a number of years.

Mr. Montgomery had the first go at it as he has decades of troubleshooting experience. Once opened up he concluded it needed a generous degreasing as ALL the grease and oil points had been petrified to varnish. It took quite a bit of time in the solvent cleaning station to free up most of the mechanisms. It made a huge difference as once the pivot points were free, the functions started to behave normally.2015-04-30 16.32.55

Re-greasing and oiling the right spots made this adding machine a joy to use. Finding 7/16 inch wide ribbon was a challenge as most ribbon today is 1/2 inch. Tony Cassillo of Garden City New York still carries 7/16″ ribbon so I feel very lucky to have someone willing to stock something clearly obsolete.2015-04-30 16.32.47

Once the ribbon was installed, the function testing was really quite fun. If you’ve never used a mechanical adding machine it is really an experience. The pull of the handle each time you create the equation has a feel and sound that brings back memories of the old candy shop in Cannon Beach Oregon and the cash register they hand cranked for penny candy.2015-04-30 16.04.47

Filed Under: Typewriter

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About Paul Lundy and Mr. Montgomery

Bob Montgomery, recently passed away at 96, had been repairing typewriters for decades. Paul Lundy purchased the business and may be the last left in … More...

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