This Woodstock came into the shop for a new draw band. The old one finally gave up. Fortunately the spring (in the draw band spring drum) had not broken. Mr. Montgomery, every time a Woodstock comes into the shop, regales me with WWII memories. It turns out that Woodstock was a major supplier to the military and (as Mr. M. puts it) the wartime machines did not perform very well. I still find it funny (yes I really do laugh) when these early models arrive he ALWAYS says “these are the good ones”. I agree, as the few that I’ve worked on, the bearing assemblies are still in alignment and in general the mechanics are simple to put back in order.
There are numerous little things that also need servicing on the machine, and the customer really just wanted the draw band replaced. Not a problem!
One of the metal ends was in good shape, so I reused it. the other end had split so I fashioned a new end using light gauge piano wire then sewing the fabric on the end. This old beast really needs a good cleaning, degreasing, ribbon and the ribbon reverse adjusted. Even with all the dirt, nasty ribbon feed, and over oiling it really types quite nicely. I hope to see it again for a nice general service to make it perform as if it was new (well… 80 some years new).