Teletype ASR 33 Tape punch transport issue

[spiceminer]

Hello everybody,

Since today, my tape punch stopped working on my Teleprint 390 terminal (with ASR 33 mechanical buildup).
It seems like the feed pawl does not turn the feed ratchet.

The Punch ON/OFF buttons feel a little bit mushy.

The punching mechanism works, its just the feed that does not.

Any ideas?

Here is a short video of the machine in operation:

https://youtu.be/_NGS9H3PrPo

Best regards
Stephan

 

[durgadas311]

Hopefully others will be able to help. I haven't touched one of these for 35 years. But I did have problems with those small springs that hold many of the pieces in-place so that the mechanics engage properly. You might look in the bottom of the unit for stray springs, probably stuck in a puddle of oil like something at the La Brea tar pits, although they can fly off a bit when they break or work loose. Perhaps double check first that the feed wheel has got the proper tension on the tape, as the tape is fed by friction only.