I was able to fix the shift mechanism with a few adjustments and while I was at it figured out what was wrong with the main accumulator so now addition and subtraction work. Next up: multiplication.
I decided to start by fixing the shift mechanism, which stutters when shifting left. I'm hoping resolving that may also resolve some of the other issues. I was able to locate a service manual for a similar calculator which has some decent diagrams. #antique #calculator
Today we attempt to repair and refurbish a Monromatic CSA-8 electro-mechanical calculator from the 1950s-1960s. At the moment addition and subtraction don't update the accumulator among othet issues, I hope just from seized gears. #antique #calculator
The biggest challenge with filing expense reports is deciding which #antique adding machine in my collection to use to add up receipts. Today's winner is an RC Allen model 75. #vintagecomputers
Here's a bonus video of what happens when you divide by zero on an electro-mechanical calculator. #infiniteloop
My Marchant Silent Speed is all cleaned up and ready to go with the rest of my collection! #antique #calculator
Here's another view of the same operation from the back so you can see more of the gears move.
Success! A little cleaning and lubrication freed up the stuck registers enough to do long division. Here's the Marchant Silent Speed approximating Pi. #antique #calculator
The Marchant Silent Speed #antique #calculator restoration begins! Here's hoping this is as far as I have to take it apart today.
Check out the latest addition to my #antique #calculator collection! This is a Marchant "Silent Speed" 8D from 1940, a fast electromechanical analog calculator that can even infinite loop if you divide by zero. I'll be refurbishing it this weekend to make it fully functional.
The #scale19x memory that will stick with me most is when an unopened soda can left in front of the projector exhaust vent exploded in the middle of my talk like a gunshot, shooting a geyser of soda in the air. I'm going to get so much mileage out of that story.
The wool scarf is done! This is a surprise present for a male family member (who doesn't read my social media feed). It took about 7.5 hours start to finish and I'm pleased with how it turned out. #weaving
Well that was fast. I just finished #weaving the scarf. Now I just need to take it off the loom, tie the fringe, and wash/full it.
My next #weaving project is a simple twill scarf using single-ply, natural color worsted-weight wool raised locally. Doing something this simple is a nice change of pace from my previous projects.
My rug is done! Here it is in its natural habitat. It took me a bit over 55 hours to make it in total. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and learned a lot about Rep #weaving in the process.
This is the current #safetyrazor line up I rotate though. The Fat Boy and Slim adjustables (far left) are always nice, and the Stahly Live Blades (far right) were recent faves, but the Gillette Red Tip (middle) surprised me with some great shaves and is the current fave. #shaving
Halfway through tying the fringe on the rug. I'm using a double Damascus edge which takes about 6 hours per side. #weaving
My rug is almost ready to take off the loom. The #weaving went quickly compared to the set up, but at the end here I'm struggling because I've run out of warp! I've had to pull many tricks out of my bag to finish this, but I think the final product will still be great.
Technical author, FOSS advocate, public speaker, Linux security & infrastructure geek, author of The Best of Hack and /: Linux Admin Crash Course, Linux Hardening in Hostile Networks and many other books, ex-Linux Journal columnist.