Royal Royalite Parade Eldorado Companion Citadel Typewriter Feet Kit (FULL SET)

Description: ** Update---I am experimenting with offering color options. Important here, because these feet came in black, white, or silver, it seems, so I'm offering the same options here, just be sure to select the appropriate color option (no color mentioned means black)This listing is *currently* for the early years (v1) of the Royal Royalite typewriter, including it's very many namesakes, as well as the 2nd body version (v2) in the middle years. I will soon update this listing with the v3 late model body and feet, covering all 3 model variations over about 15 years. Made from 1955 to about 1969, I poured through EVERY single specimen in the TWDB (a lot), to determine that there are 3 model variations, each with a different foot design.These machines evolved from the Halberg Traveler. When Royal bought out the Dutch manufacturer, they started producing Royalites out of the old Halberg factory. They will typically state they were made in Holland or The Netherlands. This listing will cover all 3 variants soon, which variously used many different model names, but are in fact the same machine. Here are the variations and some of the names they go by:Early Years (v1). Made around 1955 - 1959. Royalite, Eldorado, Eldorado Deluxe, Dart?, Citadel, Traveler, Companion?Middle Years (v2). Made around 1960 - 1964. Royalite, Parade, Singer Scholastic, Citadel?, Crescent, Crescent 590, Astronaut, Companion?Late Years (v3). Made around 1965 - 1969. Royalite, Parade, Skylark, Quiet DeluxeThis is rather confusing, and nothing is cast in stone! For example, sometimes, the machine will look like v1, but have v2 feet! Please double check both the body style and the feet style before ordering your parts, referring to my photos. What matter most is the foot style, and feel free to message me with your pictures and questions, I'm happy to help. Early Years (v1). These are very nice machines, but what an overcomplicated bottom mechanical design! There are 16 rubber parts, originally using 6 or more tiny washers and 6 screws! But, never fear, replacement is pretty easy once you get your head around it. The 6 tiny spacers included tend to go flying and then vanish, so I am including 2 spares. Referring to my photos, you need to:Using a thin-tipped flat screwdriver, remove the 6 tiny screws that secure the bottom plate.Remove the 4 screws that pass through the 4 rear feet that are screwed through the bottom plate into the machine. Don't lose the screws.The body will now move freely, and you can remove it by sliding the carriage to one side and working it off at an angle; set the body and bottom plate aside.There will be 6 or more tiny washers and spacers that go everywhere, be sure to get them all out of the machine. I don't know what the designer was thinking, it's extremely difficult to get them back into place when you reassemble. I didn't use them, they are not necessary.Remove the old feet, saving them for posterity if you want, but they tend to break into pieces.The front feet install by working the "nipple" through the hole at an angle, and then twisting back and forth while pushing in. They should just pop in and then stay put.To install the 4 rear feet, push the screw through the bottom of each foot, they will be snug and stay put. Push each foot and screw through the hole in the bottom plate, and then slip a ring over each foot, this should hold the foot in place while you screw it into the machine. Install all 4 rear feet. Don't over tighten the screws, this is against soft rubber without a washer.The replacement spacers are designed for easy installation. One by one, push the screws through the holes from the bottom, and push the spacer onto the screw from the top. The fit is tight, making the screws captive. Install all 6.Now, you need to carefully set the machine onto the bottom plate, lining up the holes with the 6 captive screws and spacers. This is not a perfect process (you should try doing it with washers!). Work your way around turning each screw a few turns into the machine, until each is in it's hole. If one screw and spacer pop out, no big deal, you can fix that later. If one fell out, but the rest are loosely screwed in, you can place the machine on a counter overhanging where the screw fell out. Using a tweezers, or needle nose pliers, place the spacer back where it belongs, and push the screw through. Keep trying until they are all in, then adjust the bottom plate so it will fit correctly, and only then tighten the 6 screws. Middle Years (v2). I just got my first of these machines, the lovely red one in the photos. Wow, this seems quite a step up in design and quality, and a big improvement in bottom plate removal and feet replacement! Please see the detailed instruction steps in the photos, it's actually super simple compared to v1. The feet are made so the screws fit tight, this holds them in place so they don't go flying, and you can use the rubber as a handle to turn the screws in. At the end, you will need an appropriate screwdriver to tighten a little more, not too tight as there is no washer, just snug. It's slightly confusing as the front spacers are larger than the middle and back (I include one extra of each in case you lose one), and the front feet are also taller than the back feet. Take your time and get this straight, and all will be well. Aged typewriters originally had rubber feet that by now may be squashed or have the properties resembling chewing gum under a desk, which is the problem with using rubber (think old eraser). I have found that the rubber formula used here (must have been synthetic) has held up pretty well, generally looking pretty good, but no longer had any grip left, so the machine will slide around making typing difficult. Luckily, today we can make much improved feet using modern 3D Printing techniques and synthetic materials, they look fantastic and function better than the original rubber ever could have, and will hopefully last a lot longer!I designed these to be nearly an identical replacement, but with the advantages of modern technology we can engineer materials that were previously impossible. I printed with NinjaFlex Black TPU (https://ninjatek.com/ninjaflex/), which is nearly indestructible in ordinary use (but a knife or scissors will cut it, just like rubber!), flexible, and very gripping on most surfaces. I printed these with a complicated interior design for a balance between good friction on the table, a secure fit on the machine, and shock absorption while you type. These look and function just like the original, but should last much longer and be far more durable. Some people may prefer the original dull rubber look, but I actually think these are a superior look to rubber, and the glossy sheen looks great on the machine. Rubber hardens within a few years, these should not! Note that 3D printed feet indeed have lines, but this is more noticeable in my close up photos than on the machine in real life. Feet are available lately from a number of vendors, which is great for all typewriter enthusiasts. What is not great is the disinformation being spread by some. Please ignore other's marketing claims that 3D printed feet have no grip, or that their feet are more "professional", "perfect shore hardness", or "rubber just like from the factory". I'm not sure anyone is using vintage rubber materials, nor should they, synthetic rubber is superior (kind of like oil for your car), and lower Shore Hardness only means they are weaker and easier to puncture! My feet are optimized 3-dimensional objects, not just poured solid into a mold with air bubble defects. Look at my reviews, these are beautiful and amazing typewriter feet being bought by collectors and dealers alike, I'm regularly told my feet are the best.I designed these for my own typewriter as shown, and this is an experiment to see if it's worth my time to make some more for the community. PS: Ebay's volume discount display is a bit confusing, each purchase is a complete kit of parts for one typewriter, so picking "1" is one kit; "2" is 2 kits, etc.**PSS** Typewriters and mounting hardware shown in photos is for illustration and display only, and is NOT included in this listing!! This auction is for sets of 4 typewriter feet only, you need any original washer and screw for each foot **

Price: 32 USD

Location: Leesburg, Virginia

End Time: 2024-11-04T06:58:35.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD