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From: osborne@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Larry Osborne)
Newsgroups: comp.periphs.printers
Subject: parts for C.Itoh printer
Message-ID: <8005@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu>
Date: 1 Jun 90 18:33:28 GMT
Organization: University of Hawaii
Lines: 35

I have a C.Itoh Riteman F+ that I bought several years ago in Hong
Kong.  Rumour has it that it is mechanically the same as their
ProWriter Jr., which I think was sold in the U.S.  

The ribbon is advanced by a nifty little cam arrangement attached to
the print-head carrier.  When the head is gong forward (i.e. when
letters are being printed) the cam is not under pressure and the
ribbon remains stationary.  When the print-head returns, pressure from
a small sping pushes the cam against the ribbon and forces it to
advance.  Simple, and reliable.

Except that the air here in Hawaii is pretty corrosive (a lot worse
than Pittsburgh in the 60's, although a lot more pleasant to breath).
The spring which activates the cam has broken ... no, more than that,
it's disintegrated.  I can't even wind one myself because the original
is in little shards, so I have no model. I need a new sping. 

My local dealer moved to Seattle.  I have no number for C.Itoh printer
customer service.  I have no spring.

If someone knows where I can get mechanical parts for C.Itoh Riteman
(or Prowriter Jr.) printers, please let me know.  I would consider
buying a working mechanism from a junked printer if the price is low
enough.

Please reply to addresses below, since I rather like the printer
(other than that it is _S_L_O_W_), and hate to discard a couple of
hundred bucks because of a fifty-cent spring.


-- 
osborne@uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu (preferred)      | Larry N Osborne
osborne@uhccux.bitnet                           | SLIS, 2550 The Mall
                                                | University of Hawaii at Manoa
or via W.A.S.T.E.                               | Honolulu, Hawaii  96822