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I'm currently working on a Columbia portable model 163. I have 2 questions/problems:

The needle cup has lost the spring for its lid. Could anyone please post a picture of that spring and how it was installed? I would like to build a correct working replacement.

Does anyone know a tried and safe way to remove paint splatter from the Rexine(?) covering? I tried GoJo and GooGone without success, but I'm afraid to try paint thinner, GoofOff or similar harsher methods.

Thanks
Andreas

I recently bought a 163, which is a rare bird indeed here in England. It's case was spattered with paint, and I cleaned it with an old toothbrush and a bowl of really hot water laced with washing detergent. The hot water seemed to soften the paint spots to the degree that I could "ping" them off with a fingernail. The needle bowl on mine is away at the moment being re-plated, along with some of the other internal fittings, but the spring is simply a right angled bit of spring steel that protrudes into the bowl through the slot in the side near the base for about a quarter of an inch, then runs up the outside edge of the bowl, through the slot in the top, where it is then bent over inwards at 90 degrees, just enough to stop it falling out. It is fitted by passing the right angle through the top slot, and then pushing it through the bottom slot, where it is held in place by tension only. It is only a right angle when fitted, when removed the angle opens up to around 45 degrees.

Barry

Here are some pictures of the needle cover hinge from a Columbia 161 portable. I don't know if the 163 uses the same type. Hope this helps! Bob B.

Phono48 wrote:I recently bought a 163, which is a rare bird indeed here in England. It's case was spattered with paint, and I cleaned it with an old toothbrush and a bowl of really hot water laced with washing detergent. The hot water seemed to soften the paint spots to the degree that I could "ping" them off with a fingernail. The needle bowl on mine is away at the moment being re-plated, along with some of the other internal fittings, but the spring is simply a right angled bit of spring steel that protrudes into the bowl through the slot in the side near the base for about a quarter of an inch, then runs up the outside edge of the bowl, through the slot in the top, where it is then bent over inwards at 90 degrees, just enough to stop it falling out. It is fitted by passing the right angle through the top slot, and then pushing it through the bottom slot, where it is held in place by tension only. It is only a right angle when fitted, when removed the angle opens up to around 45 degrees.

Barry

Thank you very much for the cleaning tips, I'll give that a try. I'm still not sure how that spring will keep the lid closed instead of opening it up. I'll have to play around with it a bit. Please post pictures of your parts when you get them back from re-plating. Many of the metal parts o mine - especially on the outside are badly pitted as well.

Thanks again
Andreas

barnettrp21122 wrote:Here are some pictures of the needle cover hinge from a Columbia 161 portable. I don't know if the 163 uses the same type. Hope this helps! Bob B.

Columbia 161 Needle Cover Hinge Details.jpg

Thanks Bob. Unfortunately the needle cup on the 163 is different and much more flimsy. That 161 needle cup seems to be much more stable.

Thanks again
Andreas

Hopefully here are the pics of the needle cup on my 163, last picture. Sorry some are a bit out of focus, trying to get too near, but you should get the idea. As you can see on pic.3, the flange on the back of the lid lies flat against the spring when the lid is closed, and as you lift the lid, the flange pushes the spring in, and when it has passed the halfway point, the spring pushes the flange out again, so the lid stays open.

Thank you very much! I should be able to copy that.

Andreas

Just a slight amendment to my last post. The lid doesn't stay in the "open" position. It has to be held whilst the needles are taken out. Sorry for any confusion.

Barry