Metal Typer Tips
Many of the metal typer tokens I have collected and even that I’ve made personally have typos in them. So, in order to help ease people’s frustrations with using these great souvenir machines I’ve compiled a few tips on the using these machines:
- Prior to approaching the machine plan what you want to say. Remember you have 32 spaces for your message.
- Before inserting your money be sure to give the release lever (typically the right) a good pull. People frequently do not pull this lever far enough and their token is not dispensed. Not only will this ensure the machine is ready to create your token, but occasionally will earn you a free token with someone else’s inscription!
- After giving a good tug to the release lever, make sure it is fully returned to the upright position by giving it a little push towards the machine.
- Next you should rotate the pointer a few complete turns in each direction. The bulk of these machines are old and often the pointer will turn more readily in one direction then the other.
- Finally, you’re ready to insert your money and begin the stamping process.
- Always rotate the pointer in the same direction (the one you determined to be smoother in the previous step) and make a full turn before selecting the character you are imprinting.
- Hold the pointer firmly against the machine, with the tip right on the line of the character you’re aiming at, while pulling the imprint lever (typically the left).
- Wait for the imprinting to be completely done before moving the pointer to the next character. You can usually both feel and hear the internal parts moving. Wait for the machine to stop vibrating and be totally quiet before rotating the pointer a full turn and then selecting your next character.
