TI-59 card reader restoration

[albertofenini]

Hi everyone,

we are trying to restore the card reader of three TI-59s
all of them are made in Europe (Holland), two in 1978 and one in 1979

the one made in 1979 reads and writes almost all of the times, even multi sided
cards and cards that are coming from other units

one of the unit from 1978 has a faint display, and reads and writes sometimes
but can also read cards from recorded on the unit made in 1979

the last one, also made in 1978 we broke the card reader while trying to take the motor
out from the assembly in order to measure the roller size (inner and outer diameter)
so we don't know if it would have been able to read and/or write

however, all of them looks different from the ones pictured in the various documents
available on the internet where a card reader restoration is shown.

just to make myself clear, the ones shown on internet have the motor groups screwed to
the card reader assembly and 6 tiny screws which keep a carter fixed t the motor assembly
the two tiny screws at the most left should keep the motor

ours, have the motor assembly riveted (copper rivet) to the card reader assembly
and only 4 tiny screws to keep the carter coupled with the motor assembly

One more question, has anyone tried to use o-ring or silicon tubes to replace the gummy wheel ?
And if yes, what are the specs ?

Any hint on howe to repair the broken contact will also be appreciated (is one of the contact spring)

Pictures here : TI-59 card reader restoration