I have an heirloom Curta Type 1 that is in good working order with the exception that it is missing the crank handle on the crank arm. It works without it but I would like to see if it could be repaired.

I sent an email to Jack Christensen, whom was listed as a person proficient with Curta Repairs in Illinois, but I never received a reply. Tonight I checked the bulletin board and found entries from 2012 of other folks that had sent their Curtas to Jack and had not received them back or had not heard from him. Apparently he had family problems.

My question: Is there anyone in the U.S. that could make the repair? If not, how would I go about ordering a replacement crank handle or crank arm/handle assembly.

Any help in this regard would be greatly appreciated.

Bill Jaenicke
San Juan Capistrano, California USA

Hi Bill


I can you offer an used crank for free - this will only fit to the metal type of crank arm (the crank axles are different)
or
an unused crank (not for free) - this will fit to both the plastic and the metal type of crank arm

You will need a small screw driver for this...

Hi murff,

Thank you for the reply and offer of a used metal crank, Indeed, my Type 1 is metal. However, looking at the very nice photo you included in your reply I see that I'll be needing more than just the crank handle. Apparently the pin that it attaches to has been broken off so I'll be needing a handle and the pin.

I guess I'll also need to figure out how to remove the broken pin from the crank arm -- is it pressed in? Can I use a drift pint to carefully drive it out - or is there some other preferred method?

Here's a picture of what it look likes like:

[img]/home/bill/Pictures/curta2.JPG

What would the cost be for a new pin and crank handle?

Again, thanks so much for the help.

All the best,

Bill Jaenicke

(I'm new to the use of a bulletin board and don't know if the image I wanted to include in this post is being displayed. If not, please let me know how to insert the photo).

Hi murff,

OK. So here is my next attempt at loading an image:

[img]http://www.tetratoys.com/public_html/curta2.JPG
[/img]

murff,

That didn't work either. I can email you an image if you give me your email.

Thanks,

Bill

PM sent...