Glad to hear about your project and the approaching completion.

I can't help you on the keys.

The only differences between a "business" Graphotype and one which was
made on government contract as a dog-tagger is that the tagger has no
provision for a plate flattener and it has jaws milled for the thicker
metal plate. If you can feel the jaws squeeze the tag as you put it
in, you have a "business" plate holder.

There was no standard typeface for the taggers -- I have seen several
different fonts in use. All that I have seen were debossers, the
embossed tags didn't start showing up until the computerized taggers
arrived.

I have done a bunch of tags for Army guys who wanted "real" (debossed)
tags instead of the embossed tags they were issued. All the DOD cares
about is that the characters are legibly and permanently stamped.



--- In Graphotype_Machines@yahoogroups.com, "ferroglyph"
<ferroglyph@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> I am nearing the completion of the complete restoration of my 6381
Graphotype machine.
> It has been a long journey but is nearing the end. Hopefully by the
end of next month I
> will have a beautifully looking and functioning machine.
>
> I have a few requests. I am looking for the round plastic shift keys
for the keyboard. I
> have checked every typewriter store, ebay and scrap pile but cannot
find them. Just need
> two-black in color, about 5/8" round-plastic. Anyone have at a
reasonable price?
>
> Also I have called a few "Graphotype Repairmen" ...many have offered
less than helpful
> advice and even mentioned my machine was "a piece of junk" (see my
restored pics I'll add
> here in a months time to see what "junk" looks like!)
>
> All that said...I am still wondering what makes a plate printing
Graphotype different than a
> Dog Tag printing machine? It is my assumption that the jaws are
different, the type (mine
> is #83) is different (yes all caps... i know), mine is a debosser
does this matter?
>
> Any logical thoughts and facts would be greatly appreciated.
>
> A Big Thanks Again to all of the helpful individuals on this site
and others. Especially those
> who have encouraged me to restore my "scrap machine". I do
appreciate your honest and
> generous help!
>
> Greg
>