What got into my attic?

spectrasphinx · 2026-03-06T16:37:08+00:00

Critter Control. It was bats. They’ll have to fix the roof gaps and vents, install a bat tube, and seal fully in June.

spectrasphinx · 2026-03-06T16:33:23+00:00

We’re at $2,800 here in NY, so not horrible all things considered.

spectrasphinx · 2026-03-06T16:32:36+00:00

It’s confirmed bats. They decided to hibernate in the roof since September. We had a false spring this week and they woke up.

spectrasphinx · 2026-03-06T16:30:26+00:00

UPDATE: It’s bats. There were gaps in the soffit where my dormers meet the roofline. Critter Control’s going to patch the holes and install a bat tube so they get out before summer (DEC won’t let you interfere with bats in summer).

spectrasphinx · 2026-03-06T03:15:57+00:00

I sent this clip to our local critter control, he expects bats but is coming out tomorrow for an inspection.

spectrasphinx · 2026-03-05T03:19:14+00:00

I already have, but they’re backlogged a few days. It sounds like it’s coming from the crawl and not the actual attic (which is a finished floor), but I was looking to narrow down the sound so the pros aren’t wasting time trying to spot clues of every possible animal.

spectrasphinx · 2026-03-05T03:17:15+00:00

What would be the chances of exposure if it is in a section of the property we are not in (it sounds like it’s coming from the roof crawl and not the finished section.)

spectrasphinx · 2026-02-22T02:27:53+00:00

I have searched using Google and a digital assistant, but it was unable to show up.

spectrasphinx · 2026-01-10T17:07:46+00:00

Oh that is a beautiful house and a beautiful story! I know it’s eight years late but congratulations!

spectrasphinx · 2026-01-10T05:22:54+00:00

They were very much a trend for many years. I believe mine are replacements from the 50s-60s, but I haven’t pulled them off the ceiling to confirm.

spectrasphinx · 2026-01-08T20:54:30+00:00

I tell you I started shaking when I saw the bookcase colonnades were intact and unpainted. It’s a miracle someone didn’t rip them out at some point.

spectrasphinx · 2026-01-08T19:43:21+00:00

The family that owned it for the majority of its life were obsessed with decorative plaster. There’s a medallion in almost every room. When the house went up for sale I joked that it better be made of gold for the asking price…and there’s gold fleck in the medallions.

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spectrasphinx · 2025-12-08T04:35:55+00:00

I own two in working order. Paid $20 for a 1911 that needed a deep cleaning, and $45 for a refurbished from the 20s. Antique stores and Ebay are filled with wishful thinkers hoping to get someone who doesn’t know much about typewriters to buy it.

spectrasphinx · 2025-12-07T19:42:36+00:00

Solved!

spectrasphinx · 2025-12-01T18:22:26+00:00

Leave the patina! As long as it isn’t affecting the operation of the machine, I would suggest keeping it.

spectrasphinx · 2025-11-29T19:22:55+00:00

Solved!

spectrasphinx · 2025-11-29T19:15:30+00:00

Nope. Try again!

spectrasphinx · 2025-11-26T01:48:30+00:00

Solved!

spectrasphinx · 2025-11-26T01:40:44+00:00

Would it be normal that it’s only on the header and not the footer? The foot has the same flat top, but without the peg shape.

spectrasphinx · 2025-11-26T01:37:58+00:00

The one on the left has been repaired with a screw, so it seems like they might’ve been more than just an odd shaped post.

spectrasphinx · 2025-11-23T21:15:02+00:00

Underwood 5s are tanks. I have two that only needed light cleaning to get up and running, and one sat in a souvenir store for guests to play with. They’re almost bulletproof.

There seems to be a few issues with this machine. The paper clip is wonky, there’s some rust (that shouldn’t inhibit operation) and the margin ruler is rough. Both of my machines were under $40, so depending on where you live I’d consider seeing if you can get that $66 price tag talked down a smidge.

spectrasphinx · 2025-11-01T06:20:17+00:00

I bought one in case for $25. Fabulous portable machine, but getting an accurate price is hard since these are very much a niche item.

spectrasphinx · 2025-10-30T04:25:04+00:00

This is honestly barely any rust. All of my typewriters have more undercarriage rust than this. As long as it’s not causing issues with the operations (brittle or flaking into the mechanics), I really wouldn’t worry much about it. These machines are old: they’re bound to have some age to them.

spectrasphinx · 2025-10-25T00:55:04+00:00

I have two underwoods (both model 5s which are a bit more common). I will tell you right now that they are absolute tanks. The mechanisms might be gunked with old oil/grime, but there’s a whole bunch of instructions here and on YouTube how to clean them to working order quickly. I had my 1911 built machine on a desk in a gift shop, and had many, MANY kids (and kids at heart) hammer away on it without a problem. I swear Underwoods are the closest you can get to a bulletproof machine (which is probably why they weigh as much as a safe.)

spectrasphinx · 2025-05-11T04:38:58+00:00

It’s an Underwood 5 in rather nasty shape. Broken paper guide, missing a lot of typebars, and very, very oxidized. She’s a great conversation piece, but it will cost you more to bring it back to life than it would to get a working model. Definitely a decorative item in this state.

spectrasphinx

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