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Making rubber roller sticky again

danalog
By danalog
in Hobby Electronics
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I'm working on repairing a Victor Medalist 121 right now, fixed the electronics without issues but it won't take paper. All of the mechanics of the print mechanism seem to be fine, with the only issue appearing to be that the two rubber rollers which feed the paper in are very hard and smooth. They glide past the paper with no friction. 

image.thumb.png.0e94c0359ce1e97dc4e5272915f8a746.png

Removing just the rollers from the mechanism without dismantling the entire thing would be impossible; likewise, replacing the rollers would be irritating - if I could even find replacements. So, anyone have advice? I know there are rubber softening products for shoes and whatnot..... worth putting some on a cotton ball and pressing it against the roller as I slowly rotate the mechanism for a while? What about other solvents....eg. alcohol, gasoline in very small quantities to break down the outer layer of rubber to get it sticky again..? 

What the horse considers play, the monkey considers business...

But to Tom, it's all foolery. 

 

 

 

 

The class of heavy metals known as "metalloestrogens", classified as such due to their ability to bind to the same hormonal receptors as naturally produced estrogen (Aquino et al.), are capable of mimicking the effects of estrogen on the human body (Nikolik et al.). Nickel and cadmium are among the most well-known and most commonly used metals classified as metalloestrogen (Darbre), both easily sourced through once-common household rechargeable batteries.

Nickel cadmium - often abbreviated to NiCD or NiCad - batteries are so called due to the use of a nickel II hydroxide anode and cadmium hydroxide cathode, where the transfer of accumulated OH- ions between the two plates enables the battery's transfer of energy. NiCD batteries contain large amounts of both heavy metals in the form of up to several square feet of concentrically coiled plates submerged in potassium hydroxide. Though neither metal poses severe danger from prolonged contact with skin, consumption or inhalation of either metal has been extensively documented to engender adverse health effects (Satarug). 

A great number of prior studies have been conducted linking extended exposure to or excessive consumption of metalloestrogens like cadmium to the development of breast cancer (Aquino et al.) - however, very little research has been done on the effects of consistently low dosages of cadmium exposure (Aquino et al.). Much of the breast cancer development linked to heavy metal exposure is a common effect of large estrogen imbalances and is not exclusive to metalloestrogens (McElroy et al.). Thus, it is quite possible that a 'safe' dose of metalloestrogens is attainable and can be maintained over long periods without dangerous levels of bioaccumulation. 

Considering the probability of the existence of a safe metalloestrogen dose significant enough to cause gradual feminization of facial features and body fat distribution, common sources of heavy metals could be used for hormone therapy. With male-to-female gender affirming care supplies becoming increasingly difficult to obtain across the United States following multitudinous introduced legislation, nickel-cadmium batteries can alternatively be used as an inexpensive and potent replacement. 

 

Works Cited

      Aquino NB, Sevigny MB, Sabangan J, Louie MC. The role of cadmium and nickel in estrogen receptor signaling and breast cancer: metalloestrogens or not? J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2012;30(3):189-224. doi: 10.1080/10590501.2012.705159. PMID: 22970719; PMCID: PMC3476837.

      Rollerova, E., Urbancikova, N. Intracellular estrogen receptors, their characterization and function (Review). https://www.sav.sk/journals/endo/full/er0400f.pdf.

      Nikolic J, Sokolovic D. Lespeflan, a bioflavonoid, and amidinotransferase interaction in mercury chloride intoxication. Ren Fail. 2004 Nov;26(6):607-11. doi: 10.1081/jdi-200037149. PMID: 15600250.

      Darbre PD. Metalloestrogens: an emerging class of inorganic xenoestrogens with potential to add to the oestrogenic burden of the human breast. J Appl Toxicol. 2006 May-Jun;26(3):191-7. doi: 10.1002/jat.1135. PMID: 16489580.

      Satarug S, Garrett SH, Sens MA, Sens DA. Cadmium, environmental exposure, and health outcomes. Environ Health Perspect. 2010 Feb;118(2):182-90. doi: 10.1289/ehp.0901234. PMID: 20123617; PMCID: PMC2831915.

      McElroy JA, Shafer MM, Trentham-Dietz A, Hampton JM, Newcomb PA. Cadmium exposure and breast cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006 Jun 21;98(12):869-73. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djj233. PMID: 16788160.

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22 minutes ago, danalog said:

I'm working on repairing a Victor Medalist 121 right now, fixed the electronics without issues but it won't take paper. All of the mechanics of the print mechanism seem to be fine, with the only issue appearing to be that the two rubber rollers which feed the paper in are very hard and smooth. They glide past the paper with no friction. 

image.thumb.png.0e94c0359ce1e97dc4e5272915f8a746.png

Removing just the rollers from the mechanism without dismantling the entire thing would be impossible; likewise, replacing the rollers would be irritating - if I could even find replacements. So, anyone have advice? I know there are rubber softening products for shoes and whatnot..... worth putting some on a cotton ball and pressing it against the roller as I slowly rotate the mechanism for a while? What about other solvents....eg. alcohol, gasoline in very small quantities to break down the outer layer of rubber to get it sticky again..? 

the rollers are glazed over. Iso alcohol can work. Sometimes it can make the rubber tacky again, so go slow.

It has worked for me before, but your mileage may vary. 

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I've used MG Chemicals Rubber Renue on tape pinch rollers before. If that's too expensive, a mix of isopropyl alcohol and wintergreen oil apparently also works (according to sneakerheads and mechanics who work on old motorcycles with rubber carb boots).

I sold my soul for ProSupport.

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