Search found 276 matches

by Parak
21 Oct 2020, 03:32
Forum: Want to buy
Topic: WTB Beamspring module parts
Replies: 1
Views: 782

WTB Beamspring module parts

Due to me being an idiot I have misplaced some parts somewhere during a disassembly years ago, only realizing now that I am missing them. 1x o-ring 2x metal stem inserts 1x flyplate Thought I'd put this out there in the unusual case that somebody has module bits and pieces that they don't know what ...
by Parak
19 Apr 2020, 10:34
Forum: Gallery
Topic: IBM Learning System Sciences (?!)
Replies: 2
Views: 2029

IBM Learning System Sciences (?!)

This one is a bit bizarre, and the IBM provenance is... weird. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49791320148_2a799484d8_b.jpg The back label, which was unfortunately torn or cleaned off by the seller. Thankfully, there's still a photo: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49791358713_3e2ecec326_b.j...
by Parak
22 Jan 2018, 10:04
Forum: Gallery
Topic: The native state of spare part beam spring modules
Replies: 19
Views: 5451

Yeah, HaaTa mentioned being surprised at the measurements and repeated another set with the same results. Each graph is a set of 4 measurements as well, so you can see the consistency (or lack thereof, for some switches). Travel shouldn't be affected by the compression - there's no more room or give...
by Parak
21 Jan 2018, 00:37
Forum: Gallery
Topic: The native state of spare part beam spring modules
Replies: 19
Views: 5451

I suspect that the reduced force is due to them being rubber banded for a few decades, and the considerable smoothness due to lack of environmental and human debris. However, the reduced travel is pretty weird and not quite explainable without comparing the two with calipers and such.
by Parak
20 Jan 2018, 07:05
Forum: Gallery
Topic: The native state of spare part beam spring modules
Replies: 19
Views: 5451

Graphs courtesy of HaaTa:

Generic beam spring from a used 5251:

Image

The aforementioned NIB switches:

Image
by Parak
23 Dec 2017, 20:50
Forum: Gallery
Topic: The native state of spare part beam spring modules
Replies: 19
Views: 5451

Oh wow, someone's finally tracked some of these down. I knew they existed, but I had never seen them before. Do you know how ample this stock is? There were about a keyboard's worth, and I got them all to serve as potential replacements in a refurbishment project. Definitely wasn't cheap. I am amaz...
by Parak
23 Dec 2017, 08:51
Forum: Gallery
Topic: The native state of spare part beam spring modules
Replies: 19
Views: 5451

The native state of spare part beam spring modules

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4728/24371661537_a4f582fcbe_k.jpg bs1 https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4685/24371661167_9f5ad22f97_k.jpg bs2 Got a few packaged exactly like this - rubber banded, individually in small plastic baggies, stapled closed. As per the person I got these from, these are NIB(ag...
by Parak
20 Aug 2017, 23:30
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Uncommon Vocabulary
Replies: 60
Views: 21369

Monocoque
by Parak
20 Aug 2017, 00:33
Forum: Other external
Topic: Great/Interesting Finds
Replies: 26262
Views: 8606086

http://www.ebay.de/itm/sehr-alte-Tastatur-Dietz-Computer-Systeme-in-Schule-verwendet-1-/202020173940 This auction ends tomorrow. I bought the other one the seller had, but I did not receive it yet and won't receive it before the auction ends. The layout and captions on the PCB on the last picture l...
by Parak
23 Jul 2017, 18:56
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Xwhatsit/CS-Compatible IBM 3277 PCB
Replies: 107
Views: 37456

I'd be interested in the split mini pcb as well, might give me extra incentive to fix mine :p
by Parak
23 Jul 2017, 08:09
Forum: Gallery
Topic: Another IBM LPFK
Replies: 9
Views: 3818

Another IBM LPFK

You may or may not have seen these via the great finds thread, so here they are: https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4316/35931199392_b11b1c79f7_k.jpg Time has not been kind to the keycaps. Lots of cracks on most of them, especially the LED window. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4317/35931197912_fa822006...
by Parak
21 Jul 2017, 22:12
Forum: Other external
Topic: Great/Interesting Finds
Replies: 26262
Views: 8606086

Pace soldering station, around 1/3 of what these cost new:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/292191300534

Tips use their own heaters, so there's not much that fails in used units.

(also far better than a similarly priced hakko, say)
by Parak
13 Jul 2017, 17:46
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Best replacement foam for keytronic foam and foil switches
Replies: 26
Views: 10071

I haven't done it myself, but it'd be something of this sort: http://vintageapple.org/lisainfo/Lukes_LISA_keyboard_repair.pdf Basically pick closed cell if you want more stiffness but more durability, and open cell for the opposite. I'd probably go with the softest closed cell epdm/neoprene blend yo...
by Parak
06 Jul 2017, 00:09
Forum: Gallery
Topic: 3278 1979 Plastic Case Beamspring and *Accessories*
Replies: 15
Views: 5203

Obligatory

Image
by Parak
03 Jul 2017, 22:56
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: American Pickers - Vintage Computer Edition
Replies: 30
Views: 6988

More importantly, what switches were on the echoflow?!
by Parak
02 Jul 2017, 19:32
Forum: Gallery
Topic: IBM 3277 Beamspring split spacebar disassembly
Replies: 8
Views: 3610

This is just reminding me about that derusting which I still need to finish on mine :|
by Parak
24 Jun 2017, 05:15
Forum: Gallery
Topic: IBM Model M AT - 76X0035 - POS Keyboard
Replies: 22
Views: 9659

Another neat thing about these (I grabbed one on ebay a while back) is that the spacebar stabilizer is normal top plate mounted wire, and not the crappy underplate one that is in Fs.
by Parak
19 Apr 2017, 22:53
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Pet mysteries
Replies: 65
Views: 22211

cough

Image
by Parak
08 Mar 2017, 22:45
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Desoldering station recommendations?
Replies: 13
Views: 3718

If you have an air compressor, I'd say Metcal MX-5250/MX-5251. Otherwise, Pace ST-75, Weller WR2000X, JBC DIS, or if on a budget, Hakko FR-300 (beware of clones/fakes/scams).

Edit: Fixed up a model number.
by Parak
04 Mar 2017, 10:20
Forum: Gallery
Topic: Cortron foam and foil
Replies: 9
Views: 2700

I've had a few of these lying around for a while now - they also come in backlight flavor where those center pads hold an LED that shines directly through a hole in the switch stem.

Horrible to type on by the way, but key feel is not exactly the ultimate purpose of these boards.
by Parak
03 Mar 2017, 19:38
Forum: Workshop
Topic: PIC32MX KBD
Replies: 13
Views: 3983

Reinventing the cnc controller from scratch, with FPGAs no less, is some seriously hardcore work! PICs are mostly unheard of around these parts, but it's always nice to see people using something different from the typical AVR. Yeah, bootloader and lack of sample firmware are typically the biggest p...
by Parak
28 Feb 2017, 05:38
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Another Model F refurbish project diary
Replies: 80
Views: 17137

I haven't worked with that, but it seems way more expensive than epdm/neoprene while being potentially less durable. Unless you need temperature resistance.
by Parak
27 Feb 2017, 17:53
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Another Model F refurbish project diary
Replies: 80
Views: 17137

Ok ... 0.062" it is. I've ordered the silicone sheet, but I'll still run by Michael's and purchase a sheet of EVA foam. I've got another old Model F coming in, so this won't be my last refurb project. Having both on hand will give me a chance to compare the two materials. FWIW, I tried 40A silicone...
by Parak
27 Feb 2017, 05:24
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Another Model F refurbish project diary
Replies: 80
Views: 17137

by Parak
17 Feb 2017, 19:43
Forum: Gallery
Topic: 5251!
Replies: 27
Views: 5344

y11971alex wrote: I'm going to review this keyboard alongside my Topre 87-key 55g arriving next week. There would be a scientific drop test — dropped on each other from a height of 3' to check durability :o
Image
by Parak
13 Jan 2017, 00:39
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: A new US Republican thread 2016
Replies: 1690
Views: 371950

fohat wrote: They will stroke his ego and he will sign anything that they put in front of him.
I can't resist:
by Parak
29 Dec 2016, 05:50
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: ALPS SKCC Board ID
Replies: 11
Views: 3597

No idea where it's from (other than Japan), but mmmm, I wants its :D
by Parak
27 Dec 2016, 00:57
Forum: Other external
Topic: Great/Interesting Finds
Replies: 26262
Views: 8606086

I've sold to b***a before, as far as I can tell he's just a serious collector with deep pockets. And a sleazy one at that - I mentioned this before, but there was a case a while back where he/she offered a seller a significantly higher amount via a PM after losing out on an item in an already very ...
by Parak
20 Dec 2016, 21:11
Forum: Other external
Topic: Great/Interesting Finds
Replies: 26262
Views: 8606086

al.c wrote: however, i haven't yet figured out how to connect this thing to my teensy, it has a strange 8-pin din connector:
HaaTa made some conversion code for it:

https://github.com/kiibohd/controller/t ... EpsonQX-10

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