deskthority

I just unsealed the last box (time capsule) to discover this Heathkit ET-3100 Electronic Design Experimenter.

Here is one of these fully completed:

Nice find. I really like the keyboard kits. Thanks. The Motorola MEK6800D2 is not just a keyboard but an entire microcomputer yet to be assembled! My favorite piece of the collection. A true time capsule. I believe “Apple” users (it was only named the Apple 1 retrospectively) were expected to use a...

Just picked up this neat collection of computer accessories and electronic bits which were literally destined for the recycling bin. Going through this stuff I feel like I took a trip back to 1978. Also everything smells old with the pleasant musk of basement mold. A wealth of knowledge here along w...

Since the office is a wasteland then you can use any loud keyboard you like Additionally if you annoy enough co-workers they may decide to not come

Forgive my ignorance, but do the Model F and M battleships talk to different terminals/computers? I always thought it was the switch type that differentiated between F and M, but could see the controllers also being a factor. I asked the seller for a closeup of the barrel with the cap removed but I...

Is this textile factory still standing? I would love to have some parts from one of these 3741/3742's to add to my shell of a 3741.

But after looking at the label it appears to be converted to a Model M: That is wild. I've seen a number of F122's mistakenly labeled as Model M's but never one as being labeled as converted to a Model M with a specific part number. It does have the right angled keyboard cable connector that matche...

im not sure, is it really worth that much? i mean there are plenty good space invader keyboards. Is it worth it? That all depends on who you ask. Anything Symbolics related is highly sought after even in bad condition. At least replacement Space Invader switches are available to refresh this keyboa...

Some more insights on PC usage. So far for GE PLC programing support systems include the PDT, Workmaster, CIMSTAR I Industrial Computer, IBM PC, and the Workmaster II. Series 6 Intro GE Programming.jpg Workmaster.jpg GE PC.jpg The CIMSTAR I Series 5 Manual cimstar AT.jpg A picture I found on eBay of...

And yet deeper into the rabbit back to 1982 was the 100 pound portable known as the Program Development Terminal

Series 6 Programming Manual

The Series Six itself is black, and can be branded under "Fanuc" and the GE Fanuc Workmasters are also distinctly black. So I guess brand consistency? GE_Fanuc_series_Six.jpg Brand consistancy is key and offering fully polished systems and solutions to customers with their own logo (at a nice marku...

Perhaps this Xah guy might be able to help? He does some Lisp programming.

http://xahlee.info/kbd/xerox_1109_lisp_keyboard.html

http://xahlee.info/kbd/lisp_keyboards.html

Whoa, nice find!

And another

Such a soothing bath for the smelly membrane mat, sure. But first it’s best out of the keyboard. ;) I’ve heard tales of dishwasher washed AEKs since before I even got into keyboards. I suspect they are hit and miss to say the least. Buckling springs aren’t made for water, let alone the membranes. A...

@JP! I didn’t mean for the post to come off as inflammatory Ignore me. It was just in jest. Normally for this level of gore it's best to a have a "viewer discretion is advised" disclaimer. I'm sure the 40+ year old plastic isn't as robust as it once was but my thoughts are for this sort of damage t...

I have a Model M that smells weirdly like beef jerky and looks like it is stained with tobacco residue. I think it is a lost cause but maybe a nice warm, soapy bath would help. Also maybe a good soak in a water / vinegar solution to clean and deodorize might help.

@Ellipse. Are the R1 switch stem legs prone to breakage during shipping or from mounting keycaps with too much force? It's rare but I've seen the legs break off during shipping and noticed the compact R1 stems have less material to reinforce the stem legs (less material relative to IBM stems). Mods...

Is it normal to have those notches above the date sticker? After I posted this I went and looked and it appears it is normal and my keyboard above is the odd one out. Interesting It seems that these notches are not present until the tail end of 1985. https://deskthority.net/wiki/images/thumb/b/ba/I...

One other with an odd part number that was not added to the wiki :o https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/product/ibm-industrial-model-m-1985-1388081-1388032/ "Part number 1388081 (a factory customized version of the 1388032 – it appears like the production run was so small that IBM just affixed the part ...

MathematicalJ wrote: ↑

13 Feb 2023, 01:04

I was just looking for your board yesterday and couldn't find it.

Here you go:

viewtopic.php?f=62&p=465478#p465478

I stumbled across a similiar but later document which references Allen Bradley and GE. At this point I would not be surprised if there are yet to be discovered OEM variants. Kind of neat that even today Unicomp is making black GE Healthcare boards, although that is perhaps more a coincidence since b...

darkcruix wrote: ↑

11 Feb 2023, 23:12

I can talk about the tools I constantly use. Some of them are inexpensive but others have been a large investment over time.

Love this. A nice desoldering tool has been on my list for a while.

webwit wrote: ↑

12 Feb 2023, 19:27

Regrettably I am missing an Industrial SSK.

Good evening, I took some pictures of that early Industrial Model M that came with an IBM 5170 system I purchased recently. The pervious owner said he almost threw it away along with the 5153 monitor. Well they both survived and here are some keyboard photos for those who might want to check it out...

In case there are other ones out there who are tinkering with old keyboards and have their own work bench, this is the topic to share yours. I know, things can always change, but I would be interested what tools / work bench others are using. I have my little "man cave" in the basement with a few i...

The switch plate is the same as that on the Space Cadet. The PCB is very similar but not the same. In fact, the PCB can accommodate the same number of switches in the same locations as the Space Cadet's PCB. The connector also appears to be in the same place. I wouldn't be surprised if it was elect...

Mu - A fine institution!

A refreshing Modelo M

https://www.ebay.com/itm/364138458185

Interesting Micro Switch board to look at...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225406217728