deskthority

So this weekend I scored a huge cache of IBM stuff from a local seller at a very reasonable price. There was even more stuff than this but was not IBM or keyboard related.

The Haul:
-A complete IBM 5150 PC with original boxes and accessories. The system is absolutely mint but is currently not working likely due to a power supply issue. It also had a 20 Mb hard card but the seller opted to keep this due to personal data.
-A second IBM 5150 with 10 Mb Hdd, untested
-Huge box of software for the IBM PC's
-3 NIB Lexmark branded Model M SSK's (2 of which are completely sealed from the factory)
-A IBM SSK but pretty beat up.
-1 NIB Lexmark Model M
-4 IBM Model M's
A picture the seller took

JP! wrote: ↑ -3 NIB Lexmark branded Model M SSK's (2 of which are completely sealed from the factory)

You are really making a name for yourself with all these nice discoveries

What an amazing find! Where are you located that you find all this stuff?

Wow congratulations mate!

Engicoder wrote: ↑What an amazing find! Where are you located that you find all this stuff?

Trade secret Stay tuned for next weeks beam spring and F77 mega find. I am in lower Michigan. I have found a fair bit in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Also had some good finds in rural areas like the 3741 Data Station beam spring that was found in a barn. I started out looking for a beam springs but since most people don't have those, I will certainly settle for whatever else folks might have stashed away.

Wow. That's... sick.

NOICE.

JP! wrote: ↑

Engicoder wrote: ↑What an amazing find! Where are you located that you find all this stuff?

Trade secret Stay tuned for next weeks beam spring and F77 mega find. I am in lower Michigan. I have found a fair bit in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Also had some good finds in rural areas like the 3741 Data Station beam spring that was found in a barn. I started out looking for a beam springs but since most people don't have those, I will certainly settle for whatever else folks might have stashed away.

Unbelievable! You're doing some awesome work here. Congratulations on the finds!

subcat wrote: ↑

JP! wrote: ↑ -3 NIB Lexmark branded Model M SSK's (2 of which are completely sealed from the factory)

You are really making a name for yourself with all these nice discoveries

We may need to start distinguishing between levels of "great finds" with this madness.

There's "great finds," and then there's "JP! level finds."

JP! wrote: ↑-3 NIB Lexmark branded Model M SSK's (2 of which are completely sealed from the factory)

That's the $$$ right there, you just financed a whole bunch more...judging by your hauls your a habitual collector.

Conrgats BTW.

Very nice! I thought those days were over, but apparently not yet!

ramnes wrote: ↑Very nice! I thought those days were over, but apparently not yet!

The days of decent IBM hauls? Hell no! I just know there's a bank somewhere full of kishsavers, f77's, and f107's just waiting to be renewed with shitty new systems so we can have the good stuff!

ramnes wrote: ↑Very nice! I thought those days were over, but apparently not yet!

I think part of the reason it seems that way, aside from things these days being more obviously less obscure (and everyone doing price checks before letting go of their old "junk") is that many people just aren't willing to do everything they can do to find whatever might be sitting around in their area waiting to be scooped up.

I certainly haven't tried.

That's a good point, E3E.

Help us out, JP!! What's your method for finding stuff? I've tried calling my local recycling center, but they told me that everything was state property and that I couldn't do any rummaging. Short of just knocking on people's door I'm not sure what else I can try.

E3E wrote: ↑

ramnes wrote: ↑Very nice! I thought those days were over, but apparently not yet!

I think part of the reason it seems that way, aside from things these days being more obviously less obscure (and everyone doing price checks before letting go of their old "junk") is that many people just aren't willing to do everything they can do to find whatever might be sitting around in their area waiting to be scooped up.

I certainly haven't tried.

There are other vintage computer and keyboard collectors in my immediate area who have been looking much longer than I have been collecting. A lot of it boils down to luck. I feel like I have just scratched the surface of what's out there. More and more things will continue to surface as the previous generations decide to let their stuff go. Just as a farmer clears the stones from their fields in spring, more will be sure to surface with the passing winter. Hopefully my finds so far and the finds of others here will serve to inspire others to break away from their desks and explore, whether that means visiting a thrift store, local recycling center, or searching for the next mega pick, it's up to you. I work a full time job so it can be tough to try and find it all, all of the time. Lets also not forget the opportunity involved as well, so be sure find balance as collecting can be an addicting affair. Finding the next cool keyboard or whatever you collect can be an exciting experience, but it is a high that does not last. One of the most rewarding finds I have found so far are the shared passions and stories of those who I have met in my travels.

//gainsborough wrote: ↑That's a good point, E3E.

Help us out, JP!! What's your method for finding stuff? I've tried calling my local recycling center, but they told me that everything was state property and that I couldn't do any rummaging. Short of just knocking on people's door I'm not sure what else I can try.

I have not had any luck getting a response from recyclers in my immediate area like Chyros. Check with local computer stores (If any still remain in your area). Customers bring things in all the time as they may not know what else to do with their stuff. Offer bounties and I am sure an employee or store owner will keep an eye out. Also garage sales or estate sales might be worth looking into. If you go to a sale and you don't see anything computer related, ask anyways. Craigslist wanted ads, Facebook groups, and word of mouth are also great ways to find stuff. One of my best contacts who I found though Craigslist often finds things in old buildings and will let me know when he sees something. There are other ways to find things, but this should get you started in the right direction.

Seek, and ye shall find

//gainsboreoeugh wrote: ↑That's a good point, E3E.

Help us out, JP!! What's your method for finding stuff? I've tried calling my local recycling center, but they told me that everything was state property and that I couldn't do any rummaging. Short of just knocking on people's door I'm not sure what else I can try.

Daaaamn, that's a nice find. Congrats.

#dta7

JP! wrote: ↑ -3 NIB Lexmark branded Model M SSK's (2 of which are completely sealed from the factory)

wobbled wrote: ↑

ramnes wrote: ↑Very nice! I thought those days were over, but apparently not yet!

The days of decent IBM hauls? Hell no! I just know there's a bank somewhere full of kishsavers, f77's, and f107's just waiting to be renewed with shitty new systems so we can have the good stuff!

You just have to make us dream, don't you?

Every day I kick myself for not having rescued three M122 units from my old wokplace back in 2003, because "they can't be used on a PC, so they're worthless".

Michigan eh? That's not THAT far from Ontario I agree though, I've found the best deals and items locally, by continuing to search local ads. On 3 of those occasions, I went to pick up a particular board or IBM computer and the seller happened to have extra stuff that wasn't listed. The last Zenith XT PC I went to grab was from a fellow mustang owner/fan who happened to be an electronics recycler - he took my info and will keep an eye out. Still looking for a beamspring find myself!

That's an awesome score! Those NIB SSK's alone...well those will earn you back 4 digits of profit no doubt.

An incredible haul of NIB goodies.Congrats!