[Find & Restoration] IBM 5281 Beamspring loot
- karlmartin95
- Main keyboard: IBM 4704 F77
- Favorite switch: Model F Capacitive Switch
Hi guys, It's me again. Today I want to show you a loot of IBM boards that I found in a "Financial Company".
- x2 IBM 5281 Complete Terminal (Keyboard and Data Terminal)
- x2 IBM Terminal Model M (Silver and Blue badge)
- A bag full of diskettes and tapes for 5281 machines
The gold here is the 5218 Beamspring Spanish layout. I searched around the web for more info about them but I found nothing, only one post from a user here, in DT. I don't know either how rare they are, perhaps you guys can help me. One detail about these boards, the top case is all PLASTIC.
Some images of the loot:
I've never seen a Beamspring keyboard with a buzzer/speaker inside, somebody knows anything about it?
Overall, the beamsprings are in good shape I think, but they need a good restoration for sure.
PD: This will be a RESTORATION post, like my old F77 Restoration one.
- x2 IBM 5281 Complete Terminal (Keyboard and Data Terminal)
- x2 IBM Terminal Model M (Silver and Blue badge)
- A bag full of diskettes and tapes for 5281 machines
The gold here is the 5218 Beamspring Spanish layout. I searched around the web for more info about them but I found nothing, only one post from a user here, in DT. I don't know either how rare they are, perhaps you guys can help me. One detail about these boards, the top case is all PLASTIC.
Some images of the loot:
I've never seen a Beamspring keyboard with a buzzer/speaker inside, somebody knows anything about it?
Overall, the beamsprings are in good shape I think, but they need a good restoration for sure.
PD: This will be a RESTORATION post, like my old F77 Restoration one.
Last edited by karlmartin95 on 09 Sep 2020, 04:00, edited 3 times in total.
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- Location: Canada
- Main keyboard: F-122 (Ansi Mod)
- Main mouse: Logitech M570
- Favorite switch: Capacitive Buckling Spring
Awesome find!
- Weezer
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM F122
- Main mouse: Dell 0KKMH5
- Favorite switch: IBM buckling spring & beam spring
Thats amazing! Great find.
These were part of the IBM 5280 distributed data system. The 5281 model works like a dumb terminal and is attached to the control unit.
You're right that there's not much info. But what info there is about the system can be found here.
http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/ ... _Jun81.pdf
These were part of the IBM 5280 distributed data system. The 5281 model works like a dumb terminal and is attached to the control unit.
You're right that there's not much info. But what info there is about the system can be found here.
http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/ ... _Jun81.pdf
- karlmartin95
- Main keyboard: IBM 4704 F77
- Favorite switch: Model F Capacitive Switch
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- DT Pro Member: -
Yes and no.
I tested it with xwhatsit and all keys worked as expected, but havn't given the restoration&cleaning thoroughly. Maybe I should begin this now.
- inmbolmie
- Location: Spain
- Main keyboard: Model M SSK
- Main mouse: Some random Logitech
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: 0230
- Contact:
Well, if they are selling Beamsprings for pennies it's not a big surprise they went bankrupt if they managed all their assets in the same way.
Great great find, very beautiful boards indeed!
- karlmartin95
- Main keyboard: IBM 4704 F77
- Favorite switch: Model F Capacitive Switch
Regarding the buzzer, does it work?John Doe wrote: β18 Jul 2020, 17:27Yes and no.
I tested it with xwhatsit and all keys worked as expected, but havn't given the restoration&cleaning thoroughly. Maybe I should begin this now.
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- DT Pro Member: -
karlmartin95 wrote: β18 Jul 2020, 22:18Regarding the buzzer, does it work?
Original aim is to test the xwhatsit&solenoid driven board. The solenoid worked so I think the buzzer should also, though havn't done the test in reality.
- karlmartin95
- Main keyboard: IBM 4704 F77
- Favorite switch: Model F Capacitive Switch
I wonder.. the top case of your 5281 is metal or plastic?John Doe wrote: β19 Jul 2020, 00:35
Original aim is to test the xwhatsit&solenoid driven board. The solenoid worked so I think the buzzer should also, though havn't done the test in reality.
- Invisius
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM 3278
- Main mouse: Microsoft Trackball Explorer
- Favorite switch: Beamspring/Fujitsu Magnetic Reed
- DT Pro Member: 0249
A little yellowed, but other than the contamination shield they look to be in pretty great condition. Have you tested the terminals yet to see if they work? Would be so cool to see a working double-sided setup with these!
That "0" key in the corner is just as unusual as the speaker, it looks almost stuck on and wired up by an external switch. Does it have a capacitive contact, or is it wired into the matrix somehow?
To answer your question, I think the buzzer was a later solenoid emulator type thing, but isn't very common to see on any beamspring. I look forward to some more resto shots!
That "0" key in the corner is just as unusual as the speaker, it looks almost stuck on and wired up by an external switch. Does it have a capacitive contact, or is it wired into the matrix somehow?
To answer your question, I think the buzzer was a later solenoid emulator type thing, but isn't very common to see on any beamspring. I look forward to some more resto shots!
- karlmartin95
- Main keyboard: IBM 4704 F77
- Favorite switch: Model F Capacitive Switch
That 0 is glued on the plastic case, I don't know why. I powered up the terminals but they do nothing, I don't know if they need some special sequence to start.Invisius wrote: β20 Jul 2020, 01:48A little yellowed, but other than the contamination shield they look to be in pretty great condition. Have you tested the terminals yet to see if they work? Would be so cool to see a working double-sided setup with these!
That "0" key in the corner is just as unusual as the speaker, it looks almost stuck on and wired up by an external switch. Does it have a capacitive contact, or is it wired into the matrix somehow?
To answer your question, I think the buzzer was a later solenoid emulator type thing, but isn't very common to see on any beamspring. I look forward to some more resto shots!
Yes, the case is a bit yellowed but I like the look. Perhaps I can repaint it.
Regarding the buzzer, interesting...
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- DT Pro Member: -
Plastic...karlmartin95 wrote: β19 Jul 2020, 19:05I wonder.. the top case of your 5281 is metal or plastic?
- shine
- Location: EU - Spain
- Main keyboard: F122
- Main mouse: Deathadder Elite
- Favorite switch: Beamspring
- Contact:
Wow, i just got another beamfoot as well, but at 8,12 times the price for just one that's missing one key. Mine is spanish too.
If you have a spare "Campo +" keycap contact me!
viewtopic.php?f=56&t=24264
If you have a spare "Campo +" keycap contact me!
viewtopic.php?f=56&t=24264
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- karlmartin95
- Main keyboard: IBM 4704 F77
- Favorite switch: Model F Capacitive Switch
Nice! And yours have the speaker on footer side. When and where did you get it?shine wrote: β21 Jul 2020, 18:50Wow, i just got another beamfoot as well, but at 8,12 times the price for just one that's missing one key. Mine is spanish too.
If you have a spare "Campo +" keycap contact me!
viewtopic.php?f=56&t=24264
- shine
- Location: EU - Spain
- Main keyboard: F122
- Main mouse: Deathadder Elite
- Favorite switch: Beamspring
- Contact:
I bought it yesterday to a collector here in Spain.karlmartin95 wrote: β21 Jul 2020, 19:32Nice! And yours have the speaker on footer side. When and where did you get it?shine wrote: β21 Jul 2020, 18:50Wow, i just got another beamfoot as well, but at 8,12 times the price for just one that's missing one key. Mine is spanish too.
If you have a spare "Campo +" keycap contact me!
viewtopic.php?f=56&t=24264
- karlmartin95
- Main keyboard: IBM 4704 F77
- Favorite switch: Model F Capacitive Switch
Nice, can you tell me how much did you pay? These boards are very rare and it would be cool to know their price.shine wrote: β21 Jul 2020, 19:52I bought it yesterday to a collector here in Spain.karlmartin95 wrote: β21 Jul 2020, 19:32Nice! And yours have the speaker on footer side. When and where did you get it?shine wrote: β21 Jul 2020, 18:50Wow, i just got another beamfoot as well, but at 8,12 times the price for just one that's missing one key. Mine is spanish too.
If you have a spare "Campo +" keycap contact me!
viewtopic.php?f=56&t=24264
- shine
- Location: EU - Spain
- Main keyboard: F122
- Main mouse: Deathadder Elite
- Favorite switch: Beamspring
- Contact:
around 600β¬, if you are going to sell one speak to me as wellkarlmartin95 wrote: β21 Jul 2020, 19:56Nice, can you tell me how much did you pay? These boards are very rare and it would be cool to know their price.shine wrote: β21 Jul 2020, 19:52I bought it yesterday to a collector here in Spain.karlmartin95 wrote: β21 Jul 2020, 19:32
Nice! And yours have the speaker on footer side. When and where did you get it?
- Weezer
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM F122
- Main mouse: Dell 0KKMH5
- Favorite switch: IBM buckling spring & beam spring
As far as your missing key, the one on the 5251 is actually identical to the one on the 5280. You may be able to scavenge one from one of those instead of hunting down a second 5280 keyboard considering that the 5251 might be easier to find.shine wrote: β21 Jul 2020, 23:56around 600β¬, if you are going to sell one speak to me as wellkarlmartin95 wrote: β21 Jul 2020, 19:56Nice, can you tell me how much did you pay? These boards are very rare and it would be cool to know their price.
- karlmartin95
- Main keyboard: IBM 4704 F77
- Favorite switch: Model F Capacitive Switch
Good news guys, I finished the restoration of one Beamfoot.
Internal metal plate repainted:
I built the kmnov's controller with an Arduino Pro Micro and it works perfectly! The only problem was that, the controller was designed to be placed horizontally, and this board only allowed to put it vertically so... I had to think how to place it correctly but I managed to do it:
Final result:
I prefer to keep the original paint in this one, also I don't know why but I looks like an old Commodore 64 and I like it.
I should make the buzzer work, now it's disconnected, but I have some ideas about how to make it work, I should need some time.
Regarding the other beamfoot, I only repainted the top plastic case. I'm very happy with the result!
Internally, It isn't restored this board, but it was in better shape that the one I restored.
That's all for now, happy clicking!
Internal metal plate repainted:
I built the kmnov's controller with an Arduino Pro Micro and it works perfectly! The only problem was that, the controller was designed to be placed horizontally, and this board only allowed to put it vertically so... I had to think how to place it correctly but I managed to do it:
Final result:
I prefer to keep the original paint in this one, also I don't know why but I looks like an old Commodore 64 and I like it.
I should make the buzzer work, now it's disconnected, but I have some ideas about how to make it work, I should need some time.
Regarding the other beamfoot, I only repainted the top plastic case. I'm very happy with the result!
Internally, It isn't restored this board, but it was in better shape that the one I restored.
That's all for now, happy clicking!
- karlmartin95
- Main keyboard: IBM 4704 F77
- Favorite switch: Model F Capacitive Switch
- karlmartin95
- Main keyboard: IBM 4704 F77
- Favorite switch: Model F Capacitive Switch
I just finished restoring my other beamfoot. The plastic top case was already repainted, but all the internal hardware completely restored as you can see in the following images.
- sharktastica
- Location: Wales
- Main keyboard: '86 IBM F Bigfoot + '96 IBM M50
- Main mouse: Logitech MX Revolution
- Favorite switch: Cap B/S, BOX Navy
- Contact:
Damn, that's gorgeous! Nice work!karlmartin95 wrote: β24 Nov 2020, 13:17I just finished restoring my other beamfoot. The plastic top case was already repainted, but all the internal hardware completely restored as you can see in the following images.
- karlmartin95
- Main keyboard: IBM 4704 F77
- Favorite switch: Model F Capacitive Switch
- ifohancroft
- Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
- Main keyboard: ErgoDox w/ SA Carbon on Box Jades
- Main mouse: Razer Viper Ultimate
- Favorite switch: Beamspring
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
Might be a bit of a weird request, but can you please take and post a picture of the keycaps dead on from the top, like a straight up 90 degrees angle between the camera and the keycaps?