deskthority

xxhellfirexx wrote: ↑

02 Apr 2021, 05:05

What are Oak switches doing in a Selectric?

headphone_jack wrote: ↑

02 Apr 2021, 05:46

Interesting. If I remember correctly, Oak switches were used in the (presumably) clone industrial F XT. Just a coincidence, or something worth looking into?

Riptide666 wrote: ↑

02 Apr 2021, 15:15

Based on research, this is a modified Selectric that "talked" to computers back in the day (i.e. was used both as a terminal control panel and a typewriter). It has a huge cable on the left side. I'll add pic later

Rayndalf wrote: ↑

03 Apr 2021, 02:08

Riptide666 wrote: ↑

02 Apr 2021, 15:15

Based on research, this is a modified Selectric that "talked" to computers back in the day (i.e. was used both as a terminal control panel and a typewriter). It has a huge cable on the left side. I'll add pic later

I wonder if it was used as a teletype machine/ printer as well.
Crazy to think it could be one convertor away from working on modern computers.

Weezer wrote: ↑

03 Apr 2021, 03:20

As far as I'm aware, the Selectric terminals and Selectric teletypes were the same devices, working as both teletypes and mainframe I/O. It may also be a mag-card typewriter but from what I can see it does look more like a mainframe interface device based on the switches. However I'm not familiar with that model, and it looks different from the typical 1050 Selectric. Do you have the case, or any identifying part numbers?

Weezer wrote: ↑

03 Apr 2021, 07:47

Found the video. Duane at Phoenix Typewriter is the best Selectric repairman out there. Well done. I heard in the video that you said you were going to get this connected to a computer again. I'm looking forward to seeing that. I'm glad because I'd be disappointed if the keys ended up on a beamspring or sold separately on ebay. After getting a better look I'm 100% convinced that what you've got was custom built. There's likely only one.

raoulduke-esq wrote: ↑

03 Apr 2021, 14:47

For those who want to skip the Google-fu and just start drooling immediately:
https://youtu.be/GbGzIHzf9PY

Riptide it warms my heart that you’re giving this machine the love it deserves!

The parent company of this thing still exists as a SCADA provider https://www.qeiinc.com/ and was a contributor to the space program https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quindar_tones

Riptide666 wrote: ↑

03 Apr 2021, 10:44

Thanks Weezer, actually I had the option to buy just the blue caps and I chose to buy the whole machine because I did the same research as you did and realized that this could be the only one out there. Therefore I paid hundreds to have this 60-pound beast shipped to my house from Phoenix and I don't regret that at all.

That said, there's no way I'll harvest the keycaps for any Beamspring or even other Selectrics. Its rarity is second to none. This machine will stay intact and I'll figure out a way to make it speak again

Weezer wrote: ↑

03 Apr 2021, 07:47

Found the video. Duane at Phoenix Typewriter is the best Selectric repairman out there. Well done. I heard in the video that you said you were going to get this connected to a computer again. I'm looking forward to seeing that. I'm glad because I'd be disappointed if the keys ended up on a beamspring or sold separately on ebay. After getting a better look I'm 100% convinced that what you've got was custom built. There's likely only one.

John Doe wrote: ↑

02 Apr 2021, 11:15

Impressive, that's very mechanical.

Weezer wrote: ↑

03 Apr 2021, 07:47

Duane at Phoenix Typewriter is the best Selectric repairman out there.

XMIT wrote: ↑

04 Apr 2021, 20:08

Weezer wrote: ↑

03 Apr 2021, 07:47

Duane at Phoenix Typewriter is the best Selectric repairman out there.

I think Chuck Furrer "cthecrest" in Chicago would take issue with this claim.

Found a good list of repair folks here:
https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html

I didn't realize we had a Selectric repair guy here in Austin. I'll have to send some business his way.