Xwhatsit Beamspring + MODEL F Controller [FORM REOPENED]

[Wodan]

So it seems getting you hands on a Beamspring controller these days can be pretty hard. Last sources are running out and it appears like I will have a second Beamer for restoration soon.

Adressed this with lot_lizard who's well known here for his great efforts in the vintage IBM area and he's very willing to do a GB together with me. The idea here being that one guy on each side of the pond can handle the domestic orders (EU/US) while I will additionally handle all other international orders. To get a reasonable price per unit (we're aiming for something <25US$ or even <20US$) we should order at least 50 units. I am totally fine with stocking a few controllers to help reach MOQ and continue to sell them at a "retail price" once the GB has ended.

Please be aware that we are talking about the controller "Beamspring-USB-Rev4" from this thread:
f-o-r-s-a-l-e-f58/xwhatsit-s-grand-unif ... t7993.html

Spoiler:

There are no plans making DisplayWriter controllers as well since neither of us needs one and the market is even smaller.
Maybe we can even get the PCB revised/optimized a little

Well please state your interest by participating in the poll. Comments below.

IMPORTANT: You have two options in the poll. PLEASE only use the second option to indicate your interest in a solenoid driver board and do not vote two Beamspring Controller options.

UPDATE:

Taking orders now, fill in the form please:
https://goo.gl/forms/u4MBAiuYmRmjLU8F3

PLEASE SUBMIT ANOTHER FORM FOR ORDER CHANGES. ALL BUT THE LATEST ENTRY PER USER WILL BE DELETED. TIMESTAMP OF THE FIRST ENTRY PER USER COUNTS FOR FCFS.

Please note:
- No promised delivery date yet. Delivery scope will be provided when invoicing starts
- Limited quantities, FCFS
- US orders will be fulfilled by lot_lizard from within the US, all other orders will be filled by me
- HYPE!

Update 2017-March-20:

All the funds for this GB are still WITH ME (WODAN) and the controllers have not yet been ordered with the factory. This GB will be ordered along with the ModelMF controllers to give us the best pricing but the MF controller order has been delayed due to design considerations. Since I have gotten a few requests for extras, I will re-open the order form until the factory order is due.

Participants who are disapointed by this and want out please reply to your GB invoice email and I can refund you.

[Wodan]

asdf

[HAL]

count me in

[derzemel]

me too

[Khers]

I might just as well get one, in the unlikely event that I ever across a beamer for a fair price.

[Firebolt1914]

I would be in for a solenoid driver.

[Invisius]

Absolutely in for a few, had a hard time finding just 1 and I keep having to swap it around between boards.

I'll go with 5 for the meantime, maybe more if we can get the per-unit price down.

[seebart]

Great idea, count me in for at least 2.

[photekq]

Voted. FWIW I would take 4 solenoid drivers.

[lot_lizard]

Wodan, 50+ of the controllers and 25+ of the solenoid drivers will be a very safe bet, but I would play with the online quoting to see the cost tiers. I vote we do the next tier over what people currently want in the GB (unless it is multiple times more), and then keep on hand for those that straggle in afterwards with a $5-7 premium for acting as "the supplier". Maybe run this GB for a month with multiple bumps along the way, and see where we are settle?!? There is no doubt that there will be enough interest. Even someone without one would hop in knowing they want one at some point, and the controllers are finally cheap.

$45+ for the controller at current rates (one supplier) deters people from buying a beamspring. We want others in the game, even though it will raise board prices in the process. No xwhatsit should ever cost north of 30 bucks (that's nucking futs). Mis dos pesos

EDIT: I'm going to want a few solenoid drivers just to test with for the optional solenoid we will have in the MF project once metal cases are in the works. We will ultimately find a solenoid supplier for those lacking in their beamsprings as well. It's a fun useless novelty that should be loved

[sethbc]

I'd be in for a solenoid.

[atrere]

I'm in for a controller. I'd sell all the keyboards I own for a beamspring. Screw being polite and practical, the feel is incredible!

[hypkx]

I am also in for two solenoid drivers and three controllers.

[Scottex]

controller + solenoid here

[idollar]

We need this ... controllers and solenoids at a reasonable price. GO !

[vivalarevolución]

Great to see another go at this.

[vsev]

I'm in too !

[Halvar]

Oh yes please!

[Dra]

Hell yeah, I'm definitely in

[romevi]

Intredasted.

[derzemel]

Wodan, I think you should post this on r/mk and on GH too, maybe we will get more people interested

[Wodan]

I spent too little time there to actively maintain an IC there. Once we start taking orders, I will include those communities as well for sure

[vivalarevolución]

Wodan, I think you should post this on r/mk and on GH too, maybe we will get more people interested

When I last took interest on these, there was very little interest from Geekhack, I only had 3 or 4 interested, and the rest from Deskthority. Vintage and buckling spring interest there has slowed to a crawl.

[Vizir]

Count me in for 1 board at least and a couple of solenoid controllers too.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[y11971alex]

Wodan, I think you should post this on r/mk and on GH too, maybe we will get more people interested

When I last took interest on these, there was very little interest from Geekhack, I only had 3 or 4 interested, and the rest from Deskthority. Vintage and buckling spring interest there has slowed to a crawl.

I think interest is conjoined there and here. I just happened to find this GB here. :p

[hypkx]

I would now also be interested in a solenoid driver, any update on that IC?

[Wodan]

The mastermind behind the whole idea, lot_lizard, is currently burried in work. Once he's got time for fun stuff again, this project will not be the first in line. This means we're not in a hurry here and I want to do this GB 100%. This will largely be non-profit during the GB phase and small-profit only in the leftovers/retail phase. Keep following this thread and you will not miss the GB but so far there is no GB date set yet.

[Scottex]

The mastermind behind the whole idea, lot_lizard, is currently burried in work. Once he's got time for fun stuff again, this project will not be the first in line. This means we're not in a hurry here and I want to do this GB 100%. This will largely be non-profit during the GB phase and small-profit only in the leftovers/retail phase. Keep following this thread and you will not miss the GB but so far there is no GB date set yet.

well, at least there is hope

[Wodan]

There's more than hope. If I want something, I must make it happen for my personal peace of mind.

And I kinda want a selenoid driver ...

[alh84001]

I know orihalcon has some solenoid drivers available.