Great/Interesting Finds

[emdude]

I have one with a bottom date code starting 76xxxxxxx, yet the top case is stamped 1982 inside, along with a second stamp from Polytech Coatings, which I assume to be the name of the company that applied the finish to the case itself. Seems that either I am decoding the date incorrectly or mine was sent to Polytech for finish work some years after it was made.

Anyone care to weigh in on this?

Edit: On closer inspection, the one in the auction looks to have a stamp on the rear beginning 73xxxxx. 1973 perhaps?

Those two IDs are the keyboard or component part numbers. Unless explicitly stated, the best way to determine an approximate date is probably by the four-digit shop date on a particular component: keyboards-f2/slom-breaks-stuff-today-ta ... ml#p376854

[ekeppel]

Those two IDs are the keyboard or component part numbers. Unless explicitly stated, the best way to determine an approximate date is probably by the four-digit shop date on a particular component: keyboards-f2/slom-breaks-stuff-today-ta ... ml#p376854

Thanks for the link to the discussion on shop dates -- I 'll read that over. What I was referring to was the sticker on the bottom of my 5251 that explicitly says "DATE OF MFG 76xxxxxGP". Perhaps it uses a similar decoding as the shop date?

[arkanoid]

"Model M Beamspring" Hahahaha

http://www.ebay.com/itm/182646446285/

He's pretending to be an amateur. Actually he knows a lot about the keyboard. He's a pro.
His writing style reminds me of one DT member. They both have the same location. Anyway, there's no offense. The board would be sold at market price. I am also curious how much it would go for.

[seebart]

"Model M Beamspring" Hahahaha

http://www.ebay.com/itm/182646446285/

He's pretending to be an amateur. Actually he knows a lot about the keyboard. He's a pro.
His writing style reminds me of one DT member. They both have the same location. Anyway, there's no offense. The board would be sold at market price. I am also curious how much it would go for.

That's pretty stange then, I mean what's the point in acting like an amateur for your ebay sale?

that 5251 is probably not even from the 1970's either.

Since we're talking Beamsprings, does anyone know how these can be accurately dated? The sticker found on the bottom (if not missing as this one is) appears to give the date code starting with the two digit year. The second group of numbers I would assume to be the week, leaving the third for up to 999 units in a week perhaps.

I have one with a bottom date code starting 76xxxxxxx, yet the top case is stamped 1982 inside, along with a second stamp from Polytech Coatings, which I assume to be the name of the company that applied the finish to the case itself. Seems that either I am decoding the date incorrectly or mine was sent to Polytech for finish work some years after it was made.

Anyone care to weigh in on this?

Edit: On closer inspection, the one in the auction looks to have a stamp on the rear beginning 73xxxxx. 1973 perhaps?

Edit (again): I completely overlooked that the cable on mine has a cloth hang tag also dated 1982, so I have to assume that the date codes are not in the format I was guessing. *shrug*

Good question. Although the four Beamsprings I owned all had some markings none of them were consistent and none of them had one central label on the back like we are used to on Model M & F. I did manage to date mine from details but only after taking a closer look on the assembly. From what I gather most of the 5251's & Displaywriters were from the early 1980's while most of the 3278's were from the mid to late 1970's. From what we have seen recently the 3277's are also from the 1970's. My 5281 "Beamfoot" is also from the early 1980's if I remember correctly.

Spoiler:

IMG_20160712_185919.jpg (955.82 KiB) Viewed 8946 times

[arkanoid]

"Model M Beamspring" Hahahaha

http://www.ebay.com/itm/182646446285/

He's pretending to be an amateur. Actually he knows a lot about the keyboard. He's a pro.
His writing style reminds me of one DT member. They both have the same location. Anyway, there's no offense. The board would be sold at market price. I am also curious how much it would go for.

That's pretty stange then, I mean what's the point in acting like an amateur for your ebay sale?

I don't know. Maybe I am wrong, but the seller knows selectric keycaps can replace the original keycaps, also he knows the presence of solenoid. Ordinary sellers don't know about these, I think.

[Slom]

Model M in Hamburg, 9€
https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anz ... 4-225-9473

Blue alps? Would you like Northgate, Chicony or Leading Edge flavor?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Gold-La ... 2170231233
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Chicony-E8 ... 3067950110
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Leading ... 3067951822

DC 2014 for "a bit less than 240$" from orihalcon:
other-external-f66/great-interesting-fi ... ml#p378101

a great white one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-IBM-Mod ... 2576507247

computerland keyboard with ... (ta ta ta taaa) ... blue alps
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPUTERLAND-VI ... 2603015786

[orihalcon]

If anyone wants to pay a bit less than the $240 shipped that seller has listed for a Leading Edge DC-2014, I have one that I'd part with, so PM me. Haven't restored it or anything, but the switches all work.

[hansichen]

Cherry phoneboard on ebay.de, ending tomorrow
http://www.ebay.com/itm/272738112547

[Engicoder]

NIB Focus FK-9000 $25 + shipping (4 available)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Key-Pro-FK9000- ... 2371885015

[Chyros]

NIB Focus FK-9000 $25 + shipping (4 available)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Key-Pro-FK9000- ... 2371885015

Aaaaand it's gone xD . Damn, those people got a good deal!

[alh84001]

a great white one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-IBM-Mod ... 2576507247

Whoever plans on bidding for this one, prepare for a bidding war

[seebart]

a great white one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-IBM-Mod ... 2576507247

Whoever plans on bidding for this one, prepare for a bidding war

You already have one if I recall... This one has a label though.

l5erm.jpg (49.34 KiB) Viewed 8691 times

[alh84001]

Nope. I don't have a beamspring at all :O

[seebart]

Nope. I don't have a beamspring at all :O

Oh OK sorry I got people mixed up again. Good luck then. That Displaywriter looks really clean too.

[Myoth]

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Cherry-Tastatur- ... SwLnBX6RB1

This is not cheap but still a nice item !

[y11971alex]

that 5251 is probably not even from the 1970's either.

Since we're talking Beamsprings, does anyone know how these can be accurately dated?

All of my beam springs had a clear date stamp somewhere in the interior of the case.

[y11971alex]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/192202306558

While the title of this auction might be true on the average day, it isn't today.

5251 keyboard.

[hansichen]

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Cherry-Tastatur- ... SwLnBX6RB1

This is not cheap but still a nice item !

It's out for months now and a pretty cool item but as you said, it's not cheap. It would be pretty cool if you could use the fingerprint sensor of these boards for the windows 10 unlock But I guess that there is not really a way to convert these to use them today.

[Scarpia]

Radio Shack is auctioning off a warehouse worth of old stuff, so if you would like a nice TRS-80 or a vintage amp, this could be a good chance: https://ubidestates.hibid.com/catalog/1 ... uction--1/?

[j0d1]

All of my beam springs

[ekeppel]

All of my beam springs

Maybe it's just me, but I find that having a couple of Beamsprings lying around is always a good idea. For example, you never know when you might need a mobile keyboard to use with your tablet.

d6b59abd11770a4fbe18a2aec27003b04144b59a-1.jpg (110.91 KiB) Viewed 8573 times

[wobbled]

Have you ever considered taking a beamspring to work just to see what your colleagues would say?

[alh84001]

Whoever plans on bidding for this one, prepare for a bidding war

[MrDuul]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-IBM-Mod ... 7675.l2557

That's about the price I paid for mine.

[kbdfr]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-IBM-Mod ... 7675.l2557

That's about the price I paid for mine.

Bragging moneybags seem to be rather trendy nowadays.
Are your hands really that small?

[DerpyDash_xAD]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-IBM-Mod ... 7675.l2557

That's about the price I paid for mine.

Bragging moneybags seem to be rather trendy nowadays.
Are your hands really that small?

that burn oh man

[MrDuul]

got big hands and big wallet.

bigly.

[wobbled]

got big hands and big wallet.

bigly.

But did you fix the kishsaver, that's the question.

[kbdfr]

got big hands and big wallet.

bigly.

Then I would suggest you take one of the expensive things you bought and raffle it as a giveaway here on DT.
It won’t hurt you as you can replace it anytime with no effort,
but it could reduce the contempt you have earned by incessantly showing off your wealth.

Besides, it would boost your ego - and that obviously is your primary driver

[XMIT]

Local SSK: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ibm-Keyboard/253017496672

This was someone who picked it up at a thrift store and is trying to flip it. I found it on local Craigslist and posted locally but now it's up on eBay.