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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: ander on Thu, 02 August 2018, 03:33:41

Title: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: ander on Thu, 02 August 2018, 03:33:41: IBM 5954339 Japanese Keyboard Japanese Letter Typing (https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-5954339-Japanese-Keyboard-Japanese-Letter-Typing/162751818108)

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/jFsAAOSwXMZaXh0Q/s-l1600.jpg)

$34.95 + free US shipping

Mendelson's has dropped the shipping charge on these, as they did some time ago with their Chinese-legend versions.

Here's your chance to own a solidly made, genuine (and till now, pretty obscure!) NIB vintage IBM keeb for a pittance. Search GH for "pingmaster" for more details.
Title: Re: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: M on Thu, 02 August 2018, 17:45:11: Would those caps fit skcm oranges? I barely know anything about alps.
Title: Re: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: BlindAssassin111 on Thu, 02 August 2018, 17:51:10: Quote from: M on Thu, 02 August 2018, 17:45:11
Would those caps fit skcm oranges? I barely know anything about alps.

Nope, they have a crucifix mount and they will not work on SKCM/SKCL or newer switches. They won't even work on cherry switches, they are only for the SKCC alps switches.
Title: Re: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: M on Thu, 02 August 2018, 18:09:06: Quote from: BlindAssassin111 on Thu, 02 August 2018, 17:51:10
Quote from: M on Thu, 02 August 2018, 17:45:11
Would those caps fit skcm oranges? I barely know anything about alps.

Nope, they have a crucifix mount and they will not work on SKCM/SKCL or newer switches. They won't even work on cherry switches, they are only for the SKCC alps switches.

ah ok thanks
Title: Re: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: Glod on Tue, 07 August 2018, 15:37:52: I actually found some random caps that fit them in my Signature Plastics grab bag and I was also able to put a few SA key caps on there by sniping one of the arms with a wire cutter so it stretches.

these things are really easy to convert to USB with a teensy or other board and Hasu makes a native converter that works best.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/807/40974391231_f1842c5c66_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/25qLsZe)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4755/24879435077_af57f31a63_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/DUvBgc)

seriously 2 resistors, a few wires, and a micro controller, this is a dirt cheap cool keyboard to add to a collection. tmk programming can be challenging, if you have a teensy you have to do it the long way instead of the GUI. but its worth it. It smells like the 80s and isn't a bad keyboard.
Title: Re: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: laxfan91 on Wed, 08 August 2018, 17:02:48: Quote from: ander on Thu, 02 August 2018, 03:33:41
IBM 5954339 Japanese Keyboard Japanese Letter Typing (https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-5954339-Japanese-Keyboard-Japanese-Letter-Typing/162751818108)

Show Image
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/jFsAAOSwXMZaXh0Q/s-l1600.jpg)

$34.95 + free US shipping

Mendelson's has dropped the shipping charge on these, as they did some time ago with their Chinese-legend versions.

Here's your chance to own a solidly made, genuine (and till now, pretty obscure!) NIB vintage IBM keeb for a pittance. Search GH for "pingmaster" for more details.

They finally dropped the shipping charge? In for 1 after the eBay 15% off sitewide for today only. It was < $30 after that.

Thanks OP!!!
Title: Re: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: ander on Fri, 10 August 2018, 04:02:45: Quote from: Glod on Tue, 07 August 2018, 15:37:52
I actually found some random caps that fit them in my Signature Plastics grab bag...

Oh man! Are they selling those again? I always wanted one. A bunch of totally random keys... Why is that such a thrilling thought? What's wrong with us? Probably something in our childhoods. But still, want!!

Quote from: laxfan91 on Wed, 08 August 2018, 17:02:48
They finally dropped the shipping charge? In for 1 after the eBay 15% off sitewide for today only. It was < $30 after that... Thanks OP!!!

You're welcome, and may The Ping be with you.
Title: Re: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: FenixtheCorgi on Mon, 13 August 2018, 01:25:06: I just got my Pingmaster working and I love it. This is a steal! You can pay hundreds and not have a keyboard of this quality. And since they're all still in box, it's brand new and you can really get a grasp on how Alps linear switches should feel. If you like keyboards you should own at least one.

..contemplating picking up a Chinese one too, now that I have the Japanese one. I love SKCC switches now lol.
Title: Re: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: ander on Mon, 13 August 2018, 02:54:11: Quote from: FenixtheCorgi on Mon, 13 August 2018, 01:25:06
I just got my Pingmaster working and I love it. This is a steal! You can pay hundreds and not have a keyboard of this quality. And since they're all still in box, it's brand new and you can really get a grasp on how Alps linear switches should feel. If you like keyboards you should own at least one... contemplating picking up a Chinese one too, now that I have the Japanese one. I love SKCC switches now lol.

Yep, it's a surreal thing, a NIB mechanical IBM MK for this kind of dough. Maybe they would've sold more by now if they'd priced them higher. :?)
Title: Re: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: FenixtheCorgi on Mon, 13 August 2018, 04:20:34: Quote from: ander on Mon, 13 August 2018, 02:54:11
Quote from: FenixtheCorgi on Mon, 13 August 2018, 01:25:06
I just got my Pingmaster working and I love it. This is a steal! You can pay hundreds and not have a keyboard of this quality. And since they're all still in box, it's brand new and you can really get a grasp on how Alps linear switches should feel. If you like keyboards you should own at least one... contemplating picking up a Chinese one too, now that I have the Japanese one. I love SKCC switches now lol.

Yep, it's a surreal thing, a NIB mechanical IBM MK for this kind of dough. Maybe they would've sold more by now if they'd priced them higher. :?)
Or possibly the fact that these boards are not clicky and still need a converter to work, seeing that most IBM enthusiasts seem to be expecting clicky switches. Either way, these switches have won me over. Who knows, may order a couple extras in the future. It would be nice to have a small cache of these boards to maybe gift to some friends. :)
Title: Re: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: Techno Trousers on Mon, 13 August 2018, 13:57:46: All the love for these makes me wish I liked linear switches. If only there were old Model F AT or 122 available NIB for so cheap.
Title: Re: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: BlindAssassin111 on Mon, 13 August 2018, 14:20:23: Quote from: Techno Trousers on Mon, 13 August 2018, 13:57:46
All the love for these makes me wish I liked linear switches. If only there were old Model F AT or 122 available NIB for so cheap.

I don't even like linears and I have one...Mostly just for the novelty of its looks and it was super cheap.
Title: Re: Japanese-legend IBM Pingmasters, now free shipping
Post by: laxfan91 on Tue, 14 August 2018, 18:30:13: Quote from: BlindAssassin111 on Mon, 13 August 2018, 14:20:23
Quote from: Techno Trousers on Mon, 13 August 2018, 13:57:46
All the love for these makes me wish I liked linear switches. If only there were old Model F AT or 122 available NIB for so cheap.

I don't even like linears and I have one...Mostly just for the novelty of its looks and it was super cheap.

I'm not a big fan of linears either but the looks are so good plus all those blank keys that allow me to make my own keycap legends, layouts...plus it had japanese lettering. It was too good and too inexpensive to resist.