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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: IvanIvanovich on Thu, 17 May 2012, 16:04:34

Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Thu, 17 May 2012, 16:04:34
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Grey-Metal-Computer-Keyboard-/270976855948?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f177aaf8c

I have no idea what it is, but it sure looks nice.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: kps on Thu, 17 May 2012, 16:10:20
I have one of those. Of course I can't remember right now what it is.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: REVENGE on Thu, 17 May 2012, 16:44:46
Leaf spring.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: AKIMbO on Thu, 17 May 2012, 16:45:48
Quote from: kps;594884
I have one of those. Of course I can't remember right now what it is.

Does it work on a modern PC without all the scan code wizardry an XT requires?  I'll bid on it for science.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: margonaute on Thu, 17 May 2012, 19:26:54
That Enter key is so kooky. And huge!
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: dorkvader on Thu, 17 May 2012, 20:05:30
Quote from: margonaute;595006
That Enter key is so kooky. And huge!
I've seen ones like that before, though I don't remember where. Maybe a japanese keyboard pic on the DT wiki or sandy's page or somewhere? I like to think of it as "bigass enter" meets ISO.

Also: the {[ and ]} keys are different sizes.

I'm liking the font/colouration a lot, actually.

I want it. :P
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: Hak Foo on Thu, 17 May 2012, 22:20:52
It looks like the board from the early Sanyo PC-almost-alikes.  I recall seeing a lot of ads for correspondence courses in old magazines saying "build this computer as you learn valuable computer repair skills!" and showing it.  I do like the caps... though the layout's lacking.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: AKIMbO on Thu, 17 May 2012, 22:26:58
Quote from: Hak Foo;595084
It looks like the board from the early Sanyo PC-almost-alikes.  I recall seeing a lot of ads for correspondence courses in old magazines saying "build this computer as you learn valuable computer repair skills!" and showing it.  I do like the caps... though the layout's lacking.

http://www.qsl.net/k6fv/sanyo.html looks like the kb from the sanyo mbc-550 pc

Some conversation on the keyboard scan codes on page 2 of the thread on this site http://forums.bannister.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=63894&PHPSESSID=dcb3a055b965f95a2464df6122600bc7
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: dorkvader on Thu, 17 May 2012, 23:17:06
Wow, AKIMbO: that's exactly what it looks like. If I did end up getting it, and the switches were worthwhile, I'd probably rewire the switches to a teensy.

Just went through Haata's page again, and didn't see it.

Here's some more info on that sanyo's keyboard IO
http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/sanyo.html#keybhw

Yep, Seaseip has it again.

Edit (again) I notice that AKIMbO's info page, the guy is selling the keyboard for $16. Maybe I should ask him some questions and maybe buy :p

And the DT link:
http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/pl-auction-1985-sanyo-steel-keyboard-t2431.html

Which brings us back to GH (who had the info first, apparently) http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?11244-Sanyo-MBC555

Fujistu leaf spring?
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: REVENGE on Fri, 18 May 2012, 02:20:23
HaaTa wants this, FYI. Not XT / AT compatible.

What the f***, and a post by  John Elliott himself.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: kps on Fri, 18 May 2012, 08:26:25
Quote from: REVENGE;595183
HaaTa wants this, FYI. Not XT / AT compatible.
Haven't seen HaaTa post lately. If he is/comes back up here, he can have mine.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: HaaTa on Fri, 18 May 2012, 11:42:20
I was eyeing this keyboard in an earlier auction, but backed off as the price was a little high.

Yes, it is a Fujitsu Leaf Spring. Very likely 2nd Gen.
And yes, and want it.

P.S. I don't really browse the forums much anymore, but if someone wants my input on something, feel free to PM me (GeekHack, Deskthority, or IRC).
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 18 May 2012, 16:29:08
There is one of those for sale near me for cheap, looks kinda cool but don't think I'm up for rewiring.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: dorkvader on Sat, 19 May 2012, 00:46:55
Make sure to post here if you do bid. I've no problem outbidding anonymous ebayers, but I don't want to compete against GH'ers.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: HaaTa on Sat, 19 May 2012, 03:52:45
And if it wasn't apparent from my previous post. I will most likely bid.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: AKIMbO on Sat, 19 May 2012, 06:50:08
Quote from: dorkvader;595684
Make sure to post here if you do bid. I've no problem outbidding anonymous ebayers, but I don't want to compete against GH'ers.

I'm the guy with the current bid on it...but please do bid on the kb.  Don't hold out just because I already bid on it.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: dorkvader on Sat, 19 May 2012, 10:08:59
Quote from: HaaTa;595710
And if it wasn't apparent from my previous post. I will most likely bid.
Well, in that case, I'll let you have it. I would love to try it out, and own such an interesting keyboard (and in excellent shape from the pictures!), but I perceive that you are in more want of it, so I won't inflate the price for you.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: HaaTa on Sat, 19 May 2012, 14:01:29
Quote from: dorkvader;595837
Well, in that case, I'll let you have it. I would love to try it out, and own such an interesting keyboard (and in excellent shape from the pictures!), but I perceive that you are in more want of it, so I won't inflate the price for you.


I just want this particular keyboard. If you want to try these switches, they do turn up semi-often on ebay and usually for a decent price (and unless it's an FM Towns, little competition).

For example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tandy-1000-keyboard-good-shape-super-low-starting-price-/320901482605?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab738086d#ht_500wt_1413 (Any Tandy 1000 with this exact layout has Fujitsu Leaf Springs, 3rd Gen; and I've written a converter for it)

Better condition Sanyo, but expensive... http://www.ebay.com/itm/150710555220?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_642wt_1165 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/150710555220?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_642wt_1165)
NKRO FM Towns keyboard: http://www.ebay.com/itm/320901481503?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_1413 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/320901481503?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_1413)
Also Fujitsu Leaf Spring (found a NIB one that's incoming right now):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Basic-4-Terminal-Keyboard-/150801620213?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231c7a1cf5#ht_716wt_1165 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Basic-4-Terminal-Keyboard-/150801620213?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231c7a1cf5#ht_716wt_1165)

And FYI, there is a clicky variant of the switch. I've yet to try one (and want one). All the above are linear.
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: HaaTa on Sat, 19 May 2012, 14:47:02
Lol.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dHFci5ajY_k/T6Rkv6UiDVI/AAAAAAAAF2g/KcLt_WOqWJ0/s800/2012-04-29%252019.05.49.jpg)

These are my 2011/2012 acquisitions:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2z840A_Lhwo/T6b9Smz2atI/AAAAAAAAGLU/S_rcUyvIH08/s800/2012-04-29%252018.26.55.jpg)
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 20 May 2012, 11:46:37
Sold for $31. Were you successful, HaaTa?
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: HaaTa on Sun, 20 May 2012, 11:51:06
Nope. Looking at the bid logs, some sniper bot got it, using different users.
Oh well, didn't really need it, as I already know what to expect out of it.
(This is the 3rd time I've tried, and not gotten one of these keyboards...)
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: TexasFlood on Sun, 20 May 2012, 12:26:56
Quote from: dorkvader;596431
Sold for $31. Were you successful, HaaTa?


Seems high for me for something that can't be used without some modication and lacking really desirable switches near as I can tell.  But certainly less than the previous listing of $50.00 starting bid or $125.00 BIN which got no bids. Wonder if the buyer knows he can't just plug it in and use it, well unless he has, what is it, a Sanyo MBC 550 or MBC 555?
Title: Mystery vintage keyboard
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 20 May 2012, 23:35:50
Were I making a real living, I'd buy it for $31 easily. Metal case, cool font, switches I haven't used yet, Decent keycaps.

Also, apparently they only differ in the drives/options, the 550 and 555, though I had more luck searching for the 555 keyboard, I imagine they are the same.