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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: ebacho on Sun, 19 October 2014, 03:34:57

Title: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: ebacho on Sun, 19 October 2014, 03:34:57
http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-2682678-Displaywriter-Keyboard-/311136375477?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48712c52b5

Someone here will probably be interested.
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 19 October 2014, 11:29:26
I have ordered from greensitizen in the past. I love how they stole that one black key from a different keyboard.

displaywriter is great despite not having a metal case. in many ways it's more like a model F than other beamsprings are (no surprise)
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: Arcoril on Sun, 19 October 2014, 11:46:08
Displaywriters also use a speaker instead of a solenoid. A bit unfortunate, but I really love the clean white look on these!
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 19 October 2014, 11:54:27
Displaywriters also use a speaker instead of a solenoid. A bit unfortunate, but I really love the clean white look on these!

you can always add a solenoid like what I did with mine.
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: jacobolus on Sun, 19 October 2014, 17:51:39
I’ve ordered from green citizen too, and went down there to pick something up in person. They were totally unfriendly and uninterested in talking and wouldn’t let me look at anything outside the little foyer. When I asked about their other inventory, they said basically “if it’s not on ebay, it’s not for sale”, and after they handed my ebay purchase they shooed me out the door. No one there seemed to have any experience with or expertise about old keyboards or computers. Oh well.
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 22 October 2014, 21:18:25
wow that went for very cheap. $63.99+ship
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: jevvix on Wed, 22 October 2014, 21:31:13
wow that went for very cheap. $63.99+ship
With shipping that was about ~$92 for me. A fair price as that's about where I expected it to end. I think the 3270 keyboards are the more in demand beam springs.

edit: I didn't win it. Sorry my poor wording made it sound like that.
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: jacobolus on Wed, 22 October 2014, 21:48:02
Oh wow, I was sure it would go for more and didn’t bother bidding. Congrats.

Make sure you report back after getting it working again. :-)
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: jevvix on Wed, 22 October 2014, 21:53:12
Oh, whoops I didn't win it.
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: Touch_It on Thu, 23 October 2014, 10:14:24
Sounds like a pretty fair price.  I like the layout of it though I imagine a full metal case for a beam spring feels and looks a lot better.
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: dorkvader on Thu, 23 October 2014, 12:51:07
Sounds like a pretty fair price.  I like the layout of it though I imagine a full metal case for a beam spring feels and looks a lot better.

feel is the same. with that many metal plates, adding a metal case does about nothing. Looks are subjective so I won't comment. It is harder to properly paint the plastic case, though.
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: dgreekstallion on Thu, 23 October 2014, 19:50:35
Sounds like a pretty fair price.  I like the layout of it though I imagine a full metal case for a beam spring feels and looks a lot better.

feel is the same. with that many metal plates, adding a metal case does about nothing. Looks are subjective so I won't comment. It is harder to properly paint the plastic case, though.
Krylon to the rescue!
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: dorkvader on Thu, 23 October 2014, 23:44:04
Sounds like a pretty fair price.  I like the layout of it though I imagine a full metal case for a beam spring feels and looks a lot better.

feel is the same. with that many metal plates, adding a metal case does about nothing. Looks are subjective so I won't comment. It is harder to properly paint the plastic case, though.
Krylon to the rescue!

The case is really rough, so you'd have to sand the texture off before painting. It'll be a pain, but I like the colour, so I will most likely keep it.

You can actually ceramic coat plastics now. it's pretty exciting.
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: coolicool on Sat, 25 October 2014, 21:23:08
i think it is a bit expensive
Title: Re: IBM Displaywriter Keyboard (Beamspring?)
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 26 October 2014, 16:09:45
i think it is a bit expensive

They usually go for much more. I agree though: I wish they were cheaper :p