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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: Keyboardkilla on Mon, 05 October 2015, 10:35:59

Title: Industrial ibm
Post by: Keyboardkilla on Mon, 05 October 2015, 10:35:59
http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/351532046582
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: romevi on Mon, 05 October 2015, 11:43:59
Mods, please delete this.

I'm trying to bid on it.  ;)
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 05 October 2015, 11:49:07
Mods, please delete this.

I'm trying to bid on it.  ;)

I don't think it works that way.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: romevi on Mon, 05 October 2015, 11:53:39
Mods, please delete this.

I'm trying to bid on it.  ;)

I don't think it works that way.

I know; hence the wink.  :'(
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: Keyboardkilla on Mon, 05 October 2015, 12:14:19
If anybody from here buys it please post pictures.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: njbair on Mon, 05 October 2015, 12:42:00
Wow, either this seller has set a reserve price or they are about to be very pleasantly surprised.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 05 October 2015, 13:11:32
Ebay works hard to tell sellers to believe that desirable items will always find their proper prices in $0.01 start auctions.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: engicoder on Mon, 05 October 2015, 14:46:22
Ebay works hard to tell sellers to believe that desirable items will always find their proper prices in $0.01 start auctions.

Thats true. What's curious is that if you select to add a buy it now option, suddenly they suggest realistic pricing from past sales of similar items.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: jwaz on Mon, 05 October 2015, 14:49:52
AAAGGGGHHHHH IT'S A WEEK OFF OF MY BIRTHDAY BOARD. FUUUUUUUUUUU  :-\
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: E TwentyNine on Mon, 05 October 2015, 15:14:09
:) I enjoy watching these tick down.   Two last second snipes shot the price up, nicely done by whoever snagged it.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: jdcarpe on Mon, 05 October 2015, 15:16:37
Hmmm, someone with 1657 feedback won it...wonder who that would be.

Whoever won it got a good deal. If I were in the market for one, I would have bid $250 easily.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: SixtyLife on Mon, 05 October 2015, 15:16:42
daaaamn... that ending was fun to watch. congrats to whoever got it!
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: romevi on Mon, 05 October 2015, 15:19:03
lol, nice.

Wonder if I would've won it if this thread hadn't been made.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: Bucake on Mon, 05 October 2015, 15:36:58
glad i wasn't interested in this particular one. my heart rate always goes up when i'm participating in bidding battles like this :D phew!

grats to the winner!
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: jdcarpe on Mon, 05 October 2015, 15:37:22
lol, nice.

Wonder if I would've won it if this thread hadn't been made.  :rolleyes:

This always happens to items I'm watching. It sucks, but it happens all the time.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: jbondeson on Mon, 05 October 2015, 15:39:53
lol, nice.

Wonder if I would've won it if this thread hadn't been made.  :rolleyes:

Probably not, it was posted to DT as well, and it was a properly labeled industrial model m (the description listed the color correctly).

If you want it cheap it needs to be in the wrong section and/or improperly labeled!
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 05 October 2015, 15:46:20
I am quite surprised that it did not fetch at least $250, if not more, with the proper square badge on the right.

In theory I would love to have an industrial, but I would not pay more than a small premium to get one.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: chyros on Mon, 05 October 2015, 16:05:46
I am quite surprised that it did not fetch at least $250, if not more, with the proper square badge on the right.
True, but then agian, it got posted late, and it's untested and it's missing a few keys...
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 05 October 2015, 16:20:00
True, but then agian, it got posted late, and it's untested and it's missing a few keys...

The case is the important thing. You can swap in the guts from any model M, if it came to that.

If these are selling under $200 in less-than-perfect condition, I may eventually get one.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: Keyboardkilla on Mon, 05 October 2015, 17:10:38
Hope everybody had fun watching the drama!

1st post to gh, long time lurker, since I wasn't looking to purchase the board hopefully I gave somebody in the community a chance to. You don't see the grey boards that often, but when you see them in the wild you get the urge to buy or to share.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: njbair on Mon, 05 October 2015, 17:13:55
Hope everybody had fun watching the drama!

1st post to gh, long time lurker, since I wasn't looking to purchase the board hopefully I gave somebody in the community a chance to. You don't see the grey boards that often, but when you see them in the wild you get the urge to buy or to share.
Lol way to make enemies with your first post!

Seriously, though, I get your reasoning and I'm sure the winning snipe was already set up long before.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: Xonar on Mon, 05 October 2015, 17:31:03
Wow, I didn't think it would go that high. I was gonna do a max bid of $100 but didn't bother as soon as I saw it was posted here.

I'm surprised no one has posted this one up yet: http://www.ebay.com/itm/271997909094?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
It just so happens to be the one I'm selling.  :p

actually since i couldn't swipe this one up I might reconsider selling my beloved 1985 industrial... 
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: romevi on Mon, 05 October 2015, 17:41:26
Wow, I didn't think it would go that high. I was gonna do a max bid of $100 but didn't bother as soon as I saw it was posted here.

I'm surprised no one has posted this one up yet: http://www.ebay.com/itm/271997909094?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
It just so happens to be the one I'm selling.  :p

actually since i couldn't swipe this one up I might reconsider selling my beloved 1985 industrial...

$100 was my max. Didn't think I'd get it, but under $200 is a pretty good deal.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: chyros on Mon, 05 October 2015, 17:51:17
Wow, I didn't think it would go that high. I was gonna do a max bid of $100 but didn't bother as soon as I saw it was posted here.

I'm surprised no one has posted this one up yet: http://www.ebay.com/itm/271997909094?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
It just so happens to be the one I'm selling.  :p

actually since i couldn't swipe this one up I might reconsider selling my beloved 1985 industrial...
Ah, but that's the other square badge industrial, the older 1388 with the Mandolin crystal. Yeah, that one's much more valuable as we all know 8) .
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: Bucake on Mon, 05 October 2015, 17:52:25
solid advertisement Xonar :P
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: SamirD on Mon, 05 October 2015, 19:54:36
When will Unicomp start making grey cases with the 'industrial' look...haha...
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: chyros on Tue, 06 October 2015, 05:33:36
The cases aren't made out of grey plastic, they're painted grey. It's possible grey colouring detracts from the quality of the plastic. And I'm not sure Lexmark had the painting tooling in Lexington.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: SamirD on Tue, 06 October 2015, 07:43:25
The cases aren't made out of grey plastic, they're painted grey. It's possible grey colouring detracts from the quality of the plastic. And I'm not sure Lexmark had the painting tooling in Lexington.
Even easier for Unicomp to copy!  I bet they have the resources to find out how the original coating was done or where it was outsourced to and bring these back or offer new cases for people that wanted to swap their m cases.

Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: E TwentyNine on Tue, 06 October 2015, 08:31:05
The cases aren't made out of grey plastic, they're painted grey. It's possible grey colouring detracts from the quality of the plastic. And I'm not sure Lexmark had the painting tooling in Lexington.

Industrial Model M cases are made of grey/olive plastic.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 06 October 2015, 09:47:06
The cases aren't made out of grey plastic, they're painted grey.

Where did you hear that?

People sometimes try to pass off counterfeits with paint jobs, but you can always tell.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: chyros on Tue, 06 October 2015, 11:33:25
The cases aren't made out of grey plastic, they're painted grey.

Where did you hear that?

People sometimes try to pass off counterfeits with paint jobs, but you can always tell.
I've seen pictures of ones where they are chipped ot scuffed; they're white beneath. So is mine.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: E TwentyNine on Tue, 06 October 2015, 11:57:01
The cases aren't made out of grey plastic, they're painted grey.

Where did you hear that?

People sometimes try to pass off counterfeits with paint jobs, but you can always tell.
I've seen pictures of ones where they are chipped ot scuffed; they're white beneath. So is mine.

I've seen plenty of IBM industrial hardware - keyboards, monitors, PC's - broken, chipped, gouged.  They're always grey all the way through.

Can you provide pics of yours including the back label?
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: chyros on Tue, 06 October 2015, 13:20:34
There's very few scuff marks on mine, but there's a noticeable one on the speaker grill and small ones on the bumps in the foot holes. There's also a tiny one on the left bolt hole. Here's a shot:

(http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Chyrosran/WP_20151006_001_zpsf6djxdpn.jpg)

There is no label anymore, it came off. It's a first-gen one though, with a controller dated 1984, so almost certainly part number 1388032 (so it actually predates the beige PC Model M).
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: E TwentyNine on Tue, 06 October 2015, 13:27:57
Got pics of both sides of the controller?  And the rest of the board for that matter...
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: chyros on Tue, 06 October 2015, 17:04:28
Got pics of both sides of the controller?  And the rest of the board for that matter...
Yes I do, but I already posted them on GH and DT before so I'll link you to the topic instead :) . The discussion is more at home there than in Great Finds, anyway xD .

http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/proof-that-friday-is-the-best-day-of-the-week-hands-down-t11380.html

Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 06 October 2015, 18:10:22
There's very few scuff marks on mine, but there's a noticeable one on the speaker grill

Color me flabbergasted.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: romevi on Tue, 06 October 2015, 18:37:17
There's very few scuff marks on mine, but there's a noticeable one on the speaker grill

Color me flabbergasted.
How about industrial gray instead?
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: engicoder on Tue, 06 October 2015, 21:05:12
I suspect that the early ones were painted and later ones are grey plastic. Didn't ETwentyNine post some pics of an early one with a broken lower case? I think that one was also white inside.

I found the post: http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/a-couple-of-model-m-s-i-m-curious-about-t5112.html
Specifically, this pic
(http://i1.minus.com/jy9lMsiBNyGiX.jpg)
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: Xonar on Tue, 06 October 2015, 22:30:17
Mine is about as early as they come without being a prototype (Sept. 1985), and the plastic itself is grey/olive.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: joc on Tue, 06 October 2015, 23:33:26
Unless it's just shadows, it seems like chyros' Model M has a removable controller (DIP socketed) similar to E TwentyNine's.

(http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Chyrosran/WP_20150822_002_zpsp1jxeizt.jpg)
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: ander on Wed, 07 October 2015, 01:49:48
Oh, I'm so sad I missed this auction. If only I could find a gray IBM, I wouldn't have to wash my hands before I used my keyboard. No matter what I'd been doing, I could sit right down and start typing without a thought for how grimy my fingers were. And since it was made for factory floors and auto garages, I'd be using it completely authentically. Such freedom from personal hygiene is certainly worth $200!

Okay, I'm being ironic. The only reason Industrial M's seem "rare" is because so incredibly many non-gray M's were made (like, 10 million?). It's only a relative kind of "rarity".

Reality check: Changing a keyboard's color does not change its intrinsic value. I think that anyone who's willing to pay $200 or more for a Model M just because it's gray must be (a.) suffering a kind of status-mad hysteria, or (b.) speculating on the hysterical people in (a.).

I may seem like a wet blanket—but to me, an M's value comes not from something as incidental as its color, but from its ingenious, enduring design.

My wife inherited a chrome Sunbeam toaster that works as well as it did in the '50s. It even lowers the bread for you and raises the toast when it's done. It's the Model M of toasters. Such things are impressive legacies from a time when people cared about quality as much as they cared about profits.

So IMHO, to claim a Model M is worth 4 or 5 times as much because it's gray instead of beige is to trivialize the greatness of all Model M's (and yes, regardless of how much more grime it can hide).

I can sit back and enjoy the Industrial Circus, but no way will I ever covet one of these drab, inflated p/n's. If someone wanted to give me one, I certainly wouldn't turn it down, any more than I'd turn down any fine MK. And I'd probably chuckle now and then over the bizarre esteem the keyboard-kollecting kommunity afforded it. So I guess it would have extra value to me—as a comedy device.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: E TwentyNine on Wed, 07 October 2015, 10:04:15
I suspect that the early ones were painted and later ones are grey plastic. Didn't ETwentyNine post some pics of an early one with a broken lower case? I think that one was also white inside.

I found the post: http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/a-couple-of-model-m-s-i-m-curious-about-t5112.html
Specifically, this pic
Show Image
(http://i1.minus.com/jy9lMsiBNyGiX.jpg)


That's mine.  And it's the only other painted industrial I've ever seen apart from chyros's.  It is not standard for industrials to be painted.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: Xonar on Wed, 07 October 2015, 11:10:05
Oh, I'm so sad I missed this auction. If only I could find a gray IBM, I wouldn't have to wash my hands before I used my keyboard. No matter what I'd been doing, I could sit right down and start typing without a thought for how grimy my fingers were. And since it was made for factory floors and auto garages, I'd be using it completely authentically. Such freedom from personal hygiene is certainly worth $200!

Okay, I'm being ironic. The only reason Industrial M's seem "rare" is because so incredibly many non-gray M's were made (like, 10 million?). It's only a relative kind of "rarity".

Reality check: Changing a keyboard's color does not change its intrinsic value. I think that anyone who's willing to pay $200 or more for a Model M just because it's gray must be (a.) suffering a kind of status-mad hysteria, or (b.) speculating on the hysterical people in (a.).

I may seem like a wet blanket—but to me, an M's value comes not from something as incidental as its color, but from its ingenious, enduring design.

My wife inherited a chrome Sunbeam toaster that works as well as it did in the '50s. It even lowers the bread for you and raises the toast when it's done. It's the Model M of toasters. Such things are impressive legacies from a time when people cared about quality as much as they cared about profits.

So IMHO, to claim a Model M is worth 4 or 5 times as much because it's gray instead of beige is to trivialize the greatness of all Model M's (and yes, regardless of how much more grime it can hide).

I can sit back and enjoy the Industrial Circus, but no way will I ever covet one of these drab, inflated p/n's. If someone wanted to give me one, I certainly wouldn't turn it down, any more than I'd turn down any fine MK. And I'd probably chuckle now and then over the bizarre esteem the keyboard-kollecting kommunity afforded it. So I guess it would have extra value to me—as a comedy device.


For me, and I assume most others who fall into the category of the "Industrial Circus", it's really not different than buying an expensive set of keycaps from, say, GMK for a Cherry MX board. It's worth it to me because I want to have my idea of the best IBM Model M experience, which is an early production model Industrial M. Your idea of the best IBM Model M experience might be different and that's just fine. I simply prefer the construction and typing experience of the earlier Model Ms in general, and I much prefer the color scheme of the Industrial M, so it becomes worth it to me to spend the premium on an early Model Industrial M. I would agree with you though; there's no other reason than that for anyone to buy one unless it's simply to put it in their collection as a display piece. You make a fair point about the inflated value of Industrials trivializing the greatness of the Model M design, but I would argue that the fact that certain Model M variants can fetch $200+ only heightens their greatness.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: Snowdog993 on Wed, 07 October 2015, 11:34:21
For me, and I assume most others who fall into the category of the "Industrial Circus", it's really not different than buying an expensive set of keycaps from, say, GMK for a Cherry MX board. It's worth it to me because I want to have my idea of the best IBM Model M experience, which is an early production model Industrial M. Your idea of the best IBM Model M experience might be different and that's just fine. I simply prefer the construction and typing experience of the earlier Model Ms in general, and I much prefer the color scheme of the Industrial M, so it becomes worth it to me to spend the premium on an early Model Industrial M. I would agree with you though; there's no other reason than that for anyone to buy one unless it's simply to put it in their collection as a display piece. You make a fair point about the inflated value of Industrials trivializing the greatness of the Model M design, but I would argue that the fact that certain Model M variants can fetch $200+ only heightens their greatness.

Then why are you selling it?
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: Xonar on Wed, 07 October 2015, 18:16:04
For me, and I assume most others who fall into the category of the "Industrial Circus", it's really not different than buying an expensive set of keycaps from, say, GMK for a Cherry MX board. It's worth it to me because I want to have my idea of the best IBM Model M experience, which is an early production model Industrial M. Your idea of the best IBM Model M experience might be different and that's just fine. I simply prefer the construction and typing experience of the earlier Model Ms in general, and I much prefer the color scheme of the Industrial M, so it becomes worth it to me to spend the premium on an early Model Industrial M. I would agree with you though; there's no other reason than that for anyone to buy one unless it's simply to put it in their collection as a display piece. You make a fair point about the inflated value of Industrials trivializing the greatness of the Model M design, but I would argue that the fact that certain Model M variants can fetch $200+ only heightens their greatness.

Then why are you selling it?

I need a new car more than my Industrial M atm.  :'(
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: SamirD on Thu, 08 October 2015, 10:48:19
Then why are you selling it?
For sale link?

Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: Snowdog993 on Thu, 08 October 2015, 11:51:14
For me, and I assume most others who fall into the category of the "Industrial Circus", it's really not different than buying an expensive set of keycaps from, say, GMK for a Cherry MX board. It's worth it to me because I want to have my idea of the best IBM Model M experience, which is an early production model Industrial M. Your idea of the best IBM Model M experience might be different and that's just fine. I simply prefer the construction and typing experience of the earlier Model Ms in general, and I much prefer the color scheme of the Industrial M, so it becomes worth it to me to spend the premium on an early Model Industrial M. I would agree with you though; there's no other reason than that for anyone to buy one unless it's simply to put it in their collection as a display piece. You make a fair point about the inflated value of Industrials trivializing the greatness of the Model M design, but I would argue that the fact that certain Model M variants can fetch $200+ only heightens their greatness.

Then why are you selling it?

I need a new car more than my Industrial M atm.  :'(

Great!  I need a new car too!
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: SamirD on Thu, 08 October 2015, 12:07:47
I need a new car more than my Industrial M atm.  :'(
Great!  I need a new car too!
I could help you guys find a good car in exhcange for a well-priced M industrial.  I'm serious.  I've bought cars all over the US and am really good at making sure it's not a lemon.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: snoopy on Thu, 08 October 2015, 12:22:38
Oh, I'm so sad I missed this auction. If only I could find a gray IBM, I wouldn't have to wash my hands before I used my keyboard. No matter what I'd been doing, I could sit right down and start typing without a thought for how grimy my fingers were. And since it was made for factory floors and auto garages, I'd be using it completely authentically. Such freedom from personal hygiene is certainly worth $200!

Okay, I'm being ironic. The only reason Industrial M's seem "rare" is because so incredibly many non-gray M's were made (like, 10 million?). It's only a relative kind of "rarity".

Reality check: Changing a keyboard's color does not change its intrinsic value. I think that anyone who's willing to pay $200 or more for a Model M just because it's gray must be (a.) suffering a kind of status-mad hysteria, or (b.) speculating on the hysterical people in (a.).

I may seem like a wet blanket—but to me, an M's value comes not from something as incidental as its color, but from its ingenious, enduring design.

My wife inherited a chrome Sunbeam toaster that works as well as it did in the '50s. It even lowers the bread for you and raises the toast when it's done. It's the Model M of toasters. Such things are impressive legacies from a time when people cared about quality as much as they cared about profits.

So IMHO, to claim a Model M is worth 4 or 5 times as much because it's gray instead of beige is to trivialize the greatness of all Model M's (and yes, regardless of how much more grime it can hide).

I can sit back and enjoy the Industrial Circus, but no way will I ever covet one of these drab, inflated p/n's. If someone wanted to give me one, I certainly wouldn't turn it down, any more than I'd turn down any fine MK. And I'd probably chuckle now and then over the bizarre esteem the keyboard-kollecting kommunity afforded it. So I guess it would have extra value to me—as a comedy device.


For me, and I assume most others who fall into the category of the "Industrial Circus", it's really not different than buying an expensive set of keycaps from, say, GMK for a Cherry MX board. It's worth it to me because I want to have my idea of the best IBM Model M experience, which is an early production model Industrial M. Your idea of the best IBM Model M experience might be different and that's just fine. I simply prefer the construction and typing experience of the earlier Model Ms in general, and I much prefer the color scheme of the Industrial M, so it becomes worth it to me to spend the premium on an early Model Industrial M. I would agree with you though; there's no other reason than that for anyone to buy one unless it's simply to put it in their collection as a display piece. You make a fair point about the inflated value of Industrials trivializing the greatness of the Model M design, but I would argue that the fact that certain Model M variants can fetch $200+ only heightens their greatness.

The Industrial boards are just awesome, I love the color (you have to see it in real, most pics dont do justice)
It hurts a bit, when I think about the $$$ and time for research I spent for them. But was it worth it? Yes, I think so. I always enjoy using them.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: Norman_the_Owl on Sat, 10 October 2015, 16:54:57
Lol, i was bidding on this and i didn't even see the posts about it
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: ander on Sat, 10 October 2015, 18:12:36
That's mine.  And it's the only other painted industrial I've ever seen apart from chyros's.  It is not standard for industrials to be painted.

Woo, a Model M with gray paint! Catch me, I'm swooning.  :?D

Anyway, I'm not trying to be a bad guy here. I just think it's hilarious that people are willing to pay so much more dough for one of these simply because of its color, when all BS Model M's are already twice as good as any other keyboards because of the wonderful, actual technology they contain.

It's just a funny example of human nature—how our values are so easily diverted by the power of suggestion (i.e. someone telling you something's especially valuable for an entirely superficial reason). We're certainly surrounded by examples of that phenomenon.

Sincerely, E29, I hope you were happy with the price you got, and that the buyer enjoys it. I suppose that's all that really matters. – A.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: SamirD on Sat, 10 October 2015, 21:24:46
I just think it's hilarious that people are willing to pay so much more dough for one of these simply because of its color...
Knowing IBM, it was definitely more than just color--these were designed for a harsher environment than a regular M.  So while there are changes that won't matter for a daily driver, I'm sure they do have some guts that make them beyond a regular M.

I never thought of owning one, but because of the environment some of my Ms are in, I'm really thinking I need at least one at some point.  Some things are a better fit.

Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: njbair on Sat, 10 October 2015, 21:29:01
I thought they were made with heavier gauge steel inside, among some other differences.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: Elrick on Sat, 10 October 2015, 21:56:10
I thought they were made with heavier gauge steel inside, among some other differences.

Why do you think they were called "Industrial IBM" because they were frequently used in factories of all sorts.

There was once some ancient IBMs at our old Gold sorting facility until the company swapped them over for membrane garbage, that was water proof.  The older IBMs were waterlogged due to the water cleaning pressure sprays, used to sort certain sizes of loads, when it entered the skips for manual sorting.

Everything now is computerized hence manual sorting, has now passed into history.  Goes to show how long I've worked at the same place for decades.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: njbair on Sat, 10 October 2015, 22:01:57
I thought they were made with heavier gauge steel inside, among some other differences.

Why do you think they were called "Industrial IBM" because they were frequently used in factories of all sorts.

There was once some ancient IBMs at our old Gold sorting facility until the company swapped them over for membrane garbage, that was water proof.  The older IBMs were waterlogged due to the water cleaning pressure sprays, used to sort certain sizes of loads, when it entered the skips for manual sorting.

Everything now is computerized hence manual sorting, has now passed into history.  Goes to show how long I've worked at the same place for decades.
That doesn't happen anymore. The average millennial stays with a company for 18 months before taking a job elsewhere. But can you blame them? With no pension plan and with employers cold-bloodedly laying people off, there's no reward for loyalty anymore.

It's no wonder keyboards are being made cheaper and cheaper. Why build them to last if the people typing on them don't last?
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: SamirD on Sat, 10 October 2015, 22:15:06
It's no wonder keyboards are being made cheaper and cheaper. Why build them to last if the people typing on them don't last?
Sad but true.

As an employer, we find that people are always looking for the best bang for buck too, so when something better comes along, people switch.  Maybe back in the day there was more to the work than just the compensation package, but people have gotten real about what their time is worth (and working is a lot of time).  I've lost two employees in the last year because they found better jobs.  I couldn't blame them for leaving even though it made a huge mess for us and all the training was time money down the toilet for us.

Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: ander on Mon, 12 October 2015, 02:10:35
I thought they were made with heavier gauge steel inside, among some other differences.

Nope. Effectively, they were just pre-grimed... Rather like the way the Army defaults to olive green. It hides dirt and grass stains well.
Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: SamirD on Mon, 12 October 2015, 07:44:56
It hides dirt and grass stains well.
I hope no one is having to worry about grass stains when using a keyboard--that's an odd job for sure!

Title: Re: Industrial ibm
Post by: ander on Thu, 15 October 2015, 02:19:12
Can't say for sure—but I understand some of those snipers spend long periods of time lying in wait. Doing a bit of email would help break up the monotony.