geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: noisyturtle on Wed, 08 August 2018, 05:59:10

Title: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: noisyturtle on Wed, 08 August 2018, 05:59:10

I was missing my Datawriter and thought sprucing one up would be a fun little project and was stunned at the prices these are going for now.
Albeit it's been maybe 4-5 years since I've looked at/sold one but $800-5000?!? You ****in wot mate?  :-\

When did this happen, and what was the cause? All I want is another big loud heavy-ass capacitive boy.

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: Sup on Wed, 08 August 2018, 09:50:28

For how much did it go 4-5 years ago?

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: noisyturtle on Wed, 08 August 2018, 10:53:47

I paid $120+S&H off eBay for my Datawriter and sold it for $200 after fixing it up some. Good condition ones were generally around $100-300 if memory serves.
A stark difference from 5000 ****ing dollars some people are asking today, nothing under $800. Ridiculous.

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: JP on Wed, 08 August 2018, 12:43:34

One of the beamers I bought for $100 + trade recently sold for $2k  :-\

[Edit] I mean a beamer sold that was like mine. I am a hoarder that never sells anything.

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: noisyturtle on Wed, 08 August 2018, 15:15:01

IT WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!  :'(

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: JP on Wed, 08 August 2018, 15:28:17

It probably started when some Geekhacker told the world about beamers years ago and also when the Xwhatsit converters came out they became useful again. Reviews from Chryos, high profile eBay auctions, unreliable supply and more hobbyists joining our ranks have helped lift the prices.

Then again they do occasionally sell for peanuts if you nab a good BIN deal on eBay or find one locally.

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: zslane on Wed, 08 August 2018, 16:08:52

Sounds like more and more people are realizing that those old beamspringers were the last keyboards IBM made that were any good.  :p

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: ag36 on Wed, 08 August 2018, 17:52:33

Model F are great except the pinging driving me nuts(dental floss mod works great)...anyone want to sell me a 3279 keyboard or 3278 with numpad? :)

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: JP on Wed, 08 August 2018, 18:57:52

Quote from: ag36 on Wed, 08 August 2018, 17:52:33

Model F are great except the pinging driving me nuts(dental floss mod works great)...anyone want to sell me a 3279 keyboard or 3278 with numpad? :)

Sorry I don't think I have what you are looking for  :-X

(https://i.imgur.com/AhFCXrl.jpg)

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: noisyturtle on Wed, 08 August 2018, 19:22:01

That 6580 is just perfect in every way.

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: Puddsy on Wed, 08 August 2018, 19:33:17

No idea. I used to see them sit for weeks at 200.

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: ag36 on Wed, 08 August 2018, 20:22:34

Quote from: JP on Wed, 08 August 2018, 18:57:52

Quote from: ag36 on Wed, 08 August 2018, 17:52:33

Model F are great except the pinging driving me nuts(dental floss mod works great)...anyone want to sell me a 3279 keyboard or 3278 with numpad? :)

Sorry I don't think I have what you are looking for  :-X

Show Image

(https://i.imgur.com/AhFCXrl.jpg)

The one on the top left is what I am looking for :) (didn't know the proper model name)

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: xtrafrood on Wed, 08 August 2018, 20:44:20

I think when I joined a few years ago they were ~$200-300 BIN. And good golly miss molly I spy a F122 with dirty keys listed at $574 BIN. They couldn't even clean the damn thing.

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: JP on Wed, 08 August 2018, 21:07:58

Quote from: ag36 on Wed, 08 August 2018, 20:22:34

The one on the top left is what I am looking for :) (didn't know the proper model name)

Nope that's not the one you want. Pretend you didn't see that.  :-X

Title: Re: When the heck did beamsprings get so expensive?
Post by: ag36 on Thu, 09 August 2018, 06:48:33

 ;)