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Author Topic: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")  (Read 2618 times)

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Offline Stupidface

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Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« on: Fri, 18 September 2015, 01:19:13 »
Hello Everyone,

Is there such a thing as an SDL plug "cap"? 

111313-0

The reason I ask is because I have had problems in the past with the SDL "wings" (see above; perhaps they are formally known as "insertion tabs"?) breaking off.  SDL-PS/2 cables are not inexpensive and I would love to have something I can put on the plug to protect the insertion tabs.  Does anyone know of something I could purchase that would fit the bill?

Also, does anyone happen to know how many insertions the SDL port on a Model M is typically rated for?

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Offline fknraiden

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Re: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 18 September 2015, 01:29:18 »
i think you are going to have to take extra care of the tabs, or make something yourself. I've love one myself, as someone who lugs my IBM around frequently. No idea on the plug rating.
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Offline fanpeople

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Re: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 18 September 2015, 02:07:08 »
I have had a few custom SDL cables made and had the rubber boot put on. It does not cover the end but it reduces the exposure of the tabs.

111315-0


if you want to protect them you could try and buy the port for sdl and just use that...

http://uk.farnell.com/te-connectivity-amp/5-1761185-1/sdl-connector-receptacle-4-position/dp/1821864

thats not the right size port by the way, but they should have them
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 18 September 2015, 06:14:34 »
I used to have a cable with one tab broken off and it still worked properly.
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That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Snowdog993

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Re: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 18 September 2015, 11:50:57 »
Or, you could put a female PS/2 plug in it's place.  I believe that is possible.  Just replace the SDL female plug with that.  Use a M/M PS/2 cable and you're good to go!
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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 18 September 2015, 11:52:03 »
I wonder if you put a thin layer of epoxy on, would that help to protect it and would it interfere with performance?
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Offline rowdy

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Re: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 20 September 2015, 05:51:34 »
I know exactly what you mean!  The little tabs on ethernet cables are the same - pull a cable too hard and the tab will snap off.  At least an SDL cable has more chance of staying in the socket than an ethernet cable does.

Anyone acquired a NIB Model M?  Do the cables come with an SDL plug cover?  Or plugged in to the keyboard already?  Or just loose in the box?
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Offline fanpeople

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Re: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 20 September 2015, 06:07:17 »
I have purchased some new SDL cables also that came in sealed bags, one was an extra long cable (the reason I got it) and there was no cap on that one.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 20 September 2015, 09:26:35 »
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 20 September 2015, 05:51:34
Anyone acquired a NIB Model M?  Do the cables come with an SDL plug cover?  Or plugged in to the keyboard already?  Or just loose in the box?

Yes no no yes.

The cables are in the box, and sometimes react with the styrofoam and meld into a nasty mess. They are supposed to be in a plastic sleeve bag, but sometimes portions protrude. Empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls make good cable storage containers.

The tabs are surprisingly resilient. I had one that I had somehow pulled one the wrong way and it was sticking out perpendicular to the body, but I gently pushed it back in and re-inserted it. It has held up properly since.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline rowdy

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Re: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 21 September 2015, 22:03:07 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Sun, 20 September 2015, 09:26:35
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 20 September 2015, 05:51:34
Anyone acquired a NIB Model M?  Do the cables come with an SDL plug cover?  Or plugged in to the keyboard already?  Or just loose in the box?

Yes no no yes.

The cables are in the box, and sometimes react with the styrofoam and meld into a nasty mess. They are supposed to be in a plastic sleeve bag, but sometimes portions protrude. Empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls make good cable storage containers.

The tabs are surprisingly resilient. I had one that I had somehow pulled one the wrong way and it was sticking out perpendicular to the body, but I gently pushed it back in and re-inserted it. It has held up properly since.

Thanks :)

There's a NIB Lexmark Model M in member auction links at the moment, with pics on the eBay listing.  Shows exactly what you have described.
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"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

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Offline 0100010

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Re: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 22 September 2015, 09:58:54 »
What about an RJ45 sleeve?

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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 22 September 2015, 10:24:44 »
Quote from: 0100010 on Tue, 22 September 2015, 09:58:54
What about an RJ45 sleeve?


The SDL tabs are on the sides. You would need one much wider and more rectangular than square.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Snowdog993

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Re: Arcane SDL plug question (SDL plug "cap")
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 22 September 2015, 11:15:51 »
Quote from: Stupidface on Fri, 18 September 2015, 01:19:13
Hello Everyone,

Is there such a thing as an SDL plug "cap"? 

(Attachment Link)

The reason I ask is because I have had problems in the past with the SDL "wings" (see above; perhaps they are formally known as "insertion tabs"?) breaking off.  SDL-PS/2 cables are not inexpensive and I would love to have something I can put on the plug to protect the insertion tabs.  Does anyone know of something I could purchase that would fit the bill?

Also, does anyone happen to know how many insertions the SDL port on a Model M is typically rated for?

One thing that works to protect the tabs is using a rubber band.  Just wind it over the tabs.  Simple.
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