Model F key chain testers and other stuff

[fohat.digs]

Orihalcon has some nifty little switch testers with clear bases so that you can see them in action:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Model-F-Buckling-Spring-KEYCHAIN-Clicky-Keyboard-Switch-Tester-AT-XT-M-/272068806420?hash=item3f58908714:g:HRQAAOSw7FRWZMgs

And, as always, he has lots of other great stuff up for sale, including rare IBM keyboards, at fair prices.

[SpAmRaY]

Awesome, gotta get one for my keychain collection.

[Bucake]

shoulda been cool if the cap was clear as well

[rowdy]

shoulda been cool if the cap was clear as well

Both parts of the cap?

[0100010]

Nice!  Looks like he used glue, where I used screws (forcing the use of Model M hammers on mine).

[Bucake]

shoulda been cool if the cap was clear as well

Both parts of the cap?

i was thinking single-piece caps (like his chains are using),
but i doubt anyone's up for making clear model F caps

[rowdy]

shoulda been cool if the cap was clear as well

Both parts of the cap?

i was thinking single-piece caps (like his chains are using),
but i doubt anyone's up for making clear model F caps

And even if they did, probably too much plastic to see clearly what's happening inside.

[orihalcon]

If you look really closely, you can see the spring buckle from the underside if you have it upside down when pressing.  It's easier to see it pop back into the normal orientation afterwords though

[1391406]

This would make a nice charm. I'm not sure I understand where you're supposed to attach your keys. There's no keyring.

[chyros]

This would make a nice charm. I'm not sure I understand where you're supposed to attach your keys. There's no keyring.

There's a little clip at the end. I use the exact same loops for my Alps and Omron keyring switches.

[1391406]

This would make a nice charm. I'm not sure I understand where you're supposed to attach your keys. There's no keyring.

There's a little clip at the end. I use the exact same loops for my Alps and Omron keyring switches.

You're referring to the lobster clasp. I have a bag full of them and the clasps are generally made to accommodate the link on a charm bracelet or a zipper pull and are a lot weaker than a key ring. Further, how many keys can a lobster clasp really hold? One or two at best. I think the idea behind the product is great, though I'd strongly recommend a key ring rather than a lobster clasp, and I'd swap the string with a few bracelet links. That would would look great and be far more reliable. You can buy approx. 50 key rings for a few bucks. They're pretty cheap. This is strictly meant as constructive criticism.

[SamirD]

Pretty neat.  Do they still make the classic sounds of an F?

[fohat.digs]

Pretty neat.  Do they still make the classic sounds of an F?

Semi.

Probably louder, actually, but with a light plastic resonance instead of a heavy metal undertone, since it has no real sounding board.

[SamirD]

Pretty neat.  Do they still make the classic sounds of an F?

Semi.

Probably louder, actually, but with a light plastic resonance instead of a heavy metal undertone, since it has no real sounding board.

Does putting a quarter under it help?  It would be interesting if just adding a 1/8" piece of steel would do the job.

[fohat.digs]

Does putting a quarter under it help?  It would be interesting if just adding a 1/8" piece of steel would do the job.

Think of the sounding board of a piano. It is the overall resonance of the entire assembly.

The keychain is a novelty item, not a serious audition.

[SamirD]

Does putting a quarter under it help?  It would be interesting if just adding a 1/8" piece of steel would do the job.

Think of the sounding board of a piano. It is the overall resonance of the entire assembly.

The keychain is a novelty item, not a serious audition.

Good point.  At best, it's a showcase of the mechanism.