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Author Topic: Wheelwriter keeb, got cheap (I think)  (Read 2525 times)

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Offline ander

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Wheelwriter keeb, got cheap (I think)
« on: Wed, 20 September 2017, 20:43:09 »
I just snagged this lightly used IBM Wheelwriter 1500 board:








...for $19.75 + shipping, which seemed like a pretty decent deal—was it?

My plan is to use the distinctive keys (incl. spacebar) on one of my Model M's, so if anyone would like the rest of it for the price of shipping, PM me.
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Offline OldIsNew

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Re: Wheelwriter keeb, got cheap (I think)
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 20 September 2017, 20:59:52 »
The keys are sharp looking! Heck, considering that Unicomp single unit printed keys are $0.80 each, I think $20 was a good deal for sure.
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Offline 0100010

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Re: Wheelwriter keeb, got cheap (I think)
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 20 September 2017, 21:15:45 »
Great price.   I would ANSI mod the big ass enter, split the backspace (would have to bolt mod it), put front printed function keys on the number row and add a controller.
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Offline ander

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Re: Wheelwriter keeb, got cheap (I think)
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 21 September 2017, 06:26:40 »
Quote from: 0100010 on Wed, 20 September 2017, 21:15:45
Great price.   I would ANSI mod the big ass enter, split the backspace (would have to bolt mod it), put front printed function keys on the number row and add a controller.

Glad you guys think I did okay.

I'll just be harvesting the keys, though; this layout would be way too sparse for my needs. Adding layers seems like a step backward—why make typing more complicated and time-consuming than it needs to be? Texting's retrograde enough, thanks.
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Offline ander

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Re: Wheelwriter keeb, got cheap (I think)
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 21 September 2017, 07:31:16 »
I have a taker for the board, sans keys...

They changed their mind, so the board's still available.
« Last Edit: Thu, 21 September 2017, 17:55:21 by ander »
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Offline 0100010

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Re: Wheelwriter keeb, got cheap (I think)
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 21 September 2017, 08:25:44 »
If you just wanted WW keys, I think I have two sets of them.  (I should probably go through all my stuff that is collecting dust and unload it, since I am not using.)
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Offline Thereminz

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Re: Wheelwriter keeb, got cheap (I think)
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 21 September 2017, 11:04:40 »
Nice, i made a keyboard out of a wheelwriter 3

Layers are fine, do wish it had dedicated arrow keys but it's cool, just put it on wasd in the other layer

Shame to wate those buckling springs though
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Wheelwriter keeb, got cheap (I think)
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 21 September 2017, 16:15:09 »
I used a set of those on my faux-steampunk F-122. That "Code" key is particularly desirable if you can make a place for it.

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Offline ander

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Re: Wheelwriter keeb, got cheap (I think)
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 21 September 2017, 17:58:54 »
Quote from: Thereminz on Thu, 21 September 2017, 11:04:40
Nice, i made a keyboard out of a wheelwriter 3... Layers are fine, do wish it had dedicated arrow keys but it's cool, just put it on wasd in the other layer...

I don't want to argue with you, but I have too much typing to do to suddenly start having to use key combinations for things like moving a cursor.  :?P


Quote from: Thereminz on Thu, 21 September 2017, 11:04:40
Shame to [waste] those buckling springs though

I'm not wasting them—I'm offering the board to anyone who can use it. If I don't get a response from this, I'll post it in Free Stuff.

Quote from: fohat.digs on Thu, 21 September 2017, 16:15:09
I used a set of those on my faux-steampunk F-122. That "Code" key is particularly desirable if you can make a place for it.

Nice—and yes, very steampunk! I definitely appreciate such creativity, but I also have to be realistic about what I would and wouldn't be able to use.
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Offline dorkvader

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Re: Wheelwriter keeb, got cheap (I think)
« Reply #9 on: Sat, 23 September 2017, 21:38:31 »
I was thinking about making another split spacebar model M
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=89656.msg2427579#msg2427579
Can always use more of the wheelwriter spacebar and "code" key for that.
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