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Author Topic: How do you find a model M graveyard  (Read 1328 times)

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Offline NorrisB

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How do you find a model M graveyard
« on: Fri, 13 April 2012, 11:40:25 »
Checked some thrift stores near my house and I realized I'm probably not doing this right.  How do you find Model M's?
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Offline fohat.digs

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How do you find a model M graveyard
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 13 April 2012, 12:04:16 »
My job involves a lot of driving around. There are a dozen or so thrift stores that I pass on a monthly basis or oftener. When I have a couple of minutes to spare, I stop in and have a quick look.

In a couple of years, involving probably well over a hundred searches, I have found 2 working Model Ms and 2 dead ones (not including a rubber dome 72H model).

I have found perhaps a dozen good mechanicals in that time, at least that many broken ones, plus some other niceties.

Assume that 95% of the time you go in, you will find absolutely nothing. If you are not driving around anyway, making a special trip will almost always disappoint.

Maybe try Mondays, on the chance that something came in over the weekend.

PS - I don't know about LA, but in the Atlanta area "Goodwill" brand stores don't carry computer gear anymore, because of pressure from real computer stores, according to the manager I spoke to.
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Offline apb2390

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How do you find a model M graveyard
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 15 April 2012, 13:58:01 »
A Model M's natural habitat is in the dusty attics of an old office. I found three of them in the back of a computer interface/robotics complex.
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CMStorm QF Rapid || Dell Quietkey RT7D5JTW || IBM Model M \'87 || IBM Model M \'89 ||  IBM Model M \'95 Industrial || Apple Extended || SIIG MacTouch

Offline Tony

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How do you find a model M graveyard
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 15 April 2012, 15:22:02 »
There are several containers of used computer parts arrive at our city, sent from the US every 6 months. Most of them are old IBM, Compaq, HP and Dell desktops along with their original keyboards

I got two Compaq MX 11800s and 1 IBM model M that way.
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Keyboard: Filco MJ1 104 brown, Filco MJ2 87 brown, Compaq MX11800, Noppoo Choc Brown/Blue/Red, IBM Model M 1996, CMStorm Quickfire Rapid Black
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Offline REVENGE

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How do you find a model M graveyard
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 15 April 2012, 15:29:18 »
If you're in LA, go check your local electronics recycling places. Further north towards Northridge and Van Nuys, there are a couple of surplus parts vendors who reportedly have some pretty rare IBM junk.
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