My IBM 3278 / IBM 6580 Beam Spring Keyboards.

[mrduul]

Here it is, My beauty. An amazing keyboa- oh..

Wait wait...

shhhhh she is sleeping....   

[mrduul]

Well she's awake this morning and will need a cleaning but here are some pictures. 

Enjoy, will take more photos when I start cleaning inside the board.  8-)

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Desk Setup
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I took pictures of the full IBM 3278 Manual and compiled a PDF file.

PDF is uncompressed, 200MB.

Download IBM 3278 Manual by MrDuul: http://www.mediafire.com/file/uy22uys64lcgozk/IBM-3278-Manual.pdf

I didn't crop the photos because it looked not good.
Won't be scanning because I really don't want to risk pressing on the manual and potentially damaging it.

(The link keeps going down sometimes, not sure why)

[thad]

Nice. I just want to type on one once to see what it's like.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[K3lp_Boy]

I'm assuming there's no way to connect these beauties to modern computers?

They still make great display pieces, though.

[Pretendo]

I'm assuming there's no way to connect these beauties to modern computers?

They still make great display pieces, though.

You can, but it's by no means a simple plug and play.  I'm oversimplifying, but you essentially have to build your own controller.  It's been done by some of the more die-hard beam-spring aficionados out there.

[mrduul]

All beamsprings can be modified to be used over USB using a xwhatsit beamspring controller PCB. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58138.0

My displaywriter is USB modified.

Except the 3277 which is only PS/2 and then you can just use a PS/2 to USB adapter.

Here is a video of beamspring connected via usb. VERY CLICKY with solenoid turned on, loudest mechanical switch ever like a typewriter.

At 0:40 solenoid is turned on.

[Joey Quinn]

Reminds me of this when you turn the solenoid on.

[mrduul]

Yeah man that is gold. 

[alienman82]

removed.

[mrduul]

You can do the dental floss trick to get less of the "ping" on Model F.

https://deskthority.net/wiki/Dental_floss_mod

[invariance]

Reminds me of this when you turn the solenoid on.

More

All beamsprings can be modified to be used over USB using a xwhatsit beamspring controller PCB. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58138.0

My displaywriter is USB modified.

Except the 3277 which is only PS/2 and then you can just use a PS/2 to USB adapter.

Here is a video of beamspring connected via usb. VERY CLICKY with solenoid turned on, loudest mechanical switch ever like a typewriter.

At 0:40 solenoid is turned on.

More

Wish I had one though.

[mrduul]

Well you got your model M mah brah 

[pr0ximity]

I'm assuming there's no way to connect these beauties to modern computers?

They still make great display pieces, though.

You can, but it's by no means a simple plug and play.  I'm oversimplifying, but you essentially have to build your own controller.  It's been done by some of the more die-hard beam-spring aficionados out there.

Not in the least bit true. Find an xwhatsit, unplug the old controller, plug the xwhatsit in it's place. Literally no soldering involved, the controller is attached via a socket.

USB, fully programmable, NKRO. It's pretty damn great, tbh.

[mrduul]

Exactly.

See here:

[Pretendo]

I'm assuming there's no way to connect these beauties to modern computers?

They still make great display pieces, though.

You can, but it's by no means a simple plug and play.  I'm oversimplifying, but you essentially have to build your own controller.  It's been done by some of the more die-hard beam-spring aficionados out there.

Not in the least bit true. Find an xwhatsit, unplug the old controller, plug the xwhatsit in it's place. Literally no soldering involved, the controller is attached via a socket.

USB, fully programmable, NKRO. It's pretty damn great, tbh.

Should have known that.  I knew you couldn't do it with a Soarer's Converter, but I'd seen demonstrations of them working on Youtube.

I'd love to try a beam spring.  As it stands, I just upgraded from an early 1391401 Model M to a 122 Model F last week, so I couldn't justify an expensive keyboard purchase any time soon.  The F still needs a full restoration (a couple of the keys are a bit gummy -- likely a rotting foam issue) so I have plenty to keep me busy over the next year or so.