Since my last post I have added all the missing parts to my 1921 Vibroplex Junior. This key may have a later keying lever installed, as some key collectors state that prior to 1923, Vibroplex keys had a “pinned hinge” system for the dash lever. After 1923, the company used a simpler “bent lug” design that is still used today.
I've been skeptical of that 1923 date, as I have a number of pre-1923 keys that use bent-lug style keying levers. Could all of these be replacement levers? Could be, I suppose. My theory is that during they produced keys with both lever styles for a period of time on the Original If they keying levers are replacements, they're all pre-1940 levers because they have nickel-plated finishes rather than chrome.
One interesting little known fact is that the old pinned-hinge keying lever reappeared in the Vibroplex lineup in the 1960s. There's no explanation why the old designed resurfaced beyond speculation that there were some extras left over from four decades prior.
The Junior operates much like my other 1920-era keys. All of these keys were former railroad or telegraph keys that saw years of daily use. They have a nice feel, very comfortable to use, like putting on your favorite old sweatshirt and jeans.
CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE BUY-IT-NOW KIND. Of all the iambic keys I've seen over the years, the one I've wanted to try but never have is the Kent Engineers TP-1.
I've admired the key for years, and I've always wondered just how smooth a key it is to operate. The eHam reviews are glowing, though admittedly my 20 wpm and under fist isn't likely to benefit from the key's widely respected design.
I've seen a few sell on eBay, but the key, even in used form, brings a top price.
Late one recent night (actually early the next morning), I checked out items that had been listed recently on eBay, and there it was — a Kent TP-1, listed just minutes earlier, with a Buy It Now price at less than half the new price.
Seeing how used ones regularly sell for more than $100, I didn't bat an eye — I hit the Buy It Now button as quickly as I could. Because the seller required immediate payment, the key wasn't mine until I completed a PayPal payment. For all I knew, another ham was also racing to buy the key. I completed the purchase and the key was mine.
The key had been listed a total of 5 minutes and 46 seconds. Yeah, sometimes its luck to be in the right place at the right time. Of course, I'm also betting the seller is legit and he'll send a key that's complete and undamaged.
There's a lot of trust that goes on aboard eBay. Fortunatley, when paying with PayPal there's some protection against instances where something listed doesn't match what you recieved. That's why when I sell something I include insurance — just to make sure its covered if damaged in transit.
I've had complaints about the shipping charges I levy, but I've not had anyone complain about damage to any of their items they've received.
73 … de KY4Z … dit dit