Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013 — I have had instances in the past where loose bug weights simply disappeared when they were lying around unattached to a key. Now it seems a resourceful user found a way to keep that from happening.
This TAC “Hole in the Wall” bug is currently the subject of an eBay auction. I have a soft spot for these bugs; they are built like tanks, not delicate at all. More importantly, there’s no cast upper parts like the Vibroplex Original of the same era, so the key had to be cheaper to produce. The pivot frame is assembled; the key uses the same size steel rod for everything on the key — the damper, the contact posts and the “arms” on the pivot frame. The key is more robust than a Champion or the other Vibroplex keys with the triangular assembled pivot frame. I have had the upper or lower pivots break loose from the triangular plate — not good. I think the worst damage you could do to a TAC bug is to break the finger pieces or bend the keying lever.
Anyway, a previous owner of this TAC bug decided he needed to slow its action down more than the original weights could provide. I understand his reasoning, too — the main spring action on this bugs is STIFF — while they feel like a heavy action, they are a fast action and even with the stock weights at the far end of the pendulum, the key runs at speeds higher than 20 wpm (or my examples do). Thus this key’s modifications.
First, the homebrew weight is massive, at least 3 times the size of a normal weight. A side view of the key shows the pendulum has a definite sag from the weight hanging there. The owner though decided he needed a way to store the original weights with the key, so he drilled a whole in the base to the left of the damper and installed what appears to be a brass rod. Regardless of the configuration of the weights, the one or ones not in use can be stored on the post. Pretty neat idea, really, though I would hesitate to drill a hole in the base of any key I own (I guess I’m funny like that). But still its a neat idea for keeping things together with the key.
While I don’t need another TAC bug, the main reason I’m going to let this one pass is its Buy-It-Now price — a cool $200. That won’t stop me from watching it … as my Mama always told me, it doesn’t cost a thing to window shop.
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