You would think that even someone like me would tire of making puns about my obsession with Morse Code keys, but you would be wrong to assume there's a bottom to the depths of my pun-ability (or attempts to pun).
On Friday, three more keys arrived by U.S. Mail: The second late-model bug that I sniped off eBay, as well as the 1958 Vibroplex Original DeLuxe that I snagged with an ultra-cheap buy it now last weekend. The third key was one I failed to mention — a Bencher RJ-1 straight key. Here's a quick rundown of the three keys.
“New-ish” Vibroplex Original, standard black finish. This key is the identical twin to the key that arrived earlier this week — they are separated by about 3,000 on the serial number plate, but they are identical in fit and finish, and identical in condition — mint.
This key came with two large weights on the pendulum, which is unusual; the standard key is sold with a single large 1 oz. weight.
It's interesting too, because the buyer probably bought an extra weight to slow the key's minimum dot speed down from 20-plus wpm. The problem with adding an extra big weight is that the weight must be positioned closer to the pivot point nearer the front of the key — which makes that weight less effective at slowing the key. A bug tamer — an add-on device that allows the second weight to be adjusted front and back in relation to the original weight — would have given a great more range for adjusting the speed. That's probably one reason the key seems unused — it was too fast, even with two weights.
1958 Vibroplex Original. This key looked worse in the eBay photos that it does in person. In the photos, it appeared that the frame and damper were corroded, but it was only accumulated grime. The chrome base has some pits, that I expected. The frame, damper and other parts are really in great shape and the key is complete. I need to adjust the key and clean it up, and then I'll try to decide what next to do with it.
Bencher RJ-1. This little jewel is one of the rather funky-looking straight keys offered by the Bencher Co. Mine has a very stiff return spring, and adjusting it for a decent touch requires me to raise the key's front and adjust the contacts accordingly. The key spring is way to stiff, a problem that was corrected on later versions.
The key right now is adjusted to work, and beyond the fact it looks like the front of the lever is higher than the rear, it plays very well. There's thought that perhaps Bencher used heavy springs to keep the pivot points from revealing a lot of wobble in the key's operation. I haven't found a great deal of wobble in the pivot shaft … yet, but I haven't replaced the main spring.
I plan on winding my own spring or appropriating one, just to try to find an adjustment point that makes the key more usable without looking rather funky.
I haven't had time to make any contacts with any of these keys … yet. The 1958 key needs a general cleaning, so perhaps I'll get to that tomorrow.
I need to straighten up the shack and find something to do with these “extra” keys that I'm not using. I went to Lowe's the other day with my wife to look at bathroom fixtures and also some storage options; I found nothing that I liked for storage for my keys. The search will continue!
Time for bed … g'night and 73 … de KY4Z … dit dit