Sunday, May 8, 2011 — Are there people in this world who really — I mean really — have opinions on the new Knoxville ID plate on the new Vibroplex keys?? The answer is “yes,” and I’ve found that I’m not the only one.
The new Vibroplex nameplate isn’t winning anyone over; its aluminum and is gold or silver in color, depending on the key. It’s shaped the same as the formerly brass nameplate that’s been in use since 1920 (Vibro Factiod: There have 9 different brass name plates of that “D” type (this total doesn’t break out the 100th Anniversary, Collins or Ten-Tec keys with special nameplates as a separate one)). I assume — judging from the normal naming convention — that the new nameplate will be called the “E” series.
While poking around the web, I found a fellow ham whose business is industrial labeling, and he was writing about the change of nameplates on Vibroplex keys. The blog is from KD8JHJ and called “Recumbent Conspiracy Theorist” … to wit:
According to an article by John Ceccherelli, N2XE that appeared in the January 2003 issue of QST, the brass stamped nameplates were first used by Vibroplex around 1920. A rectangular black and silver nameplate was used on the earliest semi-automatic keys by Vibroplex. John also stated that the same shop had been producing the brass nameplates from the original run right up to the time his article was published. A nameplate production run by one shop spanning nearly a hundred years is simply amazing I believe.
According to the “Vibroplex Collectors’ Guide”, Second Edition by Tom French, W1IMQ there were 22 different types of nameplates made for the Vibroplex line from 1905 to present. The only difference between these types, aside from the early rectangular plates, are additional patent numbers and different addresses as the company was relocated during it’s history. Three “A” series, four “B” series and three “C” series plates made up the rectangular versions between 1905 and 1920. The nine different “D” series plates made between 1921 to just recently are the familiar embossed brass plate.
Now a completely new style plate has been introduced by Vibroplex for all of the keys previously using the brass plate. This new design is a very attractive and well made nameplate that I presume is screen printed gold anodized aluminum. From here I will simply speak my mind, my opinion. That is what blogs are for after all. I don’t like the new plate. I’ve spoken to a couple hams who share my opinion and I know we can’t be the only ones. I know change is inevitable and progress marches on but in the case of these legendary instruments and their iconic nameplate I think the change was a poor decision. As I said the new plate is fine and does not effect the performance of the key whatsoever. I love my new Iambic paddles but the new plate looks too “modern” especially when sitting in it’s spot beside the bug on my operating desk with its old style embossed plate.
I have no idea of the reasons behind the decision to revise the nameplate. My industry like most are plagued with ever increasing material costs and tightening environmental standards making some processes too cost prohibitive to be profitable or even possible. Perhaps the hard tooling used to stamp the plates has finally worn out and it would cost thousands I’m sure to retool for the job. In any case I would like to see Vibroplex acquire some new old style plates and start a trade in program at the very least. Owners if they so desired could remove and send back the new style plates to Vibroplex and receive an old style in trade with the same serial number stamped. I would do this even at my expense. I would have gladly shouldered a price increase of the key itself if that is what it would take to continue with the embossed brass plates. I know it’s a minuscule issue in the grand scheme of things but as a nameplate guy it just gets under my skin.
CORROSIVE PERSONALITY? Something that crossed my mind about the new tags is the potential for galvanic corrosion due to the dissimilar metals touching, i.e., aluminum and chrome plated/painted steel.
This sort of corrosion was expressly why the exterior trim on 1970s and 80s cars was the place where rust started so quickly — and why rust was so common around windshields and back windows on cars of the same era — galvanic corrosion from the aluminum trim being in contact with steel in the presence of water. Why Detroit didn’t think of this is a mystery — other than the fact they didn’t give a tinkers dam. This problem was easily solved in the late 1980s — manufacturers placed a vinyl sleeve on the back of the aluminum window/body trim, and moved from steel molding clips to plastic. Millions of cars manufactured in this era rusted to pieces otherwise.
Why wouldn’t galvanic corrosion be a problem with the keys? After all, its aluminum in direct contact with steel? Ah, but there’s one thing missing — an electrolyte, which in this case is water.
After researching this corrosion problem, I found that brass is also corrosive when in contact with steel, just not as badly as is the case with aluminum and steel. Perhaps this is why you see corrosion under the ID tags on occasion, and especially those keys that seem to have gotten wet, or lived in very humid environments. In other words, its doubtful galvanic corrosion will be an issue — unless your key gets soaked in water on a regular basis.
Beyond this analysis of metals and corrosive properties, let me state simply that I don’t like the new Knoxville nameplate. It appears that former owner Mitch Fenton may have had issues finding a supplier, so the current owner may have been handed an issue he had to deal with the best way he could. If the hard tooling was shot, I’m not sure we could expect him to spend the capital to retool for what has become almost a vanity sort of business, I would guess.