Friday, June 10, 2011 — Pictured at right is my latest eBay acquisition — a 1938B T.R. McElroy Mac Key Deluxe.
I have a soft spot in my .. (head?) heart for Mac Keys, I’m not sure why. They’re like ugly ducklings in a way — they’re big-ass hunks of cast steel designed to presumably last forever. I think “Mac” would be pleased to see how well many of his keys have survived the years.
Mac’s keys evolved constantly during their manufacture. In 1937, the damper was a large “C” shaped casting at the rear of the key (the design was used for a large Navy contract for bugs that McElroy filled). For 1938, he removed the casting for the damper, and simplified it by making it a bolt-on affair. The damper on the 1938 keys is simple yet effective, and required fewer parts than the Vibroplex.
Among collectors, there’s an “A” version and a “B” version in the 1938 keys. The difference is in the keying lever. On the “A” version, the keys continued with the double pivot levers (the dot lever was hinged separately and not hinged at the same point the main lever hinged). I have several 1938 keys, and they’re all the “B” version. The deluxe key, with the “marbleite” finish, was the first 1938 model released. The “standard” version with the plain black finish was released about six months later.
As you can see, the key is in really good shape. The only flaw it had in the auction listing was that the original thumb piece was broken off (actually, it had been replaced by a piece of clear lucite. I have a source for identical replacement triangular thumb pieces for Vibroplex keys, and these replacements are nearly identical to the Mac Key thumb pieces; the only thing you have to do is modify the mounting screw holes (the Mac Key uses fairly large diameter screws that require you to add some countersink to the paddle). My homebrewed countersinking isn’t perfect; the screw heads aren’t flush like the would be on an original paddle, but they’re close enough. I have a drill press now, I could probably do a better job of shaping those holes … hmmm.
The finish on this key is probably the best of the deluxe Mac Keys in my collection. The “t-bar” is the worst place for wear and chipping, and it only has a little on each end. I’m not sure what they painted these keys with, but its held up well for more than 70 years — even better than chrome or nickle plating.
Another aspect of note about the 1938 Mac Key Deluxes is the fact they are equipped with a “dot stabilizer.” The dot stabilizer was an adjustable arm that preloaded the dot contact spring. The idea was that preloading the dot contact spring would eliminate scratchy or split dots, which sometimes happens when using a bug. The preloading meant the contact would stay solid as the keying arm vibrated. McElroy sold these stabilizers separately to those who wanted them, and there may have been others who made them for resale. Vibroplex keys are seldom seen with one.
I was tickled to see that this key was equipped with an intact dot stabilizer (sometimes they’re missing). The feet on this key are original too.
One of the best parts was the price — these keys usually go for well over what I paid for it. In fact, I really didn’t consider my bid competitive, it was just well sniped — within the last couple of seconds.
I haven’t had the key on the air, but I have cleaned and adjusted it. It’s not exactly a svelte thing, but it has the market cornered on rugged and durable.
Don’t ask me why I bought it … and don’t ask me why I sniped a 1927 Vibroplex Original the other night, complete with case. It’s a sickness, I tell ya! And the “bug” is going around!