Items Wanted

The above is what I saw. Please note that my machine is NOT FOR SALE - I'm just showing you what the ad looked like and will be my second working machine after I am done paying for it - it will be sent. I gladly offered $<blanked> for this beautiful working machine in its original box complete with calibration films and leader trimmer). It is just as beautiful as my working machine. This is a very rare machine and only about 50 were made. To find one unused and still in its foam is quite remarkable. When this machine arrives it will be my 5th machine (and will be my backup working machine - as I am fearful of the day when my primary machine has transferred its last film. I will then have a working spare machine.)

Update 2/2013 I am at the halfway point paying for the above VP-1 machine I look forward to receiving it.

Update 6/2013 I am at the 80% point in paying for the above VP-1 machine and I look forward to receiving it. As I approach the fully paid for point - I am thinking about the safety of transportation of this rare machine. I received 2 other VP-1 machines which were damaged during shipping due to careless packaging at some point in their history. The weight of the machine is enough to crush the lid and damage the sides. Special packaging of this unit in multiple boxes will be needed. The lid being the most fragile. Next is the vintage bakelite-like plastic side panels which are also very fragile and easily broken under its own weight if the box is not upright. I cringe when I see the shippers truck arrive and the delivery person is rolling the box like a snowball. That "rolling a snowball" - was the cause of a damaged VP-1 which I purchased in approx 2011.  I can stress and plea and offer to pay for extra shipping etc but some sellers dont listen as to how it needs to be shipped and packaged. I hope this seller will listen to my shipping specifications. It is quite rare to find one new in the box and probably no more brand new ones will ever be found. The best estimate I read was that only 50 of these machines were ever made. I have 1ea pristine VP-1 and I hope this will be pristine unit#2 and be in my possession later this year 2013.

Update 1/14/2014 Yes I have purchased this Kodak VP-1 Videoplayer and it took me a long time to acquire it and it has arrived and is in pristine-looking condition and has a new item smell. But it is not a new item and is used and is non-working. It will need repairs. It was quite a challenge working with the seller as they had a get-it-out-of-my-sight-already attitude and a combination of its-not-my-problem attitude. I hired someone local to go pick it up and send to me. It was double cost for shipping but that was the only way to ensure it arrived undamaged. The hired person packaged it like I requested with wood to protect it and it was worth every penny to acquire this very rare machine. The seller didnt want it or like and it would have arrived broken from poor packaging. He was at his wits end. I offerred him double his asking price 1 year ago if he would work with me on a payment plan and extra shipping/crating needed for safe transport. But in the final moments he renigged on the crating and forgot about how I paid double and I had to pay a local person to ensure it was shipped properly. It arrived unblemished and nothing cracked. The hired person sent multiple boxes with the lid separate so it doesnt get crushed. I'm so glad this story has a good ending. Another VP-1 I acquired arrived broken from careless shipping and I warned this seller about that example a long time ago. DejaVu but the local hired peson saved this VP-1 from destruction. The hired person said the way it was packaged from the seller would have resulted in a broken item - for sure.

Update 2/11/14

I have acquired my 6th Kodak VP-1 and it has arrived. I had been working with this seller for 6 months to acquire this machine. It is a non-working machine and the seller acquired it from a flea market. He never got it to work. He was contemplating  having a relative drop it off when they visited Chicago for the holidays but that plan fizzled when the family members plans changed to fly instead of driving. Instead I paid extra for a wonderful and careful packaging job- in which he honored my request for a board to be placed under the unit. Also he honored my request to package the side panels in a separate box. The side panels are fragile black plastic - very much like a bakelite and very very hard rigid brittle black plastic. It is a known fact to me that if the side panels are not removed for transport - they would have arrive broken - as this has happened to me in the past. I was fortunate that the last 2 shippers honored my request for a wood board underneath and also separately packed side panels. This machine is not in pristine condition but I am glad to have it. It is missing the top dust cover but all of the functional parts are present.

I am still looking for additional VP-1 or VP-X Kodak Videoplayer machine in any condition. Working or non-working. Parts pieces etc welcome. Incomplete or complete. Either way. Let me know if you have one. I would like to buy it.

Update 12/20/14

I am working with 2 sellers. I'm going to refer to them as Seller A and Seller B. I made a downpayment with Seller A (VP-X) and have not received the 1ea VP-X . Seller B (due to his moving shorly to anther country in a matter of 30-60 days) has already shipped 2ea VP-1 units to me, and I have the unopened boxes here; But, I have not begun making payments (as he knew beforehand), to gibe some background - I found 2ea units on big-auction site (one of them a VP-1 and one of them a VP-X) and both sellers were willing to work with me on a payment plan. I decided to jump on the VP-X first as my funds are limited and at the time I made the offer - had not spoken to Seller B at that point. So this is a bit of juggling and within my budget as both sellers are allowing for a long span of payments. As it turns out - Seller B also asked me if I was interested in buying a VP-X and when checked on it - he said it was actually a VP-1 which he forgot that he sold a VP-X a long time ago (So at one point intime he had 3ea units) Ok well both sellers told me these are non-runners. And both agreed to ship them as I instructed - with a board underneath and lots of packing material. Seller B already shipped me his boxes and I can see that his 2ea smaller boxes are for the small parts like a a service manual, side panels (broken as pictured - as he received it as a buyer years ago), and he also threw in some Kodak cartridges at no charge. For the sake of safety and space - I have not opened these boxes as I have alot of orders I need to ship and opening the VP-1 boxes from Seller B is not possible at the moment. So in summary, I have here at my lab 5ea VP-1 and 1ea VP-X(I own these) from before. I have received 2ea VP-1 (still boxed and unpacked- I have not made payments on these new arrivals yet) which makes 8ea VP-1 units. 1ea VP-X which I have made a downpayment and seller A will ship it after paid in full. So that makes 9ea VP units. That is nearly 10% of all VP units ever made.

Also as a bit of history in my "Acquiring Kodak VP Supermatic Videoplayer Saga" I found an online reference to a VP-1 unit which was given as an award to someone as a "Dysfunctional Award" (and within 2 years award recipient was deceased leaving the question - what happened to the VP-1 unit?). I found this in my usual search engine search to see if it pulls up Craigslist ads or other ads where a Kodak VP unit is for sale. I did some research and finally tracked down this "Dysfunctional Award" VP-1 unit and it is in a museum as part of an 800 camera collection donated from an estate. The curator of that museum said the VP-1 is not for sale and did confirm the name of the person/estate that donated it to the museum. I'm just recounting this story to show that I followed up on a lead. I would hate to hear of a rare VP unit going to waste or ending up in a landfill because it was unwanted by its owner or non-working. I remember contacting a person a long tme ago and they said they still have the manual but the VP unit was put out for garbage day because it ceased to function. That is no reason to dispose of it.

I am still looking for additional VP-1 or VP-X Kodak Videoplayer machine in any condition. Working or non-working. Parts pieces etc welcome. Incomplete or complete. Either way. Let me know if you have one. I would like to buy it.

The above pictures show a Coulter STKS Analyzer with Princeton Ultrasync 12" color crt monitor. This was a factory provided monitor and came with the analyzer package. I am looking for this monitor - any condition working or not. I would appreciate this monitor even in non-working condition. I have read some online forums refer to this machine as a "Beckman Blood Reticulocyte Analysis CD4 CD8 Lymphocite hematology differential, graded RBC morphology and reticulocyte counting automation"

I am looking for this CRT monitor "Princeton Ultrasync" which was also available for PC and MAC consumer and business and medical users in approx the early to mid 1990s estimated. This monitor was sometimes packaged into systems. I am hoping someone still has one in their lab, storage, home or other place. I am hopeing to find this monitor approx 20 years later.

I found a video showing the machine working - it is not my video - the link is included as a reference. Unfortunately the video does not show the monitor - which is the part that I need.

Update 1/3/16

I have purchased a Princeton Ultrasync 12" monitor which has the swivel base, a VGA cable with 25-pin connector on one end and VGA on the other end - black cable with silver ends. Also included is the original grey power cord. I remember these items and I konw they are the originals as they are just like the one I had years ago. The power cord has a rubber-like feel. Missing is the manual and the TTL cable (I have to check my storage in my shed as I think I may still have some cables from my old monitor)

It was driven to me from Wisconsin to Illinois by a kind seller who I paid to drop it off. I see no breaks or cracks of any kind and the seller says its does work. I received a couple of pictures of this monitior displaying Windows 3.1 from the seller. He was quite surprised that I was glad to have it and expected me to plug it in and see if it works. I told him I want it whether it works or not and prepaid for it. I am writing this 1 day later after receving and is on my shelf acclimating/climatizing so any moisture or condensation has a thorough chance to evaporate/dry out. I dont want to risk blowing out this monitor which is VERY VERY rare and Im glad to have it. I gladly paid the full asking price plus delivery fee for this monitor. It may be the last one left in the world. Or close to the last one left.

I am looking for 1 more Princeton Ultrasync 12" or 14" or 16" monitor - let me know if you have one. Any condition - working or broken or any condition.

Here is some photos showing the monitor I bought yesterday. 2 pictures are from the sellers demo. The one showing the moniitor on a shelf is the photo I took today- monitor climatizing/drying out in case it has some moisture (no visible moisture or issues - but just in case)

Click on the thumbnail photo to enlarge it:

The above example of what a typical reverse kit looks like for other models/brands of snowmobiles. I have never seen any photos of what the Yamaha Vmax 540 reverse kit looks like but would imagine it looks somewhat similar either with a linkage or cable system. No-one I have ever spoke to actually saw a Vmax 500 or 540 reverse kit. No one hads ever seen a SRX 440 1981 reverse kit that I have ever talked to. It was a factory option available in one particular year. I read it myself looking through service manuals and manuals. I know it was available as an option. It was not a big seller and I'm hoping one person has one still left in the world. It is my hunch that the reverse kit would have added $500 approx to the price tag of the sled. These sleds were the fastest factory stock sled ever made at that point in time. It was considered a lake racer. A reverse kit would have added a couple of pounds to the weight. I hope to find this kit with or without a sled attached to it.

The above photo is not a photo of the Vmax 500 / Vmax 540 / SRX 440 reverse kit. It is a photo of a typical reverse kit - just so you know what I'm talking about) The reverse kit I'm looking for may look different- I never saw one and there are no photos of it anywhere.

Look at all of the "Impossible-to-find" items on this page I have already found.

Update 2/2013 I am still looking for a reverse kit. I would also be willing to pay for a 3-d laser scan of your reverse kit so one can be built from scratch. I own a 3d scanner and would be glad to finally find a reverse kit which quite rare. 9My 3d wax printer would then be able to build the parts from wax and then a lost-wax casting could be made) I'm hoping there is a reverse kit still in existance somewhere in the world.

This is a photo of the Ampex AVR-2 in console configuration 600lbs weight approx. See it has the same of similar 3 modules mounted in the cart. Ampex AVR-2 was popular in mobile camera trucks for news and reporter applications. 1974 approx model.

This is a photo of the Ampex AVR-2 in tabletop configuration 200lbs approx weight for  each module = 600lbs approx weight total. See it has the same of similar 3 modules except without the cart. Ampex AVR-2 was popular in mobile camera trucks for news and reporter applications. 1974 approx model.

Ampex High Band 2" Video Recording tape model 148 12.5" diameter reel. This tape fared better than those in a dumpster. The content is savable. Many reels have deteriorated foam liners. The adhesive which binds the foam to the inside of the reel is a gooey sap-like sticky liquid which contaminates the spool of tape on many but not all 2" reels. The use of foam liner in so many things like cameras and Video recorders and cassette tapes/8-tracks was such a bad idea. The mfgs back then didn't realize foam has a short lifespan. Foam crumbles and adhesive rots and oozes out or dries up or other destructive process. Before old tapes can be played- they must be inspected and cleaned of foam particles and sticky residues.

I personally have cleaned a videotape lost in a lake (8mm camcorder tape which I charged the customer $42 in 2010 to restore. Only 12 seconds of content could not be restored as there was a crusty lake crystalization of substance etc which ate away part of the tape leaving that portion ruined. The remaining 2 hours of video was cleaned carefully and transferred perfect. My ebay feedback was (was for a 8mm camcorder tape not a 2" quad)

	Great	Member id fesippsiii ( Feedback Score Of 121)	Oct-27-10 19:15
	8mm Camcorder Tape Clean & Restore (Dropped in Lake) (#160493827788)	US $42.00	View Item

Ampex VR-1200 is a smaller version of the Ampex VR-1200 series 

(for example VR-1200B and VR-1200C are larger) 

Ampex VR-1200E is the smallest version of the Ampex VR-1200 series 

(full featured and intended for use in news vans and trucks) 

This may be the ideal choice for my videotape and film transfer service as it plays back most or all quadruplex tape formats - yet is small in size.

I would like to find a Quaruplex 2" Quad VTR Video recorder. Will consider any make or model. I have been researching the various models which were made from 1950- through 1980s 

Ampex VR1200 or Ampex VR1200E

Ampex 1200E (compact model) looks like the best choice for full compatibility with all qudruplex tapes ever made. Hi-band Lo-band and pal/secam/ntsc and color/monochrome selectable from the front panel. I have recently found a brochure describing these machines and have become my machine of choice over all the others. See my pictures of these two units. The 1200E is very short and small and looks about the same size as the AVR2. I would very much like to find a Ampex 1200E due to small space and big on features. I do not know if it has super-hi-band compatibility as the brochure is from 1960s- probably not. (updated 2/2012)

Ampex AVR-2

Ampex AVR-2 seems like the smallest full feature color model and is Hi-band only record and play (super hi-band and Low band was an optional upgrade) A big plus is AVR-2 operates on 115 volts AC normal power for USA. I believe the AVR-2 may be the best choice for my small film/video transfer business. My understanding is that plug in cards determine the Low/High/SuperHigh band recording and playback capabilities - almost impossible to find rare cards so for all practical purposes is Hi-band only.

Other full size 2" Quad Machines

I have seen a few pictures of other brands/models such as Ampex, Merlin Engineering, Fernseh, Toshiba and RCA and more which seem like excellent choices also. Several other full size units can handle multi formats such as low band, high band, and super high-band. The downsize is sheer size and weight and some are not solid state and need daily tedious calibration. The plus side is able to handle various formats and really and truly size and weight would be the same as having multiple smaller machines - just to handle all of the formats. For their size they really were very versatile. Another downside is power requirements 220v 3-phase is something many industrial businesses have to run machinery. I would need to get a 3-phase converter if I find a big quadruplex. Most quadruplex machines ran on Hi-band. A few very old units which ran on Vacuum tubes were B&W only Low-band.

My hunch- most content from TV stations and reporters as early as 1964 approx to 1970s and 1980s was Hi-band format. An approx 15 year span.

My hunch is that 2" Reels from 1957 to 1967 were of various formats. The dominant being Low-band B&W or Low Band Color (color broadcasts were special events - color tv owners had mostly B&W broadcasts to watch).

Portable Quadruplex 2"

The Ampex VR3000 or VR3000 are Hi-band and Low band and would fit my video transfer business needs.

RCA TPR-10 is Hi-band only and would fit my video transfer business needs.

Any make of model of Quadruplex 2" VTR would be appreciated. Will consider any voltage or phase requirements if the price is right.

As an experienced pro electronics technician and former electronics college instructor I can fix most electronic items with or without schematic. My ability to create parts from scratch in my workshop using scratch-built machines means I can make my own replacement parts as often is needed on discontinued items. So even parts of pieces of a machine or a disassembled VTR would be considered.

Low band = B&W only

High band = Color/B&W (400 lines resolution approx)

Super Hi Band = Color/B&W with pilot tone

VTR= Video Tape Recorder

Let me know if you have a 2" quadruplex machine in any make/brand or model any format color or black & white for sale or giveaway. Any condition even fixer upper or junk appreciated. Willing to rebuild. Located in NW Illinois and willing to drive to pickup or have truck shipped. Don't scrap it. Too few machines still around. Many businesses which call themselves "museums" online part out their machines or sell them or trade them etc. This further destroys the few remaining units for profit. My goal is to obtain one and fix if needed and use it for transfering the remaining 2" quadruplex video tapes still in existance. Many TV stations and more scrapped their equipment and tapes. Some fortunate reels are on the shelves at TV stations, collector's homes, universities etc in pristine condition.  I would like to perform transfers to DVD or Blu-ray when I find a Quadruplex machine of my own to restore/use.

Dr Virago Pete (847) 454-1612

drviragopete@att.net

I am updating this section as I have had a few conversations by email and phone calls

A caller phoned to let me know he has 2 Ampex VR3000 units and wasn't sure if he wanted to sell. Just a month prior I saw a PAL version on "big auction site" (nameless) and it looked and was described as rusty and found in a dumster as the new boss of that TV station went on a rampage throwing out equipment- that was the description of that PAL unit for sale. The bids started at $100 for a while then $200 and ended up at $600 approx. Since that was in another country- the ending bid was in their monetary system but on my screen in USA was approx $600. I mentioned this to the caller and said really that one was worth getting for parts and also because it had a PAL board which is swappable. I just didn't have spare money at that time. THe caller didn't have a price and wasn't sure if he wanted to sell. But I did aski him about some details. I asked about the "confidence mode" and how I had read it was a jerky unstable B&W picture. He said no it is a stable solid picture. I bet that although it is B&W the picture is good and clear and sharp enough to DVD record. The instability of the picture was a fact in many documents and websites etc. But it turns out that is false bit of information. I was expecting the caller to say yes it is a shakey jerky jittering picture with tearing etc. See that wasn't the case. He mentioned that the machine only plays small reels- but I said that external reel holders can be made for larger reels. I have not purchased a 2" Quad and am still hoping to find one.

Updated 7/2011

Update 2/2013

I was contacted in 2011 by a man who had a RCA TR4 in bad condition and was asking $600 for it. He was located in Illinois 400 miles away and I emailed him and said I would like to come and pick it up and pay in person. He replied that he ended up just scavenging as many parts from it as possible and discarded the remaining chasis. I replied that it was a real waste of a machine and that I would have bought it. I even replied again saying that if you still have it please give me an opportunity to buy. That was a year ago. Two weeks ago I saw on big-auction-site some TR4 parts from the same seller. I wrote that if you still have the TR4 can you send photos of it. He sent me a photo of just the barebones chasis on the back of his pickup truck. He said I had perfect timing and that if I wanted it - he was just about to take it for scrap. I said no because there is nothing left. This is an example of a wasted machine - I would have gladly purchased and restored it. Its too bad for the machine- it was a rare machine and there probably isnt too many left.

I am still looking for a quadruplex VTR

NoteBook Brand Motherboard Wanted or laptop for parts

I have a "Notebook" brand PC also known as Sager or Alienware or Prostar or Clevo.
"Notebook" is a difficult brand name to look up on search engines. "Sager" "Clevo" "Alienware" and "Prostar" are excellent words to look up on search engines. "Notebook" is too generic a word and pulls up too many unrelated topics. All of these company names have an identical laptop except for the colors of the case or name plates or a sticker underneath identify it for their own brand. One of my "Notebook" laptops has the word "Sager" on its underside on a sticker but is otherwise identical on circuitboards and dimensions etc.

"Notebook" brand model 5600P It is a Pentium4 Notebook with a 1.6 or 1.7 GHZ approx processor and CDRW/DVDROM combo drive and floppy disk built-in. I have purchased 2 of these and have gotten one to work but the other one is in need of a motherboard replacement. I am looking for either a used working motherboard 71-56P00-D03 (It could also be 71-56Poo-Do3 as I'm not sure whether it is a zero or letter O).

I have attempted to revive the bad motherboard with a heatgun unsuccessfully. I get some response from the LED lights when powering up/down but no boot and black screen without any display. The LCD panel and buttons operate the CD drive to play a music CD fine. The computer portion does not function.

I have an identical working laptop and was able to swap out all memory chips, BIOS chip, drives, etc and found them to all be in working condition. The motherboard is bad. The root cause is a metal plate which was supposed to be a heatsink - was bent up and not resting on two chips. I'm sure those chips are cooked.

Someone with a laptop with a broken screen or a good motherboard for sale would be appreciated for 5600P as I could use your parts.

I have put a red arrow showing where the metal plate was not touching two chips underneath which is ultimately what I see as the cause of the motherboard going bad. This very same aluminum plate has a "nut" which is soldered to hold the aluminum plate in place- one of the nuts became unsoldered

I inhereted these problems and bought the laptops as parts units fixer-uppers as-is.

Problems with this design

1. Nut became unsoldered and thus the metal plate lost contact with the chips

2. Metal plate had a slight curl which gave one chip full contact while the other chip had little or no contact. I made a slice in this metal plate with a hand nibbler- curled the aluminum slightly to give contact with the two chips. The slice gives it an independent "springness" I feel that if there is a defect with this very well made laptop - the thing it needed was a slice which I made with a nibbler. Otherwise it is a very well made laptop. I would like to find a replacement motherboard or parts unit so I can have another of this very good laptop for my slide scanning and photo scanning business.

This laptop design has a high quantity of cooling fans and heatsinks and vents which I like alot.

Dr Virago Pete (847) 454-7858

drviragopete@att.net

Update 2/2013

I am still looking for a motherboard for my 5600P laptop

Wanted "Natural Microsystems" Voicemail Card 

8-bit full length card for ISA early PC or Compaq PC or PC clone use.

The manufacturer's name is NMS for short.

Natural Microsystems.

I use one of these terrific cards to run my daily voicemail mesages and would like to find another spare in case something ever happens to it. I have the software already and know how to program it. The card and software is currently running a program I wrote which responds to telephone keypad touchtones.

It is called a Watson II 1200 or Watson II 2400 and some are labeled as VIS (Watson II VIS 2400 for example) The VIS signifies upgraded eprom chip which has some additional commands. I once a long time ago ordered the VIS chip from the MFG for mine and simply unplug the old eprom chip and plug in the VIS eprom chip and that made it a VIS model.

I would like to find any version of Watson II card which resembles the above picture. There may be slight differences depending on card version.

The 1200 or 2400 signifies 1200 baud modem or 2400 baud modem built-in.

I remember using my Watson II VIS 2400 to log into Bulletin Board Systems in the late 1980s and early 1990s- before the internet there was Fidonet accessible by BBS. Fidonet probably still exists today and was a great system- sponsored by people who had a PC in their home and left it running all day/night etc for others to log-in and access by modem. The messages and ads etc were passed on from one BBS to another making the rounds as it took days to weeks for the information to travel round the nation. The For Sale Echo was my favorite and bought and sold things online there- was text based and graphics could be uploaded/downloaded manually when a picture was needed. I once got free access to a BBS by being the first one to ientify a Nissan Z as the name of new car on the market back then. Whenever I see a Nissan Z I remember the BBS that I won free access to decades ago.

The modem portion is slow by todays standards (compared to 56k modem a 2400bps model is 2.4k speed) and unuseable. But the voicemail portion is top notch and a racecar by today's standards. Even though the modem is Hayes compatible and all 56k modems will negotiate a connection 1200, 2400, 14.4, 28k, 36k, 56k etc most current BBSs will not allow a 1200baud connection rendering it useless due to operator setting limits. Many older computers had slow modems and hobbyists of those other computers sometimes oeprate an old BBS to support their favorite vintage computer.

I use my Watson board and Compaq portable PC 4.77MHZ to support my Motorcycle parts and services and also my Santa hotline which is popular during the holiday season. Yes that is my voice, and I do an excellent Santa impression. The card records in compressed audio and hardly uses any hard drive space. It was many years before MP3 audio and the record/playback quality is very good over the telephone line.

It is truly a wonderful card and would like to find another one in any condition.

Pete (847) 454-7858

Update 2/2013

In 2012 I purchased a Watson II board from a seller who saw this page. He didnt have any software for it and what he wanted in trade was an older motherboard with a BIOS that had a certain HDD type built into the BIOS Menu. I replied that I have a motherboard and would gladly trade for his Watson II board. I received his board and then he proceeded to tell me by email that he no longer needed the motherboard and found one locally. I sent him payment instead for his Watson II board. I have not installed this Watson II board and it does not look like it is the VIS version- but I'm still glad to have it as a spare.

Update 2/2013 I was contacted by a recent buyer of a Watson II board from big-auction-site from a seller who recycles electronics. I saw that ad awhile back and made an offer but was turned down. This emailer had purchased for just above what I had offered. The emailer also apeared to have the non-VIS board. I made an offer to buy this board and he said he would consider it.

I am still looking for another spare Watson II board

The above file is a 9MB image of this encoder disc. The image size is 4464 x 4112 

Wanted Film Perforation Machine

The picture is an unknown model brand machine and is possibly homemade and one of a kind. I am interested in purchasing a 35mm film perforation machine or die set or contraption. (picture shows a very rusty machine but is restorable- I dont own this machine - I am looking for one any model or brand or whatever you have which makes perforations in movie film stock)

Some designs use a up/down reciprocating punch, some use turning dies (see pic with blue background) some are of other designs. I wish to use 35mm unperforated 100ft rolls as a cost savings but at present do not have a way to perforate it- So I have not purchased any unperforated bulk rolls.

Also interested in 8mm and 16mm and Super8 punch/die/machine/contraption for slitting and or punching film from scratch.

Let me know what you have

Bell & Howell film punch machine in 1908, Newman Sinclair film perforation machine, World War II improvised film punch machine, homebrew punches and dies. Something else not mentioned that you may have gathering dust or rusting?

Also wanted film slitter for any film size.

Update 9/24/11 I came across a reference to a device called an "Eastman Sprocketer" which perforated film for use in a camera. I would like to find this machine.

Dr Virago Pete

(847) 454-7858

Illinois

I am also interested in purchasing a film slitter for 8mm, 16mm and 35mm let mw know what you have.

Update 2/2013

I am still looking for a film slitter and film perforator

Wanted: Dick Smith Electronics ESR meter model MK II   K 7214  or model MK-II K-7214 designed by Bob Parker

(I would also consider a MK I Kit K 7204 as it is very similar)

This is a capacitor checker tester which was sold in kit form by Dick Smith Electronics and is now discontinued. I would like to find a kit either built or unbuilt. My understanding is there was a Mark I Mark II and Mark III.

My preference is the Mark II as I have watched several very good videos on Youtube on TV repair (in which this meter is used in the troubleshooting process)

See the following link which contains demo of ESR meter Dick Smith Electronics MK-II K 7214

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYSoDazI5tE

Another very good video from same author

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFSFK_muSVs&feature=relmfu

I am not affiliated with the above links. I have watched several of the videos from this author and all are done very well. If you like retro electronics and devices- you'll like watching the authors many videos. I like vintage electronics and machines and find this sort of thing interesting. I'm handy with electronics and people come to me regularly to repair electronics for them.

(ESR means Equivalent Series Resistance)

This device will help me when I'm checking vintage electronics as faulty capacitors often test good on a standard capacitance meter. The ESR meter measures resistance within the cpacitor while in-circuit. This eliminates or reduces the need to desolder the part before checking it. The concept is that bad capacitors have a higher than normal resistance as the fluid inside dries up. It is normal for a good capacitor to have 0 ohm resistance or very very low resistance. I look forward to finding one and putting it to good use in electronics troubleshooting.

Also wanted back issues of these magazines which show construction of the MKI and MKII ESR meters (MK1 and MK2)

April 2004 Silicon Chip magazine (shows MKII plans and construction)

August 1998 Elestronics Australia magazine (Shows MKI plans and construction)

Dr Virago Pete

(847) 454-7858

drviragopete@att.net

Update 2/2013 I am still looking for a Dick Smith MKII ESR meter. I realize the newer version is the 'BLUE ESR Meter" sold on big-auction-site as a kit. But I would like to find the old one.

Update 2/2013

In 2012 I purchased the 'Capanalyzer model 88A" and it surpasses my expectations. It is an amazingly professional tool and I have repaired several LCD monitors and several other items which were not obviously bad - with it. The Capalyzer has a unique feature not found in any other ESR tester - it self-discharges the capacitor before testing. This prevents damage to the meter itself. Although I have this wonderful super great Capanalyzer 88A I am still looking for a Dick Smith MKII. I dont dont have any reason to look any futher as my Capanalyzer 88A is super great. But I still want to find this older ESR meter Dick Smith MKII.

Update 11/2015

I bid on a MKII K7214 (with paperwork instructions too) on big-auction-site but was outbid- you know how that goes... Im still looking for a Dick Smith ESR tester (see pic above which was from that auction)

Com World CMD-1200 

Emerson EVC-1600 

Universal International Video Standards Converter Box Wanted

The above pictures are

1. Com World CMD-1200 (PAL/NTSC/SECAM to PAL/NTSC/SECAM excellent quality video output - full automatic input signal sensing)

2. Emerson EVC-1600 (PAL/NTSC/SECAM to PAL/NTSC excellent quality video output - full automatic input signal sensing)

I have one of each of these worldwide international video signal format converters. I use them as part of my camcorder tape transfer business. I would like to acquire more of these so I can do more international tape transfers simultaneously to DVD. I get boxfuls of tapes for transfer and having some extra converters would be helpful.

Both have TBC built-in and fine full detail picture quality- both much better than other units in my opinion. The better of the two is Com World due to outputs in any format including Secam. Otherwise they both have identical same video output details and resolution.

The boxes I already have allow me to convert any camcorder videotape from any country to any format of DVD. (VHS, VHS-C, MiniDV, 8mm/Hi8/Digital8, MicroDV, Betacam, and many more as I have quite a few worldwide multi-standard video players)

• NTSC 3.58 or 4.43 (USA, Canada, Mexico and Japan)
• PAL (For PAL B/G, D/K, I - Secam D/K, B/G, K1 Countries)
• Pal M or Pal N (for Argentina, Brazil and other parts of South America)
• Secam (Input only for Emerson EVC-1600) (Input/Output for Com World CMD-1200)
  

drviragopete@att.net

Update 2/2013 I am still looking for Emerson Pal/NTSC converter

The above pictures show a Stratasys Dimension SHDM1000 machine stripped for the printhead and circuitboard in order to receive a discount from Stratasys on a more current model. This renders the machine useless to a future buyer of this machine. This is not my machine- I am looking to buy a machine and parts and spare parts- any model considered.

Stratasys FDM 2000 model SH200001 is shown above.The outer appearance of the model 2000 and model 3000 is very similar.

Here's a few more pictures of the wafers I purchased this week 3/2012 and still looking for more wafers and cartridges - let me know if you have some in your storage. Don't throw them out I will gladly buy them from you. These photos ahow 2 full boxes I have - the sealed in pink bubblewrap cartridges have a black soft styrofoam piece in the backside. This black foam reminds me of camera foam but a little harder - almost like humidifier filter foam but not quite as hard. It is a packing material I think- so really the foam would get discarded by the user. The cartridges that I received wrapped in brown paper didn't have this black foam insert. Instead a pink styrofoam packing material "popcorn" is inserted there. See my picture as it shows this pink popcorn. The brown paper, the "popcorn" and the stickers with dates- makes me think these were refilled. The pink bubblewrap sealed ones- those I believe are new old stock NOS and never used or opened. It was a good find - I need more wafers and cartridges.

I missed a deal this week too as I was communicating with a seller for a Genisys printhead and circuitboards and hard drive etc- which he then posted on big-auction-site and someone else swiped my sale within hours of posting and before I received the email from seller. Seller lost out because that auction site and related moneypayment site get 50% from the seller. I was going to buy direct- the half twist in the story was - posting it as an auction. So I lost out and the unknown buyer will probably use the printhead for a DIY 3d printer and discard all of the powersupply boards, circuitboards, etc I was asking the seller for. (Maybe the buyer will put it to good use to fix up a blown/bad Genisys) So it will probably be lost due to that half twist. Unfortunate. On the bright side- I found nearly 2 full sets of wafers. Machines show up on big-auction-site maybe 2-3 times per year (usually without any wafers)- but as full machines and what I was hoping to find is

1. complete machine (truck shipping cost)

2. replacement parts like powersupply, heating elements, printhead etc (normal carrier can transport these)

The seller told me that he didn't have the heated platform that was sold sometime earlier when the machine was first parted out. My hunch is that buyer's heated platform burned out and needed replacement- and was one of my list of things I asked that seller for. With all of the other parts avail to that 1st buyer- that first buyer only bought the heated platform. It is not pictured below as this is what the seller had leftover. I did the footwork to find these and someone else bought it- bad news for me.

The boxes of wafers & catridges etc that I have now (but need more) are p1500 but as I read in a Genisys User's Guide PDF file which was downloadble online - I see the cartridge material is P1000. I would like to find either type of wafers or cartridges P1000 or P1500. Maybe something else was available that Iam not aware of- if you see anything in your inventory - let me know even if the part number is different.

Update June 17, 2012 I have purchased 1 more full cartridge for Genisys XS and included is one empty cartridge. The seller is looking to see if he still has any of the books or documentation or software or anything else from a machine he had a long time ago. This was overlooked when he sold the machine to someone else years ago.

Stratasys Genisys XS pictured above (top picture). There were some units called Genisys also which looked similar in style . The thin flat stacked "wafers" of "durable polyester" plastic or other plastic in the loading magazine (material was loaded by opening the area at the top handle cover which I believe flips up). I wonder if someone has some of this material in their inventory?

Update 2/13/2013

I am updating the above paragraph to say I bought a few full cartridges on big-auction-site (P-1500 or P1500 material) and bought a few more from the same seller giving me a total of approx 19 full cartridges. I am looking for more cartridges and or loose wafers (I have a couple empty cartrides also). I have added the above photos to show what these cartridges look like for use on Genisys or Genisys XS 3D printer. By the stickers on some cartridges it looks like these were refilled. The white plastic pieces are called wafers and a stack of 50 wafers are in each cartridge. These wafers are the build material.  The manufacturer's literature calls this wafer material polyester. on each wafer - there is a triangle groove on one end and a triangle opposite on the other end. Like this <====< I sometimes buy things backwards - I found the build material so now I need to buy the machine that will work with it. Otherwise I would get some machine and not be able to find the build material for it - that would do me no good. I see Genisys machines for sale on big-auction-site about 3 times per year. Let me know if you have a Genisys or Genisys XS for sale. I am also thinking about whether this material can be obtained in sheet form and cut on my laser engraver and then the triangle ends routed. I have read that Stratasys had problems in the first batch of machines of Genisys and 1st sets of wafers produced would bind and clog the printhead etc (I see injection molding flash- on some wafers I inspected- I plan on shaving these very veryvery minor bump were the injection molding gate was- with a razor blade before use so wafer doesn't get stuck). I'm wondering if my wafers are the bad ones or the updated good ones which were reformulated to solve these issues. Some articles state that early wafers were produced on injection molder equipment and there was some residual other plastics still inside the injection molding machine and that was a contributing factor to early wafers causing problems. Hopefully my wafers are clean and 100% polyester and not contaminated with other plastics mixed in. See attempting to make ones own wafers may just clog the printhead. I hope to find some more original wafers to buy. Some of the wafers I bought were inside a catrridge and looked factory original - wrapped in pink bubblewrap. Some were wrapped in brown paper wrapping- both of those looked original. I also have about 100 wafers just loose - I'm not sure what the story is there and why those are not inside of a cartridge- maybe they were sold loose and the end user inserted into the empty cartridge? There is a chip which tells the machine the type of plastic and the temperature etc- I wonder if this chip prevents refilling - as many modern printers have a chip which prevents refilling empty cartridges. Can someone write with their recollection of refilling or getting refills for Genisys cartridges? drviragopete@att.net

I also found someone selling a used tested good circuitboard for FDM2000 and price is ok (I did not purchase that circuitboard). I would also consider buying a FDM2000 which is needs a circuit board if it is a good value. (Update 2/2013 - the seller saw my interest in this FDM2000 circuitboard and daughterboard and after I paid for this circuit board - refunded my money and said he can't sell it to me for that price but offered to sell it to me for a few hundred more- than originally discussed by phone. I have not resent any money at this time.)

I have found some online references to build quality regarding Genisys and has a print nozzle of just under 4mm and layer thickness of .013" approx  and my interpretation is - should be about the same layer thickness as DIY open source reprap type 3d printers. Professional machines have a layer thickness of half that or better. What I'm betting on is the back/forth/up/down/XYZ movement of the Genisys and Genisys XS is profesional and accurate. But the same layer thickness as the DIY reprap type machines. Therefore giving straight walls and less misaligned/ ragedy layers. This is a hunch only as I have only seen photo so Genisys output - none of these pictures were crystal clear. I have read that the Genisys and Genisys XS had alot of "stairstepping" in its' printed parts. This was criticised alot online and in articles. I would imagine by the specs that it is the same as RepRap type machines which are being heralded as wonderful by many people here about 12 years later.

The use of 4mm nozzles on Reprap type machines are considered very very fine and many people have used these reprap machines with bigger nozzles and 4mm is considered a modern upgrade for them. Slightly less than 4mm was available standard on the Genisys series 12 years ago and got badmouthed in articles a decade ago etc about stairstepping and roughness. My opinion and my point is the article writers were overcritical and and destroyed a decent 1st generation 3d printer machine's reputation. I choose to search for a good used professional/semi-professional machine from a decade ago to restore/repair if needed as it seems to me to be a better investment than DIY type machines.

Youtube.com video showing Genisys printing search for "Genesys 3d printer working on a part" notice the mis-spelling- I am not affiliated with that video. It is the only video I can find of this machine running. The build material is not attached well to the heated platen in this video- from what I see and is a glob. The description states that it is building a wrench.

Update 10/20/13 My cat used the Stratasys P1500 box as a scratching post so the box is mangled. I put it away so no further damage will result. The cartridges are fine but only the box is damaged now. It is amazing how ripped the box got from enthusiastic cat claws in just one day. My P1500 box is safely in a closet away from cat claws. The damage is only to the box and the cartridges are fine - not a scratch on them - so to speak.

Update 11/25/13 I was emailed by someone who wants to sell me his printhead and electronics boards as he plans on stripping down his Stratasys Genisys XS. I am trying to acquire the whole fixer-upper machine if possible. That would be a waste of a Stratasys Genisys XS. It is in discussion and hopefully the price is not skyhigh.

Here are a couple of youtube videos which was posted by someone else

The above video show a Stratasys Genisys printing sample parts. I dont know if these are showing a Genisys or Genisys XS as the machines are so similar I cant tell which.

Wanted Printhead and CPU board for Stratasys Dimension SHDM-1000 or BST-768 or Genisys or Prodigy or 2000 or 3000 or other model.

Parts Wanted:

I would like to find a spare printhead and a spare CPU board as there are many machines disabled through this "upgrading process" I would consider buying a used printhead in working or non-working condition.

Stratasys 3d Printer Wanted

I would like to find a machine for sale whether it is stripped of these parts or not. If you have a different Stratasys machine for sale let me know as I have no 3d printer at this time. Sometimes I buy things backwards - finding a set of printheads before buying a stripped machine is a backwards approach. If you have software or parts or materials for sale for these machines let me know.

Dimension BST 768 .......................................(variations BST768 BST-768)

Dimension 1200 ....(Variations BST1200 BST-1200 BST1200es BST-1200es SST Elite)

Dimension SHDM 200001 .......................(Variations SHDM20001 SHDM-20001)

FDM 2000 ..............................................(Variations FDM-2000 FDM2000)

FDM 3000 ..............................................(Variations FDM-3000 FDM3000)

Genisys   .........................(Variations Genisis Genesis XS or other model)

Prodigy ........................................................(Variation Prodigy plus)

others

Wanted

Print head, circuit boards, build material, cartridge, dongle, wafer, plastic, abs, or other consumable items, or whole machine or stripped machine, etc. Any condition.

Dr Virago Pete (847) 454-7858

Illinois, USA

Update 2/2013 I was contacted by a man who bought a Stratasys Genisys on big-auction site and plans on converting the  wafer chip mechanism to use spools of plastic. I dont know if he made good on his plans. He was originally contacting me if I kne of a source for wafers. he said if he couldnt find wafers that he would make his own mold for the wafers. I dont know if he made good on his plans. 

Update 2/2013 I was contacted by a man who  is willing to sell me his 4-1/2 cartridges if he doesnt sell his machine for his asking price on big-auction-site. As of this writing he said he turned down an offer as the person offering - had not come close to his asking price. The printer which includes cartridges is still up for sale by that seller but his total asking price is too high. I hope he will sell me his 4-1/2 wafer catridges to me. (Update 3/8/13 yes I have acquired these 4 full cartridges and one almost empty cartridge with 9 wafers in it - I added the photo to the above - the partial cartridge looks like it is half full - but when you top-off the rest - really it is 4 cartridges plus an extra 9 wafer chips - so when I bought it I asked for a count on the number of wafer chips in each cartridge - so that I knew exactly what I was getting) An interesting thing about one of the wafer chips is that it is snapped in half (a previous owner did that). The break is very clean and has a slight curve to it. The break is shiny and the 2 halves are not bent or curved. This tells me that the wafer chip material is made of a very very hard and brittle plastic. Also this seller sold me his wafer cartridges but is trying to sell his machine separately. He said that the machine has a full PC computer inside (hard drive, disk dive etc) which you can attach a monitor and keyboard to. He says the Stratasys XS has the software built-in and by hooking up the keyboard and monitor - then you can run the machine. His machine says "calibration needed" on the LCD display which he didnt know how to solve. I have never seen a Stratasys Genisys XS or Genisys in real life so I dont know what to expect. I am acquiring the wafer chips as I know someday I will find a good deal on a working machine. I often buy things backwards - for example buying the wafer chips/build material before acquiring the machine itself.

Update 4/3/13 I contacted the seller who sold me my most recent purchase of wafers and cartridges - and asked if he still had the heated build platform and other misc parts. He said that he has completely parted out his machine and there was nothing remaining - not even the case was left. It is unfortunate that the machine was destroyed like that. I'm glad to have the print-media cartridges. I'm sure other people were glad to obtain the printhead and other parts. It was done to a working machine - which was unfortunate as these machines were sold for a few years and I read that the first year the mfg sold 150 units - so as a guestimate 500 were made? How many machines survive 10-15 years later - probably not too many.

Update 2/11/14 I have purchased from Canada seller an original CDROM disk for Stratasys Genisys version 3 and also a few diskettes. One of the diskettes is for hard drive backup and also one CD-R disk containing a hard drive backup. I have tested most of the diskettes and cds and I see that it is readable. I see no scratches or blemished areas on this software. The same seller sold a metal handle spatula with a rigid phenolic scraper tip. My understanding is this spatula is used to detach the 3d printed object from the Stratasys Genisys build plate. I'm glad to have purchased these rare items. I am looking for the 3d printer itself (I dont have a 3d Genisys or Genisys XS yet) and wafers and cartridges and parts and extra pieces. I usually buy things backwards - finding the hard-to-find parts and wafers first. let me know what you have for sale regarding the Stratasys Genisys or Genisys XS 3d printer.

(I am still looking for more wafers and cartridges and a Genisys or Genisys XS machine.)

Update 9/3/16

I purchased 7ea full Stratasys Genisys p1500 cartridges and 1ea half full cartridge from big-auction site. I also purchased approx 20ea empty cartridges for a few bucks more from the same seller. He also included the original 3-ring binder Genisys XS operating manual which shows installation of cartridges, and use of software on Windows NT and Unix.

The same seller told me he was converting a Genisys XS to be a reprap and I tried to buy this machine (which has a homing error on one axis but otherwise worked) but he refused to sell to me. He has suggested that he may be willing to sell me the parts leftover from his conversion. Its too bad this machine will be destroyed- I would have loved to own it and repair it back to original.

(I am still looking for more wafers and cartridges and a Genisys or Genisys XS machine.)

Update 9/6/16

I received 7full cartridges and 1half-full cartridge plus 20 empty cartridges ( p1500 ) for Stratasys Genisys or Genisys XS from a big-auction-site seller. He was selling his whole machine for about 2 months unsuccesfully and decided to gut it and make into a reprap. I tried to convince him not to destroy the machine but he did anyways. I purchased 3/4 of his leftover parts and hes still debating whether to sell me his power supply and a few more parts. His machine had a homing error on one of the axis and he decided to gut it. He said he checked the reed switch and wire and was fine for continuity. So one of the PCBs I bought today may have a bad component on it. He said otherwise with machine powered up and all other functions worked. But without one axis home - the machine was out-of-order.

So far I have approx 3 full tanks of cartridges and some spare parts including a printhead, cartridge feeder, several PCB, LCD and keypad, Complete internal computer, misc screws/brackets/wires, etc the 3-ring binder instruction manual, spatula. I dont yet have a power supply and seller is considering whether to sell it to me or keep it.

Im missing the actual machine and as many spare parts and cartridges as I can buy

Wanted             Panasonic KX-P4420 Laser Partner            B&W Laser Printer 

I used to have one and gave it away. I wish I had not done that as I loved that old printer. It had 300dpi, Laserjet II emulation, Epson MX-80 emulation, parallel port, 8 pages per minute. Compatible with Windows 98 and below, compatible with DOS.

I would like to find a KX-P4420 in any condition. Parts pieces, memory board, etc working or not. (Or sister printer Roland DG LP800 which I have never seen but I read uses the same consumables so it may be a rebadged sister printer ??? - I would like to find either the Roland or Panasonic)

I have the technical ability to fix it.

I see some incorrect reference to this model number online. The correct model is KX-P4420. Sometimes I see it written as KXP4420 or KXP-4420

Dr Virago Pete (847) 454-7858

drviragopete@att.net

Illinois, USA

Update 2/2013 I am still searching for this printer and have replied to several messages in websites that deal with forums for repairs of electronics. I'm hoping to find someone willing to sell their printer in dead or alive condition.

Update 4/24/13 I have purchased a KX-P4420 laser printer - it originally was listed on Craigslist in Oklahoma (I initiated contact for it and searched online for 4 years in all kinds of auction sites and more) and the seller listed it on big-auction-site and contacted me to purchase it. I have quite a bit of cleaning to do as it has what looks like a very hard to remove tar-like film over the whole outside and possibly the inside too. I spent a few hours today cleaning most of it on the outside surfaces with "green cleaner". The inside of the unit is just full full full full of spilled toner which is just beyond words. The toner pickup bottle was probably full and when the box was shipped it spilled all over inside and outside the printer so there was just an incredible amount of tonor to clean up. Right now the outside looks like brand new and will take alot more hours to clean the inside too. The seller said it works and I have not tried it. I am glad to have it in any condition. Also it came with three feed trays (8.5x14, 8.5x11, and envelope) and unknown amount of memory. I feel fortunate the outside was covered with dark brown - possibly tobacco tar or something else. Usually plastic yellows with exposure to sunlight/age but the brown coating over everything - once removed- revealed a brand new looking printer with no plastic discoloration at all.

Update 4/27 I finished cleaning it up both inside and out. It does not power up at all, and I changed one rear big belt which had turned to goo. I need to go through it piece by piece and check electronic components. The seller was not honest at all but I'm still glad to have it and left positive feedback - as I have looked for one for 4 years. I'm in exactly the same boat as I was in when I gave away my original one - sitting on the same shelf with a machine that does not power up.

Update 6/2013 I found an old ad from 2011 while searching online and I called the phone number on it to find that she "put it out for recycling" and that machine is no longer in existence. I'm not sure why search engines sometimes resurface old ads - I dont know why it didnt come up before - on search engines as I didnt find that ad until now. I didnt see this ad in 2011 unfortunately.

Update 2/11/14 I have purchased a non-working Panasonic KXP4420 laser printer from big-auction site and the seller was kind in honoring my request to pack the paper tray in a separate box from the main printer- as I was worried that the paper tray would get crush by the weight of the heavy printer. I paid a few dollars extra for this extra shipping and arrived fine (Have not opened the big box yet) Strangely the packages were sent by Fed Ex yet the tracking number shows that it was transistioned to a delivery by the US Post Office. The paper tray came right away within a day or 2 after I paif for it - I was amazed at the speed of delivery. The big box took awhile to arrive and arrived after about a week. I can tell these boxes wre shipped siumultaneously because they were marked 1of 2 and 2 of 2 but arrived separately.

I would like to find one more KX-P4420 printer or parts and pieces in any condition. Working or not.

Wanted 16mm or 35mm Optical Sound Recorder  

(Sometimes these are referred to as a sound recording camera)

The above 2ea top-most pictured items are made by Westrex and some models handle 16mm and some handle 35mm film. The 3rd photo above shows a 1940s RCA PR-31 missing quite a few parts and in rough shape. I do not own any 16mm/35mm optical sound recorder and would like to find one in any condition.

These sound recorders make the analog or digital sound stripe (as seen on the 4th photo) I would be pleased to have a machine that can do this whether vintage or newer ( mono or stereo or digital - any would be fine). The transition to digital cinemas/movie theaters means that these are no longer required by hollywood studios to put sound on film - as film will soon no longer be projected in movie theaters.

Sometimes the vintage recording equipment is referred to as a sound recording valve. Even a vacuum tube machine would be appreciated.

Dr Virago Pete

(847) 454-7858

email address drviragopete@att.net

Wanted RolandDG SYA-550 or SYA-350 Buffer

The photo above shows a SYA-550 buffer which has a 1.2 megabyte capacity

The model SYA350 has approx a .6 megabyte capacity (not pictured but looks similar).

The purpose is a print spooler (has both serial & parallel) and these were used with Roland DG Plotters and Vinyl Cutters and CNC CAMM units typically. It basically records whatever your computer sends to the output machine onto diskette. Once you have saved the file on diskette - you really don't need the computer anymore - the machine can be run from the diskette - like a player piano. But most output devices are USB nowadays and very few things run on the serial or parallel port. These Roland buffers were serial and parallel but not usb.

I own 4ea SYA-350 units and they work excellent for running a machine standalone - style. I insert a diskette which contains the data file I want to print. These machines use a special cable with an odd connector. I would like to buy an extra unit with or without cables - or if you have just the cables I can use that too. These were good machines but hardly anyone uses floppy diskettes anymore. I still use my SYA-350 units and glad to have them.

I am seeking

1. SYA-550

2. SYA-350

3. Odd-connector Cables for it

I bought all of my units from big-auction-site; But, I have not seen any used ones for sale for a few years and thought I would post a wanted page. I can use 1 or 2 units more.

Update 4/2014

I have purchased 1ea SYA550 Data Buffer (see picture above) from big-auction-site and was complete wth manual, diskettes, cover. The data cable was missing but is the same as my other units. A long time ago I purchased the 2ea strange end connectors so as I have time I will make my own data cable using those 2ea connectors- using my existing cables as a guide. The SYA550 can store more data on a diskette than SYA350 - otherwise they are very similar in apearance and function.

I have added a photo showing 2 of my SYA-350 units - I blanked out some of my working clutter and current prototyping projects. One of my data buffers is connected to a Roland Modela MDX-3 (I replaced the worn out motor - if you need that contact me) which I am using to carve out type2 dark grey PVC sheet. Some of my units have developed yellowing plastic on the buttons. All of my units still work just fine. The diskettes are readable on a PC and I can save the data itself and move/truncate/combine/modify data betwen disks using a PC. Very handy devices. Not too many people use diskettes anymore- they work just fine.

I am still looking to buy SYA-350 or SYA-550 units. I would like to have more of these.

Dr Virago Pete

(847) 454-7858

drviragopete@att.net

I acquired this technical Summary Manual on big-auction-site (actual photos from the ad I bought it from) 1/2014 and shows parts lists and exploded view diagrams and adjustments. Approx 3/4" thick manual. I am still looking for a Cartrivision machine to purchase

The above photos show a vintage cartrivision Video recorder (left) or video player (right) which connects to the user's TV set.

Wanted Cartrivision recorder or player

Some Cartrivsion machines came with a wooden case and some came with a plastic case. They were sold under various brands such as Sears, Montgomer Wards and Avco and other brands. Some were even sold as a kit - without any case (sold in back of magazines in the ad section). Some Cartrivision video recorders were included inside of large consol color TV sets.

Here are a few youtube videos showing Cartrivision. I am not affiliated with these videos.

Let me know if you have a Cartrivision video player or recorder or VCR.

I will consider any condition or model Cartrivision machine.

Dr Virago Pete

(847) 454-7858

Wanted IC Tester ( Linear or Universal IC Tester Wanted )

Wanted Quvis Qubit

This machine is a "digital recorder" which was used in the 1990s and early 2000s at movie theaters to show digital movies. Some of the titles of early digital movies shown using this Quvis Qubit are "Toystory" and more films.

I am a small video and film transfer service and am looking for this machine - there were several models including the ST and El models and other variations of this machine.

I'm especially looking for a machine with the capability to record. As I understand it - there is a board/card which gets plugged into one of its slots. The record module is not found on most Quvis Qubits as the movie/cinema industry theaters mostly all had players which could not record. There were a few machines which had record capabilities but it is not common to find one which can record.

I hope to find a Quvis Qubit which is a "recorder" as the PDF manuals I downloaded go into great detail of how to use the machine for recording and playback and scaling etc in various framerates and formats.

I do not know what this record module card/board looks like or what the part number is. Let me know if you have a Quvis Qubit in any condition.

I will consider a player but am hoping to find a recorder.

There were several variations with different ports and configurations. See picture to view 2 variations of ports.

Pete (847) 454-7858 between 11am and 7pm daily

drviragopete@att.net

Actual photo from the ad I purchzased this book from. Purchased from big-auction-site and mailed from UK to USA Jan 2014. It is a very extensive list of chips that the ABI DIT-24XP can test both in circuit and out of circuit. There are some warnings in the book about only testing certain chip in-circuit but not out of circuit. Also some warnings to only test certain chips out-of-circuit biut not in-circuit. Itis very important to consult this manual before testing some chips or damage will result to the chip or tester. I'm glad to have this book otherwise I would never have known that. I'm still looking for an ABI older model IC tester - any model or condition welcome. I'm willing to pay for international shipping.

ABI-28 Digital IC Tester, ABI Boardmaster 4000 ( BM4000 , BM4k , BM 4k BM4000 ), ABI InCircuit IC Tester, ABI DDS40XP IC Tester, ABI DIT-24XP, (Not pictured ABI ICT-24)

Wanted ABI IC Tester

Any condition working or not. Let me know if you have any model - there may be other models that I'm not aware of -let me know what you have.

Other makes/models considered.

Update Jan/7/14

I have purchased a user manual for ABI DIT-24XP on big-auction-site. I am still looking for any model of ABI Tester. This manual is really only a chiplist which has many pages of ICs which this tester can test. It also has warnings not to attempt to test particular chips out of circuit. It also has warnings not to attempt to test certain chips in-circuit- otherwise damage to the unit or chip may result. This book tells me that it is important to consult this manual before testing any IC.

Update 1/12/14

I have contacted a UK seller who has offered to sell me his working ABI IC Tester. I have requested photos and details such as model and what is included. I expressed a willlingness to buy for his asking price and a willingness to pay for shipping cost from UK to USA. I have tried several more times to contact this seller and get no response - so that offer has fizzled.

If the reader has an ABI IC tester for sale - let me know.

(I am also looking for other models and brands of IC testers too)

Dr Virago Pete  (847) 454-7858

drviragopete@att.net

Illinois, USA

Update 2/25/16

I search for "IC Tester" on the internet on a regular basis and I came across a Craigslist seller in AZ which has 2ea BK 570 Linear IC Tester for sale (I only need 1 unit). I am doing my best to come up with the funds to buy it outright. It comes just after I have made my final payment for some equipment listed above on this page.

I have purchased these units BK570 and BK 575 in 2016 from Craigslist seller.

I am still looking for ABI vintage IC tester desktop unit or CRT screen model or laptop model.

Wanted Quantel Domino any condition

This is a CGI machine which adds effects, titles, guide wire removal, scratch removal and more. It scans film stock and the operator adds digital effects and the machine outputs to film. The film is visually then complete - but without audio.

I hope to find a machine with 1 workstation 1 film scanner and 1 film recorder. (parts and pieces and incmplete also considered)

As the film industry moves away from using actual chemical photographic filmstock film - this film-based system which uses film in and film out - may become subject to disposal. I hope that a film company will contact me rather than disposing of this approx 15+ year old equipment.

I am a one-man-shop which has an interest in using this equipment for 35mm cinema film restoration work. I am also handy in repairing of vintage equipment.

(I will consider other makes and models of film scanning and film recorders)

Dr Virago Pete

(847) 454-7858 between 11am and 7pm daily

Illinois USA

Wanted Kodak Cineon

1. Lightning or Lightning II or other model etc (laser film recorder - any version)

2. Software (STORM or other software any version) and books (any version)

3. FIDO, Genesis, Genesys Plus, or other model etc                                                   (film scanner - any version table model or upright etc)

4. Workstation (R10k Indigo 2 or any other version), SUN computer, cables, drives etc

This is a 16mm / 35mm cinema film scanner and film out recorder system which has sophisticated digital color recording and remastering and compositing to film capabilities. Only a few exist today. I hope to find parts and pieces or a complete machine.

Several models were made including the Genesis,  Genesis Plus and a few upright cabinet units - let me know what you have.

This equipment designed 20+ years ago by Kodak as a way to accurately (loss-less color and details) store and reproduce details and color on filmstock or digitally. The file format was .CIN and a derivitave of it is .DPX both are popular film file formats in use today in the cinema industry.

I would like to put this equipment to use. As the film industry moves away from actual filmstock - this 20+ year old equipment runs the risk of disposal - please dont dispose of it. I would like to acquire this equipment for my one-man-shop. I hope to use it for 35mm cinema film restoration work.

I also am very capable of fixing/repairing and restoring vintage equipment- and I have the interest and patience to complete a large task.

(I will consider other makes and models of film scanning and film recorders)

Dr Virago Pete

(847) 454-7858 between 11am and 7pm daily

Illinois USA

Wanted Plastic Cover for B&K Precision model 560

(or 560A or 560B or 560C) IC Tester

I purchased non-working BK 560 IC tester fixer-upper from big-auction-site and repaired it, and it is now restored and working. To fully complete this project I hope to find a plastic cover which goes over the empty IC sockets #3, 4, 5, 6 on the lefthand side of the machine, See photo. I will consider any color black, white, beige.

Dr Virago Pete (847) 454-7858

drviragopete@att.net

Wanted Spare Parts for ISI SX30 Scanning Electron Microscope made by International Scientific Instruments

I have acquired a fixer-upper scanning electron microscope from a local school. I am in need of some spare parts for it.

Please contact me if you have a machine that you can salvage parts from. Some models are similar in some ways-  so maybe the parts from a different model if ISI microscope will be similiar or the same on some parts (ss40 sx40 sx30E ... ) Let me know.

If you fixed your machine and would be so kind in sharing details about what you replaced or components that went bad.

Here is the webpage I have created

http://www.drviragopete.com/scanning-electron-microscope.php

I need boards, power supply, console parts, pump, 100V transformer, books/manuals, consumables, column liner etc.

Dr Virago Pete (847) 454-7858

Wanted Digibot II (made by Digibotics approx early 1990s)

laser 3d digitizer (pictured above)

I have been searching for a Digitbotics II scanner for about 5 years and came across 2 of them on big-auction site. Neither of them had software or the controller or PC or books or anything. I wonder if a reader will have a unit for sale or possibly has books or software or a PC with the card in it or any other resources related to this scanner - even just pieces.

I have not purchased any Digibotics hardware or anything. I am seeking whatever you may have on it. This is a big heavy item and I'm located in Illinois just North of Chicago. I would like to make professional 3d scans of big objects with sufficent precision. I realize this is old-school scanner and that is ok. Let me know of you have any diskettes or CDs or cables etc for this machine or any other item related. I am having a hard time finding the card and software and books especially. Maybe you have these items in your storage inventory - please check. Even backup disks would be appreciated.

Sometimes good old equipment gets run over by the operating system punks who try to make things obsolete so you have to upgrade operating systems all the time - for little or no reason at all. I dont mind setting up an old computer - specifically for a piece of equipment's exclusive use.

This scanner took days to scan large complex objects and the software was run on an early PC with a slow processor. Chances are wherever this machine and software is today - it is not being used right now and just taking up space. Dont throw it out - contact me. I would like to buy it or any parts, pieces, items you may still have related to it.

Dr Virago Pete

(847) 454-7858 between 11am and 7pm daily

 Wanted Service / Maintenance Manual(s) for Sony BVH3100 or BVH3000 series video recorder

The BVH-3000 and the BVH-3100 are very similar and some models have a PS after the model name

(847) 454-7858 between 11am and 7pm daily

drviragopete@att.net

Wanted Sony CLP-1A or CLP-1B Video Color Pack

This is a box which enables color playback on certain models of vintage Reel-to-Reel Sony video recorders sometimes called videocorders that were color capable. This box was mfg approx mid 1960s to mid 1970s. The model number may vary as there were different versions. This box works only on certain machines which were specified to use this box - in their manual. For example video recorders model EV210, EV310 and a few others.

I am handy at electronic repairs - will consider any condition including parts pieces etc. The color of the metal case is typically lime green or bluish green or similar. The connector on the back is a 8-pin or 10-pin or a big round video jack typical of that era.

If you have this CLP-1A or CLP-1B or similar color playback video adapter - please let me know price.

Dr Virago Pete (847) 454-7858 between 11am and 7pm daily

drviragopete@att.net

 Wanted Alpha Micro Videotrax

The complete Videotrax system consisted of VCR and PC card, Special Connection Cable, and Diskettes. The basic system consisted only of the card, diskettes, and manual - where the user could use their own standard VCR. The advantage of using the special Videotrax VCR was that the software controlled the VCR functions and could rewind to replay a missed bit of data or search for certain files contained on the tape.

Basically the Videotrax was a way to backup Hard Disk drives and diskettes onto a standard VHS tape (or other format VCR) capable of approx 10MB to 20MB depending on quality of tape. I had a PC card decades ago and didnt have very good results saving to and from tape - but it did work but required alot of babysitting to rewind the tape and try again.

This item was listed in the Radio Shack big catalog during the year approx 1990. At that time there was no Internet and so I used "Fidonet For Sale Echo" and purchased my used board there. I regret parting with it as it was an interesting piece of history. I dont have any VHS tapes to transfer as I never did store anything important - the cheap VCR's image was murky - and I learned that some recordings were just ir-retrievable even at that time. I do believe I had a fully working board because it did work and I remember the square white "dots/checkerboard" flashing pattern on screen and seemed to be doing what it was designe to do. I think the cheap VCRs of that time period didnt playback/record so well and the data dot pattern was not clear enough for the board to pickup. It is possible the genuine Videotrax had some picture enhancement or picture stabilization electronics?

As a point of interest- the output of a Videotrax was very similar looking to the onscreen jibberish of a Timex-Sinclair 1000 saving or a Atai 400 or 800 while using the diskette drive. Or similar to PXL2000 reaading an audiotape displaying random dot pattern. The dot pattern also is similar to Cauzin Reader strips printed in magazines of that time period. Also similar is a scene in "Jurassic Park I" hollywood movie where DNA strands are being explained and Bits and Bytes zeros and ones are shown whizzing by onscreen. Videotrax output is Just bits and bytes whizzing by on the entire fullscreen. Sometimes the bits and bytes checkerboard pattern would pause or slowdown and sometimes it would increase in speed - in between checkerboard patterns with very little or no pause before changing display pattern. The board required a very good quality recording - otherwise the white square dots (representing bits and bytes) would be misinterpreted due to murky or unsharp edges- causing an error such as CRC error or other. Noise or crinkled tape portions were prone to giving the software a hard time. It would prompt you to rewind or attempt it again - I think that genuine VCR was the way to go - but Ive never seen one for sale on the used market.

Im sure that the VCR (if one still exists to day) would require recap (replace all capacitor components) and new belts and probably a new or rebuild clutch. It is possible the VCR was based on a standard off the shelf VCR and upgraded. So my point is knowing which VCR it is a sister to - would help in finding spare parts for it - like clutch or circuit board. I hope to find one in any condition.

I always wondered about the real Videotrax VCR and maybe it would have done a much better job. I would still like to find a real Alpha Micro Videotrax VCR in any condition - working or not - as I can fix just about anything with my present day skillset.

I no longer have the card (sold it decades ago) and - I never did have the special VCR.

Every once in a while I see the board for sale on big-auction-site but I never do see the Videotrax VCR or special cable for sale. Im hoping someone has the special VCR for sale along with the card, cable, manual, and diskettes.

Let me know

Dr Virago Pete (847) 454-7858 between 11am and 7pm daily

drviragopete@att.net

Wanted Willow Peripherals VGA Card " TV / GEO "or " VGA-TV GE/O " or " VGA-TV GEO "

which is a very long card and has very basic early VGA features. What was outstanding about it was its 2ea composite ports:

1. Composite in - feed in your VCR signal

2. Composite out - outputs whatever was passed into the Composite In port - also outputs whatever is on the VGA screen

3. Can software select a background color on the VGA screen (for example black) and anything black now becomes "see-through" so whatever composite VCR video signal is being fed in is mixed with the VGA screen and replaces whatever is "black" or other selected color. This is genlocking.

4. Included "Video Titler" software which was a basic version - only one font included but an add-on disk with more fonts was available for purchase. I still have the disk but I never could find or buy the add-on disk which gave it more fonts.

Dr Virago Pete (847) 454-7858 between 11am and 7pm daily

drviragopete@att.net