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Author Topic: Base for Marconi 365B?  (Read 185 times)

W1BR

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Base for Marconi 365B?
« on: June 29, 2020, 11:36:18 AM »

I'm a newly proud owner of a Marconi 365B--not the prettiest out there, and the cover is long gone...
but the price was too reasonable to pass by.

But, I would rather not screw it to the operating desk as there are two operating desks and other keys
that I would like to use.

I'd be interested in hearing what others have done to protect the desk tops from the metal edges on
the key base? 

Pete
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WA8NVW

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Re: Base for Marconi 365B?
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2020, 01:34:32 PM »

Buy a plastic cutting board from Target or other home-kitchen store.  Or buy a full size or half-sheet (5.5" x 8.5") clipboard from Staples or OfficeMax. Either way, mount the key to that and stick four felt sqaures or rubber feet on the bottom corners.
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W6MK

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Re: Base for Marconi 365B?
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2020, 03:47:52 PM »

A piece of rectangular wood or other material should not be
hard to find somewhere within walking distance.

Or buy something to take all the adventure out of it:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SOLID-DARK-MAHOGANY-WOOD-BASE-FOR-MORSE-CODE-TELEGRAPH-KEY/133418789354?hash=item1f106129ea:g:CFgAAOSwEmNeqh8f
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ZL1BBW

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Re: Base for Marconi 365B?
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2020, 08:16:22 PM »

For me I would try a very thin layer of hi density foam, and on the bottom of that glue some of that grip stuff that they sell for opening jars, anti slip type mat.

They are not bad keys, used one for years at sea, nice big contacts.

Cheers
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ex MN Radio Officer, Portishead Radio GKA, BT Radio Amateur Morse Tester.  Licensed as G3YCP ZL1DAB, now taken over my father (sk) call as ZL1BBW.

GW3OQK

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Re: Base for Marconi 365B?
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2020, 02:36:00 AM »

I have just a card underneath, say 2mm. On top of the lid I have a 5AH lead acid battery, 1.6Kg. That is so there is no movement when keying, just like when screwed to the bench as was always the case. Flexible feet would ruin it. It just floats along at 23 wpm, but I need more practice to get back to 28's no errors. My favourite key.

By the way, I replaced the sleeve bearing with new roller bearings to take out a slight wear. What does yours have Gavin? I also used paint stripper to reveal the brass.
73
Andrew
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AC2EU

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Re: Base for Marconi 365B?
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2020, 07:11:35 AM »

I'll go with the consensus to screw it onto a piece of wood if you want 'style' or a 1/2 aluminum slab if you want weight. Either one gets some felt on the bottom.

I'm going out on a limb here and say that "style" doesn't matter, because that Key will win the "ugly key contest" hands down!   ;D

W1BR

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Re: Base for Marconi 365B?
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2020, 08:52:48 AM »

I'll go with the consensus to screw it onto a piece of wood if you want 'style' or a 1/2 aluminum slab if you want weight. Either one gets some felt on the bottom.

I'm going out on a limb here and say that "style" doesn't matter, because that Key will win the "ugly key contest" hands down!   ;D

Indeed.  It is no Fratini, except it does have some Steam Punk charm with its missing cover.  LOL.  I really don't want to raise the base much higher than it is, which precludes attaching to wood board.  But, it came to me that I have seen rubber protective edging that may work... slipping a length over the metal edge of the bottom edge of the base might protect the surface it sits on. I'll give that try. 
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W1BR

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Re: Base for Marconi 365B?
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2020, 05:54:20 AM »

They are pretty tall keys, and even screwed to desk your arm is elevated more than most American key operators are used to.

I ended up ordering some grey metal edge protector from Amazon.  It is a gray U channel rubber edging, and it fits the key base perfectly.  Protects the desk from wear, and gives the key base a bit of extra "grip" as well.  Looks almost like it came that way.

Pete
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GW3OQK

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Re: Base for Marconi 365B?
« Reply #8 on: July 09, 2020, 04:22:38 AM »

Quote
I'm going out on a limb here and say that "style" doesn't matter, because that Key will win the "ugly key contest" hands down!

AC5, I was horrified! I behold it as the most beautiful of keys, especially when the grey paint is stripped from the base and cover to reveal the hand-made brasswork. 

Pete, your forearm needs to be at 90 degrees so you need a taller chair or cushion to use it at standard desk height.

73, Andrew

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ZL1BBW

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Re: Base for Marconi 365B?
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2020, 06:00:48 PM »

I have just a card underneath, say 2mm. On top of the lid I have a 5AH lead acid battery, 1.6Kg. That is so there is no movement when keying, just like when screwed to the bench as was always the case. Flexible feet would ruin it. It just floats along at 23 wpm, but I need more practice to get back to 28's no errors. My favourite key.

By the way, I replaced the sleeve bearing with new roller bearings to take out a slight wear. What does yours have Gavin? I also used paint stripper to reveal the brass.
73
Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Actually having used and abused keys for a good few years, I never acquired a ex marine or GKA one, they key I use is an old RAF Type D, obtained from GWM Radio many years ago now.

I cannot understand this current fetish with paying mega bucks for a hand or a bug morse key or a paddle for that matter, I am sure you have seen superb morse sent on the most clap trap of old keys that many people would not soil their desk with.   Certainly the bug key that old "inky" used at GKA to hand send the traffic lists at christmas had been round the block many times, perhaps its more to do with the operator than the key? ::)

Yes would take a determined effort to get back to 28 no errors for 5 minutes again on the sending, age is marching on inevitably.

Take care over there.

Cheers  Gavin
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ex MN Radio Officer, Portishead Radio GKA, BT Radio Amateur Morse Tester.  Licensed as G3YCP ZL1DAB, now taken over my father (sk) call as ZL1BBW.

W1BR

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Re: Base for Marconi 365B?
« Reply #10 on: July 10, 2020, 04:08:46 AM »

This 365 sold for less than what a Kent KT-1 would sell for, and actually less than what they have been asking for some US Navy "flame proof" keys on eBay.  Quite a few have been showing up, and the missing cover greatly reduces the selling price.

Pete
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ZL1BBW

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Re: Base for Marconi 365B?
« Reply #11 on: July 10, 2020, 10:40:29 PM »

This 365 sold for less than what a Kent KT-1 would sell for, and actually less than what they have been asking for some US Navy "flame proof" keys on eBay.  Quite a few have been showing up, and the missing cover greatly reduces the selling price.

Pete

Yep, the lids always disappeared, better things to do than sit there polishing the brass,. never forget when I got asked why the DF loops were not polished instead of painted, a new RI think he was ex BI.
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ex MN Radio Officer, Portishead Radio GKA, BT Radio Amateur Morse Tester.  Licensed as G3YCP ZL1DAB, now taken over my father (sk) call as ZL1BBW.
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