[CW] What is a Sideswiper, or Cootie Key?

[Richard Knoppow]

    I have three "original" Vibroplex keys, 1920, 1944, 1961. The 
1920 key is worn but works like a charm, very smooth. Still has 
the "Bug" decal on it.  The original knob and paddle were gone so 
I put Lionel J-36 parts on (found a bunch surplus years ago). The 
1961 key was evidently never used. Seems like new. I forgot where 
I got it. It has a gray base and post war type castings.
     The 1944 key is a puzzle. It is not a J-36, no military 
markings whatever other than a name and some other stuff written 
on the case in white ink. I did not record what it said and its 
long ago worn off.  My mom, who I still miss after many years, 
found it in a thrift shop complete with case, even with key to 
the lock. In very good condition but was sloppily made. I had to 
re-drill the hole for the hinge pin in the damper. Doesn't show 
from the outside. After lining it up carefully its perfectly 
smooth. Also, the hole for the lower trunion screw is at a slight 
angle but not enough to cause any binding. I wonder if Vibroplex 
made some civilian keys using reworked parts. Maybe Vibroplex 
made some keys for civilian use during the war perhaps for the 
Merchant Marine or some other high priority use.
   There are two puzzles to this; one is how it came to be built, 
and the other is how my mom, who was not at all technical, knew 
what it was.  I had the Bunnell J-36 and my mom may have 
recognized what it was from that. She was quite remarkable.


On 4/11/2018 5:59 PM, Donald Chester wrote:
> Richard Knoppow  WB6KBL wrote:
>>       My main mentor (I hate the term elmer)
> 
> I agree wholeheartedly.  Sounds dumb, doesn't it?
> 
> I have a vintage Bunnell sideswiper, but much prefer my mid-1920s,
> velvet-smooth Vibroplex Original.  The sideswiper has to be screwed down to
> the table to make it usable, and sending with it would require going through
> a learning curve.  My iambic paddle and electronic keyer have been
> collecting dust on the shelf for years.
> 
> 
> Don k4kyv
> 
> 
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-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL