[CW] Source for bases for straight keys?

[1oldlens1]

I suggested hobby wood a few days ago.  Here are a couple of samples.   These are made from hardwood plywood from an art supply store.   The finish is French polish, about six layers.   They are a bit crude but work.  Key on left is from AT&T,  Western Electric key,  on left also W.E. but belonged to Western Union.   The frosted look is cadmium plating.  WU had a very large facility called The New York Repair Shop.  The shop plated the brass parts of everything that went through.  All stamped NYRS somewhere on the bottom.  WU evidently never threw anything away but keys and other apparatus may be cobbled together from parts, impossible to determine original dates.  For instance straps with bug lips may have been put on older keys that didn't have them.Anyway these wooden bases work fine but the key and base really should be screwed to the operating desk.Sent from my Galaxy
-------- Original message --------From: Steve WD8DAS via CW <cw at mailman.qth.net> Date: 1/15/23  1:42 PM  (GMT-08:00) To: cw at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [CW] Source for bases for straight keys? 








 





Follow-up on my quest for simple bases for straight keys...










I ended up making several bases from 1/4" thick 
poplar wood (see photos).  Example shown is Nye key.  This wood was precut to the right dimensions except for length - so only one cut, a little sanding on the edges, stain and seal.  Not too much trouble.  One piece of wood would make 6 bases for a cost of about $1 each.











Normally I would put rubber feet on the bottom but 
this wood is nicely flat/true.  After staining/sealing it almost has a 
"suction" to the tabletop so I may forego the feet.  Depends on the flatness of the operating table of course.









I continued to be on the lookout for 
ready-made bases and found some plastic outlet blank covers for "non-metallic" conduit boxes that work quite well (see photos).  Example shown is a J-38 clone on a gray base.  These have a foam seal underneath that fills the role of rubber feet.  The foam might not last too long, at which time rubber feet could be added.  Cost was $2.85 each if I recall correctly.











Both items were found during an extended walkabout in Home Depot.











 











Steve WD8DAS





sbjohnston at aol.com


http://www.wd8das.net/



http://af4k-crystals.com






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-------- Original message --------





From: Steve WD8DAS via CW <cw at mailman.qth.net> 





Date: 1/4/23  3:14 PM  (GMT-08:00) 





To: cw at mailman.qth.net 





Subject: [CW] Source for bases for straight keys? 




























I have a number of J-37/J-38, Nye, etc keys here that need a base to be useful.  I periodically search Amazon, eBay, etc for a source of reasonably priced rectangular plates of some kind that could be used for this purpose without too much fabrication.  I've not found anything yet.

















The dimensions would be about  3" x 4.5" minimum,   1/4"-1/2" thick
















Plastic, wood, metal?
















I'm hoping to find something roughly like the base in this photo.  

















http://www.wd8das.net/MyFirstKey.jpg

















Any ideas?

















Thank you.
 
















 




















Steve WD8DAS



sbjohnston at aol.com

http://www.wd8das.net/







http://af4k-crystals.com









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Radio is your best entertainment value.

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