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Virtual DEC KEY REPOSITORY

Here's a random YouTube video showing how to operate my machine:


One thing that I may have done wrong is in indexing the blank to the right "zero" depth. I did it as shown in that video, except that I didn't rotate the cutter by hand first to make one of the flutes vertical. Depending on the random angle of the cutter, that may have made my zero depth be a bit off.
 
My PDP-11/44 sadly did not come with its original key, but I was able to find a suitable replacement. It is a generic tubular key (just has some markings on it, no brand or anything). I have also discovered that the PC/AT keyboard lock key fits the switch too. It works, but the travel is not as smooth as with the other key.
 
Confirmed ACE Keys and Uses:

Code:
DEC#      ACE CODE           CPU
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8 (Classic)
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8/e
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8/I
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8/L
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8/m
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/20
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/30
Plastic   Un-Cut             PDP-11/44 (any ACE key works)
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/45
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/60
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/70
?         7654321:7557537    PDP-11/730  (VAX)

Blade Keys:

We have confirmed that "Blade" type key blanks for PDP-11/05 and PDP-11/10 CPUs are commonly available in the U.S. at Home Depot as AXXESS #80. (Hillman Group) Cut dimensions to follow when confirmed.
I have now checked my XX2247 key with the PDP-8 (classic) , the 8/L, the 8/E and a VAX-11/750. It works fine. It also works in an 8/L expansion box.
 
I have now checked my XX2247 key with the PDP-8 (classic) , the 8/L, the 8/E and a VAX-11/750. It works fine. It also works in an 8/L expansion box.
Thank you for the confirmations and the new datapoint (750 added). However, I'm now confused. My own 11/730 key is not an XX2247, but does work. This bears more looking into.

While I further test my 730, would you please check something for me? Try another ACE key to operate your 750 - not your XX2247.

It's a little odd to think that I might have a uniquely keyed machine. Are any Ex-DEC service types out there familiar with such a system? (not DEC "keyed alike").
 
My pdp-11/84 key has the number 47421 on it. It appears to be a steel key. It does not appear to follow depths cuts listed
for other keys. I don't know if this is an original key or not. It works with no issues though. I don't have an easy
way to check the depth cuts, but it does appear centered.
 
I would not be surprised that the generic plastic tubular key that works with my 11/44 (a DEC supplied key BTW, official DEC logo'ed) also works on the 11/730 (same basic BA11-A box) and the 11/84-94 series boxes. By that time DEC realized that having the same XX2247 key for all boxes was pretty much a joke.

Don
 
Yeah, this solves a question that was developing... Any correctly sized ACE key operates my 11/730.

@AK6DN - I initially thought my 11/730 was in a BA11-A box... this turned out not to be so, much to my chagrin. It's the much inferior BA11-Z box, with only a 400W power supply. (just an FYI) So, the fact that any ACE key operates it, shouldn't be taken as true for every 11/730 out there, but ones in a BA11-Z - probably so.

In fact - I now have no reason to believe that my ACE key (which came with the 11/730) is even DEC related. It's probably a vending machine spare or something.

Although it is my belief that systems 11/84-94 are probably all "Any ACE Key" operable, I'd like to have confirmation before logging it conclusively.

Thank you all for participating, the picture is becoming much clearer.

I'm still hoping we'll hear from some PDP-10 owners or former operators out there. Maybe I'll take time to call a few museums if nobody checks-in over the next week or so.

For those who received XX2247 keys for systems that did not "require" them (as we now believe) I can only speculate that either DEC shipped the keys on hand before switching to plastic ones, or that some used equipment vendor / middle man thought they were necessary and included them as systems were re-sold.
 
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Updated Key List as of Oct 14, 2013

Updated Key List as of Oct 14, 2013

Confirmed ACE Keys and Uses:

Code:
DEC#      ACE CODE           CPU
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8 (Classic)
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8/e
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8/I
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8/L (and expansion box)
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8/m
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/20
Plastic   any ACE key        PDP-11/24
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/30
Plastic   any ACE key        PDP-11/44 (BA11-A)
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/45
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/60
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/70
Plastic   any ACE key        PDP-11/84 (un-verified)
Plastic   any ACE key        PDP-11/94 (un-verified)
Plastic   any ACE key        PDP-11/730 (VAX) (BA11-Z)
Plastic   any ACE key        PDP-11/750 (VAX)

The XX2247 Recipe: (un-verified)

Key Type: Chicago ACE "STANDARD" - 0.375" O.D. Barrel, 7-Pin

Chicago Depth CODE List:

1 = 0.016, 2 = 0.032, 3 = 0.048, 4 = 0.064,
5 = 0.080, 6 = 0.096, 7 = 0.112, 8 = 0.128

Pin# Sequence:

ACE%20Pin%20Numbering.png


Offset: CENTERED (No Offset)
ACE%20offset.png

XX2247: 7654321:5173757 (PIN# : Depth CODE)



Blade Keys:

We have confirmed that "Blade" type key blanks for PDP-11/05 and PDP-11/10 CPUs are commonly available in the U.S. at Home Depot as AXXESS #80. (Hillman Group) Cut dimensions to follow when confirmed.
 
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Another appeal: PDP-11/24 Owners - Please take a minute to comment on the Keys for your systems. Do you have a DEC issued key? Does the system require a real key, or will it work with "Any ACE key" of the correct size?

UPDATE: Received verification that the 11/24 works with a plastic key.
 
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I can verify that the XX2247 "recipe" is correct, I had one cut from it at a local locksmith, it fits my pdp11/20 perfectly.
 
If anybody is interested, I can get --and test -- the XX2247 keys for $10 cdn (testing is free -:). Shipping will be cheap anywhere.
 
I can verify that the XX2247 "recipe" is correct, I had one cut from it at a local locksmith, it fits my pdp11/20 perfectly.

FAR OUT! Thank You.

If anybody is interested, I can get --and test -- the XX2247 keys for $10 cdn (testing is free -:). Shipping will be cheap anywhere.

So will those be copies of your "CODE-cut" key, or other keys cut directly from CODE?

Just curious. A correctly CODE-cut key is suitable for use as a MASTER ORIGINAL to make duplicates of. I'm not sure how many generations from an ORIGINAL one can go before errors build up to make the duplicates unusable.

Still, thank you for being the first to use our Recipe with success.
 
They are all CODE-cut keys, not copies, suitable for use as a master original.

I had 10 made, it looks like the total price with postage in North America will be $16.00. Available for immediate shipping.
 
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Just bought a bag of Chicago ACE tubular metal blanks (1137B) and they work perfectly in my 11/44. $5.50 for a bag of ten.

Also bought an 'ACE key decoder'. It is a chunk of plastic with 7 pegs on it of increasing height, labeled from 1 to 7.

On my two XX2247 keys, using the decoder says they are code '5173757', exactly as expected.

Don
 
Thank you for the confirmations and the new datapoint (750 added). However, I'm now confused. My own 11/730 key is not an XX2247, but does work. This bears more looking into.

While I further test my 730, would you please check something for me? Try another ACE key to operate your 750 - not your XX2247.

It's a little odd to think that I might have a uniquely keyed machine. Are any Ex-DEC service types out there familiar with such a system? (not DEC "keyed alike").

I have now checked to 11/750 with a non XX2247 key and it wouldn't operate the lock. A XX2247 keys is fine, so please change the list, a 11/750 would not work with just any ACE key, like a plastic key that fits the 11/730 or similar boxes.
 
Updated Key List as of Oct 21, 2013

Updated Key List as of Oct 21, 2013

Confirmed ACE Keys and Uses:

Code:
DEC#      ACE CODE           CPU
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8 (Classic)
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8/e
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8/I
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8/L (and expansion box)
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-8/m
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/20
Plastic   any ACE key        PDP-11/24
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/30
Plastic   any ACE key        PDP-11/44 (BA11-A)
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/45
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/60
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/70
Plastic   any ACE key        PDP-11/84 (un-verified)
Plastic   any ACE key        PDP-11/94 (un-verified)
Plastic   any ACE key        PDP-11/730 (VAX) (BA11-Z)
XX2247    7654321:5173757    PDP-11/750 (VAX)


The XX2247 Recipe:
(verified)
.
Key Type: Chicago ACE "STANDARD" - 0.375" O.D. Barrel, 7-Pin

Chicago Depth CODE List:

.
1 = 0.016, 2 = 0.032, 3 = 0.048, 4 = 0.064,
5 = 0.080, 6 = 0.096, 7 = 0.112, 8 = 0.128

Pin# Sequence:

ACE%20Pin%20Numbering.png


Offset: CENTERED (No Offset)
ACE%20offset.png

XX2247: 7654321:5173757 (PIN# : Depth CODE)



Blade Keys:

We have confirmed that "Blade" type key blanks for PDP-11/05 and PDP-11/10 CPUs are commonly available in the U.S. at Home Depot as AXXESS #80. (Hillman Group) Cut dimensions to follow when confirmed.
 
I don't know if its been covered yet but, both my BA213 based VAX, 4000/700A and VAX 3400, can use any ACE key.
 
I've attached a picture of the XX2247 key that came with my badly rusted-out PDP-11/35. It's in rough shape, but it works.

So, I think we can add PDP-11/35 to the list. This key is the only DEC front panel key I own, and the 11/35 is the only DEC I own that needs a key.

xx2247_key.jpg

-Twylo
 
Hmmm, in looking over your list, I see that the VAX 750 you have recorded is plastic. The 750 keys I have are not. I will find them and post the details. If it's different, maybe I can send one to RSX11M+ for cataloging.
 
I found the info about blanks on Ebay interesting and just bought a few to check them out. Was amused to see that apparently Harley Davidson uses the same keys, maybe we can get keys cut at our local Harley dealer....
 
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