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Virtual DEC KEY REPOSITORY

Beautiful - nice job Tom :)...

I also like the antistatic wrist strap :)!

I went to one of our contract partners a few years ago to undertake an audit and they were proudly presenting to me their updated workshop complete with all of their new antistatic workstations, procures etc.

They then proceeded to take one of our priceless cards that we had sent them for repair out of its antistatic bag and hand it to me without any antistatic precautions at all :-(! I was stood there in my wooden jumper and just shook my head and refused to take hold of it. Needless to say, I had a few well-chosen statements that I made in my audit report!

Dave
 
Does anyone know if Compx/Chicago or anyone else currently makes a switch that can replace the PDP-8 power switch?
 
I've got this three position lock from a DEC collector. Does anyone
recognise this lock as a DEC lock? The key is numbered with XX5233


Click image for larger version Name: XX5233.jpg Views: 0 Size: 197.9 KB ID: 1211481

Regards, Roland
 
I am humbled to see this thread is still current and actively of interest. Thank you all for participating.

For a note on how to view images and other information especially pertinent to my early posts this thread - please see my blog for a recent entry..

Thanks again, it's great to see topics like this live on.
 
Roland,
I don't think XX5233 is a DEC tubular key.
Looking at the switch body and the metal bracket to mount the switch really does not look very "DEC-ish" to me.
Could this be a switch from some Data General system?
 
Roland Huisman said:
I've got this three position lock from a DEC collector. Does anyone
recognise this lock as a DEC lock? The key is numbered with XX5233


View attachment 1211481

Regards, Roland
Click to expand...
It does look like a Stackpole switch. What is stamped on the back/end of switch?

8EpwrSw.png


This is from the 8E gnupublic showed off. I'm looking for this part. Stackpole seems to no longer make this type of component.
 
ftcnet said:
Stackpole seems to no longer make this type of component.
Click to expand...
That switch looks a LOT like one in some equipment my company built and I regularly repaired until a few years ago.
We should still have the assembly notes in our system. Let me see what I can come up with re: part number / distributors etc.
 
RSX11M+ said:
The Purpose of this Thread:

I'd like this to be a place for members to collect and share information allowing identification, duplication, and even replacement of missing DEC keys in a way a Locksmith could accomplish from standards. (without an original to copy)

I'm beginning with the more difficult ACE keys, but eventually we should be able to collect information on all DEC keys - CPUs, cabinets, etc...

Members willing to participate and possessing genuine DEC keys, please post them here, by key number, measured dimensions, and photographically if possible. Please mention the precise CPU it fits, if you know.


The Begining:

DEC PDP-11 KEY XX2247

So, with the work on my VAX 11/730, and a PDP-11/10, the subject of keys has come up. I misplaced the key to my 11/70 (like that? MY 11/70 - haven't seen the machine in 20 years) so the VAX 11/730 is the only key I have, but it's reportedly the same one as was the 11/780 and 11/70 keys. (maybe not... read on)

I see many posts on the internet referring to the Barrel key (aka - Tubular) number XX2247 as being for "most" PDP-11 CPUs and some VAX machines so I assume this is the same as the one I have.

Looking into it a little, this is what I've found.

Background Research:

This type of key was marketed as ACE by Chicago Lock. (Now CompX)

As was practice of the day, the number imprinted on each key is an INDEX number, which identifies it's geometry in a master list. This geometry is a CODE, consisting of numbers (1-8 ) for pin depths of pin numbers (1-7) and a rotational offset. Supposedly, "FULL SERVICE" locksmiths could make a new key directly from the CODE.

I've not found the master list on the internet. I don't know if "modern" locksmiths have it any longer. But since I have a key, and it's presumably one of these, I can MEASURE the pin depths and record them here.

This should enable anyone to have a duplicate made, and to check my key against theirs and identify it as a XX2247 (or not). My key DEFINITELY fits my 11/730, and turns the CPU lock. For the record, there is a stamped number on this key (MRP6231) - however I think it's a duplicated key and not an original number.

Barrel Keys:

  • PIN Identification: Holding the key looking into the open barrel end, one sees the cuts. These can be symmetrical around the "Tang" or offset "left" or "right". Mine is "Centered".
  • Counting from the Tang - clockwise, the pin locations are numbered 7-1 in decreasing order. (ACE keys are numbered this way, FORT keys are opposite - increasing order 1-7)
  • PIN Depths: 8 Depths are in 0.016" increments, beginning at 1 = 0.016" and ending with 8 = 0.128"
​
ACE Depth Code List: (and another)​
​
1 = 0.016​
2 = 0.032​
3 = 0.048​
4 = 0.064​
5 = 0.080​
6 = 0.096​
7 = 0.112​
8 = 0.128​
​

Now, for my key: (in inches)
7=0.110​
6=0.076​
5=0.080​
4=0.108​
3=0.076​
2=0.041​
1=0.108​
​


This would make the ACE depth "code" (pin#:depthcode) for my key 7654321:7557537 (adjusted) with pins "Symmetrical" (aka "Centered") about the tang.

In the FORT system, that would be: 1234567:6446426 as the depths and pin order are different in that standard.



Open Requests:

  1. Please post any use of an XX2247 key not listed below
  2. Anyone who has an original DEC key, especially other than XX2247 - please post
  3. Also, if anyone uses this "code" information to have an "original" key made, please report your success or failure here.


Thank You.

Note: If there's enough interest in this topic, I plan to ask the admins to make this forum a "Sticky" so the head post(s) can be re-edited and maintained with the currently established "up to date" key information.

UPDATE:

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
?         7654321:7557537    PDP-11/730  (VAX)
Click to expand...
 
RSX11M+ said:
The Purpose of this Thread:

I'd like this to be a place for members to collect and share information allowing identification, duplication, and even replacement of missing DEC keys in a way a Locksmith could accomplish from standards. (without an original to copy)

I'm beginning with the more difficult ACE keys, but eventually we should be able to collect information on all DEC keys - CPUs, cabinets, etc...

Members willing to participate and possessing genuine DEC keys, please post them here, by key number, measured dimensions, and photographically if possible. Please mention the precise CPU it fits, if you know.


The Begining:

DEC PDP-11 KEY XX2247

So, with the work on my VAX 11/730, and a PDP-11/10, the subject of keys has come up. I misplaced the key to my 11/70 (like that? MY 11/70 - haven't seen the machine in 20 years) so the VAX 11/730 is the only key I have, but it's reportedly the same one as was the 11/780 and 11/70 keys. (maybe not... read on)

I see many posts on the internet referring to the Barrel key (aka - Tubular) number XX2247 as being for "most" PDP-11 CPUs and some VAX machines so I assume this is the same as the one I have.

Looking into it a little, this is what I've found.

Background Research:

This type of key was marketed as ACE by Chicago Lock. (Now CompX)

As was practice of the day, the number imprinted on each key is an INDEX number, which identifies it's geometry in a master list. This geometry is a CODE, consisting of numbers (1-8 ) for pin depths of pin numbers (1-7) and a rotational offset. Supposedly, "FULL SERVICE" locksmiths could make a new key directly from the CODE.

I've not found the master list on the internet. I don't know if "modern" locksmiths have it any longer. But since I have a key, and it's presumably one of these, I can MEASURE the pin depths and record them here.

This should enable anyone to have a duplicate made, and to check my key against theirs and identify it as a XX2247 (or not). My key DEFINITELY fits my 11/730, and turns the CPU lock. For the record, there is a stamped number on this key (MRP6231) - however I think it's a duplicated key and not an original number.

Barrel Keys:

  • PIN Identification: Holding the key looking into the open barrel end, one sees the cuts. These can be symmetrical around the "Tang" or offset "left" or "right". Mine is "Centered".
  • Counting from the Tang - clockwise, the pin locations are numbered 7-1 in decreasing order. (ACE keys are numbered this way, FORT keys are opposite - increasing order 1-7)
  • PIN Depths: 8 Depths are in 0.016" increments, beginning at 1 = 0.016" and ending with 8 = 0.128"
​
ACE Depth Code List: (and another)​
​
1 = 0.016​
2 = 0.032​
3 = 0.048​
4 = 0.064​
5 = 0.080​
6 = 0.096​
7 = 0.112​
8 = 0.128​
​

Now, for my key: (in inches)
7=0.110​
6=0.076​
5=0.080​
4=0.108​
3=0.076​
2=0.041​
1=0.108​
​


This would make the ACE depth "code" (pin#:depthcode) for my key 7654321:7557537 (adjusted) with pins "Symmetrical" (aka "Centered") about the tang.

In the FORT system, that would be: 1234567:6446426 as the depths and pin order are different in that standard.



Open Requests:

  1. Please post any use of an XX2247 key not listed below
  2. Anyone who has an original DEC key, especially other than XX2247 - please post
  3. Also, if anyone uses this "code" information to have an "original" key made, please report your success or failure here.


Thank You.

Note: If there's enough interest in this topic, I plan to ask the admins to make this forum a "Sticky" so the head post(s) can be re-edited and maintained with the currently established "up to date" key information.

UPDATE:

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
?         7654321:7557537    PDP-11/730  (VAX)
Click to expand...
Keys are available on eBay at $25ea and are machine tested on 4 different PDP8E systems prior to shipment to be sure that they are cut properly and work smoothly. A good locksmith shop can probably cut keys from the codes above but will likely charge you about the same amount if not more as it is easier for them to copy a key than it is to cut from the codes.
 
Well, as I expected, I was able to dig up some general information on the switches - I remembered correctly that the switches I worked with were originally produced by Stackpole. It seems, though, that in 1998, the vendor was changed to Electroswitch. However, given that we were paying $30 per in production quantities, I fear that it may be a bespoke deal with Electroswitch, and may be cost prohibitive in smaller quantities. :oops: I tried to see about checking the Electroswitch catalog but you gotta register to see it. Nonetheless, it may be a lead worth investigating. The part number we were buying started with C4D.
 
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