- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Silicone Soldering Mat (alternative)
by Herbert Johnson 29 Feb '24

29 Feb '24

Table and bench protective mats? Remember the goal, to protect a surfaces in quantity. Also: if the new tables are plastic, they might generate a static charge. You don't need anti-static technology, if you use non-static products like most papers and all woods. Plus a yielding surface may save a dropped item from breakage. Heat and chemicals were mentioned, also ordinary drinks and food. Suggestions: Hardboard Tempered Panel (Common: 1/8 in. 4 ft. x 8 ft.) StoreSKU# 832777 $13.98 Home Depot PATRIOT TIMBER PRODUCTS 1/8 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Sanded Plywood StoreSKU# 1008039110 $18.98 Home Depot These would be cut on-site to fit. But I don't know the price of the recently purchased tables, or their size. Guessing they are 24 X 48, you'd get 4 table covers per panel. At $3.50 or $4.50 per table for a long term cover, that's plausible. They need not be finished, or some clear coating applied to make them water/stain proof. and you can flip them over when one surface fails. HOw to attach? Their weight will hold them down. Or simple clamps, perhaps 3D printed to size if one wants to make a project of it. But sticky tape will do. Possibly rubber cement? Other choices would include construction paper products, from office supply or art supply stores. Also a roll of brown-paper as used as packing and wrapping. This class of products is for short-term and disposable (recyclable) use. Attach with simple tape products, most tape residues can be cleaned off. Of course in public uses, paper products have often been used to cover tables. Plastic is less recycable. I think cloth is probably not a practical option on cost and performance and fuss, other than decorative purposes. This is a working situation. In a pinch? Have a big chassis with sharp corners to fix? Go to the dumpster and grab a cardboard box. Cut it open and spread it on the table, cut off the excess. Done. Who pays for these? Ask for contributions from attendees who use the tables. Taking care of tools and facilities should be a consideration by those who benefit from these resources. Regards Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Repair Workshop CAUTION!
by Bart Hirst 29 Feb '24

29 Feb '24

What be next, ESD wrist strap required?? ;) On Thu, Feb 29, 2024 at 10:16 AM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Double sided “carpet” tape > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Feb 29, 2024, at 9:49 AM, Dan FitzGerald via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > And the nice thing is that you can use carpenter's staples, Gorilla > > glue, and some light welding to keep it in place on the table! > > > > Anyone? Anyone? > > > > I'm here all week folks, try the veal! > > > > Regards, > > Dan FitzGerald > > They/Them or She/Her > > http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/dfitzger > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Chris Fala via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > > Reply-To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > > Cc: Chris Fala <chrisjpf33(a)gmail.com> > > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Repair Workshop CAUTION! > > Date: 02/29/2024 09:26:21 AM > > > > Yes! This is an easy and convenient solution. I have something similar > > to > > this: > > > https://www.amazon.com/Kaisi-Insulation-Soldering-Maintenance-Electronics/d… > > (just an example, there are many of these available). > > > > I use it all the time to save my dining room table! LOL > > > > > > > >> On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 9:22 PM William Dudley via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> This is an inexpensive ($6) and portable silicone mat: > >> > >> > >> > https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Reusable-Silicone-24-x-16-Pastry-Mat-w… > >> > >> Bill Dudley > >> This email is free of malware because I run Linux. > >> > >> > >> On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 7:20 PM Martin A. Flynn via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >>> On 2/28/2024 6:21 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >>>> There are new tables in the classroom space in 9059 (not the > >> hackerspace > >>>> side). We want to be careful not to damage them. Especially when > >>> soldering, > >>>> but many other activities. > >>> > >>> Going to ask VCF to extend the same courtesy to the benches in the > >>> Makerspace!! > >>> > >>> Martin Flynn > >>> > >>> CDL > >>> > >>> > >> > >

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Silicone Soldering Mat
by Chris Fala 29 Feb '24

29 Feb '24

Of course while poking around Amazon, I was compelled to buy a larger one for myself! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V51BPYV?smid=A1H12SUFSKPN2D

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Different Repair Workshop CAUTION!
by Neil Cherry 29 Feb '24

29 Feb '24

There is one damaged bench top (split from left to right) in the first row. Bench is usable but needs to be covered to avoid splinters. I've notified Marc. there is another desk where the laminated boards are starting to separate. I haven't checked all the benches. I'll show Marc on Saturday. BTW we need help with getting the new projector wired up. This may occur on Saturday also. I will be in the CDL working on Atari's for the VCF Atari Class. I'll be taking up 2 CDL benches to work. I'll have 4 Atari's, scope, monitor and lots of junk. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] June 22 Swap Meet questions
by Bob Shuster 29 Feb '24

29 Feb '24

Thanks for the input. I have to figure out how much space I will need and how I will lay things out. I’m definitely going for two spaces right now, but might expand to a third. My stuff is carefully curated and I need to figure out the best way to lay it out in a manner that makes it easy to see but also protects the items. I have a ton of tarps and moving blankets, but I’d rather keep stuff up off the ground, and I’m looking into borrowing a canopy of some sort for shade. I have more than is listed on my website, but that’s mostly more modern stuff, cables, or non-computer vintage electronics and such. Any advice/help is most welcome! Jeff - renting a table or two might be a consideration - do you have any idea of the fee? Thanks. - Bob Shuster (http://www.theshusters.com/bobvintage.html)

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VCF East 2024 Hotel Blocks Update
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Feb '24

28 Feb '24

Very few rooms available at Hotel Block #1 Atlantic Inn and Suites At hotel block #2: Residence Inn They were supposed to shut down February 16, but it seems that the "automated system" hasn't kicked in yet. So it may shut down at any time. It seems to continue to accept reservations. Maybe when the block is filled. They added rooms to the block. Updated info here: https://vcfed.org/vcf-east-hotel-blocks/ Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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PCjr equipment needed for this weekend (March 2-3)
by Dan FitzGerald 28 Feb '24

28 Feb '24

Good afternoon! This is partly a repeat of a reply I made to the "Repair Workshop this weekend" thread, but I just thought of a second thing I need to borrow so I'm asking in a new thread. I'm going to be going down this weekend with my PCjr, with the intention of stress testing it ahead of a possible VCF East exhibit. My plan is to do a brief talk on the PCjr, but I want to accompany it with an IBM StoryBoard Plus presentation running *on* the PCjr itself. I've ordered some PCjr cartridge-to-SD adapters, but they won't arrive in time. And while I will bring my PC-AT with me for developing the presentation on, it would be even better if I could develop the presentation directly on the PCjr (so as to stress test it). So here is what I would need to borrow this weekend: * A "PCjr Adapter Cable for Serial Devices" (so that I can attempt to connect a serial mouse to the PCjr * A card reader cartridge for the PCjr (like SD-Cart JR: https://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/sdcartJR/) One with the ability to act as a R/W hard drive would be best, but if not I could make do with some testing using the non-bootable variant. Regards, Dan FitzGerald They/Them/Theirs or She/Her/Hers http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/dfitzger

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Repair Workshop this weekend March 2 & 3, 2024
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Feb '24

28 Feb '24

Someone at InfoAge admin mistakenly took off this weekend's repair workshop off the InfoAge calendar. This happened in late December. I didn't notice it until earlier this week. Fortunately the space is still available. However, there is an issue. The men's large bunk room is unavailable. It is currently storing all the women's bunk beds. The small men's bunk room and the smaller "supervisor" bunk room (fits two people) are still available. It's first come, first serve for the bunk rooms if you are staying overnight. Good news is that the water heater has been replaced, the urinals fixed and the handicapped men's toilet fixed. If there are any specific concerns, then please email me. Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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June 22 Swap Meet questions
by Bob Shuster 25 Feb '24

25 Feb '24

I think I’m going to finally give in to pressure and bring my stuff up to the next swap meet, but I had a few questions that I didn’t see addressed on the website. Will there be electricity available anywhere convenient to the swap meet (for testing)? What about wifi? And barring that, how’s cell reception there? I see that tables are not provided, but are any available to borrow or rent? I think that’s all my questions for now - thanks! I haven’t done one of these since TCF probably more than 30 years ago.

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OT ? Ultimate swapfest?
by drummy 24 Feb '24

24 Feb '24

Perhaps the ultimate swapfest?The National Electronic museum is selling some of their former artifacts on March 8th and 9th, 2024.You must show proof of citizenship to be eligible. Look at the images page.Link:https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zqswvNDFVpB0MVnmRIWZJIs_kArgeccqs… from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

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