TELEGRAPH KEY

EF Johnson bought out Les Logan/Speed X and started producing the EF Johnson/Speed X brand of keys.   The model 114-500 has a large heavy base.   This particular model 500 sends very slow with only one squeeze weight.  And thats very unusal for any speed key.  Most speed keys wont adjust below 24wpm even with two weights.  I've owned many Les Logan/EJ Johnson keys over the years and each key has a different speed range.  And I have to confess thats the same for any manufactured speed key.   No two keys are ever the same for the dot arm speed range.  How it works out is just the luck of the draw.  Johnson didnt use as much care as they should have -- in selecting the dot arm main spring material.  As some of their later production was pretty marginal for producing decent dots.  I almost thought they started using old tin cans for the main springs towards the end of production.   The only keys that I've seen that had worse main springs were the Lionel J36 WW2 speed keys.  And thats a shame because the Lionel J36 was made during a time of life and death world war. 

One thing I dont like about this style of key is the 4 rubber feet.  If one foot has a slightly different size, then the key will wobble.  Vibroplex, with its 3 feet, has no problem with wobble even if the feet are different sized.   As the foot in the middle provides self correction. 

Something that is great about the Les Logan/Speed X/Johnson line of speed keys is the squeeze weight.  Its easier to adjust.   No other manufacturer ever copied the Speed X squeeze weights.  They are the best. 

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this