HP-65/HP-41 Magnetic cards

[Viningc]

I have had an HP-65 since it first came out and an HP-41CX for quite a while. When I first got my HP-65 I used to create my own magnetic cards for the card reader. Is there anyone out there who has done the same?

The last cards I created, I used some 1" data quality reel-to-reel computer tape that been salvaged and bulk erased from a broken reel. I was finally getting around to throwing it out when I thought there might be someone out ther who might be interested in making their own cards. If you want some, I'm giving the tape away free.

If you would like some of the mag tape, please let me know soon, as I'm tired of tripping over the box and it will get "recycled" soon. Post in here to let me know you want some and we can work out the details of how much you want and how I can get the tape to you.

If you do make your own cards, I cannot guaruntee they will work for you but I made several and had no problems using them to record and read programs. I've only used them for the HP-65 and HP-41CX but see no reason why they wouldn't work for other programmable calculators.

[Maké]

Hi!, @Viningc:

Welcome, to Forum !.

This memory cards, has used, in HP41C/CV/CX, with card reader (HPIL) and 65/67, directly.

IMHO, you can offer, to Forum of HP Museum, from ... http://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/

[Viningc]

I'm not offering actual cards, I'm only offering the materials to make cards. I doubt the museum would be interested but will accept your information in the spirit it was given. I will go there to see if anyone is interested in blank, bulk magnetic tape. 🙂

[Maké]

Hi!, @Viningc:

Good luck, with your offer !.

Hi have, in my HP67, HP41CV (with Card reader) and HP75C.

See, in ...

http://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/forum-11.html

http://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/forum-12.html

[jay15]

Hi Viningc,

Could you please post how you made the magnetic cards?  I am interested in making some for my HP 65.

Thanks

[Maké]

Hi!,@jay15:

You can purchase, new magnetic card, from ... 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-New-Magnetic-Cards-for-use-with-HP-41-65-67-97-Calculator-Card-Reader-/12...

Or, from ... http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=10+New+Magnetic+Cards+for+use+with+HP+41+65+67+97+Calculator+C...

[jay15]

I know I can get them from eBay, but I want to try making some.  I'm in the process of restoring the HP 65, and am not sure the card reader is functional; I don't want to spend money on cards until I know it works.

Thanks

@Maké wrote:

Hi!,@jay15:

You can purchase, new magnetic card, from ... 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-New-Magnetic-Cards-for-use-with-HP-41-65-67-97-Calculator-Card-Reader-/12...

Or, from ... http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=10+New+Magnetic+Cards+for+use+with+HP+41+65+67+97+Calculator+C...

---

[SpockST]

Magnetic cards are fairly easy to make if you have some bulk magnetic tape as wide or wider than standard magnetic cards,

1. Apply some kind of stiff backing to the back of the tape. I used to use paper labels but found they weren't really stiff enough and sometimes the glue had a tendency to  ... ooze. I had some slight luck with "baking" the new cards after coating them with clear fingernail polish but gave up on that idea as just too much work. Check out the different offerings from Avery.com and find something that is fairly stiff and permanent.
2. Using a paper cutter, cut one sid so you have a "reference" edge that is straight.
3. Cut off on end at 90 degrees so you now have one side and one edge of the new "card".
4. Create a template jig so the result from above can be held securely while the correct width is cut using a razor knife.
5. Using another template jig, cut the final end so the new card is the correct length.

I used two pieces of flat metal salvaged from shelf brackets with a lable in between to slide the card against. One side was held together with duct tape as a hinge so I could open the template to insert or remove the card. I then had a hard metal backing the card was lying on and a hard metal edge to cut against to ensure I got the proper size for the card.

Use an existing card to get the proper dimensions set for your template.

Thinking about it now, years later, a door or gate hinge where one side was wider than the other by slightly more than the width/length of a card would work even better. The two pieces of metal need to be able to firmly clamp the magnetic card in place so it doesn't slip during the cutting process.

Hope that helps. BTW, I still haven't thrown away any of that tape I was offering. If there is some private way you can send me you address, I would be more than happy to mail you several feet of blank magnetic tape. Don't post it here or anyone can see it. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with how this forum works, so have no ida if there is any way to do what I'm suggesting.

[Added]

I fairly recently purchased some TrueBlock type labels and found them thicker and stiffer that standard address labels, so they might be a good candidate. Here is a link to several similar types:

http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Products/Labels/Shipping-Labels/?Ns=Rank|0||Product%20Number|1

[jay15]

Thanks for the info, and the offer of tape!  I've sent you a private message.

[SpockST]

I have responded to your PM. 🙂

Since I'm sure you don't really want all of the tape I have, several yards should only weigh a few ounces, so I don't mind sending that gratis.