23 Jun
2025
23 Jun
'25
2:34 p.m.
Sorry, looking at some DIY PPT ideas on Youtube that's not exactly what
we're looking for; I was thinking of projects that mount a cash register
tape or similar on a lathe or something rotating and then cut it into
thinner strips, preferably with a rotating cutter but a box cutter will do.
I'm sure they're out there, I've seen them.
I worked with PPT a lot back in my association with Burroughs; the 'L'
series of machines used punch-once, read-many mylar tapes in an integrated
reader, originally read with pins linked to the electro-mechanical keyboard
with both later replaced with electronic versions. For Data I/O some models
also used 'normal' paper tape in an external reader and punch, also capable
of punching and reading edge-punched cards; these were later replaced with
high-speed cassette drives.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Mike Stein <mhs.stein(a)gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Jun 22, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Subject: Re: [cctalk] Re: Is there a more modern replacement for paper tape
punch/reader
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
Cc: ben <bfranchuk(a)jetnet.ab.ca>
Pretty easy to make PPT yourself; Google 'DIY Paper Tape'.
On Sat, Jun 21, 2025 at 6:39 PM ben via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
wrote:
On 2025-06-21 1:18 p.m., Wayne S via cctalk wrote:
Lack of paper tape is was why I was asking about a replacement.
The same goes for TTY replacement.
Actual oiled paper tape that meets specs is
difficult to make.
You need a thick stock and the tape is impregnated with oil to lubricate
the punch mechanism.
The actual specs for it is available on
Bitsavers.
That said, old, unused paper tape seems to becoming more available on
ebay as people discover it in garage sales and put it up for resale. If you
are going to punch and reuse the tape a few times, then mylar tape is
usable, but it will dull your punch bits.