Canon TP-8 Palm Printer Calculator Refurb

I let the box for this calculator sweet talk it's way into coming come with me. But the calculator itself had some problems to be solved.
I like my old calculators. None of them in particular have any wild features, but all of them are unique. This one in particular caught my eye for a video today.
It was in a lot rougher shape than I remembered. But the battery corrosion wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought. But I wasn't expecting the switch to be dirty. And the plastic was brittle and kept cracking.
Playlists of more stuff like this:
Calculators: • Calculators
Portables: • Portables
1980s: • 1980s
Other Links
KZbin: / akbkuku
Github: github.com/AkB...
Thingiverse: www.thingivers...
Patreon: / akbkuku
Discord: / discord

[@TechTangents]

A note about the filming in this video. I wanted to try out a new lens I got, so the whole video was filmed with that lens. A 50mm f/1.8 prime, the only downside is that it is a 35mm camera lens. So on my smaller DX sensor D5300 it ended up being rather zoomed in. I won't be doing this again, but it got me really familiar with the lens. Like it provides amazing reversing ring macro shots for dime sized subjects at a fixed distance because it's so much brighter.

[@TheEPROM9]

Nice camera, I love the APS-C sensor size. Mine is a Fuji X-T1.

[@TechTangents]

It's a great stills camera. I'm pushing it past its limits for video though. I'm looking at getting a new dedicated video camera soon. I'll have more info on that in a channel update video soon hopefully. I was waiting on something to arrive in the mail for it and ran into some issues.

[@Fingelmeister]

Could you make a video on an old camera naby the Sharp view camera

[@David39151]

I found one of these in a a a band factory

[@TheEPROM9]

I love some vintage calculator goodness. Was pretty much the main comercial driver for IC development, back in the 60s & 70s & brought on the microprossesor. I have a nice colection of vintage computers & calculators.

[@thedungeondelver]

So not only a calculator from the 80s, but a plumber price from the 80s! :)

[@cbmeeks]

Yeah, great video but I was going to ask where he's getting plumbers charging $15/hour. LOL.

[@StevenSmyth]

Great video. From personal experience having been a salesperson at Circuit City in Los Angeles in the mid 80's, I can tell you we didn't sell a ton of these, even though they were priced between $20-$40, and all the big brands made them. I also don't remember any trades or professional folks buying one from me for the purposes you postulate, however, it doesn't mean it never happened. I do remember selling a Sharp ELSI MATE with an impact printer to an insurance salesman for price quotes over lunch. At the time, Circuit City had a very limited stock of office equipment. and the Sharp I sold was the only printing calculator we had. They didn't even start selling computers til 1989 or so. When I started in 1985 it was audio/video, PE (personal electronics) and whites (large appliances; washers, dryers and refrigerators). The other stuff didn't start coming in til later. And, at those prices, I don't know how your hypothetical plumber would be in business.

[@SkyCharger001]

They could be the outside-of-service-contract costs. (my parents once paid a landlord-hired electrician those to add a washing-machine-and-dryer group in addition to the refurbing of the decaying wiring he was hired for as my brothers and I were reaching the age where night-time clothes washing would no longer be enough and they wanted to be safe.)

[@jakublulek3261]

These handheld machines became much more common in the 1990s, at least in Europe. My grandfather, who was an auditor in the 1980s, had printing handheld calculator provided by the government to keep the necessary paper trail but most people on the go (or even in shops) used paper receipts and ballpoint. Even electronic cash registers weren't exactly common.

[@xylfox]

Did you sell often thermo-print-calcs in beginning 80ies? I have about 300 calcs from the 70/80ies purchased on fleamarkets in munich but only 2 thermos. I must look up what modells cause they are stored in the cellar for years now

[@LightTheUnicorn]

Neat little thing! Glad to see you got it back up and running, sometimes those little thermal printers do just need a bit of a run to get going. With 'ya on the "bubble" LED displays, they look fantastic, really sharp and readable too.

[@ilovelctr]

It is such a joy watching you apply CLR onto the contaminated spots, which is made even sweeter with the toothbrush. Hmm, I guess I'm in ASMR now, lol.

[@shelydued]

I had one of these and I used it a ton in high school because I loved the vfd display. I never had any paper for it, but with my knowledge of thermal printing I found out I could actually use old 35mm film negatives in it and it would print calculations directly onto the film! Super cool machine. Unfortunately, some part of the board in mine died and wouldn't do much at all.

[@aphexteknol]

As soon as you pulled out the cardboard, I knew there would be some batteries in there growing their own crystal cavern in the battery compartment... I loathe repairing battery leakage of all sorts personally and its SO common on ancient tech its not funny. At least the contacts didnt completely rust/corrode away!

[@MrPGT]

For a quick assessment on thermal paper, just run a fingernail across it. It shouldn't take much friction to produce a dark grey or black line on the paper. If the paper isn't in good condition then the line will be quite pale. If you haven't got much in the way of fingernails, many handy objects would make a decent stylus to check with.

[@SkyCharger001]

The way the printing head behaved makes me think that the heating elements need a good cleaning. (My oven's pre-heat time has improved since I scrubbed the food-gunk off its heating elements a few weeks ago.)

[@ra1nydr3am]

Ahh a new akbkuku video on a Saturday, life is good

[@infinitecanadian]

I keep putting off watching videos on your channel because there aren't many of them compared to other channels, but I couldn't resist this time.

[@jaanarturviirsalu7627]

2:25 Duracell not so durable afterall.

[@Kuraio]

That's so typical. I have yet to see a single pair of Duracell that doesn't leak.

[@dnb5661]

All brands will do that, it is inevitable. Kirland leaks, Duracell, Energizer, etc...

[@bibasik7]

All alkaline batteries take a shit after a while.

[@alerey4363]

@ yes, I've tested Duracells left in toys for about 1 and 2 years and no problem; but once you past 10-year mark I guess it's a sure leak

[@macieksoft]

The worst thing is that they are overpriced, at least in Poland where i live. It makes no sense at all to buy them, rechargables can be bought only a little more expensive (less than twice the price of Duracell) and can be recharged many times (i mean low self discharge Ni-Mh ones, not just random junk).

[@moth.monster]

Try measuring out the old paper rolls and see if you can get a new one. Chances are there's still new rolls of that size being made.

[@simracing8055]

Just picked one up for $3.75 at the Goodwill. The batteries are labelled '84-01 and are amazingly perfectly intact, although completely dead

[@jrmcferren]

Canon still makes palm printers or at least they did when I bought mine a few years ago. Mine uses a more traditional mechanism with an ink roller and wheels. It can do time, tax, and margin calculations in addition to normal calculations. Mine is equipped with an LCD and is capable of using full sized calculator rolls. The print function on the # key is also still present. As you saw it is kind of difficult to feed paper, they haven't fixed that.

[@herdware]

For the record - the Commodore 64 was released in 1982. More expensive than the VIC-20 ofc.

[@dzvxo]

just picked up one of these from a local thrift store with all documentation, box, and case for $4. it had the original matsushita batteries dated 11/81, and they didn't corrode at all! the calculator seemed to never be used. love this thing. also, what serial number does yours have? my model says "palm printer" on the front.

[@Ice_Karma]

Huh, I think I had a slightly later model of this calculator when I was a kid-I was weird, I really really wanted a printing calculator. Unlike this one, the thermal printer was centred in the unit, and it was a slightly different shape...

[@medes5597]

Not weird at all, I always wanted one too.

[@KarjamP]

I could tell the problem was with the thermal head as soon as it started printing. It seems to be caused by dust, or being underused. Doesn't stop its nature from being alignment-related, however, but it perhaps, may explain why it may had gotten misaligned. Some thermal printers apparently include the ability to clean the thermal head by itself. The printer within this calculator might have this feature.

[@mercuryoak2]

Most time ive tried getting electronics to work after battery acid leakage like a cassette player it doesn't work. Probably leak went further then contacts not sure. Used to think it zapped the unit. Maybe did or ate wires way inside the insulation. Nice restoration of this little portable calculator

[@AleksandarGrozdanoski]

I used to have a Casio printout calculator. It was either late 80's or early 90's when I got it. I don't even know why I got it, but by that time they didn't cost much and I looooved using it! Who knows where it went...

[@AnirbanDebnath]

What was the liquid that you used to clean the battery contacts with toothbrush?

[@TechTangents]

It was CLR

[@markmower1746]

​​@@TechTangentsl just found one in mint condition at a Goodwill store for only $5!

[@cklinejr]

I just snagged one of these for $1.99 I was VERY happy to see zero batter leakage.

[@xylfox]

Great work! Handheld-Thermo-Printer-Calculators of this time are rather rare.Technically not uninteresting for its time. The thermo-element must be very hot to make about 100 dots in a second. And the single dots of the dot-matrix must rather quick heat and cool to create such clear numbers.Surely it also costs much batterie-energie

[@apfanco]

Nice! i have one of these but the plastic piece that goes over the printer part is missing, but i have sort of a plastic canon branded faux leather case for it

[@linksmith1057]

I usually use vinegar on battery leakage. The material inside batteries is, as the name suggests, alkaline, so the vinegar acid eats it right off without messing with plastics.

[@infiniteiterations7594]

Just found your channel, so glad you are actually using an ESD safe mat. Drives me mad that hardly anyone else uses them.

[@herrpez]

The promo material said it used plain paper rolls. Did you ever try it with a printer paper strip, for example?

[@freednighthawk]

I can't help but notice the blue silicone heat pad behind the paper is HEAVILY burnt/pitted. It seems like that would lead to some printing issues

[@fskjdhsjdas]

Good refurbishment, interesting topic also.

[@EATABAGOFHELL]

0:25 "probably the closest you can get to a pocket sized nixie" I'm giving myself extra bidding competition here but oh well fuck it: Go look up "Berkey Keystone" and "Atlas Rand" on ebay. Same manufacturer, just badged differently. The maniacs actually used teeny tiny Burroughs Panaplex neon gas discharge displays in their pocket calculators. A chunky little transformer has to wring 160vdc out of a handful of AAs to make that work, so don't go poking around inside one while it's turned on! Minor electrocution hazard aside though it's really a top notch calculator; you can tell Keystone was trying to compete hard on build quality instead of price.

[@athf226]

My senior EE has an HP-12C and a similar one that is for Hex. He bought them new and basically can't use any calculator that isn't RPN anymore.

[@flavortown3781]

So those Buble lcd/led things do they have a digikey part #? Lol I bet not but I don't even know what to Google for that

[@sarreqteryx]

as long as there's no power to it, you don't have to worry about getting it wet, as long as it's been thoroughly dry before hooking up any electricity.

[@b72s2JFK]

BUT...It has that wonderful greed VFD display and that cute little printer!

[@alxmnslv]

You have a different box than mine. Mine says pocket printer on the box and on the calculator.

[@bluephreakr]

Somebody REALLY wanted to get their initials on the board. I wonder who MNW is? Or is it MUW?

[@michalnemecek3575]

I don't know why, but I saw the TP in the title and my brain went *"toilet paper"*

[@devicemodder]

here's a tip. when cleanin g battery contacts after a battery has leaked, use vinegar. it will eat away the corrosion and leave clean contacts behind.

[@omysan]

you should probably order some different sizes thermal paper rolls as you keep working on these projects that require it.

[@NicoleCasey88NixKnows]

I totally think they are cool. I'm here because I just bought one at a local thrift shop 😁

[@yoshi314]

what's the name for that plastic pry tool? i'd like to get one, just not sure what's the name for it.

[@tuncgurses]

Try searching "phone repair kit" it includes that and lots of helpful tools.

[@armanelgtron4533]

Try "spudger"

[@nikkic36]

Is it only me but i think this is so cool

[@jakubtrzebiatowski5308]

Good to see you

[@AleksandarGrozdanoski]

To calculate a discount with a calculator you start by subtract value of discount then just press the % key and = If the total is 200 press - then 15 then % then = You'll get [200] - 15% [30] = [170]

[@haxxy40]

A device with no screws in the 80's .. Wow!!

[@mariasulprizio9724]

Is there someone in the Los Angeles area that can help me with repairing my Canon TB-8? I love this calculator and the issue is the on buttons. I don't want to take it apart, though this video is super inspiring!

[@VAX1970]

Plumbers never give you a bill, they think of a number then double it :)

[@hfrox1]

then double it again

[@anthonygunby1319]

Cool piece of kit 😀

[@michaelturner4457]

$15 an hour, that's probably 1982 plumber prices.

[@Mattia_98]

I think it would be more convenient to write the calculations by hand. Don't have to carry around a calculator and probably faster

[@markm0000]

This is very neat but the receipt is small and there isn't text input or templates to make it look organized. Writing in pen after the fact is not professional. I would have rather kept with the tried and true transfer paper receipt with pen and calculator. It seems to me like someone designed this printer just because they could. Without actually talking to a field contractor on what they need out of an all-in-one solution.

[@josjong5522]

"just because they could"? Many professional calculators had printers for a reason: to make it possible to double check the entered numbers and the calculation immediately afterwards and also to maybe attach it to the relevant bookkeeping papers, offer, or otherwise.

[@infraviolet]

hold the phone that checkmate calculator is identical to one I have that's badged under a different name

[@asejfgasuofghjsuih4013]

Key AkBKukU, where's that Linux video?

[@asejfgasuofghjsuih4013]

Hey*

[@TechTangents]

There are still a few more things I want to get for that video before I make it so it is even better. I have quite a few videos that have been pushed to the back burner for reasons like that

[@alexmaley1810]

Thats why I dont use Duracell anymore. That happens in a month of no use.

[@mohamededrees979]

Cool that's so cool man

[@okaro6595]

They were alkaline batteries so the contacts were not that bad. Bad they been zinc-carbon the contacts would have been all in rust. Acid is bad for metals.

[@saarike]

Nice!

[@EdwinNoorlander]

😂 it’s only a palm printer when you are using it. If you are not using it, it’s a pocket printer.

[@bibasik7]

That emoji is totally out of place there.

[@matt4193]

The inside looks like a GameBoy hahah

[@hypnotised-clover]

Labour spelled incorrectly :D

[@herrpez]

That's what you choose to point out? The dude wrote "descount", which is wrong regardless if your specific English variant.

[@crxxpslvyr7887]

i like printing things

[@aero_amber]

AML movie is for adult

[@Philly_Gamer]

Add some background music, it becomes boring just watching a quiet, sped up video. No harshness implied.

[@codys4668]

Sped up sections need music

[@iamsemjaza]

Print head might need cleaning

[@1800Supreme]

Before you grab the CLR or anything else use a Scratch Brush Fiberglass and a tooth brush dry. Please stop using so many chemicals, there is so much residue left behind that can cause further corrosion down the line.

[@hickster222]

3rd...

[@marrymekatsuya]

second boi here

[@OokamiTheWolf]

If you look close the expiration date on the batteries says JAN 07 on them, so i would say those batteries were made in 2003 since the expiration date is usually several years after production

[@MiamiMillionaire]

I have the Same Cannon, I still use it today

[@collecite-p5738]

Same here i love it