early Disk II drive

[bibilit]

is there any difference between early Shugart drives and late units ?

Just collected an early model, which is quite different from late units.

Seems more heavy, a blue plastic guide is present inside the unit for the disk, even a small foam piece holds the disk in position (never seen this before)

The Shugart 390 model label is present, no rainbow cable nor early serial number though.

No label in the front (the Apple badge is not present, nor the Disk II name)
 

 

[waynestewart]

Are you sure it's an Apple Disk II and not a clone? There were a lot of full height clones out there.

 

[bibilit]

Yes i am.

Rear Apple sticker is present, the Analog board is also an Apple one, will post some pictures.

 

[bibilit]

Just figured out that early drives have a kind of sticker in the lower portion of the front casing with Apple logo and name (the upper part is textured while the lower is smooth) and mine should be missing (but traces of glue are present)

 

[bibilit]

Some pictures:

The blue guide and foam clamp, brown stepper disk and Shugart sticker.

 

[waynestewart]

Makes me want to crack open up all my Disk IIs when I get back. I have a couple dozen or so. Might find something interesting.

 

[bibilit]

Working fine after tuning the speed just below the 300 rpm mark.

 

[bibilit]

Another drive, another oddity…

collected a « new » drive, clearly an early one, the Shurgart 390 sticker is present, cable is the rainbow variety.

Analog Board has some unusual features, including a square hole and some components rarely seen.