I am interested in purchasing one or two 8" floppy disk drives, preferably in working condition for a retro computer project (Word Star 3.3 will live again!)…
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Thanks, I saw that one, but roughly $80 (when you include shipping charge) for a part that probably doesn’t work without repair isn’t what I am looking for.
My surprise is less than total.
I would check university surplussed auctions:
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FWIW, you could get Wordstar in other formats than 8-inch floppies. Maybe you want the drive for other uses, but at least you could resolve that one in other ways.
My employer, Fujitsu Transaction Solutions, had an 8-inch floppy drive that it kept for several years, just so it could read archival material. Eventually, it got rid of it, but I was able to snag a few 8-inch disks. I have them “somewhere” in my house.
I am building a Z80 based CPM computer. Already have wordstar and don’t need the drives (can use compact flash, ide, or SD), but would like to have a working disk drive for nostalgia reasons.
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The link is password protected, but when I was about twelve years old, I began building a Z80 computer, from plans in the book, “Build Yourself an Eight-bit Computer and Save a Bundle.” I only got the components for the linear power supply, which I still have (again, “somewhere”).
Yes a free account is nescessary to access. I guess to avoid SPAM
A friend of mine at work did this too.
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I am impressed at what he got into a 2" x 3" card.
He has another board which is slightly larger and has some additional I/O. I’ve been trying to get him out to DMS, as he’s got all the right interests: machining, amateur radio, electronics, etc. 
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How about a tape reader circa 1970
I have some for free . Just let me know . I have a lot of the disks to go with them.
email [email protected] tell him I sent you. He has tons of older computer parts and projects. I’m pretty sure he has had some of the 8" floppy drives. Not sure if he is selling any at the moment but he may be able to help you find one.
Did you ever find the 8" drives?
I have a TRS-80 Model II that has 2 of them in it. 
Yes I did and a terminal as well. All part of Fred’s warehouse of wonder.
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