Author Topic: Dell AT101 Space Saver  (Read 25369 times)

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Offline Daniel Beaver

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #90 on: Thu, 21 October 2010, 19:24:19 »
There we go, proof of concept. The seam is pretty awful, but it's good enough for my own use. I'll probably make that cut with a bandsaw next time, and use some MEK to weld the pieces together. I wanted to preserve the legs on the right side, but I can't think of a good way to do that which doesn't get in the way of the supports.

« Last Edit: Thu, 21 October 2010, 19:27:42 by Daniel Beaver »

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Offline WhiteRice

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #91 on: Thu, 21 October 2010, 20:00:12 »
Did you just ruin the model M space saver market?

Or create a new one for mini mods...

Offline Shawn Stanford

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #92 on: Fri, 22 October 2010, 07:20:17 »
He made it possible for folks who want to use them to have them. Collectors are still going to go the the real thing and keep prices nice and high.

Of course, once he gets the technique down, he can probably double his money on any Model M he buys off the 'bay. Obviously, not everyone who wants a Space Saving is a GHer or a collector.

I am absolutely going to try this. I'll post pics when I'm done.
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Offline WhiteRice

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #93 on: Fri, 22 October 2010, 08:37:16 »
Quote from: Shawn Stanford;237181
He made it possible for folks who want to use them to have them. Collectors are still going to go the the real thing and keep prices nice and high.

Of course, once he gets the technique down, he can probably double his money on any Model M he buys off the 'bay. Obviously, not everyone who wants a Space Saving is a GHer or a collector.

I am absolutely going to try this. I'll post pics when I'm done.
Good point. I kinda wish I didn't sell my full size M now; I would like to try it as well. Make a personalized mini without fear of ruining my stock case.

Offline Daniel Beaver

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« Reply #94 on: Fri, 22 October 2010, 10:57:32 »
Shawn basically summed it up. I wanted a mini. Now I have a mini. If I make a nice one, I might be able to sell it. But it's not a real mini.

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Offline sealcouch

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #95 on: Fri, 22 October 2010, 12:42:54 »
I bought an extra model m to try this but I've been nervous.  I am going to try it when I get home this weekend.

Offline sealcouch

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #96 on: Fri, 22 October 2010, 20:53:02 »
Also, how could I make it look seamless? To make it actually look like a mini.
« Last Edit: Fri, 22 October 2010, 21:00:16 by sealcouch »

Offline Daniel Beaver

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #97 on: Fri, 22 October 2010, 21:30:09 »
Quote from: sealcouch;237546
Also, how could I make it look seamless? To make it actually look like a mini.


Sure, though it would probably require some painting and a filling agent to achieve that effect.

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Offline Findecanor

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #98 on: Fri, 22 October 2010, 22:23:48 »
There is "crinkle paint" that can achieve the textured effect on the front of the keyboard.
I have only a very small amount of black, that I got from a guy in Britain who claims that he got it from a guy who restores old cars. That is the only lead I've got, I'm afraid.
It could be a bit tricky to use, though, because the thickness of the layer of paint defines how large crinkles that will form when the paint dries. I was painting a cylindrical object, and I quickly learned that I could not paint it in squirts from three sides -- the areas where my painting overlapped got crinkles that were three times as large as the others! I had to build a motorized rig to be able to paint it in a single sweep. I suppose that painting just the top of a keyboard would be easier to do in one sweep.

Another method could be to use epoxy putty and a rubber stamp. First lay some latex rubber or silicone onto a piece of textured plastic and let cure. Then lay down epoxy putty on the area that you want textured, wet it thorougly (because water makes epoxy putty soft and slippery) and press your flap of rubber onto it. If it does not look right, you can smooth over the epoxy clay/putty and try again.

On my Compaq MX-11801, I did not care about replicating the texture, as it was quite fine. I used only ABS (from cut off pieces of the case) dissolved in acetone as putty and then filed and sandpapered it smooth. I figured that I would paint it with Vinyl Dye, but right then the supplier of the chain of shops that I was going to buy it in decided not to stock it any more ... and I can't find another source of it in Sweden. Gah!
I doubt that the stamp method would work with ABS/acetone sludge, though. ABS sludge needs to cure properly, and it changes it shape while it does so. Be extra careful with ABS sludge so that you don't lay on too large 'a layers -- that may never dry. It can also shrink considerably when it dries.
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Offline Daniel Beaver

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #99 on: Fri, 22 October 2010, 23:46:19 »
I like that stamp idea. I couldn't think of a way of replicating the texture. I also suck at painting.

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Offline Necroleachate

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #100 on: Sat, 23 October 2010, 10:27:02 »
Quote from: Daniel Beaver;237017
There we go, proof of concept. The seam is pretty awful, but it's good enough for my own use. I'll probably make that cut with a bandsaw next time, and use some MEK to weld the pieces together. I wanted to preserve the legs on the right side, but I can't think of a good way to do that which doesn't get in the way of the supports.

Show Image


That made from a Unicomp space saver would be even more space-saving.
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Offline ricercar

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #101 on: Sat, 23 October 2010, 16:58:30 »
Now thinking of a Space Saving Model M13!



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Offline kishy

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #102 on: Sat, 23 October 2010, 17:14:07 »
I already KIND of theorized about that already...minus the "M13" part. Come to think of it, leaving the trackpoint in place would be a good idea and would deal with the problem of the button hole at the bottom.

May keep my eyes open for a cheap second black M13 now...
« Last Edit: Sat, 23 October 2010, 17:16:14 by kishy »
my keyboards
'81 XT F | '83 'Kishsaver' F | '85 AT F |  '86 122 F | '86 122 M x2 | '87 107 F | '91 101 M | '92 104 F | '93 101 M | '97 101 M13
"XT", "AT" or "Terminal" goes before "Model F" or "Model M"

Offline WhiteRice

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #103 on: Sat, 23 October 2010, 17:26:44 »
Model M-guru...

Offline Half-Saint

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #104 on: Wed, 27 October 2010, 05:24:24 »
Has anybody hacked off the numpad off a regular Cherry G80?

Cheers
IBM Model M (6) - Acer Alcatel 6312-KW - IBM Model M Space Saver - IBM Model M 122-key - Cherry G80-3000 (2) - IBM Model F AT - TG3 BL82A (2)

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Offline Shawn Stanford

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #105 on: Wed, 27 October 2010, 06:46:24 »
I've got my eye on an M on the 'Bay that closes in a few hours...
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Offline ironman31

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #106 on: Wed, 27 October 2010, 07:12:13 »
do you mean a g80-3000? Because I posted a picture of a g80-11900 earlier in the thread with the numpad cut off
Keyboards:
IBM Model M Space Saving Keyboard (Used), HHKB Pro 2 (White, Lettered), Realforce 87U all-45g in White, Filco Majestouch 2 TKL with Cherry MX Browns, Model F PC/ATNoppoo Choc Mini (MX Browns), Model F XT, IBM Model M 1397735 (bought NIB), (2) Siig Minitouch (GHSS) one with XM, one with complicated ALPs (modded),2 Dell AT101W, Cherry G80-11900HRMUS (modded with MX browns)



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Offline Half-Saint

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #107 on: Wed, 27 October 2010, 08:45:12 »
Yes, a G80-3000 :) Sorry for not being specific.
IBM Model M (6) - Acer Alcatel 6312-KW - IBM Model M Space Saver - IBM Model M 122-key - Cherry G80-3000 (2) - IBM Model F AT - TG3 BL82A (2)

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Offline ironman31

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #108 on: Wed, 27 October 2010, 11:52:28 »
Haven't seen one yet, but I imagine it would be less difficult than the 11900, since it's just a straight cut.

Than again, it all depends on what the traces on the PCB look like and whether they are harder to follow.
Keyboards:
IBM Model M Space Saving Keyboard (Used), HHKB Pro 2 (White, Lettered), Realforce 87U all-45g in White, Filco Majestouch 2 TKL with Cherry MX Browns, Model F PC/ATNoppoo Choc Mini (MX Browns), Model F XT, IBM Model M 1397735 (bought NIB), (2) Siig Minitouch (GHSS) one with XM, one with complicated ALPs (modded),2 Dell AT101W, Cherry G80-11900HRMUS (modded with MX browns)



Pointing Devices:
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Offline laden3

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #109 on: Wed, 27 October 2010, 16:08:43 »
Are there any keyboard cases that are compatible with the Model M mini? Would be nice to find one since it takes forever for Unimcomp to make one...
I rrrove brrracks.

Offline CeeSA

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #110 on: Thu, 28 October 2010, 03:56:00 »
Quote from: ironman31;239483
Haven't seen one yet, but I imagine it would be less difficult than the 11900, since it's just a straight cut.

Than again, it all depends on what the traces on the PCB look like and whether they are harder to follow.


http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=236667&postcount=92

in this case it would be much more difficult...

Offline KillerBee

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #111 on: Thu, 28 October 2010, 08:22:50 »
I say move the model M topics to its own thread, its confusing as we share this thread with the dell space saver the compaq space saver and now the m space saver
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Offline Daniel Beaver

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #112 on: Thu, 28 October 2010, 11:35:09 »
I made a new thread for the space saving Ms.


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Offline CeeSA

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #113 on: Fri, 12 November 2010, 14:02:40 »
anyway here is my "daily driver" @ home



source: G80-1851 LPCDE with Cherry MX Blacks (10 Euro from ebay)

i change the Blacks in Blue (w/o soldering) from a G80-3000 LSCDE and took most lasered keycaps from it

cut the board and the body. i paint the body with "duplicolor".
the green "5k177" was from my “Geek Hack Space Saver” shopping.
the coursor key programmed with sharpkeys.

thanks for all the idea and the good work here
« Last Edit: Fri, 12 November 2010, 14:33:45 by CeeSA »

Offline didjamatic

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #114 on: Fri, 12 November 2010, 14:15:42 »
THAT IS HOT!!!

Love the mix of caps from different boards and you did a really clean job modding that case.  Looks great!
« Last Edit: Fri, 12 November 2010, 14:19:15 by didjamatic »
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Top 10
GHSS w/early Blue or Dampened ALPS swap  ::  IBM Model F AT w/Big Backspace, M space spring  ::  IBM Model M full & Space Saving
Filco Tenkeyless Otaku White Brown MX  ::  Cherry/Compaq G80-1800 HAU Brown MX Doubleshot  ::  Cherry MX-SPOS Brown MX
Dolch PAC-60 G80-1800 Blue MX Doubleshot   ::  Ortek MCK-84 ALPS  ::  Early Northgates Blue or White ALPS  ::  Realforce 87U White Topre

Offline microsoft windows

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #115 on: Fri, 12 November 2010, 19:05:40 »
The arrow key area has an interesting layout.


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Offline Daniel Beaver

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #116 on: Fri, 12 November 2010, 20:32:02 »
Cute arrow key layout.

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Offline WhiteRice

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #117 on: Sat, 13 November 2010, 01:42:18 »
Quote from: Daniel Beaver;246171
Cute arrow key layout.
I was thinking the same thing.

Offline ironman31

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #118 on: Sun, 21 November 2010, 19:02:48 »
So I accidentally melted my case when I was trying to put sides on it... :(
Keyboards:
IBM Model M Space Saving Keyboard (Used), HHKB Pro 2 (White, Lettered), Realforce 87U all-45g in White, Filco Majestouch 2 TKL with Cherry MX Browns, Model F PC/ATNoppoo Choc Mini (MX Browns), Model F XT, IBM Model M 1397735 (bought NIB), (2) Siig Minitouch (GHSS) one with XM, one with complicated ALPs (modded),2 Dell AT101W, Cherry G80-11900HRMUS (modded with MX browns)



Pointing Devices:
Logitech G500, Evoluent VerticalMouse 3, Logitech G5, CST 2545W, Microsoft IntelliMouse Trackball, Logitech M570, Logitech MX revolution


Offline Shawn Stanford

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Dell AT101 Space Saver
« Reply #119 on: Mon, 22 November 2010, 06:55:14 »
A little duct tape and it'll be fine.
The Brat Prince of COBOL