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Offline gr1618

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« on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 00:24:19 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:37:10 by gr1618 »

Offline ebacho

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 02:32:30 »
That's a beautiful board.

I don't have much to add OP, but you might have more luck in the "Making stuff together" forum - http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=117.0

Offline The_Beast

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 02:41:17 »
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Offline gr1618

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« Reply #3 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 08:13:55 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:39:40 by gr1618 »

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #4 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 08:22:38 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:39:47 by gr1618 »

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 08:28:29 »
If I understand correctly, this board is capacitive sensing which means a Teensy won't work. Why? I'm not 100% sure since that's a bit out of my realm of knowledge.. As far as I know, xwhatsit and the DPH controllers are the only way you'll get this working and they're not external. I have an xwhatsit controller in my IBM 4704 6019284 keyboard and it works great but you do have to swap out the original controller. You can check out my build log for some information and xwhatsit has a few threads both here and on DT which have lots of good information. Besides a github thing, I'm not too sure if there's much info on the DPH controller.

However, I'm far from an IBM expert so if you want quality information, I recommend PMing dorkvader.

Offline JPG

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 08:49:39 »
If you ever want to sell this keyboard, send me a message!


But yea, a Soarer converter should do the job. You get a chip (teensy or pro micro clone), load the code, either build a box to use the original cable or remove the cable and use some female-male dupont cables to make the connexion. Can be a little tricky to get it done right the first time, but once you get the twist it's not hard at all.


This is truly a very nice keyboard. Take good care of it!
IBM F122, IBM XT F X2, IBM AT F (all Soarer converted), Filco Camo TKL Browns

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 08:52:42 »
JPG, I thought the unsaver was an F. Is it an M?

Offline JPG

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 08:56:22 »
JPG, I thought the unsaver was an F. Is it an M?


It's an F (unless I am totally mistaken, but I am 99.99% sure).


I am using a Soarer converter with a F122, AT F and XT F. They all work super well with a Soarer using a pro micro (since I am too cheap to buy a teensy). I am typing on my F AT right now.


The reason why you are mistaken is that the Kishsaver (Tinsaver or whatever) has a different protocol and the Soarer converter does not handle it. I don't know if it just has not been done since the Kishsaver is so rare or if there's a technical challenge preventing the use of the Soarer converter, but with the SpaceUnsaver I am pretty sure it can be converted with a Soarer since it should be much closer to the F122 as far as I know. But I could be mistaken (yet I am pretty sure that it should work with a converter).
« Last Edit: Tue, 14 October 2014, 09:00:46 by JPG »
IBM F122, IBM XT F X2, IBM AT F (all Soarer converted), Filco Camo TKL Browns

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 08:57:29 »
I don't think that the Soarer worked with Fs because they're capacitive?

Offline JPG

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 09:01:21 »
I don't think that the Soarer worked with Fs because they're capacitive?


I updated my previous post. The model F can definitely be converted.
IBM F122, IBM XT F X2, IBM AT F (all Soarer converted), Filco Camo TKL Browns

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #11 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 09:10:59 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:39:55 by gr1618 »

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #12 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 09:19:38 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:40:03 by gr1618 »

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #13 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 09:21:25 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:40:10 by gr1618 »

Offline JPG

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 09:24:28 »
If you ever want to sell this keyboard, send me a message!


But yea, a Soarer converter should do the job. You get a chip (teensy or pro micro clone), load the code, either build a box to use the original cable or remove the cable and use some female-male dupont cables to make the connexion. Can be a little tricky to get it done right the first time, but once you get the twist it's not hard at all.


This is truly a very nice keyboard. Take good care of it!

I'm still on the fence about selling this keyboard and a few other people have already shown interest in it so eBay would probably be the fairest way to find it a new home.

I have an F122 working via Soarer's converter so hopefully it does support this keyboard. I need to find some documentation about the connectors this keyboard has since it doesn't have the same 240° 5-pin DIN connector as my F122.


If you find some documentation on the connector and identify what pin does what, then all you need is to find there they connect inside and for that all you need is a multimeter to test each pin. And this one seems to have some test pads just like the XT which could make things easier once you figure what goes where. On the Soarer page there's a link for different connector.
IBM F122, IBM XT F X2, IBM AT F (all Soarer converted), Filco Camo TKL Browns

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #15 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 09:30:27 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:40:17 by gr1618 »

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #16 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 09:35:50 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:40:24 by gr1618 »

Offline Parak

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 09:46:41 »
JPG, I thought the unsaver was an F. Is it an M?

My unsaver is definitely a Model F although there is a rubber dome version.

There's a Model M version of the unsaver as well.

Also @OP, the 5085 unsaver variants are actually a bit more rare than others. I'd keep it around and convert it :D
« Last Edit: Tue, 14 October 2014, 09:48:56 by Parak »

Offline dorkvader

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #18 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 09:49:35 »
Wow the less common unsaver with the awesome controller!

These keyboards are excellent, truly the pinnacle of model F engineering. Until we learned about the 4704 boards that is, Still it can be adapted to a very modern layout and many people value them even more highly than the 4704s.

Sadly they do not work with a soarer converter. A soarer converter works on ibm terminal protocol, as well as PC/XT and AT (and PS/2). It also works with a special terminal keyboard, we like to call a "bigfoot" model F, and similar converters exist for the ibm 4704 keyboard protocol also used by the "pingmaster" keyboards.

This uses the same connectors as an IBM 5083/ 5085 cad / graphics terminal. I have no idea what it was used for as it has different legends than mine. I used to have pictures of mine but I must have deleted them. I will have to take more.

Anyway, the cable is completely different than the one for that IBM 3290 plasma terminal keyboard, and the protocol is different too. You will need to replace the controller with a DPH or Xwhatsit to get it working on USB.

Alternatively use the "parak method" and just grab a spare controlelr from a 122-key model F
http://imgur.com/a/W3Hci

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #19 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 10:13:11 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:40:31 by gr1618 »

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #20 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 10:16:45 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:40:37 by gr1618 »

Offline JPG

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #21 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 10:19:31 »
Wow the less common unsaver with the awesome controller!

These keyboards are excellent, truly the pinnacle of model F engineering. Until we learned about the 4704 boards that is, Still it can be adapted to a very modern layout and many people value them even more highly than the 4704s.

Sadly they do not work with a soarer converter. A soarer converter works on ibm terminal protocol, as well as PC/XT and AT (and PS/2). It also works with a special terminal keyboard, we like to call a "bigfoot" model F, and similar converters exist for the ibm 4704 keyboard protocol also used by the "pingmaster" keyboards.

This uses the same connectors as an IBM 5083/ 5085 cad / graphics terminal. I have no idea what it was used for as it has different legends than mine. I used to have pictures of mine but I must have deleted them. I will have to take more.

Anyway, the cable is completely different than the one for that IBM 3290 plasma terminal keyboard, and the protocol is different too. You will need to replace the controller with a DPH or Xwhatsit to get it working on USB.

Alternatively use the "parak method" and just grab a spare controlelr from a 122-key model F
http://imgur.com/a/W3Hci

Thanks for the wealth of information. I read somewhere online that the engineers/administrators who used Model F's with the extra function keys used to remap them based on personal preference and move the keycaps around. I should be able to get an extra F122 but I think I would feel bad using it as a donor.


At this point you should go for the new controller option from Xwhasit (sry for destroying the name) like The_Beast mentionned above. I think that it's the logic thing to do with such a precious keyboard.
IBM F122, IBM XT F X2, IBM AT F (all Soarer converted), Filco Camo TKL Browns

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #22 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 10:34:52 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:40:45 by gr1618 »

Offline JPG

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #23 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 10:37:35 »
Wow the less common unsaver with the awesome controller!

These keyboards are excellent, truly the pinnacle of model F engineering. Until we learned about the 4704 boards that is, Still it can be adapted to a very modern layout and many people value them even more highly than the 4704s.

Sadly they do not work with a soarer converter. A soarer converter works on ibm terminal protocol, as well as PC/XT and AT (and PS/2). It also works with a special terminal keyboard, we like to call a "bigfoot" model F, and similar converters exist for the ibm 4704 keyboard protocol also used by the "pingmaster" keyboards.

This uses the same connectors as an IBM 5083/ 5085 cad / graphics terminal. I have no idea what it was used for as it has different legends than mine. I used to have pictures of mine but I must have deleted them. I will have to take more.

Anyway, the cable is completely different than the one for that IBM 3290 plasma terminal keyboard, and the protocol is different too. You will need to replace the controller with a DPH or Xwhatsit to get it working on USB.

Alternatively use the "parak method" and just grab a spare controlelr from a 122-key model F
http://imgur.com/a/W3Hci

Thanks for the wealth of information. I read somewhere online that the engineers/administrators who used Model F's with the extra function keys used to remap them based on personal preference and move the keycaps around. I should be able to get an extra F122 but I think I would feel bad using it as a donor.


At this point you should go for the new controller option from Xwhasit (sry for destroying the name) like The_Beast mentionned above. I think that it's the logic thing to do with such a precious keyboard.

I'll probably order some of xwhatsit's controllers for some of my other keyboards. But it would be faster and cheaper for me to pick up a donor F122 and use Soarer's converter to get this keyboard working. Yesterday I had the chance to buy four F122 for less than the price of one of xwhatsit's Model F controller but I have no use for four extra F122's.


You need to give me some tips on getting these keyboards for this price lol!
IBM F122, IBM XT F X2, IBM AT F (all Soarer converted), Filco Camo TKL Browns

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #24 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 10:57:45 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:40:52 by gr1618 »

Offline Parak

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #25 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 13:38:49 »
Wow the less common unsaver with the awesome controller!

These keyboards are excellent, truly the pinnacle of model F engineering. Until we learned about the 4704 boards that is, Still it can be adapted to a very modern layout and many people value them even more highly than the 4704s.

Sadly they do not work with a soarer converter. A soarer converter works on ibm terminal protocol, as well as PC/XT and AT (and PS/2). It also works with a special terminal keyboard, we like to call a "bigfoot" model F, and similar converters exist for the ibm 4704 keyboard protocol also used by the "pingmaster" keyboards.

This uses the same connectors as an IBM 5083/ 5085 cad / graphics terminal. I have no idea what it was used for as it has different legends than mine. I used to have pictures of mine but I must have deleted them. I will have to take more.

Anyway, the cable is completely different than the one for that IBM 3290 plasma terminal keyboard, and the protocol is different too. You will need to replace the controller with a DPH or Xwhatsit to get it working on USB.

Alternatively use the "parak method" and just grab a spare controlelr from a 122-key model F
http://imgur.com/a/W3Hci

Thanks for the wealth of information. I read somewhere online that the engineers/administrators who used Model F's with the extra function keys used to remap them based on personal preference and move the keycaps around. I should be able to get an extra F122 but I think I would feel bad using it as a donor.


At this point you should go for the new controller option from Xwhasit (sry for destroying the name) like The_Beast mentionned above. I think that it's the logic thing to do with such a precious keyboard.

I'll probably order some of xwhatsit's controllers for some of my other keyboards. But it would be faster and cheaper for me to pick up a donor F122 and use Soarer's converter to get this keyboard working. Yesterday I had the chance to buy four F122 for less than the price of one of xwhatsit's Model F controller but I have no use for four extra F122's.

Yeah, definitely get those 122s, even if it's for resale. Desoldering and resoldering is fairly straightforward, but the ribbon on the pcb side is harder to desolder than on the controller side. I'd say for a beginner it's better to desolder from the controller side at low temp. A 122 controller will work fine, but some of the keys may not be mapped correctly and will require remapping in soarer's config. If you feel bad about using one as a donor, you can always send me the controllerless board - I'll add it to my ever growing stack of 122 parts :D

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #26 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 15:29:11 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:40:59 by gr1618 »

Offline fohat.digs

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #27 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 17:15:05 »

I might get those F122's to resale if they aren't missing too many keycaps.


Am I trapped in Bizzaro-world?

Model F 122-key terminal keyboards are rare and highly desirable!

They regulary sell in the $100+ range (and more) so if you have a source for cheap ones you should buy them up and turn a profit!
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Offline gr1618

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« Reply #28 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 19:04:36 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:41:05 by gr1618 »

Offline Parak

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #29 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 19:19:29 »
Hmm, I might get those F122's to resale if they aren't missing too many keycaps. I didn't spend any time inspecting them since I'm not in the market to get another one. I wouldn't mind sending you the spare parts but shipping would probably be too much to make it worth it for you.

Eh, depends where you're located I suppose. Outside of 50 states would likely be not worth it, yep - but I could actually use a spare case, amongst other things. :)

I can never resist grabbing cheap Fs myself even if I don't need them...

Offline sleepy916

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #30 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 19:24:00 »
Hmm, I might get those F122's to resale if they aren't missing too many keycaps. I didn't spend any time inspecting them since I'm not in the market to get another one. I wouldn't mind sending you the spare parts but shipping would probably be too much to make it worth it for you.

Eh, depends where you're located I suppose. Outside of 50 states would likely be not worth it, yep - but I could actually use a spare case, amongst other things. :)

I can never resist grabbing cheap Fs myself even if I don't need them...

Hoarder...

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #31 on: Tue, 14 October 2014, 22:24:53 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:41:12 by gr1618 »

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #32 on: Fri, 17 October 2014, 21:30:08 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:41:18 by gr1618 »

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #33 on: Sat, 18 October 2014, 07:34:17 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:41:24 by gr1618 »

Offline snoopy

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #34 on: Sat, 18 October 2014, 08:09:07 »
Hmm, I might get those F122's to resale if they aren't missing too many keycaps. I didn't spend any time inspecting them since I'm not in the market to get another one. I wouldn't mind sending you the spare parts but shipping would probably be too much to make it worth it for you.

Eh, depends where you're located I suppose. Outside of 50 states would likely be not worth it, yep - but I could actually use a spare case, amongst other things. :)

I can never resist grabbing cheap Fs myself even if I don't need them...

I'm located in Texas (Austin). I went back to look for the F122's yesterday but I couldn't find them. Although, I did pick up an SSK. I'll probably clean it up and bolt mod it if necessary. The only downside it that it was missing a few keycaps.

Show Image


That looks like a nice weekend project.

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #35 on: Mon, 20 October 2014, 09:34:40 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:41:31 by gr1618 »

Offline 0100010

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Re: IBM 5085 unsaver
« Reply #36 on: Mon, 20 October 2014, 10:56:09 »
Hmm, I might get those F122's to resale if they aren't missing too many keycaps. I didn't spend any time inspecting them since I'm not in the market to get another one. I wouldn't mind sending you the spare parts but shipping would probably be too much to make it worth it for you.

Eh, depends where you're located I suppose. Outside of 50 states would likely be not worth it, yep - but I could actually use a spare case, amongst other things. :)

I can never resist grabbing cheap Fs myself even if I don't need them...

I'm located in Texas (Austin). I went back to look for the F122's yesterday but I couldn't find them. Although, I did pick up an SSK. I'll probably clean it up and bolt mod it if necessary. The only downside it that it was missing a few keycaps.

Show Image


Nice - it has that 'wordperfect' keyset.  (Wordperfect is the wrong name, but I never remember the correct word processor app name that it goes with).
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Offline esoomenona

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« Reply #37 on: Mon, 20 October 2014, 11:04:18 »
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« Last Edit: Fri, 04 September 2015, 10:34:18 by esoomenona »

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #38 on: Mon, 20 October 2014, 17:00:25 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:41:39 by gr1618 »

Offline gr1618

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« Reply #39 on: Mon, 20 October 2014, 17:21:57 »
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« Last Edit: Sun, 05 July 2015, 21:41:47 by gr1618 »