Like 13941406 said, they'll work fine. You should get some Geekhack caps (http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/SBLE) while you're buying too. :D
For the tux, you only get 4 keys? Where do the little linux penguins go then? o.O Model M doesn't have windows keys, I guess just anywhere?
Be careful not all Model Ms have the same sized modifiers, and some have the post in a different position. It is a good idea to email them to confirm compatibility before you buy. I got bitten by different sized mods the last time I bought some.For the tux, you only get 4 keys? Where do the little linux penguins go then? o.O Model M doesn't have windows keys, I guess just anywhere?
Some of the later Model Ms do have meta (windows) keys, and so do some of the Unicomp models
All Unicomp keys excepting Alt/Ctrl for 105 layouts are 100% direct swap.
One thing to note with older IBM boards is that they switched stabilizer designs in the 1980's, so you'll need an insert if you want to use new unicomp keys with them. Unicomp sells these inserts, I do believe.
One thing to note with older IBM boards is that they switched stabilizer designs in the 1980's, so you'll need an insert if you want to use new unicomp keys with them. Unicomp sells these inserts, I do believe.
Oh yes! Almost forgot that! They do sell the inserts - you have to order them through customer service still though.
March 1989 is about when the change took place.
Take off a long key such as numpad Enter or Backspace. Either you will find a "U-shaped" wire that fits in slots below, or there will be a peg (instead of a second chimney and spring) that fits into a colored plastic insert sleeve in the second chimney.
If you take off a wire and buy a replacement without a wire, you will need the insert sleeve. the vertical keys have off-centered sleeves, and the horizontal ones are centered.
Hello Again,
I currently purchased a Model M from ebay (IBM 1989) and from the pictures it looks like I may have to do some deep restoring/cleaning just in case.I purchased the tool to open the keyboard and such (excited). Also, I was looking around for capability for the keycaps.
I found the unicomp ones and I was wanting to know if the ones listed for buckling springs are compatible with the Model M. Say these.
http://pckeyboard.com/page/Buttons/PRGB
and
http://pckeyboard.com/page/Buttons/WASD
Does anything that work with the Unicomp 101 work with Model M?
Thank you for your time and help!
March 1989 is about when the change took place.
Take off a long key such as numpad Enter or Backspace. Either you will find a "U-shaped" wire that fits in slots below, or there will be a peg (instead of a second chimney and spring) that fits into a colored plastic insert sleeve in the second chimney.
If you take off a wire and buy a replacement without a wire, you will need the insert sleeve. the vertical keys have off-centered sleeves, and the horizontal ones are centered.
I thought I only needed like the cap, not the entire key? Since IBM Model M is a two piece key.
I was referring to the oversize keys. I pulled my Enter key to show the insert (this one is green, most are white or blue).
I thought I only needed like the cap, not the entire key? Since IBM Model M is a two piece key.
I was referring to the oversize keys. I pulled my Enter key to show the insert (this one is green, most are white or blue).
If your keyboard came with wire stabilizers, those inserts will not be in place and you will need to get them.
If they are already there, the new set from Unicomp will drop in directly.
Note that the blue one is the "off-center" type.
For the vertical keys, it is two piece right? I can just order the keycap, but for the horizontal ones I will need to order off center stabilizers correct? Also, is it one stabilizer per horizontal key?
For the vertical keys, it is two piece right? I can just order the keycap, but for the horizontal ones I will need to order off center stabilizers correct? Also, is it one stabilizer per horizontal key?
How interesting. My Unicomp has gray off center inserts on the vertical oversize keys, and white centered inserts on the horizontal oversize keys. Never knew there were different types (or colors) before.
For the vertical keys, it is two piece right? I can just order the keycap, but for the horizontal ones I will need to order off center stabilizers correct? Also, is it one stabilizer per horizontal key?
All the oversize keys are one-piece. They all have 2 "holes" and the switch (barrel with spring) is in one. The second hole does nothing if a wire stabilizer is used, but if there is no wire, then the peg in the dummy side slips into the insert.
The long horizontal keys use the centered inserts, and the long vertical keys use the off-center inserts. Remember the orientation when you remove the key.
For the vertical keys, it is two piece right? I can just order the keycap, but for the horizontal ones I will need to order off center stabilizers correct? Also, is it one stabilizer per horizontal key?
All the oversize keys are one-piece. They all have 2 "holes" and the switch (barrel with spring) is in one. The second hole does nothing if a wire stabilizer is used, but if there is no wire, then the peg in the dummy side slips into the insert.
The long horizontal keys use the centered inserts, and the long vertical keys use the off-center inserts. Remember the orientation when you remove the key.
Thank you so much for educating me on the Model M , I now have a much better knowledge and feel more confident about it. If I even come up with a little issue later on can I message you regarding it? You have been very helpful.
Note that the blue one is the "off-center" type.
... then where the hell are all these grays I have coming from!?! O.o
Note that the blue one is the "off-center" type.
... then where the hell are all these grays I have coming from!?! O.o
...And today rootwyrm came to the realization that he is colorblind :))
Note that the blue one is the "off-center" type.
... then where the hell are all these grays I have coming from!?! O.o
...And today rootwyrm came to the realization that he is colorblind :))
(Attachment Link)
Note that the blue one is the "off-center" type.
... then where the hell are all these grays I have coming from!?! O.o
...And today rootwyrm came to the realization that he is colorblind :))
(Attachment Link)
Holy carp! I'm colorblind too, I did not know that about myself... ;D
Like 13941406 said, they'll work fine. You should get some Geekhack caps (http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/SBLE) while you're buying too. :D
Oh wow, and those are all for Model M ? (all the geek hack ones you directed me to?) That is so awesome ^_^ . Thanks for showing me that. I may be giving this model M some little change but keep most of the vintage there :) .
Like 13941406 said, they'll work fine. You should get some Geekhack caps (http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/SBLE) while you're buying too. :D
Oh wow, and those are all for Model M ? (all the geek hack ones you directed me to?) That is so awesome ^_^ . Thanks for showing me that. I may be giving this model M some little change but keep most of the vintage there :) .
Here's a shot of my model M (1397599) with some GH, etc. keys.........painted black background.
Lid is (black label) from a junk terminal board I swapped out with orig "blue label." Drilled out the holes and put a new LED Overlay I ordered from Unicomp. Remapped a F9-F12 keys and stuck on some multimedia keys since I do a lot of video and audio.
Crappy picture, but paint turned out nice...........I like the contrast.
Unicomp is awesome to deal with. Great customer service and quick shipping.
What kind of paint did you use to paint that keyboard? Also, I thought you didn't need to drill out new holes for a replacement LED Overlay. I really like that modification on yours btw, looks amazing :D
Having recently acquired two somewhat worse for wear Model M, here's the first of probably many questions I will have.
When ordering these keycaps from Unicomp, do you get just the cap bit that fits over the top, or do you get the plunger bit that goes underneath as well?
Of my two boards, both are completely missing some keys, and one is missing just some of the caps.
When ordering these keycaps from Unicomp, do you get just the cap bit that fits over the top, or do you get the plunger bit that goes underneath as well?i have ordered caps probably 5 or 6 times from Unicomp and received a key stem for every key cap every time.
Having recently acquired two somewhat worse for wear Model M, here's the first of probably many questions I will have.
When ordering these keycaps from Unicomp, do you get just the cap bit that fits over the top, or do you get the plunger bit that goes underneath as well?
Of my two boards, both are completely missing some keys, and one is missing just some of the caps.
The keycaps I ordered from Unicomp are the 1 piece variety (plunger/stem and cap are 1 unit)........verses the older 2 piece cap and stem.
Having recently acquired two somewhat worse for wear Model M, here's the first of probably many questions I will have.
When ordering these keycaps from Unicomp, do you get just the cap bit that fits over the top, or do you get the plunger bit that goes underneath as well?
Of my two boards, both are completely missing some keys, and one is missing just some of the caps.
The keycaps I ordered from Unicomp are the 1 piece variety (plunger/stem and cap are 1 unit)........verses the older 2 piece cap and stem.
This sounds like a better idea. The caps I have I noticed come off very easily - no wonder a few have gone missing.
As this thread is discussing cases too, can I ask about cables?
One of my Model Ms has a detachable cable, which is missing. I can just get a "detachable PS/2 cable" from Unicomp - http://pckeyboard.com/page/Cables/1395110 - should be ok.
The other one does not have a removable cable, but someone has cut the cable off about 5cm (2") from the keyboard. Unicomp list an "attached cable" - http://pckeyboard.com/page/Cables/ACable - would this be a replacement for the cut cable? Or am I up for cutting and joining a detachable cable to this one?
Having recently acquired two somewhat worse for wear Model M, here's the first of probably many questions I will have.
When ordering these keycaps from Unicomp, do you get just the cap bit that fits over the top, or do you get the plunger bit that goes underneath as well?
Of my two boards, both are completely missing some keys, and one is missing just some of the caps.
I actually asked them this and didn't receive a very clear answer. What I received was either a one piece keycap or both parts of a two piece. Sometimes the bottom part of a two piece had some colour discontinuities, but were otherwise excellent.
I have a wiha 5.5mm thinwall "picofinish" nutdriver and it works quite well for my model M's.
If you like, I'll happily mail forward you anything you need to buy.
Shipping to Australia is always expensive, but it becomes better if you are getting a lot of stuff sent all at once. I'm ok with holding stuff for you for a few months.I actually asked them this and didn't receive a very clear answer. What I received was either a one piece keycap or both parts of a two piece. Sometimes the bottom part of a two piece had some colour discontinuities, but were otherwise excellent.
I have a wiha 5.5mm thinwall "picofinish" nutdriver and it works quite well for my model M's.
If you like, I'll happily mail forward you anything you need to buy.
Thanks for the input. Lots to learn about the Model M, but they are simply and strongly made, and all I need is a little time.
I have a variety of tools, mostly smaller, so I would be surprised if I don't have something to fit those nuts. Hopefully I will have a chance to look this weekend.
If you get either a single piece, or both parts of a two piece, keycaps that would suit me fine. The RGB keycaps, as I understand it, are single part keycaps anyway.
I might take you up on that forwarding offer, once I work out what I need. Their estimate of shipping for just one cable was about $24 :eek:
OK............I just pulled a few keycaps I purchased from Unicomp including 1 x1, rgb mods, GH keys.
They are for the most part "2 piece", however they do sell both the cap and stem/plunger together as "1 unit"- so my bad as I thought they were mostly 1 piece. The GH short and long shift are "1 piece."
If stateside I got my 7/32 or 5.5mm deep socket from Home Depot for $2.99.
Hope this helps.........151`
Just wanted to make sure I set the record straight since we are here
Show Image(http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z342/oscarreyes1/5a9fb475-138b-4dd4-a827-7db7355fc7e3.jpg)
After hours and extensive cleaning I remember to ask this. See those blue and white inserts for my keys? Does that mean I have inserts and can just drop in Unicomp keys for the larger ones? :)
Like 13941406 said, they'll work fine. You should get some Geekhack caps (http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/SBLE) while you're buying too. :D
Show Image(http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z342/oscarreyes1/5a9fb475-138b-4dd4-a827-7db7355fc7e3.jpg)
After hours and extensive cleaning I remember to ask this. See those blue and white inserts for my keys? Does that mean I have inserts and can just drop in Unicomp keys for the larger ones? :)
I am assuming you are referring to the "+" and "enter" on the num pad?
Yes...........they (Unicomp keys) will drop right in with no problem.
Good job on the cleaning! Which model number did you say you have?