Cut the cable to a Model F, but still want to keep it. How?

[DDD80]

As of today I have managed to get my IBM Model F XT to work. But as a part of the process I cut the old cable in order to connect the converter (ItsyBitsy 32U4, so it is quite small). My idea was to have the Itsy inside the keyboard and then in some way connect it to a computer.

Now I realised that I maybe should not have cut the old cable. It is in good shape, at least on the surface (maybe some sanding on the ground screw is needed) and I have seen other "restorations" where they throw away the old coiled cable and that was not popular.

Right now I have from the ItsyBitsy a micro USB to USB A, but that will not look good going out of the board and then I also really would like to use the old cable with its big din connector in some way. Do any of you have an idea how this can be made in order to keep the old cable!? One way would of course be to solder the old cable back again and move the converter outside the keyboard, and just have an adapter from din to usb.

[wjrii]

Since you seem comfortable with soldering, maybe connect the old cable to a male USB micro header, then gin up a short (in length) dumb adapter to connect Din5 female connector to a male USB-A or female USB-C.  Depending on where you placed the teensy, maybe there's room to build in some strain-relief.

[DDD80]

Since you seem comfortable with soldering, maybe connect the old cable to a male USB micro header, then gin up a short (in length) dumb adapter to connect Din5 female connector to a male USB-A or female USB-C.  Depending on where you placed the teensy, maybe there's room to build in some strain-relief.

Well, I wouldn't say comfortable, but I can do some basic soldering at least. But when I look more into it, the strain-releif puck (?) is the part I would really like to keep, since it makes the cable exit look snug and original. And since the old cable just goes through the strain-relief puck it would maybe be possible to keep the puck but get a new cable with USB and convert inside the keyboard.

When you mention the female din socket, maybe maybe somethinh liks this - https://www.amazon.com/CESS-Female-Socket-Connector-Soldering/dp/B01GBT9RC0 - could be surface mounted and then I plug in the old connector into the keyboard and solder a usb male of some kind in the other end.

[DDD80]

For example, this is an example of how I don't want it to look like.

https://youtu.be/bgIkM2_Ns4U?t=555

[wjrii]

For example, this is an example of how I don't want it to look like.

https://youtu.be/bgIkM2_Ns4U?t=555

Just as a thought process, what's keeping you from doing that?  The desire to re-use the original cord in some way?

[DDD80]

Just as a thought process, what's keeping you from doing that?  The desire to re-use the original cord in some way?

Sort of, yes. In this example I think he didn't execute it good at all, since the socket does not fit. However, I think there might be a problem as the surface is curved and therefore difficult to make look good. But if that could be made looking good, a female usb c would be good.

And then I would like to use the old cord and/or socket. On the other hand, this is no big deal, I was just wondering if anyone else had had this "problem".