Are people modding their IBM Model Ms???

[Azmodan]

Hello keyboards geeks!

I recently got my first IBM model M (1391401) and already looking for an industrial IBM Model M. I had my fair share of mechanical keyboards in the past and modified a few as well, the electronics or some and the cosmetics on others.



I was wondering if people are modifying their IBM Model Ms and if yes, is it restricted to just keycaps?

Final question, does only Unicomp makes keycaps for model Ms. I do not seem to be able to find many options from vendors on Model M keycaps, even though those are hugely popular boards.

Any help and/or info is greatly appreciated!

[Zobeid Zuma]

No, you cannot.  It is anathema.  If you mod your Legendary Model M, you will be forever shunned.  SHUNNNNNNNNNNUH!!

Eh, on second thought, go right ahead.

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things..."

[Thereminz]

Yes some people mod them

Some mods I've seen:

Bolt mod, fixes the problem of the plastic rivets falling off

Floss mod, dampens the click

Painting the case

Some have modded /made it smaller but it's rare

Keycaps/keysets from unicomp and click keys...or clickykeys can't remember  but the only thing different from unicomp they offer is a clear key ...their colors might be more pastel

There are a few rare artisan keycaps as well

Also converters, but not sure if that counts as a mod

[Findecanor]

The floss mod -- if done right -- does not dampen the click but rather the reverberation of the spring. Instead of it twanging, it will sound more similar to a Cherry MX Blue or Alps blue or white but with the feel unchanged.
Too short floss will not make much difference. A too long floss will dampen the click -- both in sound and feel.

[fohat.digs]

I was wondering if people are modifying their IBM Model Ms

There is not a lot to do, but there are the "secret" keys that can be brought out - most of the 2u keys can be divided and by doing it there at least 3-4 additional keys that can be had if you want them. Look at the membranes and you can see which locations have traces going to them.

You would have to do a bolt mod to add pivot plates and springs.

edit:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42546.msg858456#msg858456

[Azmodan]

Up to now, I have bolt modded mine, since half the plastic rivets were already gone and ordered the red Panic key from Unicomp to use as the Esc key, since it was originally missing on my board.



In the future I am only thinking of replacing the springs with new ones, but I have to do some testing or get a very cheap, in bad condition Model M of ebay or recycling centre and refurbish/built from scratch, since the springs on the current one I have are in very good condition.

Finally I am not interested at all in making the Model M quieter as I bought it equally for the clickines/tactile feel as well as its sound when typing.

[Tactile]

Final question, does only Unicomp makes keycaps for model Ms. I do not seem to be able to find many options from vendors on Model M keycaps, even though those are hugely popular boards.

They don't seem to talk about it but Signature Plastics make caps, at least for the two piece. I have gotten some in a grab bag and I have a blank red and two blank white on the Model F I'm typing on right now. It might be worth contacting them for more info.

[klennkellon]

The most common "mod" (it's more of a repair imo) is to bolt mod it; replace the old rotting plastic rivets on the plate with screws or bolts. This will improve the typing feel and possibly restore functionality to any keys that have been acting up. It also gives you a chance to clean or replace the membrane.

Otherwise you could dental-floss mod it which will reduce the "ping" sound of a Model M but why would you want to do that?

I would like to see Unicomp sell their Ultra Classic case separately so you could can have a real Model M that isn't so hugh-mungus.

[rowdy]

Another common mod is an ANSI mod - I'm in the middle of that with my M122.

Also some people put LEDs in strategic places, such as this novel mod.

[Aer Fixus]

You could also morph it into a Model F with a quite large amount of effort.

[rowdy]

You could also morph it into a Model F with a quite large amount of effort.

Change the internal mechanism, change the controller, probably change the case to suit, and you'd be able to convert an M into an F.

But would it be the same keyboard?!?

[OldIsNew]

These are a the ones I've done. The red one on request from a family member (yes it's crazy red) and the "steampunk" one from a beat up terminal M102.







Generally apart from cleaning and a screw mod, if needed, I don't mess too much with my Model M's.

[rowdy]

These are a the ones I've done. The red one on request from a family member (yes it's crazy red) and the "steampunk" one from a beat up terminal M102.

(Attachment Link)



(Attachment Link)

Generally apart from cleaning and a screw mod, if needed, I don't mess too much with my Model M's.

That steampunk one is brilliant!

[invariance]

There might be something in Phosphorglow's albums that interests you.

[Aer Fixus]

You could also morph it into a Model F with a quite large amount of effort.

Change the internal mechanism, change the controller, probably change the case to suit, and you'd be able to convert an M into an F.

But would it be the same keyboard?!?

I was thinking about that. The Keyboard of Theseus. What makes a keyboard a keyboard? It is the controller? Or the sensing mechanism? Maybe the case. Surely, it's a combination of these, though, since the replacement of only one doesn't make it a new keyboard. At a minimum, the only original parts would be (1) the backplate, (2) the barrel plate, (3) the keys, (4) the keycaps, and (5) the case. I think at that point, one could argue that it is the same keyboard. I'd be one to argue that once you pass below 50% original parts, you're entering new keyboard territory. So with (1) the membrane, (2) the flippers, and (3) the controller replaced to accomplish the Model F mod, it is still clinging onto its original identity.

[just_add_coffee]

I'd say mod an M however the heck you want.  Have some fun with this stuff!  At the end of the day, it's just a keyboard, and not an irreplaceable Rembrandt.  And as far as what's possible, the sky is the limit!

[rowdy]

At the end of the day, it's just a keyboard, and not an irreplaceable Rembrandt.

Try telling that to someone with a NOS F Unsaver

[just_add_coffee]

Try telling that to someone with a NOS F Unsaver

I wouldn't do anything crazy to one of those because they're so rare.  But there are so many Model Ms out there that the world won't end if someone paints one magenta or BeDazzles it.

(That wouldn't be my design choice.  Though I do have some relatives that would probably love a BeDazzled keyboard.)

[OfTheWild]

I'm doing my first bolt-mod model-m. I think i will also be adding a promicro or teensy to its internals and have a detachable cable port.

[0100010]