iri the general consensus is that the Model F is a high quality work tool, thanks to years and years of IBM research and development and to the open source controller developments done by geekhack and DT members. You may have gotten the wrong impression that the tool is unreliable and requires constant tinkering to maintain, which is false. The manual just shows the initial setup process and mainly focuses on a comprehensive repair guide for future maintenance in the decades to come - most of the steps in the manual are to give everyone full control over the repair process if something needs it in the future and everyone does not need to do those steps - you have a full ability to repair this product which needs not much more than a few basic tools like a screwdriver, key puller, tweezers, and pliers. Most other plastic keyboards that weigh 10-20% of a Model F will work fine for a few years and then will be discarded because they are not economical to repair; that is why the Model F is one of the few keyboards that folks have been able to maintain for more than 40 years. Why spend $100 to $200 on a full plastic board every few years when spending extra will get something that can hopefully last for decades if maintained?
After following the manual and setting up the keyboard, which involves installing keycaps and maybe adjusting some of the springs if a key doesn't click well, the keyboard is usually ready to go. For most folks reading the manual will take more time than the actual setup. Like many long-lasting items you may have to do minutes of maintenance each year but the benefits of the typing experience of an industrial quality keyboard that can exceed 8 pounds in weight (for some models) far outweighs the need to spend time to setup the keyboard and maintain it over the coming decades.
