Figured I would start a mod thread for my IBM Model M. I don't really ever use it, but I figured this would be fun and maybe someone will want to buy it when I'm done and have a sweet custom keyboard.
Here it was after I cleaned it up inside and out. Notice the three ALT keys.
I dyed the main key caps yellow (Rit dye - Golden Yellow). This is from a single 20 minute soak at about 75C-80C with salt in the pot. My brewing thermometer is crucial to keep the temperatures in check....too hot and warped key caps...too cold and the dye doesn't really work.
And here it is after dying the modifier keys black (mostly because I wanted to get rid of having 3 ALT keys). Black took much longer to dye (two 20 minute soaks between 70C and 80C).
UPDATE: Mods continueToday I finished painting the case (dyeing really because it is the Duplicolor Fabric/Vinyl Paint) and started the bolt mod. I ordered the hardware for the bolt mod this afternoon from McMaster and went ahead and drilled all the holes (no pictures of that though).
Below I posted pictures of the keyboard all taken apart and the top/bottom the finished case. I masked off only a few things: on the top...just the led view holes...on the bottom I masked off some of the label so that it can still be identified as a 1391401 IBM Model M.
Note: Regular, clear packaging tape works great for masking before using the vinyl/fabric paint because it does not stick to it. It also does not stick to some rubbers, which is why the two rubber pads on the bottom are not dyed.
UPDATE: Bolt Mod and Dyeing Finished (Last update will be USB mod)
So I finished the bolt mod and assembly last night....what a tiring exercise of repetition...but it turned out well. I followed
ripster's guide and I must say, he nailed it with this one. I even double check to make sure there was no good way around buying the M2 x 8mm x 0.4mm bolts, but that seemed to be the best....so thanks Ripster. Anyways pictures...
All the bolts/nuts/washers/tap
Bolt mod complete
And here is the finished dyed product (that still doesn't work because it needs the USB mod). There has been a lot of debate whether Rit's golden yellow can be actual yellow or if it is orange....well I found that it depends on lighting. It definitely has an orange tinge under low, incandescent lighting and clearly yellow under florescent lighting. Judge for your self...both pictures are without flash.
And a final picture comparing before and after