[WTB] Model-F-XT clone with Cherry switches

[AJM]

Hi,

I'm looking for a Model-F-XT clone with Cherry switches.

Important details:
- layout exactly like Model-F-XT (small left Shift, 2u vertical Enter (no BAE!), numpad-"+" may differ)
- consistently stepped keys (as on original)
- works with Soarer's converter
- case could be yellowed, but should otherwise be in good condition

Nice to have:
- German key caps
- seller located in EU/Germany
- metal inserts in screw holes of case

[DALExSNAIL]

Hi,

I'm looking for a Model-F-XT clone with Cherry switches.

Important details:
- layout exactly like Model-F-XT (small left Shift, 2u vertical Enter (no BAE!), numpad-"+" may differ)
- consistently stepped keys (as on original)
- works with Soarer's converter
- case could be yellowed, but should otherwise be in good condition

Nice to have:
- German key caps
- seller located in EU/Germany
- metal inserts in screw holes of case

Is this something that already exists, or are you looking to have someone create this? Never heard of this before, but it almost sounds like you want someone to mod a Model F-XT for this.

[AJM]

Oh, such a keyboard certainly exists. I had seen it in a YouTube video and sometime later thought, that could be something for me:
My favourite layout, which isn't available as a modern custom keyboard at the moment and if I don't like the original switches I can replace them with lubed Healios.
But at that point I couldn't find the video again, so I couldn't even say, what the keyboard is called.

The funny thing is, 10 seconds after I posted my request here, I did - again - go to eBay and searched for "vintage keyboard" and the very first offer that came up was exactly the keyboard from the YouTube video!
(And as it turns out - it doesn't have a name.)





Unfortunately I was just outbid on this keyboard. And tragically, the new owner will probably harvest the vintage blacks and throw the rest away, while I would primarily be interested in this "rest". 

[pixelpusher]

https://deskthority.net/wiki/Key_Tronic_Model_F_clone_series

That has to be a some sort of keytronic board.  The %5 key is unmistakable for BTC/Keytronic

How do you know for sure they were MX switches?  That would be a heck of a discovery.

[AJM]

There were more pictures in the listing:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-PC-Keyboard-Made-in-Taiwan-no-brand-specified-cherry-mx-black-switches-/323919290614?nma=true&si=mP8eZEl7xaDLyXNxSAFgiwV5r%252Bw%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I've brightened up one of the pictures. Interestingly something like "PDC" appeared on the switches, but they're certainly MX style, right?



The shape of the case I have seen on a lot of keyboards so far, but there are more variants to how the underside looks.

[DALExSNAIL]

Never seen one of these before.

Those caps are 乇乂ㄒ尺卂ㄒ卄丨匚匚 though, so I'd be interested to see a teardown of this if you grab it.

[pixelpusher]

It's certainly an oddity.  I've looked and looked and cannot find any information about this board or these switches.  Looking forward to finding out more.

[Switch Master]

Hello, I know this is an old topic, but if either of you are still interested in information about the keyboard I have an identical one with real cherry blacks. It's not for sale, but I'll put some pictures here in case anyone else is interested. I've got it hooked up to my XT (It has a five-pin connector), and it works like a charm. My only issue is that occasionally the keys will double press, and they're somewhat scratchy.

[blur410]

Cool stuff, makes me want a custom MX AT/XT layout revival in the custom space.

[AJM]

Thanks for the additional pictures. 
In the meantime I've pretty much found my "endgame" keyboard with the custom "W1-AT", but I'm still a bit obsessed with these stepped keycaps, which haven't been replicated by the modern market, yet.