Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[fohat.digs]

I'm guessing that is what I need, but can someone confirm? Also, would that work for an IBM Model F PC AT or XT? Because I intend to get one of those when one becomes available at a good price.

Orihalcon's adapter should work, and it will definitely be good for the IBMs.

Sometimes XT keyboards do not "play well with others" but yours is probably newer than that, and might well work with a simple straight-through passive adapter.

If you are getting into old keyboards, you need a box of adapters for going back and forth between epochs.

[Ludovician]

I found a switch on the side of mine. Three options: X, A and S. I'm guessing that's XT, AT and... Something.

I don't intend to have a huge collection of old keyboards, but it certainly seems to be going that way. I have two Alps boards and I don't particularly like either of them. The ones I really want are the Model Fs. It's a shame because a while ago I saw someone selling his old IBM PC for $50 AUD on gumtree. I asked him if he'd sell the keyboard by itself (because he lived in the middle of nowhere and I didn't want to pay postage fees for the computer) but I neglected to mention that I was willing to pay the $50 he wanted for the whole lot + postage, and I let it go. It was a Model F XT.

I'm regretting that now.

[CPTBadAss]

So I keep an eye on ebay's vintage computers section filtered by the "keyboard" keyword and last week something came up. $22 for an unidentified old-timey keyboard labelled as "clicky" by the seller, with free postage, Buy It Now. I'm sure it costs at least that just to post it to me.

Anyway, it showed up today and sure enough, White alps. Now I'm wondering if you guys can identify it, because I think it's rebranded.

Pictures

I mean it could be a Datacomp XT or AT clone but honestly, it's just as plausible as being a Deltacom KB20167554.

Will TEX TKL cases for Filcos work on Leopold's? I've heard a lot of people say Filcos are very similar to Leopolds so I've been curious about this for a while now. The measurements on Mechanicalkeyboards.com list both TEX and Vortex at 14.20" which would be 360mm (what my Leopold measures).

I'm curious if KBParadise V80's will fit  in the TEX TKL cases.   I would consider putting a V80 MTS with matias switches in one if it's compatible.

I think the mounting points are different between Filco and Leopold. I'd PM the guys (JoshMK and 00zerO) at MK.com and ask.

[Joey Quinn]

Switch placement for an ISO enter, anyone have dimensions?

*JQ looks over at JD

[FoC_Tow]

Switch placement for an ISO enter, anyone have dimensions?

*JQ looks over at JD

Do you need exact dimensions like for a plate design Joey?

I could definitely pop one of and check or take pics, but Im not sure about the exact placements of the cutouts. 
Couldn't you make a layout with iso enter in the layout editor and put the raw data in the plate builder tool? I never tried something like this...

[jdcarpe]

Switch placement for an ISO enter, anyone have dimensions?

*JQ looks over at JD

Do you need exact dimensions like for a plate design Joey?

I could definitely pop one of and check or take pics, but Im not sure about the exact placements of the cutouts. 
Couldn't you make a layout with iso enter in the layout editor and put the raw data in the plate builder tool? I never tried something like this...

I think I took care of it for him.

[Joey Quinn]

Switch placement for an ISO enter, anyone have dimensions?

*JQ looks over at JD

Do you need exact dimensions like for a plate design Joey?

I could definitely pop one of and check or take pics, but Im not sure about the exact placements of the cutouts. 
Couldn't you make a layout with iso enter in the layout editor and put the raw data in the plate builder tool? I never tried something like this...

I think I took care of it for him.

  Thanks again, you'll be seeing the results soon.

[retainerbox]

Why is a Tsangan set of keys called Tsangan??

[CPTBadAss]

Why is a Tsangan set of keys called Tsangan??

Named after Tsangan, a user who created that set to fit boards with 1.5x mods.

[Dark_wizzie]

Q:
Anybody know a PBT keycap set that is designed to work with a keyboard with leds under the switch?

[FoC_Tow]

Q:
Anybody know a PBT keycap set that is designed to work with a keyboard with leds under the switch?

Double shot PBT Caps for backlighting are kind of rare, due to difficulties caused by shrinkage issues with PBT afaik.

Vortex does make doube shot backlit PBTs for example tho and they actually happen to be on massdrop atm... 

[Dark_wizzie]

Q:
Anybody know a PBT keycap set that is designed to work with a keyboard with leds under the switch?

Double shot PBT Caps for backlighting are kind of rare, due to difficulties caused by shrinkage issues with PBT afaik.

Vortex does make doube shot backlit PBTs for example tho and they actually happen to be on massdrop atm... 

Big problem: They are designed with the led above the switch. Backlighting won't work with YOTH and those keycaps unless I install it upsidedown.

[Ludovician]

So, I was dumb enough to take off my Das Keyboard's spacebar while checking its state of cleanliness. Does anyone know how to put this thing back on? I haven't seen this type of stabiliser setup on my other boards.

More

Yes, that is cat hair.

Edit: Ugh, figured it out. I do not like this keyboard.

[Rose]

Is in possible to program one key to be a sequence of characters? Like a password?  I will probably use TMK firmware.

[alienman82]

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[infiniti]

So, I was dumb enough to take off my Das Keyboard's spacebar while checking its state of cleanliness. Does anyone know how to put this thing back on? I haven't seen this type of stabiliser setup on my other boards.

More

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Yes, that is cat hair.

Edit: Ugh, figured it out. I do not like this keyboard.

This video should help you out:

Note that the longer end of the stabilizer faces the back side of the key cap.

[Ludovician]

So, I was dumb enough to take off my Das Keyboard's spacebar while checking its state of cleanliness. Does anyone know how to put this thing back on? I haven't seen this type of stabiliser setup on my other boards.

More

Show Image

Yes, that is cat hair.

Edit: Ugh, figured it out. I do not like this keyboard.

This video should help you out:

Note that the longer end of the stabilizer faces the back side of the key cap.

Thanks. I already got it, but it's good to have confirmation that I did it right.

[heedpantsnow]

I just bought an IBM Model F AT which needs adhesive removal and cleaning of the case and switches.  Any specific products which work well?  I've read that denture tablets or detergent mixed with warm water works for the caps, and I've read that lighter fluid works for adhesive leftovers.  Anyone have any success with this?

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My preferred methods for caps:
1) mesh bag in the dishwasher
2) denture tabs, use as directed

Goo gone for the stuff on the bottom, follow with lighter fluid to finish residue removal. Or use wife/girlfriend's nail polish remover.

[Ludovician]

I just bought an IBM Model F AT which needs adhesive removal and cleaning of the case and switches.  Any specific products which work well?  I've read that denture tablets or detergent mixed with warm water works for the caps, and I've read that lighter fluid works for adhesive leftovers.  Anyone have any success with this?

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Oh hey, I recognise that sticker on the back. I just bought one of the other boards from that guy a day or two ago. Should arrive within a couple of weeks. Pretty exciting.

[alienman82]

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[alienman82]

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[Ludovician]

Oh, that's convenient. I'm getting it shipped to Australia. Cost about $35 USD, which honestly isn't too bad for something that heavy/bulky.

[alienman82]

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[Ludovician]

Nice.

Is the controller replacement a difficult thing to do? I haven't even looked into what's needed for one.

[fohat.digs]

Also, is lighter fluid / goo gone safe on the caps?  There were some stickers I removed from them.

I use lighter fluid (naptha) often but remember to work quickly and then remove all traces of it immediately (I use an alcohol wipe-down followed by a wet sponge, at the minimum).

[alienman82]

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[alienman82]

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[alienman82]

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[CPTBadAss]

Is in possible to program one key to be a sequence of characters? Like a password?  I will probably use TMK firmware.

Yes. Program a macro.

So, I was dumb enough to take off my Das Keyboard's spacebar while checking its state of cleanliness. Does anyone know how to put this thing back on? I haven't seen this type of stabiliser setup on my other boards.

More

Show Image

Yes, that is cat hair.

Edit: Ugh, figured it out. I do not like this keyboard.

Just for future reference, it's a Costar stabilizer.

Nice.

Is the controller replacement a difficult thing to do? I haven't even looked into what's needed for one.

The xwhatsit controller I installed on my Kishsaver wasn't too hard to do. Just a little nerve-wracking 'cause I didn't want to damage the board.

I just bought an IBM Model F AT which needs adhesive removal and cleaning of the case and switches.  Any specific products which work well?  I've read that denture tablets or detergent mixed with warm water works for the caps, and I've read that lighter fluid works for adhesive leftovers.  Anyone have any success with this?

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I use GooGone to remove sticker adhesive from keyboards and video game cartridges. Should be fine on the caps.

[alienman82]

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[alienman82]

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[CPTBadAss]

How did you find your Kishaver exactly?  I know they're rare, but I'd love to get one eventually.

Tinlong found a bunch and sold them in a GB. I proxied for NA. They were mainly used in banks but it's been hard to get banks to give them up to us. And not many pop up at ewaste recyclers.

[Evo_Spec]

Does anyone know if it'd be safe for me to plug my GON into a power bank to test the led's? I don't have a PC and want to test the smd led's before soldering everything else and putting it together.

[njbair]

Does anyone know if it'd be safe for me to plug my GON into a power bank to test the led's? I don't have a PC and want to test the smd led's before soldering everything else and putting it together.

Are you talking about a USB power source of some kind, like a hub?

[Evo_Spec]

Does anyone know if it'd be safe for me to plug my GON into a power bank to test the led's? I don't have a PC and want to test the smd led's before soldering everything else and putting it together.

Are you talking about a USB power source of some kind, like a hub?

Like a portable battery charger, I also have regular wall charger I was thinking of using.

[heedpantsnow]

Does anyone know if it'd be safe for me to plug my GON into a power bank to test the led's? I don't have a PC and want to test the smd led's before soldering everything else and putting it together.

Are you talking about a USB power source of some kind, like a hub?

Like a portable battery charger, I also have regular wall charger I was thinking of using.

As long as it outputs standard 5V USB, I can't imagine it hurting it.

I have my Poker plugged into a powered hu even when my computer isn't there so my Esc key stays lit.

[Evo_Spec]

As long as it outputs standard 5V USB, I can't imagine it hurting it.

I have my Poker plugged into a powered hu even when my computer isn't there so my Esc key stays lit.

Thanks heed, that's what I imagined but I figured that I better ask people smarter than me XD

[alienman82]

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[heedpantsnow]

As long as it outputs standard 5V USB, I can't imagine it hurting it.

I have my Poker plugged into a powered hu even when my computer isn't there so my Esc key stays lit.

Thanks heed, that's what I imagined but I figured that I better ask people smarter than me XD

No prob man good luck with your new job situation...and finishing your GON before you're...er...gone.

[nubbinator]

Got the model F foam off in one piece:

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Anyone know how to remove this rust:

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May give a call to a local sandblaster/powdercoater, but I would like to know if there is any simpler way.

Thank You!

Evapo-Rust is awesome. CLR may work too, but I haven't tried it. I know other people might recommend other things.  I do know that I need to strip down my F AT and replace the foam and re-powder coat it though.

[Ludovician]

Speaking of foam replacement, I'm guessing you need to get some foam of a similar thickness to the one found in the Model F, and cut those holes in it. How precise does that need to be?

I have no idea yet if I'll need to replace the foam in the one I'll be getting.

[nubbinator]

I know some people use leather punches.

[CPTBadAss]

Speaking of foam replacement, I'm guessing you need to get some foam of a similar thickness to the one found in the Model F, and cut those holes in it. How precise does that need to be?

I have no idea yet if I'll need to replace the foam in the one I'll be getting.

Fohat.dig's uses a 5/8" hole punch to cut the holes. Foam thickness is 1/16". Apparently this foam can be found at art supply stores.

Apparently you only need to replace the foam if it's really bad. The_Beast reused his sheet.

[nubbinator]

Of course, if you already have it open, you might as well add some life and value by replacing it.

[CPTBadAss]

Of course, if you already have it open, you might as well add some life and value by replacing it.

I reused the foam in my 6019284. If it still works, why not just reuse it?

[quochung1989]

Why leeku pcb not working on 64 bit?

[fohat.digs]

Of course, if you already have it open, you might as well add some life and value by replacing it.

I reused the foam in my 6019284. If it still works, why not just reuse it?

That foam looks pretty good. I have re-used worse, as long as it stays in one piece.

It doesn't do all that much really, except bed the barrel bases and keep them from rattling.

Tape the new foam to the metal plate and spray paint through the holes to mark them.

[nubbinator]

Of course, if you already have it open, you might as well add some life and value by replacing it.

I reused the foam in my 6019284. If it still works, why not just reuse it?

I'm just thinking long-term.  I think people put a higher value on refurbished items and it's minimal work and cost since it's already open.  Might as well just replace it, extend the life a little, and increase the resale value a little.

[alienman82]

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[alienman82]

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