Post your BS boards here!

[njbair]

Not much love for them around here, though.

Lots of people like the M15 which is based on M2 technology with the integrated barrels/topcase and the smaller keycaps.

The M15 is a hard to obtain keyboard, but it is the only BS ergonomic keyboard.  It's pretty cool.

The M2 is difficult to repair and hard to find parts for.  (Usually from other M2's)
Edit: I have never got the hang of using a soldering iron well and have destroyed more than I fix!
So maybe it's just me, but I have really been unsuccessful with them.

I've never had trouble with a soldering iron. Probably because I was given my first one when I was young. I used to tear apart VCRs and stuff like that, then reuse those components on other things.

Honestly, up until right about now I never really had an interest in an M2, but all this talk has got me thinking...maybe a restoration project would be fun.

[Nai_Calus]

Forget your dinky little plastic membrane model Ms, here's a real BS keyboard:





This thing is beast beyond all belief, and the size of a small whale. <3

[Touch_It]

Forget your dinky little plastic membrane model Ms, here's a real BS keyboard:

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This thing is beast beyond all belief, and the size of a small whale. <3

Nice.  Is it converted to USB yet.  Any plans to convert the layout to ansi?

[Nai_Calus]

Forget your dinky little plastic membrane model Ms, here's a real BS keyboard:

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This thing is beast beyond all belief, and the size of a small whale. <3

Nice.  Is it converted to USB yet.  Any plans to convert the layout to ansi?

Yeah, it came with xwhatsit's controller preinstalled. I actually decided against getting it ANSI modded; I like the way the original layout looks, and it seems like most people get them modded, so I figured I'd leave this magnificent creature be. The date on the bottom says 32-1984, for the record.

[Touch_It]

Forget your dinky little plastic membrane model Ms, here's a real BS keyboard:

Show Image

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This thing is beast beyond all belief, and the size of a small whale. <3

Nice.  Is it converted to USB yet.  Any plans to convert the layout to ansi?

Yeah, it came with xwhatsit's controller preinstalled. I actually decided against getting it ANSI modded; I like the way the original layout looks, and it seems like most people get them modded, so I figured I'd leave this magnificent creature be. The date on the bottom says 32-1984, for the record.

Very nice.  Can't argue with originality.  I just didn't think I could stand the default layout as is.  Also yours appears to be in way better condition than mine was. All the plastic tops were yellowed or the paper was very grungy.

[snoopy]

Forget your dinky little plastic membrane model Ms, here's a real BS keyboard:

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This thing is beast beyond all belief, and the size of a small whale. <3

Nice.  Is it converted to USB yet.  Any plans to convert the layout to ansi?

Yeah, it came with xwhatsit's controller preinstalled. I actually decided against getting it ANSI modded; I like the way the original layout looks, and it seems like most people get them modded, so I figured I'd leave this magnificent creature be. The date on the bottom says 32-1984, for the record.

Very nice.  Can't argue with originality.  I just didn't think I could stand the default layout as is.  Also yours appears to be in way better condition than mine was. All the plastic tops were yellowed or the paper was very grungy.

me2. I think I personally would go for ansi or iso and use a new set of keycaps :)

[Nai_Calus]

Very nice.  Can't argue with originality.  I just didn't think I could stand the default layout as is.  Also yours appears to be in way better condition than mine was. All the plastic tops were yellowed or the paper was very grungy.

The tops are yellowed a bit on mine, but it's not bad at all. But yeah, it is in really nice condition. I need to give it a cleaning, of course, it's 31 years old, but it looks great. I got it from orihalcon here through the classifieds forum.

The default layout is actually not bad with the right mapping! The two keys where ANSI has one in all spots that happens are actually just both mapped to the ANSI key - So that short left shift and <> key are both mapped to LShift, for example. That way if I happen to hit either it still works. (And if I hit between my finger just falls to one side and presses one of them anyway so.) I'm honestly having more trouble with the lack of F and J bumps and ordered a pair of those keys from Unicomp for it.

me2. I think I personally would go for ansi or iso and use a new set of keycaps

Other than the full grid numberpad area and the two keys where ISO enter is, this actually is pretty much the ISO layout in the main section. XD Could map it to be an ISO layout easily, just make PD 1 and PD 3 both enter. But yeah, you should be able to get caps for ANSI at least through Unicomp now that they offer multiwides. I like the look of the original keys with the inserts though. XD

[Ludovician]

So I made an order for some new caps from Unicomp a week or two ago. They finally arrived this morning and I just finished placing them on the board:





I still need to bolt-mod it, though.

[rowdy]

So I made an order for some new caps from Unicomp a week or two ago. They finally arrived this morning and I just finished placing them on the board:

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I still need to bolt-mod it, though.

Nice!

The orange arrow keys are a nice touch :)

[AKIMbO]

I got an unsaver today.

[rowdy]

I got an unsaver today.

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Oooh!  ANSI!

Was this ANSI originally?  All its bigger cousins seem to be ISO out of the factory.

[AKIMbO]

I got an unsaver today.

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Oooh!  ANSI!

Was this ANSI originally?  All its bigger cousins seem to be ISO out of the factory.

Nope, it was modded to ANSI.

[rowdy]

I got an unsaver today.

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Oooh!  ANSI!

Was this ANSI originally?  All its bigger cousins seem to be ISO out of the factory.

Nope, it was modded to ANSI.

Ah, that explains it.

Thanks :)

[Touch_It]

 Unsavers look particularly sexy imo.  Red escape key is a nice touch.

[njbair]

I got an unsaver today.

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Oooh!  ANSI!

Was this ANSI originally?  All its bigger cousins seem to be ISO out of the factory.

Nope, it was modded to ANSI.

How does that work? Do you have to use a barrel plate from an M122 and chop it down?

[Touch_It]

I got an unsaver today.

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Oooh!  ANSI!

Was this ANSI originally?  All its bigger cousins seem to be ISO out of the factory.

Nope, it was modded to ANSI.

How does that work? Do you have to use a barrel plate from an M122 and chop it down?

M122 would have the same ISO layout.  All you do on model F's is separate the metal plates and rearrange the springs and stabilizer inserts on the barrels in the upper metal plate and reassemble.  Hopefully that brief explanation gives you an idea.

[ApocalypseMaow]

Xpost, but proud to be a SSK member 


I can't remember who does bolt modding... Is it fog?

[njbair]

I got an unsaver today.

Show Image

Oooh!  ANSI!

Was this ANSI originally?  All its bigger cousins seem to be ISO out of the factory.

Nope, it was modded to ANSI.

How does that work? Do you have to use a barrel plate from an M122 and chop it down?

M122 would have the same ISO layout.  All you do on model F's is separate the metal plates and rearrange the springs and stabilizer inserts on the barrels in the upper metal plate and reassemble.  Hopefully that brief explanation gives you an idea.

Well not really but that's only because I have zero knowledge about the inner parts of a Model F.

[Touch_It]

Yeah,  I understand that.  I didn't understand until I bought a model f and opened one.  It's really simple once you actually see it in person. There are guides and videos on this around if you want a visual.

[gr1618]

.

[Ludovician]

So, out of curiosity, if one wanted to mod a Model F to, say, the HHKB layout, you would just need to move around stabilisers and springs so you have enough keys? It wouldn't require doing any destructive/irreversible modifications?

[Joey Quinn]

So, out of curiosity, if one wanted to mod a Model F to, say, the HHKB layout, you would just need to move around stabilisers and springs so you have enough keys? It wouldn't require doing any destructive/irreversible modifications?

Well you'd need a kishsaver with a split backspace. I think that you can convert a normal kish but I'm not totally sure if the short shift is possible. This is what it'd look like. Photo cred goes to Snoopy.

[Ludovician]

Oh, I just meant the main cluster, not the size. Particularly the 1.5 backspace and the two 1u keys above it.

That Kish you linked is my dream keyboard.

Edit: What do you mean by split backspace?

[Joey Quinn]

Edit: What do you mean by split backspace?

2 1u keys where backspace would go instead of the 2u that's normally there.

[ApocalypseMaow]

So, out of curiosity, if one wanted to mod a Model F to, say, the HHKB layout, you would just need to move around stabilisers and springs so you have enough keys? It wouldn't require doing any destructive/irreversible modifications?

Well you'd need a kishsaver with a split backspace. I think that you can convert a normal kish but I'm not totally sure if the short shift is possible. This is what it'd look like. Photo cred goes to Snoopy.

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Oh what I would give to have this thing... ummmmm.

[VesperSAINT]

I got an unsaver today.

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Oh god that is one sexy keyboard... The things I would do for one of those...

[HoffmanMyster]

So, out of curiosity, if one wanted to mod a Model F to, say, the HHKB layout, you would just need to move around stabilisers and springs so you have enough keys? It wouldn't require doing any destructive/irreversible modifications?

Well you'd need a kishsaver with a split backspace. I think that you can convert a normal kish but I'm not totally sure if the short shift is possible. This is what it'd look like. Photo cred goes to Snoopy.

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Split backspace is easy on a kishsaver (I believe they were this way stock), the split right shift is tricky.  You can definitely split it, and mine came stock split.  The catch is that rather than the 2.75 key being split to 1.75 | 1, it's split to 1 | 1.75, which puts the 1u fn right next to /? and the shift on the edge of the case (or you have a 1u shift in proper HHKB position and 1.75u fn).  Hope that makes sense.  I can take pics later if it helps.  :)

But in general, changing the layout on the kishsaver is crazy easy.  You literally just move the spring/hammer assemblies around.  Every barrel position in the plate has contacts on the PCB under it, even if the layout didn't have a key there (if that barrel was a stabilizer insert).  Then it's just a matter of programming, which is also easy with xwhatsit's controller.  Not sure if that makes any more sense than Touch_It's explanation, but again I can take pics if need be.   :thumb:

[mougrim]

And my newest aquisition

[Ludovician]

So, out of curiosity, if one wanted to mod a Model F to, say, the HHKB layout, you would just need to move around stabilisers and springs so you have enough keys? It wouldn't require doing any destructive/irreversible modifications?

Well you'd need a kishsaver with a split backspace. I think that you can convert a normal kish but I'm not totally sure if the short shift is possible. This is what it'd look like. Photo cred goes to Snoopy.

Show Image

Split backspace is easy on a kishsaver (I believe they were this way stock), the split right shift is tricky.  You can definitely split it, and mine came stock split.  The catch is that rather than the 2.75 key being split to 1.75 | 1, it's split to 1 | 1.75, which puts the 1u fn right next to /? and the shift on the edge of the case (or you have a 1u shift in proper HHKB position and 1.75u fn).  Hope that makes sense.  I can take pics later if it helps.  :)

But in general, changing the layout on the kishsaver is crazy easy.  You literally just move the spring/hammer assemblies around.  Every barrel position in the plate has contacts on the PCB under it, even if the layout didn't have a key there (if that barrel was a stabilizer insert).  Then it's just a matter of programming, which is also easy with xwhatsit's controller.  Not sure if that makes any more sense than Touch_It's explanation, but again I can take pics if need be.   :thumb:

Makes perfect sense. I'd looked at it before, and considering how the stems are aligned on the BS right shift, as you said there's not really any way to get the Fn there. No reason it can't be placed on one of the keys below the right shift, of course.

I've been looking into the adaptability of the Model Fs tonight and it looks a lot easier than I initially thought it would be. I've bought an AT Model F that'll need some maintenance work done, and I intend to rearrange the layout into something more useful to me than the default setup. Just the normal rearranging shouldn't be a problem. I also want to do the spacebar mod I saw here, but that seems a bit riskier.

[HoffmanMyster]

I finally have an SSK   


IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr


IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Crystal Lake  <3

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Now I just need to clean it...   

[CPTBadAss]

I finally have an SSK   

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Crystal Lake  <3

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Now I just need to clean it...   :rolleyes:

Dirty boy, DIRTY BOY

And my newest aquisition :)

Omg you got that Soviet clone BS board?! Sweet!!

[ApocalypseMaow]

I finally have an SSK   

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Crystal Lake  <3

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Now I just need to clean it...   :rolleyes:

You get that from Cindy???

[HoffmanMyster]

I finally have an SSK   

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Crystal Lake  <3

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Now I just need to clean it...   :rolleyes:

You get that from Cindy???

Yessir!  :D

[CPTBadAss]

Yessir! 

It's pretty dirty. I think you're lying to us. You really got that from The_Beast right?

[HoffmanMyster]

Yessir! 

It's pretty dirty. I think you're lying to us. You really got that from The_Beast right?

Low blow alert!!

* HoffmanMyster chuckles

 )

[ApocalypseMaow]

Yessir! 

It's pretty dirty. I think you're lying to us. You really got that from The_Beast right?

Low blow alert!!

* HoffmanMyster chuckles

 )

Ouch... the sting.  )

[Snowdog993]

I finally have an SSK   

Now I just need to clean it...   

What are you waiting for?  I'd like to know if it is actually working.  Did you get an SDL cable with it or have one handy to find out?  Oh and just using dish soap with oxyclean works pretty good.  Be sure the keys are dry when you put them back on!!!
  I can't wait to see it when it's sparkling!  Great catch Hoff!

[jonathanyu]

I finally have an SSK   

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Crystal Lake  <3

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Now I just need to clean it...   :rolleyes:

 :'( you have everything now

[meow a cat]

I finally have an SSK   

Now I just need to clean it...   

What are you waiting for?  I'd like to know if it is actually working.  Did you get an SDL cable with it or have one handy to find out?  Oh and just using dish soap with oxyclean works pretty good.  Be sure the keys are dry when you put them back on!!!
  I can't wait to see it when it's sparkling!  Great catch Hoff!

I got mine from Cindy, and it works. I plugged it in and tested all of the keys. She also includes a cable with every SSK. It's really a steal for $75 if you ask me.

[rowdy]

I finally have an SSK   

Now I just need to clean it...   

What are you waiting for?  I'd like to know if it is actually working.  Did you get an SDL cable with it or have one handy to find out?  Oh and just using dish soap with oxyclean works pretty good.  Be sure the keys are dry when you put them back on!!!
  I can't wait to see it when it's sparkling!  Great catch Hoff!

I got mine from Cindy, and it works. I plugged it in and tested all of the keys. She also includes a cable with every SSK. It's really a steal for $75 if you ask me.

I believe that all keycaps included is also guaranteed

[meow a cat]

I finally have an SSK   

Now I just need to clean it...   

What are you waiting for?  I'd like to know if it is actually working.  Did you get an SDL cable with it or have one handy to find out?  Oh and just using dish soap with oxyclean works pretty good.  Be sure the keys are dry when you put them back on!!!
  I can't wait to see it when it's sparkling!  Great catch Hoff!

I got mine from Cindy, and it works. I plugged it in and tested all of the keys. She also includes a cable with every SSK. It's really a steal for $75 if you ask me.

I believe that all keycaps included is also guaranteed

A full set is guaranteed, but not the exact caps for the board. Missing caps are replaced with Model M caps. My SSK came missing the SSK I and + keys, so I don't have the sublegends. It looks strange on the I key. Unicomp said they can make a replacement, but I have to buy a full set of caps.. and I don't know how good their quality is going to be.

[rowdy]

I believe that all keycaps included is also guaranteed

A full set is guaranteed, but not the exact caps for the board. Missing caps are replaced with Model M caps. My SSK came missing the SSK I and + keys, so I don't have the sublegends. It looks strange on the I key. Unicomp said they can make a replacement, but I have to buy a full set of caps.. and I don't know how good their quality is going to be.

Awww, that's a shame

At least you have a full set - it would be difficult to find the odd one or two replacement keycaps, SSK-specific or otherwise.

I hope you can eventually find some replacement SSK caps.

[meow a cat]

I believe that all keycaps included is also guaranteed

A full set is guaranteed, but not the exact caps for the board. Missing caps are replaced with Model M caps. My SSK came missing the SSK I and + keys, so I don't have the sublegends. It looks strange on the I key. Unicomp said they can make a replacement, but I have to buy a full set of caps.. and I don't know how good their quality is going to be.

Awww, that's a shame

At least you have a full set - it would be difficult to find the odd one or two replacement keycaps, SSK-specific or otherwise.

I hope you can eventually find some replacement SSK caps.

Yeah it does suck. Everyone I've spoken to doesn't have replacements. Phosphorglow wasn't sure if he had any replacements. Clickykeyboards said no, and Unicomp said buy a full set of our caps.

It could be an excuse to buy some of those neato APL keycaps from Unicomp though?

It's lame the one you got from her has a broken case Rowdy (I think that was you, anyway.). Did she give you a bit of a discount for that?

[HoffmanMyster]

I finally have an SSK   

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Crystal Lake  <3

Show Image

IBM SSK by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

Now I just need to clean it...   :rolleyes:

 :'( you have everything now

Still no F-77 though...  :(

Other than that, I'm quite content with my BS collection for the time being.  :)

[Snowdog993]

Yeah it does suck. Everyone I've spoken to doesn't have replacements. Phosphorglow wasn't sure if he had any replacements. Clickykeyboards said no, and Unicomp said buy a full set of our caps.

It could be an excuse to buy some of those neato APL keycaps from Unicomp though?

It's lame the one you got from her has a broken case Rowdy (I think that was you, anyway.). Did she give you a bit of a discount for that?

The APL set looks pretty good. 


You can also see more here...
http://imgur.com/a/bBFuv

[fanpeople]

I finally have an SSK   

Now I just need to clean it...   

What are you waiting for?  I'd like to know if it is actually working.  Did you get an SDL cable with it or have one handy to find out?  Oh and just using dish soap with oxyclean works pretty good.  Be sure the keys are dry when you put them back on!!!
  I can't wait to see it when it's sparkling!  Great catch Hoff!

I got mine from Cindy, and it works. I plugged it in and tested all of the keys. She also includes a cable with every SSK. It's really a steal for $75 if you ask me.

I believe that all keycaps included is also guaranteed

A full set is guaranteed, but not the exact caps for the board. Missing caps are replaced with Model M caps. My SSK came missing the SSK I and + keys, so I don't have the sublegends. It looks strange on the I key. Unicomp said they can make a replacement, but I have to buy a full set of caps.. and I don't know how good their quality is going to be.

I got a replacement set from Unicomp for SSK, but I only use the alpha/numeric keys. The rest are from other model M/F keyboard. I noticed a difference in the printing when the set first arrived but since using them for a few months now they just seem normal. The embedded number pad looks quite good actually, it is a light grey (if I had a good camera I would take some comparison photos but I don't so I could only bring potatoes to the party).

[Melvang]

Work in progress

[Touch_It]

Mmmm 107 goodness

[Melvang]

Mmmm 107 goodness

F AT, not 107

[Touch_It]

Oh ****, lol must be past my bed time lol.  How embarrassing.  Night!