Keyboard hobby - need some advice

[OldIsNew]

I had forgotten about how great IBM model M keyboards are, but after seeing article about the model M, I bought a fairly cheap 1391401 on ebay, cleaned it up and its great.   I bought another and fixed it up and use at work.

Then I started seeing the posts about Soarer's great firmware and decided it would be fun to get an RJ45 connector terminal board and fix it up - and as plus - those are usually pretty cheap on ebay. So got one, and a Teensy, and made a little box and a set of connector cables for the common IBM keyboard connectors. It was a fun little hobby so far.

But then I figured I'd buy a beat up, broken model m for keycaps/parts and got one for $10 or $15. I plugged it in and despite being a mess and missing keys - it worked fine. So I couldn't just turn it into parts - I fixed it up. Then I bought another for parts that really looked pretty wrecked but had some keycaps I wanted - but it actually worked to. How could I tear that one up when it just needed a little TLC.  It's sitting next to my desk now, all washed and cleaned up. So is the next one I got for parts.

Now I've found myself contemplating buying keycaps (maybe from a broken model M) to complete the keyboards I BOUGHT for their keycaps.

Somebody stop me before I buy again!

[Tactile]

Easier to buy caps here.

[invariance]

Somebody stop me before I buy again!

Wrong place to be asking that. 

[tp4tissue]

What chu' need is an Ergodox

[OldIsNew]

Yes! - invariance gets it!

[fohat.digs]

Ordering individual key caps from Unicomp gets pricey fast @ $1 each. An entire set is only $30.

Sell a couple of your spares and buy something nicer, like a Model F.

[pr0ximity]

Sell a couple of your spares and buy something nicer, like a Model F.

+1

If you enjoy Model M's you'll really appreciate an F.

[OldIsNew]

Sell a couple of your spares and buy something nicer, like a Model F.

+1

If you enjoy Model M's you'll really appreciate an F.

Lol, you guys are just encouraging me more! I do have a Model F XT that was a gift from a friend and the key switches are fantastic. The F ATs and F122s are just so expensive - and it's been fun tinkering with the cheap terminal M's. Now, though,  I guess I should save up for an F AT or F122. I'm going to tell my wife you said I have to.

[ander]

But then I figured I'd buy a beat up, broken model m for keycaps/parts and got one for $10 or $15. I plugged it in and despite being a mess and missing keys - it worked fine. So I couldn't just turn it into parts - I fixed it up. Then I bought another for parts that really looked pretty wrecked but had some keycaps I wanted - but it actually worked to. How could I tear that one up when it just needed a little TLC.  It's sitting next to my desk now, all washed and cleaned up...

LOL. The same thing's happened to me—and, I'm sure, to most of the other people here who've ever looked for "parts" M's.

(And of course if the perfectly good "parts" M you bought is missing a few caps, now you need even more caps...)

Now, though,  I guess I should save up for an F AT or F122. I'm going to tell my wife you said I have to.

You might try pointing out to your wife that instead of buying the occasional vintage KB, you could be out drinking with your pals every night, or chasing other women, or robbing banks... That's what I do, and it seems to help. It's all relative, right?

I agree with Fohat: As great as M's are, your keyboard life won't be complete till you own a Model F you can use comfortably. For that reason I recommend a 122, whose layout is closest to standard ANSI (and you get all those extra keys to play with).

Or if you're ambitious, you can get an AT and do this kind of thing.

[klennkellon]

Model M's are pretty hardy, pretty much the only thing that can kill them is broken rivets and it can take quite a few before the keyboard actually stops working.

[chyros]

Model M's are pretty hardy, pretty much the only thing that can kill them is broken rivets and it can take quite a few before the keyboard actually stops working.

FWIW, from the dozen+ M's I've found not a single one was missing so many rivets that it didn't work properly anymore.

[Moistgun]

Model M's are pretty hardy, pretty much the only thing that can kill them is broken rivets and it can take quite a few before the keyboard actually stops working.

FWIW, from the dozen+ M's I've found not a single one was missing so many rivets that it didn't work properly anymore.

I've definitely seen Ms that wouldn't register presses or would ghost, and after a bolt mod were working fine. This was before I cleaned the membrane sheets on my model ms too

[OldIsNew]

(And of course if the perfectly good "parts" M you bought is missing a few caps, now you need even more caps...



I agree with Fohat: As great as M's are, your keyboard life won't be complete till you own a Model F you can use comfortably. For that reason I recommend a 122, whose layout is closest to standard ANSI (and you get all those extra keys to play with).

Yes must have MORE keycaps!  - and I guess I can't argue with statement two either. I'll be on the lookout. 

Have to agree with everyone else too - it's impressive how tough those old keyboards are.

[Snowdog993]

I had forgotten about how great IBM model M keyboards are, but after seeing article about the model M, I bought a fairly cheap 1391401 on ebay, cleaned it up and its great.   I bought another and fixed it up and use at work.

Then I started seeing the posts about Soarer's great firmware and decided it would be fun to get an RJ45 connector terminal board and fix it up - and as plus - those are usually pretty cheap on ebay. So got one, and a Teensy, and made a little box and a set of connector cables for the common IBM keyboard connectors. It was a fun little hobby so far.

But then I figured I'd buy a beat up, broken model m for keycaps/parts and got one for $10 or $15. I plugged it in and despite being a mess and missing keys - it worked fine. So I couldn't just turn it into parts - I fixed it up. Then I bought another for parts that really looked pretty wrecked but had some keycaps I wanted - but it actually worked to. How could I tear that one up when it just needed a little TLC.  It's sitting next to my desk now, all washed and cleaned up. So is the next one I got for parts.

Now I've found myself contemplating buying keycaps (maybe from a broken model M) to complete the keyboards I BOUGHT for their keycaps.

Somebody stop me before I buy again!

You could wind up like me, or several others here. It's just a matter of time before you actually realize you have too many, and contemplate your next one. It can be a hobby that just grows and grows without end. Then you ask us, of all people, to stop you?
It's nice to have an extra keyboard, then an extra keyboard, then the extra keyboard in case you ....
Yeah.

[invariance]

You know you have a problem if you start buying keyboards you already have, and forgot about!

Fortunately (unfortunately?) I am now where near having that problem.

[OldIsNew]

Yes - it's started .....

[cicada]

Yes - it's started .....


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Good. Now you don't need any more advice

[_rubik]

The best way to not get bit by the keeb bug is to not get near it in the first place. Since you've already flown too close to the sun, it's best to embrace it! It's hard to regret something you love doing  .

[pr0ximity]

Yes - it's started .....


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How do you like the Model Fs?

[OldIsNew]

Lol!

How do you like the Model Fs?

The Model Fs are fantastic! Definitely my favorite - just awesome to type on.  But the Model Ms are so cool too ...

[MaNiFeX]

Lol!

How do you like the Model Fs?

The Model Fs are fantastic! Definitely my favorite - just awesome to type on.  But the Model Ms are so cool too ...

Have you tried any UniComp's keyboards?

[OldIsNew]

Have you tried any UniComp's keyboards?

No haven't actually tried one. I've bought stuff from them that I've been happy with - it's great that they're still out there making BS keyboards and parts. I guess should look for one of their boards at some point, but I'm still rather new to the hobby and have been focusing on "vintage" stuff.

[JP]

Yep I have been hit with the bug as well. I acquired a Model M and a Model F from a pile of scrap PC parts. Now I have acquired several more within the past month.

[ander]

Have you tried any UniComp's keyboards?

No haven't actually tried one. I've bought stuff from them that I've been happy with - it's great that they're still out there making BS keyboards and parts. I guess should look for one of their boards at some point, but I'm still rather new to the hobby and have been focusing on "vintage" stuff.

But hey, Unicomp's been making buckling-spring boards since they bought out Lexmark in '96, over 10 years ago—which means vintage Unicomps are a thing too!

Better yet, a sparkling NIB, USB-ready Unicomp Ultra Classic, with its alluring pared-down design and famously frumpy logo, can be yours for under a hundred bucks. That's an amazing thing, considering IBM and Lexmark charged over $200, in '80s and '90s dollars, for their new Model M's. You really need to have one, or you'll feel forever incomplete, BS-board-wise. (Buh-ha-ha!!)

Besides, according to Merriam-Webster, "vintage" simply means "of old, recognized, and enduring interest, importance, or quality; classic, venerable". Most of us would describe any BS boards that way.

I rest my case. (No pun intended—well, okay, maybe a little bit.)

[rowdy]

Yes - it's started .....


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A nice collection

Any plans to get an SSK (or two)?

You'll probably want a Kishsaver at some stage as well.

And then there's this: https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/product/f62-model-f-keyboard-kishsaver/

[xueyao]

I think you'll love a Model F once you acquire one. The feeling is phenomenal compared to the M.

Personally I'll recommend an XT as it's one of the best built if not the best built Model Fs available cheaply as it's steel plate and smaller frame makes it much more solid than even the 4704 (zinc case). Once you fall in love with that, I think the only end game is the GB for new F, which I've already ordered one.

Oh and the tinkering to get Pro Micro is another part that I really enjoy thoroughly, able to code and convert my board to work with USB.

Personally, I'll never wanna try another board, maybe except the beam spring which has literally been described as typing on heaven.


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[OldIsNew]

Any plans to get an SSK (or two)?

I've been debating the SSK. I like the 101 M keyboard layout so I'm not sure an SSK would be worth the price to me -  though it is a cool looking board and I can understand how people could really love the smaller form factor.

I think you'll love a Model F once you acquire one. The feeling is phenomenal compared to the M.

I am on the model F band wagon and have acquired an XT, AT and F122 (luckily picked them up gradually several months ago before the prices became so crazy). They are my favorite boards at this point. I like the F122 the best, but it is huge. I actually prefer the XT to the AT and use the XT as my daily driver.

[rowdy]

Any plans to get an SSK (or two)?

I've been debating the SSK. I like the 101 M keyboard layout so I'm not sure an SSK would be worth the price to me -  though it is a cool looking board and I can understand how people could really love the smaller form factor.

SSK is 101 layout, but without the numpad.

[xueyao]

Any plans to get an SSK (or two)?

I've been debating the SSK. I like the 101 M keyboard layout so I'm not sure an SSK would be worth the price to me -  though it is a cool looking board and I can understand how people could really love the smaller form factor.

I think you'll love a Model F once you acquire one. The feeling is phenomenal compared to the M.

I am on the model F band wagon and have acquired an XT, AT and F122 (luckily picked them up gradually several months ago before the prices became so crazy). They are my favorite boards at this point. I like the F122 the best, but it is huge. I actually prefer the XT to the AT and use the XT as my daily driver.

Agreed, I had the AT and XT. Much preferred the XT. I've also placed the order for the F77 GB. Should be an amazing board.


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