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Author Topic: New kid with a Model M  (Read 3773 times)

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Offline 125ml

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  • Posts: 19
New kid with a Model M
« on: Wed, 30 March 2011, 16:10:59 »
Been reading for a while but this is the first time I've posted.
Just received my first mechanical Keyboard today, an IBM Model M 1391406. Made in the good old Uk 1993. I feel like a kid at Christmas!
It's a dream to type on.

So now I'm officially in the 'club'.

Just wanted to say a big thanks to all the regular contributors on this forum.

Your knowledge and advice has taken me from completely unaware to awed by the detail.
So.... thanks.
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Offline crowstar

  • Posts: 34
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 30 March 2011, 16:26:06 »
Where did you get your M from in the uk? Mine cost £50 including shipping
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Offline Geten123

  • Posts: 12
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 30 March 2011, 17:29:02 »
Oh, I do recognize that feeling far too well. Now I just want to buy more keyboards, but right now i'm unable to do so due to lack of money. :(
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Offline theferenc

  • Posts: 1327
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 30 March 2011, 21:01:25 »
Excellent choice, and welcome to geekhack!
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline Lpb45

  • Posts: 481
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 30 March 2011, 21:02:28 »
so am I not in the club because I dont own a model m?  gonna go cry now.
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Offline False_Dmitry_II

  • Posts: 1107
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 30 March 2011, 22:03:49 »
Everyone should own a BS board.
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"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Ben Franklin (11 Nov. 1755)

Offline 125ml

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  • Posts: 19
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 31 March 2011, 07:33:12 »
I got it from Blue Goose systems (http://www.bluegoosesystems.co.uk/). Wasn't cheap though £71.50 before tax and shipping. Have tried eBay for a while but nothing was coming through in the UK.
Have to say that I have the bug now. Been typing with fury on this thing and want to try Cherrys and ALPS. There are a few Dell AT102Ws on eBay at the moment around £25 delivered.
Just have to get the budget request and business case past my finance controlling lady wife.......
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Offline AllNight

  • Posts: 20
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 31 March 2011, 09:10:50 »
Nice I got bought one too. See how it'll treat me. Hope I will have the same positive experience as you. Also first mech. keyboard.
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Offline 125ml

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  • Posts: 19
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 31 March 2011, 09:32:11 »
All I need to do now is get the regulation red ESC key.
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Offline theferenc

  • Posts: 1327
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 31 March 2011, 10:20:46 »
You can make your own. Mine are actually purple, rather than red. Just use some Rit dye to dye the key to the color of your choice.
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline Alex

  • Posts: 47
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 31 March 2011, 10:57:14 »
Congratz! I just got my first model m keyboard today. A lovely german layout one from -86, sold by Ascaii on this forum.

What should i use to clean it? Isopropyl alcohol? Or would it tear in the plastics?
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Offline Surly73

  • Posts: 425
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #11 on: Thu, 31 March 2011, 11:10:15 »
Quote from: 125ml;321906
I got it from Blue Goose systems (http://www.bluegoosesystems.co.uk/). Wasn't cheap though £71.50 before tax and shipping. Have tried eBay for a while but nothing was coming through in the UK.
Have to say that I have the bug now. Been typing with fury on this thing and want to try Cherrys and ALPS. There are a few Dell AT102Ws on eBay at the moment around £25 delivered.
Just have to get the budget request and business case past my finance controlling lady wife.......


Careful - the collecting is like a disease!
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Offline 125ml

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 19
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #12 on: Thu, 31 March 2011, 13:00:56 »
Just searched on the forum for the Rit dye key mod. Got the UK source so will order some up.
Looks like people have had mixed results dependant on the plastic/temp/salt/concentration/time.
Willing to give it a go, but in the event of it all going wrong, is there anyone who knows where I can get replacement keys in the UK?
If I've just got to get a second Model M, it could get expensive real quick.
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Offline False_Dmitry_II

  • Posts: 1107
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #13 on: Thu, 31 March 2011, 13:04:05 »
I know you can buy replacement keys from unicomp, which is the current manufacturer of new model m's. They're based in the US though.
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"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Ben Franklin (11 Nov. 1755)

Offline theferenc

  • Posts: 1327
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #14 on: Thu, 31 March 2011, 13:05:33 »
I'm actually out of spare ESC keys, or I'd be willing to just send you one. I can tell you for a fact that the IBM keys take dye *really* well. I have a keyboard that's practically a rainbow, as I put all of my test colors on it, and they've all turned out really well.
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline 125ml

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 19
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 31 March 2011, 13:13:54 »
Excellent! Must resist the temptation to go over the top on the colours though, with it being my first mech. When I have a few more I'm sure I'll be a little more gung ho.
I'll give it a go and let you know how it turns out.

(Cheers theferenc, nice of you to offer. I'll manage with the ones I have for now)
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Offline theferenc

  • Posts: 1327
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #16 on: Thu, 31 March 2011, 14:53:18 »
Not ideal, but I do have a lot of blank grey keys that work in a pinch. At the least, they wouldn't be mislabeled. It's a safety net, in case you need it.
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline bettablue

  • Posts: 179
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  • Geeks with a Grudge. Gotta Love'em
    • All Things DOS
New kid with a Model M
« Reply #17 on: Sun, 03 April 2011, 03:47:44 »
You should have said Everyone should own at least 1 model M.  ;-)
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Vintage Computer user, and collector, specializing in the IBM 5150 Personal Computer, the World\'s first REAL PC!
Keyboards - IBM Model M X 2, IBM AT X 2, IBM KB8923, Apple IIe, and Mac SE boards. 

-----------------IBM Think!---------------------
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