M13 - removable key caps?

[Waves77]

I've tried google without success. Can somebody tell me if the key caps on a M13 are removable?

I'd love to put the black caps on my industrial (grey) model M, so if they do and someone here's selling one let me know (PM)...

[bhtooefr]

They are removable, but it's not as easy as on a board with two-piece caps.

[meltie]

I always thought detachable caps means you can remove the caps with the lettering seperately from the keys themselves. Aren't the keys of a keyboard always detachable? IIRC the M13 has not detachable caps, but of course detachable keys. Or am I misunderstanding something of your anwer bhtooefr (am not native speaker)?

[bhtooefr]

Actually, on some rubber dome keyboards, the keys aren't detachable. And, on scissor boards, it's usually EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to remove the keys without breaking them.

I really should be more careful with my wording, though... I'll try to standardize on this, in the future:

Cap = top part of a key, removable on many Model Ms separately from the rest of the key
Stem = bottom part of a key, engages the keyswitch, separate from the cap on many Model Ms
Key = cap and stem assembly

So, the Model M13 has removable keys, but they're one-piece.

[Mikecase00]

So, the Model M13 has removable keys, but they're one-piece.

That's exactly correct.  My primary board (my avatar) is an extra-clicky 1391401 which I have vinyl-dyed black and swapped in keys (as well as the black metal IBM logo and darker status light cover) from a black M13.

[Waves77]

Cool, thanks for the info. I really wanted to keep the switches of my favorite model M, and just have the black caps (so no dice using a M13) - all thrown in the body of a grey model M.

[meltie]

Thanks for clearing this up. I really envy those who own a M13 :-)