geekhack
geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: ander on Fri, 21 December 2018, 21:41:54
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Many peeps are seeking the classic IBM Model F-AT (https://deskthority.net/wiki/IBM_Model_F#IBM_Personal_Computer_AT_keyboard) these days:
(https://deskthority.net/w/images/9/90/IBM_Model_F_AT.jpg)
...and who can blame 'em? So I thought I'd start this special thread to monitor ATs for sale.
Click here for current F-ATs on eBay (https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=ibm+%22model+f%22+keyboard+-reproduction+-%22f1%22+-barrel+-tape+-f107+-f08+-isa+-%22ibm+pc%22+-%22+xt+%22+-%22personal+computer%22+-%22switch+set%22+-replacement+-1503206+-5150+-611034+-6110347+-1385151+-6110344+-6110345+-6110346+-6110347+-6110668+-6016730+-1387033&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=10&_osacat=0&_odkw=ibm+%22model+f%22+keyboard+-reproduction+-%22f1%22+-barrel+-tape+-f08+-isa+-%22ibm+pc%22+-%22+xt+%22+-%22personal+computer%22+-%22switch+set%22+-replacement+-1503206+-5150+-611034+-6110347+-1385151+-6110344+-6110345+-6110346+-6110347+-6110668+-6016730+-1387033&LH_TitleDesc=0). (My search string filters out most but not all non-AT stuff; if you can improve it, let us know.)
When you spot an AT for sale, please post a link to it here (you can delete everything after the ? in the URL, BTW—that's just stuff eBay uses to track you), and mention the price. If it's an auction rather than BIN, please mention its end time and date.
If you can, please include a photo. To embed an eBay photo here: Click the photo to zoom in; then right-click it (you may need to do this more than once) and click "Copy Image location". Then use GH's "Insert image" tool (1st button in 2nd row, above) to add the link to your post. To keep embedded images a manageable size, I usually modify the "[img]" tag thus:
[attachimg=1]
People can still click your image to see it bigger.
Happy AT hunting!
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As always, US citizens have the best chances. ;-)
While I support this thread out of curiosity (not that I'd need one more keyboard for anything), I'll just sit here and watch you.
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What kinds of prices should one expect at their best? How does it vary with condition? What is a "steal"/"amazing deal", and what is "decent at best"?
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I only observe this market casually, but $150-200 seems to be the average going rate these days, but people have paid well above that.
Anything around $100 or less would have to be considered a great deal.
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I concur.
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Okay, there's this one (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-IBM-AT-Mechanical-Keyboard-5170-Spring-Model-F-missing-Alt-key/273616781066):
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/1PMAAOSwFFBcGVTu/s-l1600.jpg)
...an auction, currently at $122.50 with 1 day and 12 hours to go. It's missing an Alt key—which are stepped on the F-AT:
[attachimg=1]
...but it looks pretty good otherwise.
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It's occurred to me that since F-ATs don't actually say "Model F". This means many sellers may not be listing ATs that way.
Does its part number, 6450200, even appear on the exterior? I think all I've seen are serial numbers.
So to see all ATs for sale, we'd need a search string for IBM keyboards, excluding everything but ATs. Has anyone come up with a string like that? If so, feel free to share!
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IBM Personal Computer AT Keyboard (https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Personal-Computer-AT-Keyboard/312406273571?epid=26027499731)
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/6LAAAOSwTbxcJ8GW/s-l1600.jpg)
At $79.00 with 6d 09h to go (Saturday, 11:02AM).
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You're not actually helping anyone actively looking for an F. Promoting it here can do nothing but increase the end price.
(And no, I'm not looking for an F)
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You're not actually helping anyone actively looking for an F. Promoting it here can do nothing but increase the end price... (And no, I'm not looking for an F)
I created this thread because people were adding F-AT auction links to existing threads about other Model Fs—there seemed to be a desire for it.
And while I admire your GH-ly pride, I doubt drawing attention to something like an eBay auction here has any significant effect on its outcome. Even if it did, I don't see the value in hiding opportunities to own hard-to-find vintage MKs from people who appreciate and want them.
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I might also add that helping people find particular MKs is one of the things GH is about. Look around and you'll see.
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I might also add that helping people find particular MKs is one of the things GH is about. Look around and you'll see.
I admire your kind spirit that is willing to share the joy of great finds :)
I keep updated with this thread and should express that I am thankful for your work.
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:thumb:
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(This has been sold)
IBM Model F PC AT mechanical switch capacitive buckling spring keyboard #1 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Model-F-PC-AT-mechanical-switch-capacitive-buckling-spring-keyboard-1/333075812978)
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/~DgAAOSwwPtcZyW3/s-l1600.jpg)
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/6UsAAOSwYNRcZyWw/s-l1600.jpg)
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2ZEAAOSwHDdcZyWy/s-l1600.jpg)
This F-AT has apparently been modded to ANSI layout—funny that's not mentioned in the listing—and includes all the original pre-ANSI keys.
The only flaw I see is that the risers have been removed. But considering what ATs go for these days, how clean this one is, and that it's pre-modded, it's actually a pretty good deal!
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it's actually a pretty good deal!
Actually a great deal. That Alt-mod is not trivial (I know from experience) and it includes the complete key cap set.
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I was able to snag it for $175 + shipping, first buckling springs board... good stuff!! thanks for posting it on here.
anyone have a Soarer's converter lying around? I'd buy a used one, otherwise I'm going to have to shell out more cash for a new one...
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I was able to snag it for $175 + shipping, first buckling springs board... good stuff!!
Sure is, and you actually got it for less than asking! That took casabas. Anyway, woo hoo—you'll sure enjoy it.
I must confess, I would've immediately bought it myself rather than telling you guys, had I not already been lucky enough to have one (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=79362.0). :?)
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I too recently picked up an F-AT, but I need to do all of the mods and restorations for it, which would involve:
- sanding/cleaning the rust off the plate
- painting the plate / protecting it in some way
- replacing foam
- 7u Spacebar Mod
- ANSI Enter mod
- in my case, I intend on splitting the 2u 0 key as well
- conversion to USB (options are internal Soarer's, Soarer's external AT to USB, xwhatsit)
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Damn, that was a great deal indeed. The alt-mod is the only way to go for a fully modern F-AT conversion.
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Hello everyone. How do the ATs cost in 2019? I saw some boards for $200, $250 and one for $350 last week. I want one, but now I can't afford it, it's too expensive for me including shipping. So, I'm afraid that all boards will be sold / thrown / broken / etc. How do you think, how much time ATs will last on ebay? Today there's only one.
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Hello everyone. How do the ATs cost in 2019? I saw some boards for $200, $250 and one for $350 last week. I want one, but now I can't afford it, it's too expensive for me including shipping. So, I'm afraid that all boards will be sold / thrown / broken / etc. How do you think, how much time ATs will last on ebay? Today there's only one.
I have a harem of AT's I've been hoarding. Sorry :( I will cut some loose eventually.
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I have not been actively seeking an AT in quite a while, but they are always scarce and $200+ seems entirely reasonable with XTs selling at $100+