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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: csharper19 on Tue, 28 June 2011, 08:59:15

Title: Model M ?
Post by: csharper19 on Tue, 28 June 2011, 08:59:15

Finally, I got IBM Model M with Buckling Spring. (English / Hebrew Layout).
It's AMAZING , greatest keyboard I used , 90wpm.

Suddenly , I'm not so sure it's model M...

On the back:
==========
71G4627
1378710   EC  1387525
==========
55-3288936L
EC  1387527
1995-01-26
==========
MANUFACTURED IN UNITED KINGDOM
(C) LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL INC. 1985
==========

Can somebody recognize it for me ?
If it's not Model M - Damn! Finally I got mechanical keyboard , and it's not mechanical ?

I thought this is the Buckling Spring feeling :(

Title: Model M ?
Post by: Magna224 on Tue, 28 June 2011, 09:12:30

The 71G should be a rubber dome version.

Title: Model M ?
Post by: csharper19 on Tue, 28 June 2011, 09:16:49

God , I'm so depressed now.
:/

Title: Model M ?
Post by: Ascaii on Tue, 28 June 2011, 09:28:27

edited

its still a great rubber dome

Title: Model M ?
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Tue, 28 June 2011, 09:30:25

They're still pretty good, for rubber domes. Model M build quality is stellar, so don't despair.

Title: Model M ?
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 28 June 2011, 15:45:13

Quote from: Ascaii;369414

dont be, you still made a great find! The caps alone are a rare find and will fit on a regular model M once you get one.

 
They won't. The keycaps are single piece (some Unicomp rubber dome keyboards had two piece ones, but the IBM branded Lexmark made rubber dome ones seem to be single part only) and have a different stem that won't work with a buckling spring. You can see it in the IBM Wiki. It wouldn't be possible to mod them to be suitable for use in a buckling spring keyboard.

Shame, if they had the same keycaps, you could bolt mod the keyboard assembly, and replace the rubber domes with buckling springs. Everything else is identical to the buckling spring versions.

Title: Model M ?
Post by: TacticalCoder on Tue, 28 June 2011, 17:19:32

Quote from: ch_123;369605

Same, if they had the same keycaps, you could bolt mod the keyboard assembly, and replace the rubber domes with buckling springs. Everything else is identical to the buckling spring versions.

So if I take keycaps from another source (like some terminal board with Model M compatible keystems + keycaps) I could bolt mod a rubber dome by adding hammers+springs and transform it into basically a buckling spring keyboard?

2nd question: are there rubber dome space saver?  :)

Title: Model M ?
Post by: Tennobanzai on Tue, 28 June 2011, 17:29:39

Quote from: TacticalCoder;369644

So if I take keycaps from another source (like some terminal board with Model M compatible keystems + keycaps) I could bolt mod a rubber dome by adding hammers+springs and transform it into basically a buckling spring keyboard?

2nd question: are there rubber dome space saver?  :)

They made SSK II in rubber dome but they aren't the same

Title: Model M ?
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 28 June 2011, 17:39:33

Yes, I can't think of any reason why not.

And no, there's no rubber dome version of the Space Saving Keyboard. The IBM Spacesaver/M4 filled that role in IBM's product line.

Title: Model M ?
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 28 June 2011, 17:42:08

In fairness, it would be a somewhat reasonable assumption to make if you weren't aware of the specifics.

Title: Model M ?
Post by: Ascaii on Wed, 29 June 2011, 07:02:17

Quote from: acfrazier;369657

I'm slightly disappointed that you of all people would spread such misinformation. Not going to elaborate seeing as ch_123 already did.

Quote from: ch_123;369605

They won't. The keycaps are single piece (some Unicomp rubber dome keyboards had two piece ones, but the IBM branded Lexmark made rubber dome ones seem to be single part only) and have a different stem that won't work with a buckling spring. You can see it in the IBM Wiki. It wouldn't be possible to mod them to be suitable for use in a buckling spring keyboard.

Shame, if they had the same keycaps, you could bolt mod the keyboard assembly, and replace the rubber domes with buckling springs. Everything else is identical to the buckling spring versions.

Sorry guys, I learn new stuff  every day. I still consider myself a moderate nooby =D
editing my original post.