Posted this over at OCN and was suggested to post it here for you fine folks to enjoy. :) This is my entrance post to the boards, so hello everyone!
Instead of retyping, I'll just copy my original post.
Today I went to a house advertising on craigslist. The ad claimed a shed stock-full of old PCs and parts and was looking to get rid of them. How could I not go, right?
We met the lady, she was quite nice, showed us the shed...it was clean-ish for a shed, we looked around, and within 15 seconds she hands me a keyboard. "Is this what you're looking for?"
She handed me a Northgate Omnikey 101.
I did my best to pokerface but in my mind my jaw was dropping. I took it, and after a bit of looking, also found a Dell at101w, as well as a near perfect looking IBM M2. We dug a bit more, but didn't find much else of interest, but I already had more then I even came for.
So, extremely excited to not only get what looked to be an even better buckling spring then i had hoped, but also an omnikey and at101w. A great pull.
Sadly, as I write this, I just found out the M2 has a problem. Despite its perfect appearance, the keys "9", "o", "l", and "." seem to not work. I instantly google to find these KBs have problems....if anyone can help, I would REALLY appreciate it, Heres some pics of my (uncleaned, fresh from a shed) spoils.
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(http://i54.tinypic.com/11w7wxd.jpg)
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(http://i52.tinypic.com/2i530k.jpg)
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(http://i54.tinypic.com/15o8dx2.jpg)
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(http://i52.tinypic.com/xcp21l.jpg)
I have since cleaned the boards and am now using the AT101w. After fixing the IBM M2s broken membrane with a pencil retrace and redundant wire, I found another up-and-down row similar to the first has burnt out, so I need to get a proper conductive pen....thankfully now I know exactly how to fix it. A few of the springs are damaged and won't click as well, two actually, with another that clicks but oddly, and requires a full bottom out to click. Thankfully I've learned these use the same springs as the original M, so I'll be getting springs when I can.
I've used the AT101w the most as obviously its the one that works and I enjoy it, its feel is more solid then my cheapy rubber dome I've used forever, although in rating the feel for the keys I would list it M2-Omni-At101w with the bucklings springs having the best feel for me. I am *extremely* impresssed with the build quality of the Omnikey however, they just don't make them like this anymore. Its more tank then KB, and is still in fantastic shape. A scrub down of acetone (nail polish remover) with with rubbing alcohol has it looking much better, although still slightly yellowed. The Dell is as well but I'm not sure the exact way to clean that on the cheap. Any input on anything would be fantastic. :) I should also note that I'll lightly be selling the Omni as I need the money for moving soon, perhaps this Dell as well when I get the M2 up and running, or perhaps an original M or Unicomp Spacesaver in its place. Either way, suggested selling price for these models? I've seen wide ranging figures.
I hope to get a DIN-to-PS/2 adaptor to test the Omni soon, as well as fix the M2 so I can test both out as well. Super excited. :)