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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Mater on Tue, 08 November 2011, 15:36:27

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: Mater on Tue, 08 November 2011, 15:36:27

Hi guys, I have a quick question about this keyboard. Just wondering if there is any luck for some juicy buckling springs there. From the front side it looks just like IBM model M but back side tag confuses me. What is it then?

(http://img02.allegroimg.pl/photos/oryginal/19/20/88/21/1920882189)

(http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4205/c022g.jpg)

Thanks, Mater

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: grasshopper on Tue, 08 November 2011, 15:44:58

I'm almost 100% certain that it's a Model M. The label on the underside looks pretty standard for a Model M manufactured in the UK.

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: fossala on Tue, 08 November 2011, 15:45:04

I think that is the rubber dome ibm.

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: Mater on Tue, 08 November 2011, 15:53:41

So far it sounds inconclusive. I should also add that I did not have it in my hands. Just recieved some pics by email so I cannot test that thing....

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: Retox on Tue, 08 November 2011, 16:05:34

If I were you I would google every number on the back one by one to see if you can find any more info. That's how I learned about my model m

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: kinkng on Tue, 08 November 2011, 16:06:22

Quote from: Mater;448156

So far it sounds inconclusive. I should also add that I did not have it in my hands. Just recieved some pics by email so I cannot test that thing....

Ask the person to pop one of the keycaps off and take a picture. That should confirm whether it is a buckling spring or a rubber dome.

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: fossala on Tue, 08 November 2011, 16:08:30

I am wrong from the looks of it all the rubber domes where 7******* as there number

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: Mater on Tue, 08 November 2011, 16:17:01

I looked up the number and it has lead me to this page: http://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=GSMH-3FAFVE which says it is a buckling spring. Which is awesome...too bad it is so filthy and keys are a bit...well...the f9 key looks like it has been raped :-(

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: slueth on Tue, 08 November 2011, 16:23:32

not a big deal, drop keycaps in some denture tabs, take it apart and wash the case. Good as new.  If you really want to clean it, take it all part and you do a bolt mod.

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: Mater on Tue, 08 November 2011, 16:39:57

Quote from: kishy;448171

The F9 key is a bare keystem with the keycap missing, which is what I was referring to when I said it obviously has 2-piece keys.

Indeed, that IBM doc does say it's buckling spring. Please report back in with the part number in text form with the response so it will be Google-indexed (meaning future searches for your PN will point to this thread, answering this question for future people).

Oh really...interesting....

Anyways I will report back with the outcome and with the PN after I buy that little filthy gorgeous thing :-)


Thanks for the help to everyone :-) M

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 08 November 2011, 16:42:14

I bought a like new Model M rubber dome 71xxxx the other day at a thrift store for $13 (I guess they knew it was special) and I just wanted the keys.

Case and barrel plate would have been a bonus.

Then I discovered that the keys are different because the center of the stem needs to be filled to push down the dome. Duh.

I was pretty excited to get a set of 1-piece keys, because I want to mod my Greenock 42H for the lightest, quietest possible buckling spring.

So how do I tell what the spacebar is made of? I have a half-dozen in a box, and all I see are marks such as A6 or B8. And one has just the numeral 1 and nothing else.

As I understand it, PBT is preferable. And it has to be PBT to be dyed, is that right?

Thanks

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: Pylon on Tue, 08 November 2011, 16:49:13

Ripster did several boil tests for PBT vs ABS. Maybe you could do one? ABS deforms at a much lower point than PBT.

Title: Buckling springs???
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 08 November 2011, 21:01:59

It's not that I didn't believe...just was curious and wanted to make sure.