geekhack
geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: QuidNYC on Thu, 31 January 2013, 21:31:50
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Although I recall owning a Model M back in the days of Windows 3.1, I have only recently come to understand and appreciate how much better they were than the commonly manufactured keyboards of today. This message board is likewise new to me -- despite having read a fair bit in recent weeks, I feel as though I have quite a lot of catching up to do.
I'm going to try to attach pictures of my new setup, a Model M (1391401; produced in 1989) obtained on ebay a couple of weeks ago. I have cleaned it up thoroughly, replaced all of the keys with a black unprinted set from Unicomp, and connected it to my home computer with an SDL to USB adapter cable (the black LED overlay is also from Unicomp).
I liked it enough that I've gone ahead and replicated the setup exactly (with a 1991 board from ebay) in the office. It's turned more than a few heads from passersby (thankfully with our office setup I don't believe the noise will be an issue).
One question for the Model M experts here: it seems the keyboard I use in the office was used a bit harder than my other one, and it seems there are at least a few keys that have a somewhat softer response than the others (even after reseating the plastic key several times). Is there an easy remedy for this? Should I consider trying to replace those buckling springs?
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Welcome to Geekhack!
A lot of Model M enthusiasts joining lately, surely one of them will know about the variable spring strength.
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That is a mighty fine looking board you got there.
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some keys on my ssk also have a softer feel then the others. I think replacing the springs should help. You could swap the spring from a less used key like the F-keys to the one that feels soft.
there is an easy method to swap single springs: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=5265.msg77401#msg77401
Another problem could be that your board has a lot of broken rivets. If this is the case, some keys have a different feel than others or completly stop working. Then you have to do a bolt-mod... http://wiki.geekhack.org/index.php?title=Modifications:IBM_Model_M:Nut_and_Bolt_Mod
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^ told you :p
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Many thanks, snoopy!
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Welcome QuidNYC. Manhattan born and raised here
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A picture of Model M #2 in the office...
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wow, an exact replica :)
If you fell in sleep in front of your keyboard.... after you wake up again, you don't know where you are... :D Work? Home? Where am I?
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:) I suppose I could have taken advantage of the detachable cable to carry it back and forth to the office... but it's a tad heavy for a twice daily commute, and I think I'd get some weird looks on the subway.
Of course, the upside is that it would make a highly effective and street-legal self defense weapon!
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a red esc-key and switching the led color to red would be cool
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a red esc-key and switching the led color to red would be cool
Hmm... I think you may be on to something there (at least for my "home" version). I'm going to have to research replacing the LEDs though, as I'm not really sure how to go about it.
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a red esc-key and switching the led color to red would be cool
Hmm... I think you may be on to something there (at least for my "home" version). I'm going to have to research replacing the LEDs though, as I'm not really sure how to go about it.
Pic of new escape key... not sure yet how much I like it. Will have to see if it grows on me...