geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: berserkfan on Tue, 22 October 2013, 06:07:16
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I recently came across this interesting ad on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320547035193&ssPageName=ADME:X:eRTM:US:1123
It's only $1! But it comes without cable. Does anyone know whether:
1) this is a buckling spring?
2) if it's a buckling spring, does it use regular keycaps?
3) what kind of cable is required?
I tried asking seller and actually got a ridiculous answer: "only $1"
DUH, even if it is only $1, shipping is $12. And cable could be another $20 shipped if it is a proprietary format unique to this Mighty M. So before anyone does any buying, I think we really need to know as much as possible about this keypad.
Please share all the info you have! There are plenty of numpads to go around, no need to charge onto ebay and buy right away.
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Curious looking thing. Nasty as well. :P
Keeping an eye on this thread
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http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=18001.0
Some think its rubber dome.
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doesn't look like it's buckling spring. the keycaps are just too flat. I have two ibm numpads and they are both not bs and the keys look similar. There is an buckling spring numpad out there, but that looks completely different.
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Those are RD. BS options include:
Lexmark M15 Numpad 1403599 (Model M type, with integrated key stabilizers)
(http://webwit.nl/input/ibm_m15/lexmark.jpg)
Japanese Numpad 65X1138 (Model M BS)
(http://webwit.nl/input/ibm_japan/5576_003_numpad2.jpg)
Model F type numpad 1393387
(http://i.imgur.com/XHz7ETV.jpg)
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That would be a num pad for a Model M4/M4-1. The have what some call "buckling sleeves" which are essentially rubber domes.
HOWEVER, I do believe that is one could find the proper sized springs (diameter of around 1cm maybe, not sure exactly atm, will check this out later) you could swap out the "buckling sleeves" for springs, creating a short-throw linear switch. This will only work with M4s, as the RD/"sleeve" isn't what registers the keystroke, it is the stem on the underside of the keycap. Note that bottoming out would still be required for acuation.
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As has been pointed out by others before, this is an M4-1 keypad with rubber sleeve switches. It attaches directly to the keyboard itself using an SDL cable with a different connector to the regular ones we all know and love. I have no idea how feasible it would be to interface one with a PC directly without resorting to some sort of Teensy adapter mod.
Model F type numpad 1393387
These are Model Ms in fact, but they have a Model F-like assembly inside as plastic rivets wouldn't work with such a small keypad design.
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Based on some info I found online I found a part number for what should be a model F tenkey but the only vendor is oos for some years, and there are no pictures yet. It was likely intended for sue with the 3290 "space unsaver" keyboard. The CAD version of the space unsaver had the LPFK and thus needed no tenkey.
The only other model F that is used as a tenkey is the 4704-100
(http://kishy.dyndns.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/6019273_0001-300x198.jpg)
(thanks to kishy for the image)