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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: gustavQ on Fri, 30 May 2014, 09:52:18

Title: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: gustavQ on Fri, 30 May 2014, 09:52:18: Hey everyone,

I was given for free, literally for free, a IBM Model-M 1391403. According to the web is a old french AZERTY model. I already manage to change some keycaps, so now is QWERTY, the sound and the touch are just great. However, I have some Keycaps missing and I want to restauring the keyboard as much as possible. I checked that sticky topic keycaps shops list hopping that I would find anything usefull, but I just find keycaps for recent mechanical keyboards.

Do you know any place that I could find replacement keycaps? I would like to get some custom also. I'm afraid that the only solution is to find some damaged keyboards and replace them.

Thanks,
gustavQ
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: madhias on Fri, 30 May 2014, 10:00:17: You could find and order some caps at Unicomp (http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/Buttons).
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: gustavQ on Fri, 30 May 2014, 10:09:47: madhias, thanks for the fast reply.

I forgot to mention, I'm not from US, so the shipping costs are huge.
Any alternative in Europe?
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: fohat.digs on Fri, 30 May 2014, 10:20:02: I have a brand new "Red Alert" set that no one seems interested in.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58324.0
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: vivalarevolución on Fri, 30 May 2014, 10:22:17: You can try clickykeyboards.com as well. These have plenty of extra for sale, and they are from original Model Ms.

http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/10191
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: gustavQ on Fri, 30 May 2014, 11:23:58: Thanks guys. Unfortunately they are all US stores.

I already checked clickykeyboards.com and simulated a order, the total was 8$ for the keycaps plus 28$ of shipping cost. Not worth it comparing with the prices of keycaps, if I can buy a full set, lets say for 30$, with the same shipping cost that is different and it seems a more reasonable price.

fohat.digs, I liked those "Red Alert" keycaps. You also have for ISO layout keyboards? They have some differences, and in the Unicomp I can only see ANSI layout keycaps.
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: fohat.digs on Fri, 30 May 2014, 14:47:41: Quote from: gustavQ on Fri, 30 May 2014, 11:23:58
fohat.digs, I liked those "Red Alert" keycaps. You also have for ISO layout keyboards?

No, I only have one set that I bought from Unicomp last week.
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: aref on Fri, 30 May 2014, 15:36:19: I have a box or original IBM Model key caps. Which caps are you interested in
buying? I sell the caps you want/need, but I'll ship only if it's to a U.S. address.

Or, you can buy a keyboard for around $50 on ebay and have the key caps you
need along with some extra Model M parts, which may be a wiser purchase.
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 31 May 2014, 02:36:21: Welcome to Geekhack!

Another option might be to buy a second Model M.

If you have patience and keep looking, you might get lucky eventually.

Someone here reported buying two for $4 :eek:
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: newchemicals on Sat, 31 May 2014, 03:58:16: I would be interested in custom keycaps for model Ms. It looks like sales happen every now and then.
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: katushkin on Sat, 31 May 2014, 04:03:38: I am willing to order from Unicomp, but for some reason they don't do any ISO layout sets.

I may have to buy a broken ISO off ebay or something.
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: nilpt on Sat, 31 May 2014, 04:14:31: Unicomp sells blank ISO sets: 102 pearl/pebble or 102 gray.
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: katushkin on Sat, 31 May 2014, 05:31:37: Orly.
Title: Re: IBM Model-M Keycaps
Post by: nilpt on Sat, 31 May 2014, 12:25:26: And also your specific layout...
Just tell them the keyboard code -1391406 GB ISO - in a custom printed set.