geekhack
geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: Oobly on Mon, 08 September 2014, 03:32:17
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Hi,
Found another interesting board: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-IBM-Model-F-Keyboard-1984-/141397604420?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item20ebf43844
It has a weird connector, so no idea how it's wired internally or if it will work with a Soarer converter, but looks like a nice Model F for the money (currently at $25 with 2 days left to bid). I'm not willing to pay the $50 shipping + customs duties to get it, so I'm posting for y'all here.
Hopefully it doesn't end up costing as much as the previous F I posted.... I hope it goes to a GH'er so we can see more details :)
-Oobly
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http://deskthority.net/wiki/IBM_Model_F#IBM_5291_Keyboard aka Bigfoot
Soarer's controller code does handle it. http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50437.0
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You can also see this thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48950.0) for some more details.
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Welp I was watching this and now my hopes of winning are significantly reduced... :-[
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Haha! This one has been on my radar for the last few days as well.
Shipping costs to Australia is probably going to stop me from bidding though.
Will be interesting to see how it goes!
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There are pictures of teardowns of these around the geekhack/deskthority archives, I believe.
What details do you want to know about? It’s a truly ridiculous keyboard, between the silly XT layout, the huge amount of empty space around the edge, and the super-tall 3-stage feet.
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Welp I was watching this and now my hopes of winning are significantly reduced... :-[
Well.... not really. It's quite an obscure board with a big footprint which needs a lot to make it work with a modern PC. AFAIK, you're the only serious bidder of those who've posted in this thread, too.
I imagine it'd be a nice board to type on, with the large palm rest area and being so heavy. I suspect it'll be a good candidate for floss modding.
mclarenman01, since you're in Aussie, this one may be worth a look, although it's got a higher starting bid: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-keyboard-IBM-Model-F-AT-nice-condition-fully-working/251638199704?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3Dd774e8b4d4b045cb895ad6a1e2adaf57%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D20131017132637%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D141397604420
It's an AT, so it'll be easier to get it working with a modern PC.
And here's another "Bigfoot" if someone misses out on the first one posted: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBM-5291-Terminal-Keyboard-Model-F-BigFoot-ships-worldwide-/151345037184?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item233cddff80
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mclarenman01, since you're in Aussie, this one may be worth a look, although it's got a higher starting bid: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-keyboard-IBM-Model-F-AT-nice-condition-fully-working/251638199704?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3Dd774e8b4d4b045cb895ad6a1e2adaf57%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D20131017132637%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D141397604420
It's an AT, so it'll be easier to get it working with a modern PC.
Thanks for the link Oobly! Taht one is on my watch list as well :P
If I was the only bidder it would cost me about AUD$90 (US$80ish) delivered. Seems a little steep to me... What are your thoughts?
I'm having a lot of trouble finding any information on line regarding that board too, part number on the back is 263117990...
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Welp I was watching this and now my hopes of winning are significantly reduced... :-[
I've decided I wont be bidding on this one. Best of luck Vanilla :)
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mclarenman01, since you're in Aussie, this one may be worth a look, although it's got a higher starting bid: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-keyboard-IBM-Model-F-AT-nice-condition-fully-working/251638199704?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3Dd774e8b4d4b045cb895ad6a1e2adaf57%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D20131017132637%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D141397604420
It's an AT, so it'll be easier to get it working with a modern PC.
Thanks for the link Oobly! Taht one is on my watch list as well :P
If I was the only bidder it would cost me about AUD$90 (US$80ish) delivered. Seems a little steep to me... What are your thoughts?
I'm having a lot of trouble finding any information on line regarding that board too, part number on the back is 263117990...
$90 USD is a good price for one in good shape. They have been going for more than that recently. I would say anything under $100 is a good price nowadays, especially delivered. They only very rarely are had in the $70 range.
There are pictures of teardowns of these around the geekhack/deskthority archives, I believe.
What details do you want to know about? It’s a truly ridiculous keyboard, between the silly XT layout, the huge amount of empty space around the edge, and the super-tall 3-stage feet.
Well ideally I'd want to take it apart myself, but I'd like pictures of the top and bottom cases, especially with respect to how the assembly is mounted inside. I have seen good shots of the tri-stage feet as well as the controller and cable wiring.
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$90 USD is a good price for one in good shape. They have been going for more than that recently. I would say anything under $100 is a good price nowadays, especially delivered. They only very rarely are had in the $70 range.
Thanks dorkvader!
I did a little more research last night and the $ you mentioned above sound right to me. There are three bidders on it now, 2 of whom are big keyboard buyers... We will see how I go.... ;)
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The item in OP sold for $52 in the end. Great price for a model F I reckon! Hope it was you, Vanilla!
mclarenman01, good luck with the bidding!
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I ended up winning the auction. I'm going to build a converter and use it as long as it's in good shape (the pictures look good but who knows about the internals). I've used buckling springs for 14 years but I've never tried a Model F so I'm pretty excited.
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I ended up winning the auction. I'm going to build a converter and use it as long as it's in good shape (the pictures look good but who knows about the internals). I've used buckling springs for 14 years but I've never tried a Model F so I'm pretty excited.
They are different and almost everyone likes them a bit better.
Best of luck getting used to the layout.
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I sold one of these for $25 shipped 6 months ago because I didn't think it could be converted. Whoops.
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I sold one of these for $25 shipped 6 months ago because I didn't think it could be converted. Whoops.
Back then it couldn't. Then soarer worked out a replacement controller (He likes doing that, He even had a working one to replace the controller on his displaywriter, making him have likely the first USB displaywriter ever) Then Hasu and others cracked the 4704 communication protocol which this apparantly uses as well. The key was figuring out how to put the KB in a state where it sent upcodes, since it doesn't normally (I guess).
So you have two options: controller or converter.
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I sold one of these for $25 shipped 6 months ago because I didn't think it could be converted. Whoops.
Back then it couldn't. Then soarer worked out a replacement controller (He likes doing that, He even had a working one to replace the controller on his displaywriter, making him have likely the first USB displaywriter ever) Then Hasu and others cracked the 4704 communication protocol which this apparantly uses as well. The key was figuring out how to put the KB in a state where it sent upcodes, since it doesn't normally (I guess).
So you have two options: controller or converter.
Ahhh, I see. Didn't realize that. Still wish I would've kept it around so I could convert it now, but hindsight is 20/20 and all that.