geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Choker on Sun, 18 January 2015, 23:49:25
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I'm considering buying a Model M on eBay. The one I want has this damage on the cord, but otherwise works fine. I want it because it has the "dental floss mod" done.
The seller claims that "there are three layers on the cable: the outside rubber housing, then a metal shield, then the wire. The outside housing is now pulled away from the end connector but the rest is intact completely and there is absolutely no perceivable damage to the actual cable OR the metal shielding. The keyboard works no different and I've never had any issues with keystrokes."
Note this is later model with the non-detachable cord.
I've never had a Model M before so I've no idea whether it's true. Can I trust him? Is there really a metal shield in between the rubber and the wire? What if the "metal shield" is in fact the wire itself?
Thanks very much!!
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Yes there is a metal shield; it is wired to the metal back plate on the keyboard side and to the metal ring on the PS/2 connector on the other side.
And I've got a cable in a condition much worse than that (seems the plastic deteriorates over time) which still works nicely:
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A bit of heat-shrink tube or insulating tape should conceal the problem. Preferably both, to add a bit of stability.
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Model M's are fairly cheap these days. Have you considered buying one with an undamaged cable and floss modding it yourself? It's a pretty simple and straight forward mod.
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Ezrahilyer is selling off his extra cables in the classifieds.
Orihalcon's cables are pricey but really clean and efficient.
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(Attachment Link)
I'm considering buying a Model M on eBay. The one I want has this damage on the cord, but otherwise works fine. I want it because it has the "dental floss mod" done.
The seller claims that "there are three layers on the cable: the outside rubber housing, then a metal shield, then the wire. The outside housing is now pulled away from the end connector but the rest is intact completely and there is absolutely no perceivable damage to the actual cable OR the metal shielding. The keyboard works no different and I've never had any issues with keystrokes."
Note this is later model with the non-detachable cord.
I've never had a Model M before so I've no idea whether it's true. Can I trust him? Is there really a metal shield in between the rubber and the wire? What if the "metal shield" is in fact the wire itself?
Thanks very much!!
Did the seller tell you the exact model of that keyboard? It could be one of several that have the cord built in. My guess is that it could be the 42H1292, but it could be a 52G keyboard too. The connectors to the controllers are different. Rowdy did rewire a new cable to his and had to change a couple things. If you wanted to replace the cable, I don't see a problem, just be sure that the connections are correct.
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Will work fine as is, or you can order a replacement cord from Unicomp - I think they are $10 or $15.
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Will work fine as is, or you can order a replacement cord from Unicomp - I think they are $10 or $15.
Why pay anything when you can take an old PS/2 connector off an old keyboard and do it for free? All he has to do is wire up the replacement cord to the controller. A few minutes of work. Well worth it.
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I ended up making a replacement cable for one of my Model M out of a cable removed from an old membrane PS/2 keyboard.
Works well!