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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: Nuwanda on Sat, 14 November 2015, 09:31:27

Title: I'll get myself a good keyboard, I said. That can't be too hard, I said.
Post by: Nuwanda on Sat, 14 November 2015, 09:31:27

Hi,

I am Nuwanda, a guy who is studiing informatics in Germany. I really like the old Buckling Springs, so recently i thought i might get myself one. Now i was just about ready to buy a plain Model M, when i discovered a thread about new Keyboard controllers for old Model F's made by xwhatsit. Now I really want to restore an old Model F 122 key terminal keyboard, but I am not sure whether this is a task a newbie can even do (it doesnt look too hard in videos about it, but nothing looks hard when done by someone who has done it a million times) and if a Model F is really a good choice for a daily driver (I mean i get told they are even sturdier than the Model M's, but after all they are over 30 years old), so I decided it was about time to join this community.

Hi everyone and thanks for any advice,
Nuwanda

Title: Re: I'll get myself a good keyboard, I said. That can't be too hard, I said.
Post by: bocahgundul on Sat, 14 November 2015, 09:42:39

Wellcome to GH Bro. Model F is one of the best keyboard bro

Title: Re: I'll get myself a good keyboard, I said. That can't be too hard, I said.
Post by: demik on Sat, 14 November 2015, 09:58:25

HHKB

Title: Re: I'll get myself a good keyboard, I said. That can't be too hard, I said.
Post by: Waateva on Sat, 14 November 2015, 22:58:33

Quote from: demik on Sat, 14 November 2015, 09:58:25

HHKB

He likes click clack not thock thock

Title: Re: I'll get myself a good keyboard, I said. That can't be too hard, I said.
Post by: demik on Sat, 14 November 2015, 22:59:24

**** it

Title: Re: I'll get myself a good keyboard, I said. That can't be too hard, I said.
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 15 November 2015, 01:26:20

Welcome to Geekhack!

I recently acquired a Model M 122 with the intent to restore it (and convert it to ANSI).  While researching parts for it I discovered that I might be able to get a Model F 122 as well!

I have been pointed to this excellent thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48786.0) for a breakdown of the process, tools etc.

Title: Re: I'll get myself a good keyboard, I said. That can't be too hard, I said.
Post by: Nuwanda on Mon, 16 November 2015, 13:59:13

Hi again and thanks for the welcome. I did not realize that the springs between the Model M's and Model F's are incompatible and that i would therefore need to buy two to make one working keyboard :/ Thats currently slightly over my budget, so I am getting a Model M. Thank you for the helpful link :)

Title: Re: I'll get myself a good keyboard, I said. That can't be too hard, I said.
Post by: Carcharocles on Mon, 16 November 2015, 20:11:27

Unicomp makes Model M's today, although they call them the Classic and Ultra Classic (the Ultra Classic being a modernized take on the keyboard). The finishing is a bit rougher than most other keyboards (they've been using the same dies for decades) but they're quality keyboards that only go for around 90 bucks. Shipping and customs may get you though, so you should check out ebay and see if there are any used Unicomps/Model M's on the market nearby if it runs too high.

Title: Re: I'll get myself a good keyboard, I said. That can't be too hard, I said.
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 18 November 2015, 04:04:34

Massdrop also sometimes has a drop of Unicomp keyboards, shipping from them might be a bit more palatable.

Title: Re: I'll get myself a good keyboard, I said. That can't be too hard, I said.
Post by: Nuwanda on Fri, 20 November 2015, 10:46:56

Thanks for the tip, I considered unicomp, but sadly shipping and customs add up to another 90 bucks, so I am just getting an old Model M from eBay and cleaning it (this means no meta-key, but thats not too bad).

Title: Re: I'll get myself a good keyboard, I said. That can't be too hard, I said.
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 22 November 2015, 01:21:03

Quote from: Nuwanda on Fri, 20 November 2015, 10:46:56

Thanks for the tip, I considered unicomp, but sadly shipping and customs add up to another 90 bucks, so I am just getting an old Model M from eBay and cleaning it (this means no meta-key, but thats not too bad).

The old Model M keyboards usually clean up very well!