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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Phaedrus2129 on Thu, 11 March 2010, 23:10:05
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I'm still bottoming out on my Model M sometimes, and I know why. The switches are worn!
If you compare, say, home row with Print Screen/Scroll Lock/Pause the home row keys are definitely fractionally lighter (maybe by ~5-10g) and the tactile bump is less pronounced. They still work just fine, it isn't at all like what I've heard described for ruined springs. It's just... Worn.
Not nearly as much as my old HP multimedia board, mind. I used that for ~2 1/2 years and the home row is almost useless. These buckling spring switches have worn down as much in twenty one years as that old membrane did in four months. And that's impressive. But I think now I'm looking forward to typing on a board that hasn't seen such extensive (read: decades of) use.
EDIT: I think this was used in an office for data entry or something, because the numpad is worn almost as much as home row. I think this baby has seen some heavy use during its life.
But has anyone seen this in a Model M? Or am I just imagining things? Or are the switches bad?
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Only you can know if you test out spring tension of other keys.
If the tension isn't good anymore, order some new key springs for your model M here:
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/11298/subcatid/0/id/112467 (http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/11298/subcatid/0/id/112467)
I bottom out my keys all the time, regardless of their condition (you should see my thinkpad, there's green markings from the keys scraping the black rubber layer off).
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It's still ok as is. Definitely usable. But I do think I'll refurbish it at some point. Sending it to Unicomp is tempting, as a work saving method, but somehow that feels like it wouldn't be the same keyboard anymore, ya' know? ;)
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It certainly happens. Springs get mushy.
Unicomp will sell you a bag of spring/hammer assemblies (don't know the price, Webwit did this). Then its $10 of bolts/nuts and you can refurbish the keyboard.
Or send the thing to Unicomp and they'll charge you $30 or so and just pop in a brand new inner assembly and reuse your case/keys.
I hope you mean by "inner assembly" that it's only the springs, not the whole plastic seating. If they did chuck the whole inner seating, well, mine's an older Model M with the extra braces; I wouldn't want them removing it!
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I hope you mean by "inner assembly" that it's only the springs, not the whole plastic seating. If they did chuck the whole inner seating, well, mine's an older Model M with the extra braces; I wouldn't want them removing it!
Yeah, that's what I was thinking he meant... Unicomp has cost-reduced the housing and plates, so they aren't as durable. I wouldn't want it replaced with that version when I have the beefed up IBM original already.
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Yeah, that's what I was thinking he meant... Unicomp has cost-reduced the housing and plates, so they aren't as durable. I wouldn't want it replaced with that version when I have the beefed up IBM original already.
One of the problems they'd have, is, the old keys aren't compatible with the "new" backings (you'd have a lot of plastic smashing into itself).
I think it's best to just fix it up yourself; not that difficult.
Buy a screwdriver that fits from here (http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/11298/subcatid/0/id/105901), take off the bezel, and get to the springs. I think you might have the take off the little melted stubs.
Then you can get all of your dust buddies out of your model m:
(http://www.dataswamp.net/photo/rasterburn-computerism/ibm_model_m_keyboard--nastiness-first_clean_in_18_years.jpg)
So chop chop! Get that model M fixed up.
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Maybe. After my G84-4100 arrives, though.
Though it sounds like it would be about $50 all up to refurbish it like that... Over halfway to a brand new Unicomp.
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Maybe. After my G84-4100 arrives, though.
Though it sounds like it would be about $50 all up to refurbish it like that... Over halfway to a brand new Unicomp.
The only thing which really needs fixing are the springs, right? Springs from clickykeyboards are only $1 per a set of 10. CHEAP!
You could always go dumpster diving for some new parts: which sadly I haven't been able to do since there aren't any computer dumps.
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Manyak (I know y'all hate him) said that Unicomp will sell you a set of 104 for $10+shipping. So that's a win there!
But still it's probably:
Springs/hammers - $15
Nut driver - $10
Nuts/bolts/screws - ~$10-20
So $35-$45, plus I might need to pick up sandpaper if it's really rusted...
I know I'm just making excuses, but money is moderately tight. I still have some extra (I just bought a G84 after all) but I don't want to spend on something that isn't really a huge bother.
Also, the space bar squeaks. :p
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NIB Model M 1391401 on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-1391401-NEW_W0QQitemZ320499307844QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item4a9f3f5544) sitting at $46 currently.
Those always go up to $80-$120 at the last minute. It would be wonderful to have one though!
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I've got a Dremel somewhere... But I think it got lost somewhere when we moved, and I don't feel like sifting boxes.