geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Wazrach on Tue, 29 May 2018, 07:29:19
-
Hi, I bought a refurbished and customised Model F AT not so long ago. I quite like the metallic ping these keyboards have, so I was a bit disappointed to find the spring ping wasn't present on half of the keys, whereas the others ping slightly, and some a lot. I had a feeling it would be the replacement foam mat, so I removed it and put the keyboard back together, and it turns out that is the case. The keyboard is now very pingy, but it feels weird, rattles a lot and the sound isn't pleasant. My question is, can I use foam thinner than what came with it to stop the rattle without absorbing the pingy sound? It'd be really nice if it sounded like Chryos' Models F, which are super pingy and cool to listen to.
-
I don't have a model f yet but I'd say try denser, harder material first before changing thickness. Changing the form you need to open a few metal tabs every time, do it too many times it'll snap off so be careful.
-
you need to open a few metal tabs every time, do it too many times it'll snap off so be careful.
Huh? IBM usually bent over 1 tab (top right) to lock the assemblies together, but that is not necessary. There is no reason to bend or damage the tabs.
My technique of adding a few bolts keeps everything in place laterally as well as squeezing the plates tight.
-
you need to open a few metal tabs every time, do it too many times it'll snap off so be careful.
Huh? IBM usually bent over 1 tab (top right) to lock the assemblies together, but that is not necessary. There is no reason to bend or damage the tabs.
My technique of adding a few bolts keeps everything in place laterally as well as squeezing the plates tight.
I see, thought the entire thing is hold by the tab like those takeaway food boxes. Still waiting for my F to arrive.
-
Rectangular slots are cut in the bottom plate and the tabs on the underside of the top plate go through them, then the plates slide laterally in opposite directions about 5mm to make a force fit.
That sliding force fit is what makes them so hard to put back together.
-
That's a really clever method to sandwich components :)
-
It puts the whole assembly in a combination of tension and compression, which is, in my opinion, the heart and soul of the stored elastic potential energy that drives the Model F's extraordinary feel. That is why I advocate for thicker and firmer mats, even though they make re-assembly more difficult.
I have always been skeptical of all the "revival" projects because I fear that they fail to reproduce all or part that critical component.
-
It puts the whole assembly in a combination of tension and compression, which is, in my opinion, the heart and soul of the stored elastic potential energy that drives the Model F's extraordinary feel. That is why I advocate for thicker and firmer mats, even though they make re-assembly more difficult.
I have always been skeptical of all the "revival" projects because I fear that they fail to reproduce all or part that critical component.
I think the issue is even with original IBM documents and supplier information the material might have changed due to regulation reasons and such even the same factory is still making the same product, better solution might be supplying few different mats and chose the favorite one. Also I doubt if anyone can still remember what model f felt back then because the foam and human memory degrades over time.
-
What mat do you suggest? eBay links appreciated
-
I like the "art foam" which is sold in the US for scrapbooking.
It is intended to to archival and acid-free. It is about 1/16" (1.5mm) thick and fairly firm, although it molds down to a thin layer under pressure. It is probably called "closed-cell" rather than "open-cell".