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Author Topic: IBM Model M Spacebar Stabilizer  (Read 3360 times)

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Offline bener

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IBM Model M Spacebar Stabilizer
« on: Tue, 23 July 2013, 02:43:17 »
Hi all,

After lots of lurking around here and other sites, I have finally sourced an IBM Model M keyboard, and it is amazing!

The only real issue is that the space bar is missing its stabilizer, so only works when pushed right in the middle.  I was wondering if anyone
would be willing to measure one up for me so I can make a new one?  I have no reference and I have only been able to find one vague image
online.

I also have a couple of keys that don't click like they should - I have played around with the springs to no avail - reseating (used a toothpick similar
to 'chopstick of death' method), angled board when putting key back on etc. but to no avail - any advice on fixing this issue would also be appreciated!

I feel very proud to be part of the 'buckling spring club' now...!
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Offline bener

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Re: IBM Model M Spacebar Stabilizer
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 23 July 2013, 03:06:29 »
I am from New Zealand by the way, which makes ordering parts somewhat expensive - hence the need for DIY
alternatives!
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Offline rowdy

  • HHKB Hapster
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Re: IBM Model M Spacebar Stabilizer
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 23 July 2013, 05:54:08 »
Welcome to Geekhack!

Here's a few images of one of mine (from a 101 key Model M):





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"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ

Offline bener

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Re: IBM Model M Spacebar Stabilizer
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 23 July 2013, 06:15:58 »
Oh mate! You are a legend!  I may even try making one tonight...

Here's some quick pics of the keyboard in question: http://imgur.com/a/9g0e2

First step, sort out stabilizer, next step, big clean up!  Trying to source a sticker now, blue
left hand side, 82G2383 (made by Lexmark).  I might end up making something to suit, we'll see how it goes. 

Thanks again, your effort is very much appreciated!
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Offline E TwentyNine

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    • Some of My Keyboards
Re: IBM Model M Spacebar Stabilizer
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 23 July 2013, 15:38:03 »
I had used a wire hanger to create one a while back:  http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43223.msg881239#msg881239

Very easy, just eyeballed it, even being a little off the spacebar still feels fine.
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Daily driver: SSK or Tenkeyless IBM AT
1984 Model M Industrial Prototype ⌨ 1992 Black Oval Industrial SSK ⌨ 1982 5251 Beam Spring ⌨ 89 Key "SSK" ⌨ M13 triplets

Offline bener

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Re: IBM Model M Spacebar Stabilizer
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 23 July 2013, 17:13:39 »
That's a good idea - I used a piece of old wire I had around as a tester, but it was a bit heavy and didn't work too well...

Thanks for the image, I'm not sure why I didn't stumble upon that thread on my searches...
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