JPG LF IBM model F

[JPG]

I am interested in getting a model F to try it. In fact, I am mostly interested in trying the F switches more than having a functional keyboard since I find them too big and with strange layouts.

So I don't really want to pay a lot for it. If I can get one under 50$ shipped to Canada, I would be happy, the lower the better as long as it's not totally broken. It needs to be just in a good enough shape to have working switches.

So if you think you have something for me, pm me and maybe post a picture of it to give me an idea of how good or bad the condition of the keyboard is.

[Capitalistix]

Im not trying to be a debbie downer. But I honestly wish good luck in finding one under 50. At least one thats been USB/Teensy modded and including shipping to CA. Im in FL and simply due to shipping had to pay about 75 for mine, and that was shipped from another location in FL =/

They're just hella heavy. BUT they are worth it in my opinion. They're fantastic quality boards. I feel after the great nuclear war in the future, these will be the only boards that will be intact. =p

[fohat.digs]

The Model F 122-key terminal keyboard is quite large and heavy.

The Model F 83-key (aka XT) and 84-key (aka AT) keyboards are not large at all, about the same size as an SSK, but are still fairly heavy.

The AT styles are very nice and can sometimes be bought under $100, plus they do not need any adapter or converter.

The XT style has a strange and bad layout, and thus can be had much cheaper. It will require a converter, unfortunately. They usually sell under $50, sometimes considerably less.

The more patient you are, the less you pay.

[berserkfan]

if you only want to try, and aren't sure you will keep the F, maybe you can check out your fellow canadians. There are some collectors in Canada, dunno how far you live from them.

Due to the high cost of shipping, always good to play around with the F first.

But to get one that has been teensy modded for under 75; that's an amazing price.

I am interested in getting a model F to try it. In fact, I am mostly interested in trying the F switches more than having a functional keyboard since I find them too big and with strange layouts.

So I don't really want to pay a lot for it. If I can get one under 50$ shipped to Canada, I would be happy, the lower the better as long as it's not totally broken. It needs to be just in a good enough shape to have working switches.

So if you think you have something for me, pm me and maybe post a picture of it to give me an idea of how good or bad the condition of the keyboard is.

[JPG]

if you only want to try, and aren't sure you will keep the F, maybe you can check out your fellow canadians. There are some collectors in Canada, dunno how far you live from them.

Due to the high cost of shipping, always good to play around with the F first.

But to get one that has been teensy modded for under 75; that's an amazing price.

I am interested in getting a model F to try it. In fact, I am mostly interested in trying the F switches more than having a functional keyboard since I find them too big and with strange layouts.

So I don't really want to pay a lot for it. If I can get one under 50$ shipped to Canada, I would be happy, the lower the better as long as it's not totally broken. It needs to be just in a good enough shape to have working switches.

So if you think you have something for me, pm me and maybe post a picture of it to give me an idea of how good or bad the condition of the keyboard is.

As I said, I am not looking for a working one, so no teensy mod needed. And even if most have like 50$++ shipping on ebay, some have around 15$ shipping (from texas) but sadly the keyboards he sells are not so cheap. Anyway, I will keep looking and be patient with this!

[fohat.digs]

And even if most have like 50$++ shipping on ebay, some have around 15$ shipping

Flat rate shipping from US to Canada in game board box is $53.95

There have been countless threads here about the ridiculousness of US-to-Canada postal pricing. And the private carriers are worse.

Make a friend on the US side of the border and go visit.

[kishy]

The 107-key behemoth 4704 keyboard (not technically an F, but capacitive buckling spring, with metal shell - the big sibling of the Kishsaver) shipped from Texas to Ontario via USPS for around 30 bucks (if that).

There is absolutely no reason to use a flat rate box for these things other than not wanting to put forth the effort.

As for you, JPG, you will find what you want. Something worth noting though, there's an eBay seller that often has dumb terminal stuff listed who's in Montreal IIRC - might be worth investigating. They can likely get their hands on one.

Also, if you have a Canadian Tire near you, go and check the various inventory computers - in my local stores they're still running IBM dumb terminals, and yes, they have 122-key terminal Model Fs. If nobody's around, you could try hitting some of the 'typewriter block' (e.g. alphabet) to check the key feel. Don't hit anything other than those keys because there's no real way of knowing what they might be mapped to do in their software.

[fohat.digs]

shipped from Texas to Ontario via USPS for around 30 bucks (if that).

I have great respect for you, and your knowledge, but something here is just not squaring up.

Your statement above would have been quite true a couple of years ago, but shipping has been on a rapid spike upwards recently. I have had numerous and repeated conversations with clerks at the PO about this, and have questioned them repeatedly about alternatives. Some of these employees have worked for the PO for decades and know all the ins and outs.

The Model F that I sent to Toronto earlier this month would have been about $2 more if I had not used the flat rate box. Maybe a smaller F would go for $48 instead of $54, but I absolutely refuse to believe that a hefty keyboard would ship from the US to Canada for $30 without seeing recent proof.

Perhaps shipping is cheaper going south.

[kishy]

shipped from Texas to Ontario via USPS for around 30 bucks (if that).

I have great respect for you, and your knowledge, but something here is just not squaring up.

Your statement above would have been quite true a couple of years ago, but shipping has been on a rapid spike upwards recently. I have had numerous and repeated conversations with clerks at the PO about this, and have questioned them repeatedly about alternatives. Some of these employees have worked for the PO for decades and know all the ins and outs.

The Model F that I sent to Toronto earlier this month would have been about $2 more if I had not used the flat rate box. Maybe a smaller F would go for $48 instead of $54, but I absolutely refuse to believe that a hefty keyboard would ship from the US to Canada for $30 without seeing recent proof.

Perhaps shipping is cheaper going south.

I just dug up the email with the tracking number - 2011! Wow how time flies...

Anyway, if there has been an increase, notably an expensive increase since then, indeed my quote above would be way off. I do recall the USPS was talking about ways to correct their financial problems so perhaps this is one of them.

Anything into the 40s or low 50s I'd say is still better than the couriers, as they assess extra fees at time of delivery ("brokerage", over and above and whether or not you're also getting nailed with duty and/or taxes).

[berserkfan]

yeah, jpg, so the long and short of this is, it's not worth shipping a model f across borders unless you are damn sure you really, really love these things and want to use them. if you only want to feel around, make a friend and visit him. or you'll end up with a heavy, expensive piece of junk.

I know this very well, since I have several heavy, expensive pieces of junk.  )  And I am typing this to you on a Model F XT now, really awesome keyboard that I absolutely love. It feels more solid than Ducky+Filco+Deck put together!

If you do like the key feel, I think you will be quite willing to make yourself get used to the layout!

[dorkvader]

The 107-key behemoth 4704 keyboard (not technically an F, but capacitive buckling spring, with metal shell - the big sibling of the Kishsaver) shipped from Texas to Ontario via USPS for around 30 bucks (if that).

That was shipped to you before the USPS upped their prices recently. It will be more expensive to ship a 13+lb box of that size to Canada.
Just looked it up, and (guessing as to the minimum box dimensions for safe shipping) it'd be about $50 just for shipping.

That said, there's really no reason to use a flat rate box for this, unless the item is very heavy. They are convenient, but do not save money for lighter items.

Your best option is to find a model F XT from another Canadian who doesn't want theirs.

Best of luck! I added up what it'd cost to get my XT to you and it wouldn't be under $50 shipped unless I sold the KB at a significant loss. Otherwise, I'd be happy to. Model F's are great , and you should certainly try one.

[vivalarevolución]

I had an F122 shipped to me from Canada for $35 just a couple months ago.  So it's not that bad.  It can be hard to find long and thin boxes, though.

[berserkfan]

I'm not sure if a long thin box is that good for an F122. The box can easily get stacked leaning against a wall, and fall over. I'm had the experience where an F122 was sent to me in a long thin box (standard size priority large). The shipper was a really good guy who tried to protect the F122, but both ends of bubble wrap wound up being crushed.

F122 is a ridiculously hard thing to ship I think. Or maybe I am just unlucky. I get the impression I am always unlucky. Only yesterday I cut three fingers while... washing a metal dish rack.

I had an F122 shipped to me from Canada for $35 just a couple months ago.  So it's not that bad.  It can be hard to find long and thin boxes, though.

[fohat.digs]

That said, there's really no reason to use a flat rate box for this, unless the item is very heavy. They are convenient, but do not save money for lighter items.

The "breakover" point where the size and weight favors the flat rate box is just about where a smaller Model F or a standard Model M sits in a well-packaged box. When you go any larger than that, the flat rate is the best.

For plastic keyboards, you don't need the flat rate.

Inside the US, UPS is your best bet if you are going to a nearby state, costing a little more than Parcel Post but being faster than Priority Mail and having automatic insurance, but by the time you go halfway across the country, it is more than the PO.

[kishy]

Yes...UPS is actually cheaper up front to Canada in some cases, but they charge a brokerage fee as well, so figured I'd throw that in there...whether or not you pay duty/customs, you can bet you'll pay the $20 brokerage fee upon delivery if UPS is the courier.

I do believe my suggestion of visiting a Canadian Tire store is probably best since OP's not even concerned about using it/it working, just wants to evaluate key feel. Beware though that some of the terminals were replaced and no longer have IBM keyboards, but any store that's been around for a long time should still have one or two kicking around.

[JPG]

Thx all for the info. I will keep my eyes open! And if shipped, I would definitely prefer usps since Canada post never charged me anything more than the base shipping cost "yet".