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Author Topic: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.  (Read 6341 times)

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Offline ezrahilyer

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Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« on: Fri, 28 November 2014, 23:06:56 »
The LEDs are controlled with the 'Scroll-Lock key', I wired the LEDs into the trigger circuit for scroll lock so you can toggle it on or off.

I am pretty happy with it, and there were no permanent modifications to the chimney plate, you can take the LEDs out if you wanted, and the plate would be unharmed.
I think next time I won't use one with a black chimney=plate, and I will also not use one of the newer lexmark ones, since they have little raised ribs that interfere with an even coverage of light. I will probably make the next one with green LED backlighting. We shall see...

Blue LED glow:





Looking great even when the lights are on.
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Offline Puddsy

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 28 November 2014, 23:15:51 »
Not bad.
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Offline FrostyToast

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 28 November 2014, 23:30:38 »
Definitely cool.
Although modifying the plate would definitely yield more consistent results. Not sure if anyone would attempt that.
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Offline ezrahilyer

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 28 November 2014, 23:37:05 »
Quote from: FrostyToast on Fri, 28 November 2014, 23:30:38
Definitely cool.
Although modifying the plate would definitely yield more consistent results. Not sure if anyone would attempt that.

Unless someone somehow develops a way to make backlit compatible Model M caps, i don't think there would be much point in lighting the inside of the key barrel, but doing the LEDs on the surface of the chimney plate, seems to work pretty well, I think that doing one LED for each key would look the best and be the most even. This was only 30 LEDs, the next time I do this, I think I will do 50 or 60 instead. I also chose a bad plate to use as my base, I chose a black Lexmark one, so I have the black color to absorb the light, and also there are little ribs between the rows which block the light.

It still looks great, but yes the light isn't as even as I would like it to be.

-Ezra
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Offline scubaste

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 28 November 2014, 23:43:10 »
This is pretty cool. Will you consider showing some pictures of the mounted LEDs without the keycaps next time!?
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Offline ezrahilyer

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 28 November 2014, 23:48:22 »
Quote from: scubaste on Fri, 28 November 2014, 23:43:10
This is pretty cool. Will you consider showing some pictures of the mounted LEDs without the keycaps next time!?

Yes i will, I will do one in green next. I will take pictures with the caps and stems off and post them when I do.
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Offline Evo_Spec

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 28 November 2014, 23:51:15 »
very neat!, look forward to seeing the pictures of the inside.
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Offline ablooga

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #7 on: Sat, 29 November 2014, 00:04:36 »
the unbalanced light makes it look extra ugly. ew
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Offline Jexu_IBM

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #8 on: Sat, 29 November 2014, 02:36:10 »
very geek  :thumb:
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Offline berserkfan

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #9 on: Sat, 29 November 2014, 08:40:03 »
Not to discourage you but the keycaps really don't help. If you want a mod that will be popular, saleable and also give the end user a lot of utility, why not do bluetooth mod?
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Offline dorkvader

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #10 on: Sat, 29 November 2014, 08:43:08 »
Quote from: ezrahilyer on Fri, 28 November 2014, 23:37:05
e somehow develops a way to make backlit compatible Model M caps

I think DFJ cast one a few years ago.

sweet mod! What sort of LEDs did you use?
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Offline 0100010

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #11 on: Sat, 29 November 2014, 10:05:33 »
F5
F5
F5
F5
F5

Where are the build / teardown / internal pictures?!?   :thumb:
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Offline hwood34

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #12 on: Sat, 29 November 2014, 11:20:52 »
Definitely pretty good for a first try, the lighting is obviously pretty uneven but still a solid mod :thumb:
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Offline Vizir

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 01 December 2014, 22:37:38 »
Very very cool. I wonder how it'll look with more even lighting. Looking forward to the next mod with more leds.
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Offline shut up

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 02 December 2014, 19:00:48 »
Pretty cool idea, and execution! How does it look in person compared to the pictures? I personally think that it would have looked better with a black keyboard, but that's just me.
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Offline ezrahilyer

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Re: Backlit LED IBM Model M...... My first attempt.
« Reply #15 on: Wed, 03 December 2014, 09:49:19 »
I expect to be doing another one of these sometime on Friday evening. I will post detailed photos of the process when I do.
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