Author Topic: Not an IBM... What?  (Read 1272 times)

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Offline ander

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Not an IBM... What?
« on: Thu, 05 January 2017, 21:17:45 »
Here's a strange thing:

Rare VINTAGE IBM Keyboard Replacement Parts only Keys Repair parts








This is the 2nd or 3rd time I've seen this listed. It doesn't look like any IBM I've ever seen. (The keys wouldn't yellow, for one.) What is it? Part of an old foam-and-foil board? The alphanumerics make me think Key Tronic.
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Offline klennkellon

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Re: Not an IBM... What?
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 05 January 2017, 21:37:56 »
Looks like Foam and Foil.

Offline Findecanor

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Re: Not an IBM... What?
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 05 January 2017, 21:40:10 »
Yep. That is part of a Key Tronic foam-and-foil keyboard. I still have a plate just like that one, but in ISO.

The foam pads have a tendency to crumble apart with age. Might be interesting only if the foam is in good condition and shipping is cheap or free (pick-up) - then the sliders and foam could be reused for repairing another vintage keyboard. There are a few more collectible keyboards that used the same switches, for instance the Apple Lisa's.
Otherwise useless without the case and the special PCB and electronics that have capacitative sensing (although I might still have mine). The key feel is absolutely horrible but it has N-key rollover.

The "IBM" monicker could be keyword-spamming, but it it could also be because many keyboards of the time did carry text on the retail boxes in large letters displaying that they were "IBM PC-compatible" or "for IBM AT" or whatever.
« Last Edit: Thu, 05 January 2017, 21:42:21 by Findecanor »
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