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Author Topic: Newly Acquired IBM Model F XT spacebar issues  (Read 1585 times)

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Offline Genkaz

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Newly Acquired IBM Model F XT spacebar issues
« on: Sat, 28 September 2019, 23:36:21 »
I acquired an IBM model F recently and started trying it out with the Soros connector.

I started cleaning it and took out the space bar without being aware that I was not really supposed to do that and am unsure if I broke anything or not as a result.

I reattached the spacebar without properly seating it and it does work but feels ridiculously heavy.

I tried the floss trick of drilling the hole in order to reseat it without disassembling the board but I do not believe it worked, the space bar would simply become stuck and not lift up after trying to reseat it correctly.

I guess my main questions consist of whether I broke anything, and whether it is possible to improve the space bar in any way such as make it less ridiculously heavy as well as seating it correctly on the keyboard.

I am not familiar with disassembling the board and would appreciate some recommendations if that becomes necessary in order to fix the space bar issues.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Newly Acquired IBM Model F XT spacebar issues
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 29 September 2019, 07:39:26 »
Model F XT and AT have a complex "undercarriage" system for their space bars that require top and bottom components to mate with the plate between them.

You will have to take it apart to get them re-installed. That in itself is not a trivial endeavor, hence the weighted thread technique to keep the center in place while you use both hands to snap the long parts together.
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Offline Genkaz

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Re: Newly Acquired IBM Model F XT spacebar issues
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 29 September 2019, 11:02:28 »
Do I require any special tools or equipment in order to disassemble the keyboard effectively?
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Newly Acquired IBM Model F XT spacebar issues
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 29 September 2019, 20:34:48 »
No, the plates are made to slide apart and back together, but a good set of clamps makes it a lot easier.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Genkaz

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Re: Newly Acquired IBM Model F XT spacebar issues
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 03 October 2019, 00:38:36 »
I believe I reseated the spacebar correctly by following the dissasembly instructions mentioned in a reddit thread. I also applied a mod which seems to have made it a bit lighter at this link: https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=6982
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