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Author Topic: Is it worth to buy not working properly IBM Model M  (Read 1892 times)

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Offline Voldus

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Is it worth to buy not working properly IBM Model M
« on: Sat, 13 April 2019, 07:02:57 »
Hi everyone. I'm new here.
I've been thinking of buying an IBM Model M keyboard for a long time, but they were extremely expensive (and considering I live in Russia that would be REALLY expensive since delivery is expensive too).
But yesterday I met a guy who is selling IBM Model M for 25$ or so. Unfortunately, the keyboard does not work properly. The previous owner spillt juice over the keyboard and some keys don't work.
It seems that some conductive path corroded, but I'm not quite sure. If so, I could try to fix them them some electroconductive paint.

Is it worth to buy such a keyboard? Did anyone repair Model M with such problems? Is it hard to fix it?
P.S. Attaching a photo with not working keys. It's not the keyboard, but show the keys that still work.
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Offline Sup

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Re: Is it worth to buy not working properly IBM Model M
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 13 April 2019, 07:56:49 »
If you want to take the risk and put time and effort into it yes if not no.
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Offline rowdy

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Re: Is it worth to buy not working properly IBM Model M
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 14 April 2019, 21:56:48 »
Welcome to Geekhack!

You might be able to repair the keyboard, or not.  If it is a corroded trace, there is quite a lot of effort to disassemble the keyboard, and will require a bolt mod to put it back together again.  Which will probably require to to buy a few more parts.

On the other hand, if $25 is not too much money, then you will have a whole keyboard of spare parts.  If you find another Model M that works but is missing keycaps, say, you can transfer the missing keycaps from the broken keyboard to the working one.  Or the controller.  Or case.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Is it worth to buy not working properly IBM Model M
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 15 April 2019, 07:20:19 »
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 14 April 2019, 21:56:48

On the other hand, if $25 is not too much money, then you will have a whole keyboard of spare parts. 


A full set of keycaps costs $30 + shipping in the US, so that one is worth it even as a parts donor.
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