Weird, Non-Buckling Spring Space Unsaver?

[Krogenar]

Found this listing on eBay --

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-KEYBOARD-104-KEY-DATA-ENTRY-P-N-09F4231-/111000838686?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item19d82a621e

10 new in box, but it doesn't appear to be a buckling spring. Birthdate is 1990. Also, check out the feet on these things -- one big long foot at the back. Considering picking it up -- not sure if a Soarer Converter could be used with it. I wish I could get a side view of this keyboard because the long stretch containing the 24 function keys looks monolithic!

Can anyone tell me more about this keyboard? Or the key switch?

[bazemk1979]

I thinkk key switcehs were called space invaders, but not quite sure... its not mechanical though, and i believe someone from here bought it and made it work with soarers

[SmallFry]

They are rubber dome keyboards.

[ed_avis]

It says 'soft touch', which I think is IBM-speak for rubber dome.  Not to be confused with 'quiet touch' which is buckling spring smeared with silicone grease.

[Krogenar]

Thanks everyone for the heads up -- will be passing these over.

[dorkvader]

They are rubber dome keyboards.

honeywell rubber domes if I recall correctly.

This one seems to have some really odd keycaps. No number row? odd mix of beige/pebble? what's the secondary legends on the alpha keys for? It does appear to have PF keycaps.

Too bad they are not compatible with BS.

[Krogenar]

They are rubber dome keyboards.

honeywell rubber domes if I recall correctly.

This one seems to have some really odd keycaps. No number row? odd mix of beige/pebble? what's the secondary legends on the alpha keys for? It does appear to have PF keycaps.

Too bad they are not compatible with BS.

Great observation -- I hadn't noticed that the number row was not present. These are labeled as DATA ENTRY keyboards, but... no number row? Seems pretty weird. I noticed that the description reads:

Keyboard is NEW in the original IBM box.  Each box will be opened to verify contents.  One of the keyboards pictured was disassembled to show parts clarity (this specific keyboard used in the photos will not be re-boxed and sold).

Maybe they pulled it apart for the photos, and then just randomly stuck the keycaps back haphazardly? Looks like some of the alpha keycaps have superscripts on them. Maybe some weird layout for stenographers? You also mentioned Honeywell rubber domes -- do they differ from ordinary rubber domes much?

[ed_avis]

I am still looking for a spacebar stabilizer for a 122-key Model F - I wonder if the spacebar on this board (or its buckling-spring brother) could serve as a donor?

[phetto]

They are rubber dome keyboards.

honeywell rubber domes if I recall correctly.

This one seems to have some really odd keycaps. No number row? odd mix of beige/pebble? what's the secondary legends on the alpha keys for? It does appear to have PF keycaps.

Too bad they are not compatible with BS.

I think the keycaps would be some sort of universal iso solution.

I am going to pick one of these babies up

[fohat.digs]

That F-122 spacebar is a problem. I have enough parts to build another F-122 - except for a spacebar.

When I get some spare time, I am planning to make a bracket to use the Model M spacebar, with its thicker wire. I believe it is the same, otherwise.

I think that I can make it out of metal, wire maybe?, to the right height, and epoxy it on. Shouldn't be too hard, and I could bend it up and down until I got the clearance just right.

[Krogenar]

I asked seller about lack of number row on this and he confirmed that the photos are accurate. Some of the alpha keys subscripts are NUMBERS. He posted additional photos and stated that they are all such (not just put back on in a weird way). Strange layout indeed.