Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[klennkellon]

I can get an IBM Model M for $58 shipped, very clean looking, is this a good price for one?

Alternatively, I can get a filthy one with a few keycaps missing for like $38 shipped.

[fohat.digs]

I can get an IBM Model M for $58 shipped, very clean looking, is this a good price for one?

Alternatively, I can get a filthy one with a few keycaps missing for like $38 shipped.

Keycaps from Unicomp are $1 or more for spacebars + $6 at least for shipping. Unless you are significantly strapped, buy the clean complete one.

[klennkellon]

I can get an IBM Model M for $58 shipped, very clean looking, is this a good price for one?

Alternatively, I can get a filthy one with a few keycaps missing for like $38 shipped.

Keycaps from Unicomp are $1 or more for spacebars + $6 at least for shipping. Unless you are significantly strapped, buy the clean complete one.

Thanks for the response.

Furthermore, the clean one is a fourth gen, does this mean it's significantly lower quality than the older grey label ones? What are some of the differences?

[fohat.digs]

does this mean it's significantly lower quality than the older grey label ones? What are some of the differences?

Most of us old-timers prefer the older ones, IBM lightened up the weights of various components over time. 1987 and earlier are the heaviest and I particularly like the square aluminum badges better than the plastic oval labels. That said, I have a couple of 1991 beige (aka "black") labels that are perfectly sturdy and solid. There is nothing wrong with the blue labels (I don't know how to calculate "generations") but I do feel that early-1990s are better than late-1990s.

[klennkellon]

I see, what about the Unicomps? They are tempting because I like the color schemes and the smaller footprint, plus they will not have the bad rivets like Model M's.

[Melvang]

I see, what about the Unicomps? They are tempting because I like the color schemes and the smaller footprint, plus they will not have the bad rivets like Model M's.

The Unicomp keyboards are nice keyboards.  I just personally don't care for M.  They are a nice representation of M buckling springs though.

[SpAmRaY]

Anybody have a good trick to counting MX switch springs?? I've got quite a few different packs but I have no idea how many are in each pack.

[FLFisherman]

Anybody have a good trick to counting MX switch springs?? I've got quite a few different packs but I have no idea how many are in each pack.

If you have a good scale try taking the weight of just one spring. Then measure total weight and divide by individual weight to get the total number of springs.

If your scale isn't sensitive enough use maybe 10 springs as your minimum unit and do it the same weigh. It won't be as accurate, but it's faster than counting.

[SpAmRaY]

Anybody have a good trick to counting MX switch springs?? I've got quite a few different packs but I have no idea how many are in each pack.

If you have a good scale try taking the weight of just one spring. Then measure total weight and divide by individual weight to get the total number of springs.

If your scale isn't sensitive enough use maybe 10 springs as your minimum unit and do it the same weigh. It won't be as accurate, but it's faster than counting.

I have a shipping scale but I just tried it and its not even close to being sensitive enough. The entire bag of springs with an index card inside barely registers.

[FLFisherman]

Anybody have a good trick to counting MX switch springs?? I've got quite a few different packs but I have no idea how many are in each pack.

If you have a good scale try taking the weight of just one spring. Then measure total weight and divide by individual weight to get the total number of springs.

If your scale isn't sensitive enough use maybe 10 springs as your minimum unit and do it the same weigh. It won't be as accurate, but it's faster than counting.

I have a shipping scale but I just tried it and its not even close to being sensitive enough. The entire bag of springs with an index card inside barely registers.

I think you may have to count them all out, unless you want to try measuring by water displacement, if you even can (brain is half off, not sure this would work).

[Bucake]

is the IBM Model M the only keyboard that uses an SDL cable...??

[CPTBadAss]

is the IBM Model M the only keyboard that uses an SDL cable...??

I believe so.

[rowdy]

is the IBM Model M the only keyboard that uses an SDL cable...??

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shielded_data_link_connector

Shielded Data Link just seems to be a type of cable, with numerous applications.

IBM SDL to AT or PS/2 is one application.

[tofgerl]

Connector, not cable. Important difference.

[klennkellon]

If I like the sound of White ALPS but like the feel of MX Blues, is there a third option?

[sypl]

What package size are the RGB LEDs in the Cherry RGB switches?

[bocahgundul]

If I like the sound of White ALPS but like the feel of MX Blues, is there a third option?

I don't know man, do you like a higher actuation point? if so, then get an alps bro

[bocahgundul]

Can the infinity ergodox uses SKCM alps switches? cause I see that they support the matias one

[E3E]

Can the infinity ergodox uses SKCM alps switches? cause I see that they support the matias one

Of course! The pin spacing is the same.

[Blaise170]

If I like the sound of White ALPS but like the feel of MX Blues, is there a third option?

Maybe try SKCM Blues. If you don't like them there isn't much you can do.

[davkol]

Actually, clicky Acer switches may work in a way.

[fohat.digs]

Actually, clicky Acer switches may work in a way.

And white SMKs are also very nice, with their MX-mount caps which would be considered a big bonus to many people.
Unfortunately, I have never seen one without a bigass Enter.

[jd29]

Blue SMK "Montereys" are an alternative, as they're almost indistinguishable from the white Cherry mounts. I'm using one now, with an ISO enter. Not that there's anything wrong with big ass - the BAE boards I owned had keys near the bottom for backslash and bar.

I've seen SMKs called "better MX blues". They're heavier and more tactile. And they sound similar enough to SKCM whites - definitely nothing like Cherries. I'd say they're worth a shot for sure, but be aware there's not much travel after the actuation/release point.

[fohat.digs]

Not that there's anything wrong with big ass - the BAE boards I owned had keys near the bottom for backslash and bar.

I have a lot of trouble typing on boards with 1x Backspace and short Left Shift - apparently I always hit the left end of Backspace and the right side of Left Enter.

[jd29]

Not that there's anything wrong with big ass - the BAE boards I owned had keys near the bottom for backslash and bar.

I have a lot of trouble typing on boards with 1x Backspace and short Left Shift - apparently I always hit the left end of Backspace and the right side of Left Enter.

I agree, but they're not all bad (this was an SMK Cherry mount board). I also had an FK-2001, where the right shift is shortened.

[fohat.digs]

I agree, but they're not all bad (this was an SMK Cherry mount board).

I have a Laser keyboard much like that (with a non-glossy beige cable) but the switches are totally different. Mine have white stems and a cylindrical tube around the "+" that the cap mounts to. Also, the entire stem assembly is white. I really can't see much detail but I know that it is not the same.

[jd29]

I agree, but they're not all bad (this was an SMK Cherry mount board).

I have a Laser keyboard much like that (with a non-glossy beige cable) but the switches are totally different. Mine have white stems and a cylindrical tube around the "+" that the cap mounts to. Also, the entire stem assembly is white. I really can't see much detail but I know that it is not the same.

Like this?

Sorry to mislead - my PCB was broken in transit, that's the black mess you saw at the top there.

[klennkellon]

Not that there's anything wrong with big ass - the BAE boards I owned had keys near the bottom for backslash and bar.

I have a lot of trouble typing on boards with 1x Backspace and short Left Shift - apparently I always hit the left end of Backspace and the right side of Left Enter.

I agree, but they're not all bad (this was an SMK Cherry mount board). I also had an FK-2001, where the right shift is shortened.

The FK-2001 I have has a BAE and a normal sized shift key, they make use of the gaps where the Windows key would normally go.

[fohat.digs]

Like this?

Yes, that is what mine has. Very nice little keyboard, I always wonder why it receives so little notice and respect.

[Quackles]

I want to take a Realforce to work. However since I'll be using it a lot at work I don't really want it to get dirty, Whether it's from sweaty hands etc.

I will try and wash my hands frequently to avoid this. But is hand sanitizer good too? I've read before that it can actually damage the keycaps quicker.

[CPTBadAss]

I want to take a Realforce to work. However since I'll be using it a lot at work I don't really want it to get dirty, Whether it's from sweaty hands etc.

I will try and wash my hands frequently to avoid this. But is hand sanitizer good too? I've read before that it can actually damage the keycaps quicker.

My go to is wipes. For hands and keyboards at work.

[Quackles]

I want to take a Realforce to work. However since I'll be using it a lot at work I don't really want it to get dirty, Whether it's from sweaty hands etc.

I will try and wash my hands frequently to avoid this. But is hand sanitizer good too? I've read before that it can actually damage the keycaps quicker.

My go to is wipes. For hands and keyboards at work.

Ok thanks. Are these alcohol based wipes?

[CPTBadAss]

Ok thanks. Are these alcohol based wipes?

Um, I just get hand wipes but baby wipes are fine too. I don't really like alcohol wipes since they don't seem to clean as well.

[Quackles]

Ok thanks. Are these alcohol based wipes?

Um, I just get hand wipes but baby wipes are fine too. I don't really like alcohol wipes since they don't seem to clean as well.

Awesome, thanks for the help!

[SpAmRaY]

The four silver circles shown (there are many more not pictured) on the plate seem to be rivets to me with no way of separating the PCB and plate.

Anybody seen anything like this before?

[bocahgundul]

are g80-1814 use a vintage clear switches or just modern clear switches? btw its the winkeyless version of g80-1800 

[CPTBadAss]

Show Image

The four silver circles shown (there are many more not pictured) on the plate seem to be rivets to me with no way of separating the PCB and plate.

Anybody seen anything like this before?

That's a nice cost cutting measure. I've never seen that but I have seen boards where the cases are ultrasonically welded shut. In order to open them, I'd have to destroy the case.

are g80-1814 use a vintage clear switches or just modern clear switches? btw its the winkeyless version of g80-1800  :thumb:

Depends on the date code I suppose. And how much usage it's seen. I'd post a picture of the label and ask someone who's really into Cherry like photekq if the know what the date is.

[hwood34]

Anyone have any idea what these switches are?



kinda feel like a magnetic reed switch

[bcredbottle]

Really basic question:


Do Matias Click switches have the same housing (or whatever you call the bottom part) as Matias Quiet clicks? I'm asking because I have a board with Matias Click switches that I want to convert to Matias Quiet Click and I was wondering if I could do it without even desoldering.

[CPTBadAss]

Really basic question:


Do Matias Click switches have the same housing (or whatever you call the bottom part) as Matias Quiet clicks? I'm asking because I have a board with Matias Click switches that I want to convert to Matias Quiet Click and I was wondering if I could do it without even desoldering.

Yes, I'm like 90% sure they are.

[Sifo]

It's the same thing ^

only difference is the rubber band things and possibly some factory lube.

[xondat]

Anyone have any idea what these switches are?

Show Image

kinda feel like a magnetic reed switch

No idea but those caps are sweet.

[hwood34]

Anyone have any idea what these switches are?

Show Image

kinda feel like a magnetic reed switch

No idea but those caps are sweet.

Oh yeah they are



tha thickness

[xondat]

Anyone have any idea what these switches are?

Show Image

kinda feel like a magnetic reed switch

No idea but those caps are sweet.

Oh yeah they are

Show Image

tha thickness

Oh yeah, I like my caps thick

[Melvang]

Anyone have any idea what these switches are?

Show Image

kinda feel like a magnetic reed switch

Probably reed or hall effect.

[TehKitteh]

Does anyone know where to find novelties for a variety of rows? All the ones I find are for row 4, but my row 4 is taken up with a nyan cat set

[CPTBadAss]

Does anyone know where to find novelties for a variety of rows? All the ones I find are for row 4, but my row 4 is taken up with a nyan cat set

They don't really exist. There's some bottom row novelties but in general, things like Row 2 and 3 are rare.

[klennkellon]

Does anybody know the types of switches IBM uses in their POS keyboards?

The POS keyboard we use at work is some type of rubber dome with slider I think, it's really nice to type on. The tactility is actually quite strong and the bottoming out is surprisingly solid. They are also very worn in so they obviously have aged well.

I won't pop out the cap, but some of the keys are translucent and it's a black cylindrical slider.

This isn't the same one exactly, but it looks very similar to this one, except it's black.

http://www.techpartswarehouse.com/media/images/IB-65Y4051_wm.jpg

Keycaps are also still pretty rough feeling, despite daily heavy use.

[Bromono]

Just to verify before i screw these holes.

Since the housing cant be swapped on a HHKB I have to screw small holes to fit the modifier keys from a novatouch. correct?

[bocahgundul]

are g80-1814 use a vintage clear switches or just modern clear switches? btw its the winkeyless version of g80-1800 

Depends on the date code I suppose. And how much usage it's seen. I'd post a picture of the label and ask someone who's really into Cherry like photekq if the know what the date is.

Any update bro?