Another F AT with a low starting bid. Someone might get lucky.

[berserkfan]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-IBM-Personal-Computer-AT-Keyboard-US-Variant-Model-F-5170-PC-AT-/360830708011?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item54032fa92b

My buying is all done. Good luck with your bidding, folks!

[JPG]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-IBM-Personal-Computer-AT-Keyboard-US-Variant-Model-F-5170-PC-AT-/360830708011?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item54032fa92b

My buying is all done. Good luck with your bidding, folks!

Was hoping no one would see this one 


Let's hope it does not get too pricey!

[mr_a500]

Was hoping no one would see this one 


Let's hope it does not get too pricey!

I don't think you want that one. He's shipping UPS, which means rip-off brokerage fees for Canadians.

[bcg]

Looks pretty beat up but I can't resist.

[berserkfan]

Canadians should always buy in Canada.

It seems US postal services are exorbitant once they cross any border, even if it is to their closest neighbor.

WTF is this about brokerage services, I never understand. It's just an excuse to charge more money to people living in isolated places among all that snow and ice.

Was hoping no one would see this one 


Let's hope it does not get too pricey!

I don't think you want that one. He's shipping UPS, which means rip-off brokerage fees for Canadians.

[JPG]

Canadians should always buy in Canada.

It seems US postal services are exorbitant once they cross any border, even if it is to their closest neighbor.

WTF is this about brokerage services, I never understand. It's just an excuse to charge more money to people living in isolated places among all that snow and ice.

Was hoping no one would see this one 


Let's hope it does not get too pricey!

I don't think you want that one. He's shipping UPS, which means rip-off brokerage fees for Canadians.

And most Canadians live like 1h from the border with the US.

[Aer Fixus]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-IBM-Personal-Computer-AT-Keyboard-US-Variant-Model-F-5170-PC-AT-/360830708011?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item54032fa92b

My buying is all done. Good luck with your bidding, folks!

Was hoping no one would see this one 


Let's hope it does not get too pricey!

I always say this to myself.

When I'm not bidding on keyboards, I wonder what niche forum has found the listing I want to keep secret and will be sniping it...

[berserkfan]

I'm pretty sure there are plenty of people like me, who want to window shop and have others do the buying for anything I would have loved to buy but didn't have the money for.

Missalaire seems to be another window shopper. Even if she wore new underwear everyday and threw away the old, she won't finish using up all the lingerie deals she likes to post.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-IBM-Personal-Computer-AT-Keyboard-US-Variant-Model-F-5170-PC-AT-/360830708011?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item54032fa92b

My buying is all done. Good luck with your bidding, folks!

Was hoping no one would see this one 


Let's hope it does not get too pricey!

I always say this to myself.

When I'm not bidding on keyboards, I wonder what niche forum has found the listing I want to keep secret and will be sniping it...

[JPG]

I'm pretty sure there are plenty of people like me, who want to window shop and have others do the buying for anything I would have loved to buy but didn't have the money for.

Missalaire seems to be another window shopper. Even if she wore new underwear everyday and threw away the old, she won't finish using up all the lingerie deals she likes to post.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-IBM-Personal-Computer-AT-Keyboard-US-Variant-Model-F-5170-PC-AT-/360830708011?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item54032fa92b

My buying is all done. Good luck with your bidding, folks!

Was hoping no one would see this one 


Let's hope it does not get too pricey!

I always say this to myself.

When I'm not bidding on keyboards, I wonder what niche forum has found the listing I want to keep secret and will be sniping it...

I am super happy that you post these items berserk. I found my xt because of it. But for this one, since I have improved my autosearch criterias on ebay and found it, I was kind of hoping no one else would see it and snipe it, but I also think it's super fair for you to post it and would have myself if not wanting to buy it.


And even when I find one, I will gladly continue to to look for them for others too!

[fohat.digs]

I generally post anything that folks might want or need, unless I want it myself, then I hope that it stays on the down-low.

There have been a few times that I have gotten flamed for revealing somebody's secret, but transparency is probably better.

It would be nice if there was a way for people who wanted it to work something out amongst themselves, and the lower bidders back off.

[REVENGE]

It would be nice if there was a way for people who wanted it to work something out amongst themselves, and the lower bidders back off.

This was how things worked on this forum 3-4 years ago, but mechanical keyboards are too popular now. This forum gets enough exposure that you are almost guaranteed to drive the price higher by posting an auction here.

[fohat.digs]

you are almost guaranteed to drive the price higher by posting an auction here.

There has only been once or twice that I have bid on something that somebody else expressed an interest in.

What I was considering was something like a private message stating something like "I would be willing to go $40, are you going higher?" and if the answer was "yes" then I would not bid at all.

[bcg]

I've got the highest bid in on this right now...

if you have compassion please don't snipe me

If you don't have compassion, no sweat, just thought I'd ask nicely

[E TwentyNine]

If only those of us here were the only ones bidding on them.

As I have a couple, even when the deals are great on F's I don't bid, I post them here if someone hasn't already.  I'd rather someone who doesn't have one get it.  I would guess that's a common approach here for those who already have them.

[bcg]

Yeah, I definitely think that sharing the love is the way to go.

If I don't win I'll just wait for the next one... I've been trying to get a Model F AT since last summer it just never works out

Once I get a Model F AT I might start saving up for a HHKB Pro and then be done buying for a while... (yeah right)

[E TwentyNine]

bcg, looks like you got it?  $119 shipped?  Not bad...

[bcg]

Yep... finally my quest is complete

Thanks guys 

[fohat.digs]

Yep... finally my quest is complete

Lucky you!

When I "got the bug" (about 2 years ago) it was at the beginning of a long dry summer. When a couple of ragged-out F ATs finally came to light, there were about 3 of us that quickly bid them up into the $140+ range. That brought a few more to the market.

Over about 2 months I bought about 3 of them, and finally got a really nice one for about $85. I sold the others at a minor loss and licked my wounds. BTW - I got a halfway decent original IBM box with one of the worse ones, which I kept.

One day I plan to pull it out, do the ANSI mod, add Alt keys and internal Teensy, and keep it for posterity. But that's another day.

[bcg]

Model F is my favorite switch, without a doubt.  The layout of the F-122 is good but its just too large for me and also they seem to be even more rare/expensive than the AT.  I like the XT alright as well, but there is just something about the layout that I just can't get used to.  I probably could abide a Model M as my workhorse but I find I need the NKRO   Unicomp really needs to just design a new membrane & controller and they would have a winner for years to come.  Instead we get caps with large letters 

I intend to do the mods you described as well.  I'm glad that the shell on this one is kind of beat up because I won't feel as bad if I accidentally turn this board into spare parts.  One can hope at least.

[fohat.digs]

I'm glad that the shell on this one is kind of beat up because I won't feel as bad if I accidentally turn this board into spare parts.  One can hope at least.

Be careful what you wish for. I have whined incessantly about the plastic they made the Model F case shells out of - it is very brittle and has a "skin" layer that flakes off and shows a shiny substrate below.

Please don't carelessly trash the case in the expectation that it is replaceable. My experience is that spacebars and cases are some of the most precious pieces of the Model F.

[mapple]

god damn it, i want that so much can't find one with that layout on ebay.............any1 of u guys got it for sale?

[Wildcard]

god damn it, i want that so much can't find one with that layout on ebay.............any1 of u guys got it for sale?

Just search for "Model F AT". These pop up every now and then.

[mapple]

god damn it, i want that so much can't find one with that layout on ebay.............any1 of u guys got it for sale?

Just search for "Model F AT". These pop up every now and then.

since few days nothing neither query which u wrote neither ibm keyboard nothin i mean there are "answers" but not the correct one;) any of u guys wanna sell? please?

[fohat.digs]

any of u guys wanna sell?

Just be patient. I cost myself a lot of money a few years ago when I got the bug.

In the last couple of months of last year, at least a dozen turned up on ebay, and a couple were even Buy-It-Now for under $100

[mapple]

yah i got $ prepared problem is there r none of them at least now....... i'm so inpatient when it comes to keyboards (:

[bcg]

any of u guys wanna sell?

Just be patient. I cost myself a lot of money a few years ago when I got the bug.

In the last couple of months of last year, at least a dozen turned up on ebay, and a couple were even Buy-It-Now for under $100

Thanks for the tip... I try to be careful, I just know that I'm pretty klutzy for who thinks they can mod keyboards - and also sometimes things that seem like a good idea to me don't actually turn out as I plan

BTW can you guys post links to any AT Model F mods that you know about?  I've probably come across some of them already but every time I dig into GH it seems like I learn something new...

[E TwentyNine]

BTW can you guys post links to any AT Model F mods that you know about?  I've probably come across some of them already but every time I dig into GH it seems like I learn something new...

Here's mine:  http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=52379

That thread links to another mod thread in the first post, which links to several other mod threads in its first post.

[The_Beast]

Very decent price! I think AT prices are coming down. When I was looking for mine, they were all in the $200 range


Also, here's my ANSI FAT mod as well
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47267.0

[bcg]

Thanks E29, Beast    Great job on those mods

I'm definitely going to do the ANSI mod I think, I'm not sure about messing with the spacebar right now tho... also I have a "C1" so I'm going to switch out the number row with the keys from that one because they have the function key legends printed on the front of them, and then I'll repurpose the two rows of function keys on the left.  I can never figure out what to do with a 2x5 area of keys though, guess I'll just make them media keys

I know this is "great finds" so I'm not trying to ask too many questions - but what tools and what type of paint did you use to sand and paint your plate Beast?

Thanks for all your help guys

[The_Beast]

Thanks E29, Beast    Great job on those mods

I'm definitely going to do the ANSI mod I think, I'm not sure about messing with the spacebar right now tho... also I have a "C1" so I'm going to switch out the number row with the keys from that one because they have the function key legends printed on the front of them, and then I'll repurpose the two rows of function keys on the left.  I can never figure out what to do with a 2x5 area of keys though, guess I'll just make them media keys

I know this is "great finds" so I'm not trying to ask too many questions - but what tools and what type of paint did you use to sand and paint your plate Beast?

Thanks for all your help guys

I just hand sanded down to steel since it was pretty rusty (you don't have to do this if there are only a few rust spots), primed and painted with just a normal rattle can

[fohat.digs]

I can never figure out what to do with a 2x5 area of keys though, guess I'll just make them media keys

what tools and what type of paint did you use to sand and paint your plate?

If you get used to function keys on the left you may prefer them there - I certainly do!

I would recommend a fine sandpaper to remove rust and Rustoleum paint - it is the best by far. It may cost $4 per can instead of $2, but it is worth it.

[The_Beast]

+1 for Rustoleum paint and primer

[berserkfan]

I can never figure out what to do with a 2x5 area of keys though, guess I'll just make them media keys

what tools and what type of paint did you use to sand and paint your plate?

If you get used to function keys on the left you may prefer them there - I certainly do!

I would recommend a fine sandpaper to remove rust and Rustoleum paint - it is the best by far. It may cost $4 per can instead of $2, but it is worth it.

HA! Rustoleum is only $4 per can? Down here, I pay $12. I am not feeling inclined to buy a second can after I finished using the first one.

[E TwentyNine]

If you get used to function keys on the left you may prefer them there - I certainly do!

I would recommend a fine sandpaper to remove rust and Rustoleum paint - it is the best by far. It may cost $4 per can instead of $2, but it is worth it.

I'm actually amazed at how much I like the function keys on the left.  I knew I could get the AT close to an SSK layout with the spacebar/alt mod and some key rearranging on the numpad, but couldn't move the function keys.

I may actually prefer this layout.   Time will tell...

[bcg]

If you get used to function keys on the left you may prefer them there - I certainly do!

I would recommend a fine sandpaper to remove rust and Rustoleum paint - it is the best by far. It may cost $4 per can instead of $2, but it is worth it.

I'm actually amazed at how much I like the function keys on the left.  I knew I could get the AT close to an SSK layout with the spacebar/alt mod and some key rearranging on the numpad, but couldn't move the function keys.

I may actually prefer this layout.   Time will tell...

+1 for Rustoleum paint and primer

Thanks for all your help guys