IBM PC Industrial

[ed_avis]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261395715066

An IBM Industrial keyboard for the IBM PC (or perhaps the PC-XT).

[berserkfan]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261395715066

An IBM Industrial keyboard for the IBM PC (or perhaps the PC-XT).

As pictures show, these are Oak switches, not capacitative buckling springs. There isn't much documentation for Oak, so god knows how the actual switch feel is like.

[ed_avis]

Oh!  So it's not just your common or garden PC keyboard in a grey case.  Any idea why IBM chose to outsource this keyboard?

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

I didn't even know industrial Model Fs existed... let alone with switches other than buckling springs.

Someone should buy it and do a complete review on it...

[SpAmRaY]

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54127.0

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53890.0

^^ some more info in those threads

[127001]

4 people, including myself, have had the option to buy it for ~$50.

[Sniping]

There are some Industrial Model F's floating around on Ebay at the moment, but I believe that they all use the Oak switches. Pretty sure these are "quiet" switches and probably aren't as appealing as buckling spring.

but....case swap?

[intelli78]

There are some Industrial Model F's floating around on Ebay at the moment, but I believe that they all use the Oak switches. Pretty sure these are "quiet" switches and probably aren't as appealing as buckling spring.

but....case swap?

Never heard of "Oak" switches before. Anyone used them? Anything worthwhile about them?

[Sniping]

There are some Industrial Model F's floating around on Ebay at the moment, but I believe that they all use the Oak switches. Pretty sure these are "quiet" switches and probably aren't as appealing as buckling spring.

but....case swap?

Never heard of "Oak" switches before. Anyone used them? Anything worthwhile about them?

I believe they're mechanical but not clicky. A quick google search shows me that there's linear Oak switches in a Sun Microsystems keyboard. I think this is the patent for the switch, seems like it's mechanical:
"A pushbutton switch has a base and a button telescopically movable on the base. There are a pair of terminals, with one of the terminals having a contact arm positioned within a switching chamber in the base. Movement of the button is effective to cause the contact arm to close upon the other terminal. The effective length of the contact arm is greater than its actual length. In one improvement, a light emitting device may be illuminated when the switch is operated. In another, a portion of the light emitting device forms the means to close the contact arm. "

[jdcarpe]

Also, you can't swap XT Model F internals into that OAK switch Industrial XT, because the OAK case doesn't have the curved interior.

[dorkvader]

Oak FTM (full travel membrane) switches were most notably used in the sun Type 3, sun type2 (most likely) and the KB for the osborne portable

Also, you can't swap XT Model F internals into that OAK switch Industrial XT, because the OAK case doesn't have the curved interior.

I noticed that but I'm still not sure it's impossible. It's just the front plate that's not curved on the oak case, so the XT will possibly fit, but just look ugly.

[jdcarpe]

Oak FTM (full travel membrane) switches were most notably used in the sun Type 3, sun type2 (most likely) and the KB for the osborne portable

Also, you can't swap XT Model F internals into that OAK switch Industrial XT, because the OAK case doesn't have the curved interior.

I noticed that but I'm still not sure it's impossible. It's just the front plate that's not curved on the oak case, so the XT will possibly fit, but just look ugly.

But I doubt the back of the case has those plastic supports to support the curved plate, either. Isn't that OAK PCB flat?

[dorkvader]

I'm going to keep an open mind until I see pictures of the inside of the case.

[berserkfan]

yeah, somebody with lots of spare cash can buy it, tell us about it, do a community pass around if possible.

[ebacho]

There's another one here for much cheaper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Industrial-IBM-non-clicky-keyboard-/251450796553?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a8ba2aa09

[E TwentyNine]

Oak FTM (full travel membrane) switches were most notably used in the sun Type 3, sun type2 (most likely) and the KB for the osborne portable

Also, you can't swap XT Model F internals into that OAK switch Industrial XT, because the OAK case doesn't have the curved interior.

I noticed that but I'm still not sure it's impossible. It's just the front plate that's not curved on the oak case, so the XT will possibly fit, but just look ugly.

But I doubt the back of the case has those plastic supports to support the curved plate, either. Isn't that OAK PCB flat?

I had mentioned this in one of the other threads - look at the bottom,  the indented ridge on the standard XT is in a different place than on this and may interfere with the keyboard assembly.

[berserkfan]

There's another one here for much cheaper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Industrial-IBM-non-clicky-keyboard-/251450796553?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a8ba2aa09

Thanks to us, prices are going up and supply is increasing.

[EverythingIBM]

These things have always been floating around.
The XT layout isn't really optimal for a lot of people, and would personally drive me nuts.

[dorkvader]

another one, with internal pictures
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261404179268

looking at them, I don't think XT guts will fit.

[berserkfan]

there is no limit to the number of optimistic sellers.

$189 for this ancient scrap that most folks won't pay $40 for?

Let's hear from the guys who actually bought: are OAK switches that good?

[SpAmRaY]

Did anyone ever get one of these?

 I'd be interested to hear from them as well.

[E TwentyNine]

there is no limit to the number of optimistic sellers.

$189 for this ancient scrap that most folks won't pay $40 for?

Let's hear from the guys who actually bought: are OAK switches that good?

Nobody's buying these for the quality of the keyswitch.

I think this guy might have picked up one of the ones that sold for around $50 and is trying to turn it around quick for a profit.

[berserkfan]

oh well, the foolishness of ghers has no limit. any rare switch, they'll buy at high prices

[bitslasher]

I picked up one of these from someone who sold one on eBay, but actually had one more hiding in her garage!  She sold it to me for $35 + $14.95 shipping.  The board build quality is great.  But it is not structurally compatible with the Model F.  It is flat all around, as others have noticed.  It's a super neat board as a collector item though.  The switches are linear and smooth.

[ed_avis]

So, bitslasher, why did IBM choose to supply this keyboard with the Industrial models instead of giving them a regular Model F?  What's better about it?  Or was it some bizarre cost saving measure?

[dorkvader]

I think the FTM would seal better against dust and suchlike than a model F. Hard to say, though.

[ed_avis]

I guess you're right - in my experience I have found the AT Model F, at least, to be sensitive to dust getting into the well where the spring is.