Six IBM Model F 107 key (4700, 4704) converted to USB

[ed_avis]

http://ebay.com/itm/221638097533

[ed_avis]

The same seller has an Industrial SSK at the inevitable inflated price.

[jacobolus]

http://deskthority.net/for-sale-f55/seven-cleaned-usb-converted-ibm-model-f-4704-107-key-keyboards-t9456.html

[berserkfan]

let the collectors and fans buy.

I'm going (or eventually going) for my own customized Model F with split ergodox like layout. Just wonder how many years will it be...

[fanpeople]

Would really like one of these... but would also really like to be able to afford the rent.

[fohat.digs]

Too steep for me, but I like to buy clunkers and bring them back to life.

The restoration process is (or can be .... ) enjoyable, and I like things that I "built" myself.

For somebody who wants one of these astonishing beauties and does not have the means, skill, or time to do the conversions, etc, I would say that the price is quite fair.

[ed_avis]

How does it compare against the F122?

[fohat.digs]

How does it compare against the F122?

I have never seen one in real life, but it is bigger and heavier, and the case is all-metal.

[berserkfan]

Easy solution. Somebody work with WCass and the Xtant project, and create a keyboard that is all metal.

That should ensure adequate modernization of this keyboard in a way that metal loving geeks can accept.

[fohat.digs]

and create a keyboard that is all metal.

And be cheaper than these prices that people are already complaining about.

[Touch_It]

First, the Ebay link seems not to work.  Secondly, as  jacobolus pointed out, the guy is a member on Deskthority. 

I can't speak to the difference in feel between a f122 and the 107, I do own a 107 and am restoring it.  I can tell you a few things.  All metal is awesome.  Looks like aluminum or some aluminum alloy.  The thing is heavy.  Approx 10 LBS.  Its rather long looking but probably not any longer than a f122.  The keys are nice and pingy, as  F should be but have never tried another to compare too.  While the price on these is certainly not cheap its plug and play.  I wouln't ever pay that much (because I cant).  Who knows when more of these will turn up.

[dorkvader]

First, the Ebay link seems not to work.  Secondly, as  jacobolus pointed out, the guy is a member on Deskthority. 

I can't speak to the difference in feel between a f122 and the 107, I do own a 107 and am restoring it.  I can tell you a few things.  All metal is awesome.  Looks like aluminum or some aluminum alloy.  The thing is heavy.  Approx 10 LBS.  Its rather long looking but probably not any longer than a f122.  The keys are nice and pingy, as  F should be but have never tried another to compare too.  While the price on these is certainly not cheap its plug and play.  I wouln't ever pay that much (because I cant).  Who knows when more of these will turn up.

I have both and can compare them directly with photos if you like. case appears to be die cast like the beam springs were weighs about 12 lbs

[jacobolus]

How does it compare against the F122?

As compared to the F122, the “Kishspender”:

- seems really really long. It’s only a little bit longer than the F-122, but it’s not nearly as wide or tall.
- is really really heavy
- has keys between ctrl and alt on both sides, so the layout possibilities for the main section are a bit more flexible
- has a full 3x5 grid of keys where the F122 has arrows/nav keys, making it a bit more flexible again (on the Unsaver there are actually pads in these spots which you can use if you mod the plate, but in the F122 you’re stuck with the arrows / nav keys in the layout they have).
- is a bit easier to take apart and put back together, because it’s not as wide
- has different keycaps. The F122 has various interesting/awesome printed keycaps; the Kishspender has a whole bunch of relegendable caps

Edit:
- includes a buzzer, though it makes a kind of annoying sound so I can’t imagine wanting to type with it on
- requires replacing the controller if you want full control (on the F122 you can use Soarer’s converter code on a Teensy 2.0 or similar, but on the Kishspender you’ll probably want to get one of xwhatsit’s capsense controllers (or equivalent). The ones in this auction already have a controller installed, of course).

[dgreekstallion]

This is a pretty good buy; but I am already set with two Model F-122s...

[vivalarevolución]

We can all dream that we get the price we are asking.  Only in dreams...

[berserkfan]

We can all dream that we get the price we are asking.  Only in dreams...

Nah, this is geekhack. People will pay. Sooner or later someone will lose control and put in that purchase order.

A few months later he will be forced to sell because he needs money in some place. It's happened too often.

[1391406]

I'd want to ANSI mod it.

[ed_avis]

Yes, I toyed with the idea of asking the seller if he could mod one to put a chunky Enter key on it (replacing the PD2 and PD3 keys).  Apart from that the layout seems like an F122, which is fine.

[Ellipse]

Hi Ed - this is the seller here - I have a spare vertical enter key with wire stabilizer if that is what you were asking - I could include it at no extra charge.  Pulled from my F122 that now has a Model M enter key. 

My F107s actually have the proper receptacles for the wire stabilizers of a vertical enter key.  I just put a vertical enter key on one of the F107s and it worked.  You'd just need to open up the keyboard and remove a spring (I can do this for you if you'd like). 

I have 5 F107s left with keys and 3 without any keys (perfect if you wanted to use a full set of Model M keys - but you would need to find a Model F space bar or mod an M space bar since the stabilizer on the M space bars do not fit Model F keyboards as-is).  All have sold at the full asking price.

[jacobolus]

Hi Ed - this is the seller here - I have a spare vertical enter key with wire stabilizer if that is what you were asking - I could include it at no extra charge.  Pulled from my F122 that now has a Model M enter key. 

I’m pretty sure he’s talking about an ANSI 1x2.25 enter key.

To get that working takes removing one flip plate and using a keycap from a Model M and a little plastic barrel insert.

[ed_avis]

Ellipse, yes as jacobolus guessed I am talking about the ANSI enter key (or even better the full-sized Enter key from the PC-AT keyboard, but I don't think that fits).  However I think I should not buy any more keyboards for the moment - an F122 will have to do :-(

[1391406]

I love the all-metal case, but I'm used to and prefer the F-122 ANSI modded layout I've been using. It's a super nice collectible, though.

[Ellipse]

Ed- that Enter key will also work - I posted some photos of my ANSI-modified F122 in another thread (link below) - with the Model M enter key. 

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=67091.0

[ed_avis]

Sorry did I say ANSI?  I meant ISO.  My preferred Enter key is the L-shaped one on the PC-AT, and both the later Model M variants are sadly diminished from that, but of the two I think the two-row ISO enter key is slightly better.

The nice thing about standards bodies is there are so many to choose from...

[dorkvader]

Sorry did I say ANSI?  I meant ISO.  My preferred Enter key is the L-shaped one on the PC-AT, and both the later Model M variants are sadly diminished from that, but of the two I think the two-row ISO enter key is slightly better.

The nice thing about standards bodies is there are so many to choose from...

You can put the "L shaped" one from the PC-At (and wheelwriter) keyboards on the model M and this 107-key.

I have an extra from a wheelwriter you can have if you like.

Alternatively the "iso" enter key from the 122-key keyboard will also fit. I have several extras that you can have.

Pm me your address and I'll get one sent out.