IBM Model M SSK one piece keycap disappointment

[snuci]

I am not a keyboard collector but I thought I'd get an IBM Model M SSK because it came up a a decent price.  I have a few very old model Ms that I don't use (but certainly appreciate very much) so I know what the built quality was like and I used one of my Model Ms for many years.

Today I received a blue label Model M SSK with the detachable cable but the one piece key caps. I spent a little time cleaning it up and when I went to put the key caps back on, I was sorely disappointed in what I was feeling.  On the  back of the key cap was (what I assume is) an injection molding point. You can feel it on each key cap and I could feel it on each one I put on.  Wow, am I disappointed in those one piece key caps.  Are they all like that?   

I know this model (1397681) built September 22, 1992 had those but I was expecting the usual quality I am accustom to with IBM keyboards. 

Here's a pic.  You can actually see the molding mark on every key cap if you turn the keyboard around.  The red arrow points to what I speak of if I am not using the right term.



I am used to two piece key caps as my other IBM Model Ms have.  Is this what all one piece key caps are like?

Thanks.

[FrostyToast]

Uhh. I see that on my model m two piece caps.
You tend to see that mark on tons of caps. I see those marks on my gmk caps.

[snuci]

Wow, you're absolutely right.  I never noticed them on my old Model Ms, but a quick check and they are there.  That is really odd.  Why wouldn't they mold the key caps  from the underside or somewhere that you couldn't notice?



 

[FrostyToast]

I don't have nearly enough knowledge to know how caps are made and why they do it certain ways.

[trizkut]

I don't have nearly enough knowledge to know how caps are made and why they do it certain ways.

Probably cost.  It's usually cost.

[FrostyToast]

I don't have nearly enough knowledge to know how caps are made and why they do it certain ways.

Probably cost.  It's usually cost.

I don't know if cost was the main factor in this.
Just looking at the quality of old IBM stuff you can clearly see that it is really good.
The dye sublimation printing for one is just about the sharpest that I have seen ever.

[nubbinator]

I don't have nearly enough knowledge to know how caps are made and why they do it certain ways.

Probably cost.  It's usually cost.

While cost can be an issue, I'm sure it's an ease of missing issue.  The rear is probably the easiest sprue point.

[SpaceGhost]

Wow, you're absolutely right.  I never noticed them on my old Model Ms, but a quick check and they are there.  That is really odd.  Why wouldn't they mold the key caps  from the underside or somewhere that you couldn't notice?

The thin walls of the Model M removable caps may prohibit placing the mold gate -- which probably needs to have a certain minimum diameter that exceeds the wall thickness of the cap -- on the bottom edge of any of the walls. Additionally, they may have placed the gates on the backsides of all keycaps and 1-piece keys because the flow pattern of the molten plastic in the mold required it be placed there to avoid excess "flash" on the bottom edge at the gate location that would have interfered with adjacent keys unless meticulously trimmed off after molding.

Just a couple of guesses...

[smknjoe]

I have 2 SSKs from 1987 (IBM) and they are one piece caps with the mold marks you describe. For an SSK to not have one piece caps is unusual. It also could be argued that the solid keycaps are more rigid than the two piece...

I'm not sure why the mold marks are an issue for you. You can't see or feel them with normal use.

[snuci]

It's not a problem really but was a bit of a shock to expectations that are built up.  From all of the reading I've done since I bought it and hearing the praise, I would have guessed it hovered slightly above the desk and glowed

[smknjoe]

They don't glow, but you can type on water with one.

[fanpeople]

It's not a problem really but was a bit of a shock to expectations that are built up.  From all of the reading I've done since I bought it and hearing the praise, I would have guessed it hovered slightly above the desk and glowed

Disregard Space Savers, acquire  4704 107s.

I don't think the Model M was ever meant to be a refined eye pleasing device. I like that they are functional, nice to type on and are fun to play with. The funny thing is that I originally was turned off by the thought of one piece caps. But now they are my preference. At least the mold injection points of whatever the proper name is are facing to the back.

[fohat.digs]

Many people consider the 1-piece caps to be preferable. I don't think it makes much difference.

There are much more important things to concern yourself with than sprue marks in out-of-way places.

[smknjoe]

Many people consider the 1-piece caps to be preferable. I don't think it makes much difference.

There are much more important things to concern yourself with than sprue marks in out-of-way places.

Right. It's not art.

[Nai_Calus]

Yeah that seems pretty universal. I've got a couple of two-piece unicomp caps that are like that, and the one-piece caps on my F are like that. If I feel for it the clear outside of the two-piece relegendables has a nub on the back too.