My Custom IBM F AT

[Melvang]

Just wanted to let you guys know I finished the functional portion of my custom AT build.  I have hacked and modded the back plate to where it is the same size as the top plate.  It does not get used in a case.  Rather it sits in a recessed portion of the keyboard tray. 

The number one design feature I was going for was no exposed wiring, controller, or anything but the plate and caps.  I believe I have accomplished my design goal.  The entire project is not finished yet.  The few things I have left to finish is the lighting, and a new desk and keyboard tray for this to reside in.  When I get to that point I will be building my own and will take better care of the cuts and hidden stuff as well.  Either way, here are the pics.  Some are potato, some are from a Cannon 7d.

[mstarr]

Damn, good work as always, Melvang.  Those Cherry keys look great!

[Ludovician]

I've been waiting to hear about this, and it looks amazing. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Meanwhile I haven't yet managed to finish disassembling my AT.

Also, nice AT-AT

[SpaceGhost]

Damn, good work as always, Melvang.  Those Cherry keys look great!

Cherry keys? Which ones are Cherry, and how is that possible on an IBM buckling-spring board? Did I miss something here?

[katushkin]

Waaaait, is this the one built into the desk tray? And it's hinged? Holy crap that's cool.

[Touch_It]

Looks awesome.  More info/pics needed for sure.

[berserkfan]

I like the concept, but without better photos I'm afraid I can't vote this for Keyboard of the Month.

[fanpeople]

That looks awsome. I like the idea.

[snoopy]

why you put cherry sticker on poor ibm? 

[SpaceGhost]

why you put cherry sticker on poor ibm? 

Yeah, and what's this about "...Those Cherry keys look great!" as stated by mstarr?

[platypus]

Wow I can barely notice those now compared to that pic you showed me before, great work with making those blend in with the rest of the switches. 

[Nai_Calus]

Hnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng. So sex.

[vivalarevolución]

That's pretty frickin cool.

[Skechup]

That looks amazing, good job! 

[Melvang]

Thanks for the compliments guys. 

I do have to say that the Cherry sticker was mostly a troll but I do like the splash of color.

[Venatorious]

Looks fantastic. I like the AT-AT as well. Is it true that XT's are in the best in terms of "feels"?

[vivalarevolución]

Looks fantastic. I like the AT-AT as well. Is it true that XT's are in the best in terms of "feels"?

In the Model F family, I'll take the 122 key.  But between the XT and AT, I'll take the XT.  I'll take the 122 key over any keyboard in the 4704 family, in terms of feel.

Then there is beam spring....

[Venatorious]

Looks fantastic. I like the AT-AT as well. Is it true that XT's are in the best in terms of "feels"?

In the Model F family, I'll take the 122 key.  But between the XT and AT, I'll take the XT.  I'll take the 122 key over any keyboard in the 4704 family, in terms of feel.

Then there is beam spring....

Well I have not tried beam spring yet unfortunately but I do love my F122. Its just the numpad makes it very uncomfortable for me. The AT looks very unattractive to me with its big ass enter key.

[E TwentyNine]

Well I have not tried beam spring yet unfortunately but I do love my F122. Its just the numpad makes it very uncomfortable for me. The AT looks very unattractive to me with its big ass enter key.

That's why the unsaver exists .  Hard to find and pricey.

And the AT layout is easily switched.

[Venatorious]

Well I have not tried beam spring yet unfortunately but I do love my F122. Its just the numpad makes it very uncomfortable for me. The AT looks very unattractive to me with its big ass enter key.

That's why the unsaver exists

Show Image

.  Hard to find and pricey.

And the AT layout is easily switched.

Oh I know all about Unsaver trust me :thumb: Its my dream board. I will most likely be getting one from another member here soon!

[0100010]

Doesn't Elipse have an F Unsaver on ebay?

[Touch_It]

Yep.  It's at about $550 I think

[Venatorious]

Yes I already had negotiations with Ellipse. He is more set on money than getting the board to the best owner so I passed down spending that kind of money because I can't pay that much.  The other member I am talking to values ones own modifications. I am so excited.  I think eventually Ellipse will pay 550$ in ebay fees if he keeps relisting it over and over again.

[fohat.digs]

I think eventually Ellipse will pay 550$ in ebay fees if he keeps relisting it over and over again.

You don't pay fees until it sells.

$500-$800 seems like a reasonable price for an item of this rarity and desirability.

And triple that equally reasonable for a 77-key 4704.

[Venatorious]

I think eventually Ellipse will pay 550$ in ebay fees if he keeps relisting it over and over again.

You don't pay fees until it sells.

$500-$800 seems like a reasonable price for an item of this rarity and desirability.

And triple that equally reasonable for a 77-key 4704.

Oh welp I don't know ebay that well so I guess that was very silly of me to say that.    I like to think that these "rare" boards go to the person who will use them the most and bring the board to its full potential, but in reality it goes to the highest bidder.  The price of 550$ seems too much for a keyboard to me, and it really kills the value to me. Feels like I didn't spend that money to use it, more like I spent it just to have the "rarest" board. This is all opinion and speculation, and in the end it is up to the seller, but 550$ is far too much money to me.

[fohat.digs]

550$ is far too much money to me.

Without a doubt. And I would love to have an ancient Greek gold coin, about equally rare but far more expensive.