IBM Model F-122, BIN $65 + shipping [ENDED]

[ander]

Just turned up on eBay:

IBM Model F Tactile Keyboard PT No. 6110344 OCT 1988











These are usually around $100. This one looks like it'll clean up nicely. The case looks fine, with only some marks on the bottom (which may or may not wipe off).

[fohat.digs]

The shipping makes if a little harder to swallow, but a nice one with all its key caps (especially the difficult 13-24 row) for under $100 is a deal.

[harlw]

It's lost it's underpanties O.O

[fohat.digs]

What does that mean?

[SamirD]

What does that mean?

I think he's trying to say the bottom doesn't look right?

[rowdy]

Actually Oct 1985, not 1988

[Bucake]

i want it, but it's $58 shipping and $18 import charges.. sigh

[harlw]

What does that mean?

I think he's trying to say the bottom doesn't look right?

Yea - looked like the bottom of the case is missing, maybe they are supposed to look like that?

[fohat.digs]

Yea - looked like the bottom of the case is missing, maybe they are supposed to look like that?

XT and 122-key terminal Model Fs have nice sturdy metal "pans" instead of plastic bottom case shells.
The internal assembly screws down to the bottom pan and the plastic case top is irrelevant except for cleanliness and decoration.

[njbair]

Apart from a Kishsaver, this is the Model F I would buy. Clean it up, new controller, ANSI conversion and you're in business.

Only the prospect of Ellipse's new replica Model F's is keeping me from clicking Buy It Now. If I lived in Colorado I would instabuy it and ask the seller for local pickup.

[E TwentyNine]

I'm not a fan of the battleships, but seriously - how has this not sold?

[fohat.digs]

but seriously - how has this not sold?

Because I don't have $100 in my Paypal account at the moment.

A complete set of top function keys is a serious plus.

[1391406]

I'm not a fan of the battleships, but seriously - how has this not sold?

Untested and dirty as hell and the bottom looks like it got in a fight with a Bobcat. I'm sure it works and would clean up nicely, though.

[ander]

It's lost it's underpanties O.O

I take it you haven't seen the bottom of a Model F before? They're metal, one of the reasons F's are so much heFtier. This (plus the "Model F" label, of course) is the only reliable way to distinguish them from similar-looking M-122s that even have the stepped modifier keys.

The shipping makes if a little harder to swallow, but a nice one with all its key caps (especially the difficult 13-24 row) for under $100 is a deal.

They're usually at least $100 plus shipping these days, aren't they?

Even if some of those bottom marks are scratches, the labels are quite well preserved. Can't say it'd bother me too much, considering how nice the visible part of the case is. Having been a KB maniac a relatively short time, I haven't yet gotten the knack of typing with a KB upside-down.  :?)

[fohat.digs]

Even if some of those bottom marks are scratches, the labels are quite well preserved.

I always mask the label and paint the bottom pan anyway.

[ander]

I always mask the label and paint the bottom pan anyway.

Indeed, why not?

[Bucake]

and there it is..!


glad this site has some guides on restoring these things. gonna take me a while to revive it, but it will be fun!
plate needs work.. bit scared to look at the foam ;p
surprised by how light the spacebar is, compared to the one on the XT!

anyway, thanks for posting ander

[fohat.digs]

surprised by how light the spacebar is, compared to the one on the XT!

The XT space bar is less than a mile long.

[Bucake]

heh, yeah but the spacebar on this 122 feels like it actually needs less force than the rest of the keys on the board.
mostly, a spacebar is noticeably heavier than the rest of the keys (to make up for the thumb's strength i suppose), but that's not at all the case with this one.

does that sound familiar at all, such a light spacebar on a F122..?

[ander]

and there it is..!

Congratulations! Nice deal. It'll be fun to see this once you've had a chance to clean it up.

And was I right—when you opened the box, did you behold this major KB with awe? And how are your plans for a bigger desk going :?)

glad this site has some guides on restoring these things. gonna take me a while to revive it, but it will be fun!
plate needs work.. bit scared to look at the foam ;p

If it's at all deteriorated, you shouldn't hesitate to make yourself a new one from a craft-store foam sheet. They're quite cheap, easy to work with, and you'll even get your choice of color. (You' won't be able to see it, but you'll know it's in there, being colorful!)

surprised by how light the spacebar is, compared to the one on the XT!

Have you tried lubing your XT's spacebar? That can make quite a difference. Just be sure to use a non-petroleum-based lube that won't attack plastic.

BTW, I wonder how many people here realize what your handle means in Japanese? The usual Western spelling has two K's instead of a C... Maybe you were making a "frosting" joke?  :?)

[SamirD]

Congrats!  Does the space bar still click?  I'd take the space bar off and re-seat it.  I've had an M or two feel weird like that and just removing and replacing did the trick. 

[E TwentyNine]

Have you tried lubing your XT's spacebar? That can make quite a difference. Just be sure to use a non-petroleum-based lube that won't attack plastic.

DO NOT TRY THIS.

From a general standpoint lubing buckling spring switches is a bad idea.   It's simply not needed and can attract dirt and make it feel worse.

More importantly, an XT spacebar does not pop out like the spacebar on an M.  It's an internal wire setup that you are going to have a hell of a time getting back on if you remove it, including the need to disassemble the board.

[SamirD]

Have you tried lubing your XT's spacebar? That can make quite a difference. Just be sure to use a non-petroleum-based lube that won't attack plastic.

DO NOT TRY THIS.

From a general standpoint lubing buckling spring switches is a bad idea.   It's simply not needed and can attract dirt and make it feel worse.

More importantly, an XT spacebar does not pop out like the spacebar on an M.  It's an internal wire setup that you are going to have a hell of a time getting back on if you remove it, including the need to disassemble the board.

Thank you for the heads-up on the space bar.  I didn't realize the mechanism was much different since Unicomp lists the same space bar for Ms and 122s.

[fohat.digs]

I didn't realize the mechanism was much different since Unicomp lists the same space bar for Ms and 122s.

Standard IBM M, SSK, and M-122 all use the same space bar. F-122 uses a spacebar of the same dimension, but the stabilizer wire is smaller and thinner gauge.

F AT and F XT use huge long spacebars with a bizarre "under-carriage" that locks in through the back side of the front plate. Keeping the pivot plate (aka flipper) in position while reassembling is quite tricky. I use a weighted thread and pull it out later.

[Bucake]

Congratulations! Nice deal. It'll be fun to see this once you've had a chance to clean it up.

And was I right—when you opened the box, did you behold this major KB with awe? And how are your plans for a bigger desk going :?)

If it's at all deteriorated, you shouldn't hesitate to make yourself a new one from a craft-store foam sheet. They're quite cheap, easy to work with, and you'll even get your choice of color. (You' won't be able to see it, but you'll know it's in there, being colorful!)

thank you!
and yes, totally in awe! the robustness is quite amazing : ) my desk size is fine. i'm more worried about it collapsing : P
thanks for the tip on the foam, will definitely look into it!

"frosting"

Congrats!  Does the space bar still click?  I'd take the space bar off and re-seat it.  I've had an M or two feel weird like that and just removing and replacing did the trick. 

sure does! every key still clicks beautifully : ) after "examining" the spacebar, i'm sure there's nothing wrong with it. it's just a lot lighter than i expected : )
another thing i noticed is that three of the stabilized keys (Rshift, Return, Backspace) don't go down very smoothly if pressed on the far end. the stabilizers seem to work just fine however, so i presume it's just a result of the design : )

thanks everyone for the tips, for the dos and don'ts

i might make a thread when i'm done fixing it up, just for the pictures!
here's a few fun ones (can you count the diseases?):

More

[rowdy]

That gives the appearance of a keyboard that has lives an interesting life.

[fohat.digs]

glad this site has some guides on restoring these things.

My ANSI-mod guide shows a lengthy fussy procedure for taking the restoration throughout, with a layout change along the way.

If you like the ISO-like layout and the rust on the front plate is not too bothersome, your time and effort can be greatly reduced by not separating the inner assembly. If the foam is working, no matter how bad it really is, you may just "let sleeping dogs lie" for now.

If you just vacuum it up and wipe it down with alcohol, and pull the key caps and case in order to clean them well with soap and water, it will seem pretty nice from the outside with minimal work.

PS - you were lucky to get a complete set of upper function keys

[XMIT]

I keep meaning to see if neoprene is safe to laser cut. Well, I Googled it, and it's not. Sad.

Urethane foam, on the other hand, is safe! Maybe I'll see if I can get my hands on some sheets of Poron foam, laser cut them, and use this as a foam replacement for my Model F projects.

[SamirD]

I didn't realize the mechanism was much different since Unicomp lists the same space bar for Ms and 122s.

Standard IBM M, SSK, and M-122 all use the same space bar. F-122 uses a spacebar of the same dimension, but the stabilizer wire is smaller and thinner gauge.

F AT and F XT use huge long spacebars with a bizarre "under-carriage" that locks in through the back side of the front plate. Keeping the pivot plate (aka flipper) in position while reassembling is quite tricky. I use a weighted thread and pull it out later.

Thank you for the clarification!  Glad he didn't follow my advice and remove it. 

That's exactly what my Ms look like, right down to the same shade of grime and the space bar grime.  It's worn away since they've been in use now for about a decade or so, but the least used keys still look like that. 

The wonderful thing is that board should clean up quite well.