[GB] F104+SSK+122+62+77+50+Ergo orders now open! Kishsaver+Industrial Model F

[Pretendo]

It's hopeful to know that there's precedent, but the idea of cutting holes in a brand new Model F keyboard hurts my soul. I'd have to think of some non-destructive, reversible way to do it.

[Ellipse]

Leyden Jar controller update:  forum member Rico has posted an update on the Leyden Jar controller project below.  This project uses the RP2040 chip and these controllers will hopefully power the current F122 production round and other boards in the future, once my current stock of ATMEGAs is depleted.  I have tested the controller on the beam spring Round 2 prototype and all keys work perfectly so far.  Rico plans to add 2 more columns to the project.

One way to add them is to change the two right side ground holes to 2 columns as shown in the attachment (I have circled these two holes). This way, the controller does not become too wide that it does not function with the current new Model F and Beam Spring keyboards. These columns will be ignored for all firmware except F122. For all other keyboards, the holes are connected to ground on the capacitive PCBs. Another option is to widen the controller to add 2 holes as also pictured in the attachment.  It would be one or the other, not both changes.

https://www.keebtalk.com/t/the-leyden-jar-a-tentative-pcb-replacement-for-the-brand-new-model-f-keyboards/17489/18

[1391401]

Just ordered my third board.  I kinda like the website, it's like the unicomp site but worse.  This recent time I ordered an FSSK and just chose options without really knowing what they were.  IBM SSK Keycaps? Are they just the pearl & white ones I see in pictures? who knows, sounds good I'm sure I'll love it though, keep up the awesome work!

Is there a way to buy an extra spacebar or two?

[Ellipse]

The answer to your first question is in the listing description - "Original IBM SSK key set recommended"

Yep you can order extra spacebars and any other available key through the Extra Keys store page.

Everyone please let me know what specific changes would improve the project web site.

[Pretendo]

1) There seems to be a bug where the "Newsletter / Project Updates" side tab will sometimes overlay text, and the "selected" banner that comes up as you scroll down the page will sometimes sit way too far down the page, because the top banner breaks and disappears.  The best way I found to replicate it is to have both appear on screen, then play around with the width of the page.

2) The different prices on the color options should be more noticeable, like it is with other options.

3) If there was some way to have the total tacked to the bottom of the page, that would be nice.

4) LED overlay options should be better integrated (shouldn't have to go to the beam spring page to see your options) and included by default, as the board seems incomplete without one.

5) Easier said than done, but better previews of colors and key options as you select them.

[Ellipse]

The LED overlays arrived (just option 1) by air shipment and they are good quality.  I checked one of my IBM Model M originals and they all look nice (photos of the overlays were posted earlier in this thread).  It's tough to tell the original vs. new textures apart.  I especially like the texture and how it slightly obscures the LEDs in the cut out areas, just like the originals (it's not a completely translucent piece of plastic)

This means that now the orders with overlays can proceed - first the Round 1 beam springs with overlays ordered and then the ultra compact (aka Round 1) Model F's with overlays ordered can go out (though I am waiting on the QMK firmware to be finalized for the new Model F options before they can ship so people don't have to reflash right away).  This LED overlay batch was for 500.  For the final batch of the remaining 4,500 overlays, I requested that they add a little more brown to the color of options 1, 5, and 9 and make the black printing a little more deeper black.  Either way it is difficult to tell the new vs. original overlays but I want them to be as close as possible.  Sorry but to keep things simple I won't accept requests for one batch or the other batch of overlays so please don't ask.

I added some case dimensions to the project site:

Approximate dimensions:
Classic F104: 486 x 210 x 22-40mm (front to back variance)
Classic FSSK: 400 x 210 x 22-40mm
Classic F122: 535 x 210 x 22-55mm

[Ellipse]

Here is a flush mount USB-C mod that seems to be non-destructive and fully reversible:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4972816

[Ellipse]

The case bottoms are also aluminum.  All top and bottom case parts are metal for the various projects.  Attached are the photos of the bottom case part, as installed on a Classic M Style case FSSK.  Please note that these photos are of prototypes whose case bottoms were rejected because the screws were improperly recessed and the bottom did not properly align with the contours of the case top (the bolts should be fully recessed and flush with the case bottom and the case bottom should not extend beyond the contours of the case top, and the parts should line up in the front and back though they do not in the sample).  The tops had other QC issues as noted in a prior post (casting defects, mold lines, improperly drilled holes for the screws, etc.).  The pair of adjacent holes on the bottom are for mounting a solenoid, which can now be done directly and the L bracket mount is no longer needed.  These holes should have been recessed so the screws do not stick out of the bottom.  The P clip and solenoid driver have individual, dedicated mounting posts inside the keyboard, on the case top.

Rejected case samples:

[Ellipse]

Here are some photos of the rejected F122 case.  Inside are the bottom and top inner assemblies.  The factory did not properly drill the internal holes to attach the bottom inner assembly, so that is why the inner assembly looks too sunken in the photos (it is loose and not properly installed).  Also the LED overlay is a rejected sample (incorrect color).

You can see the rust on the steel top inner assembly plate as the plate was not powdercoated, so it starts to rust quite quickly.  When I was restoring a late 1930s/early 1940s metal case clock a few years back (including removing the old paint finish), the bare clock case would develop a later of rust within minutes (!) of air exposure.  Drying the water off the clock and coating the clock case with oil helped slow this down so I could spray paint the case. 

[Ellipse]

As an update pandrew has updated the QMK beta site to add the F104 and FSSK.

Please review the proposed F104 factory programming. I hope to start mailing out the Round 1 F104/FSSK boards Thursday/Friday of this week.

[Ellipse]

Here are the first photos of the completed and tested M Style FSSK sample; it is configured with the HHKB Style Split Right Shift and Split Backspace. Since the ~ ` key is left of the 1 ! key, I was not sure which key to place in the rightmost key of the block, so I selected a blank key. Any ideas on how folks plan on configuring their FSSK layout with such a configuration?

For the M Style case keyboards, wcass has ingeniously updated the PCB design to allow for the same PCB to support both HHKB style split right shift and regular right shift, to cut down on the number of PCB variations.

As noted earlier, these are the rejected sample cases that have defects (casting defects, they did not drill all of the mounts and screws correctly so the inner assembly has sunk inside the keyboard, etc.). Fortunately the keyboard is fully functional in my testing with QMK today.

The case bottoms have 4 holes for optional screw-on bumpers, plus 2 holes to mount a solenoid. The case tops have two internal posts, one to mount a solenoid and one for the P clip (USB cable strain relief).

You can also notice the changes to the interconnections between top and bottom inner assembly
1. They now have additional tabs between the first two rows, just like the IBM F122 and F104 originals. I believe this was done to keep the plates as tight as possible, to allow for the snappiest of clicks upon actuation of each key. The Round 1 compact style F104 and FSSKs do not have these extra tabs. I can tell that the Round 2 boards have some extra clickiness/snappiness to them compared to the Round 1 boards, though both have sufficient clickiness/snappiness.
2. The controller tabs have been modified slightly on the M Style boards to make them simpler and a bit less flexible. Sometimes when unscrewing the controller and adjusting an old bottom inner assembly, the old tabs would move out of position which would require some pliers to move them back into position. They are also slightly taller, to allow for more room between the controller and BIA.

[Ellipse]

Here are the first photos of the completed and tested M Style F104 sample; it is configured with the US ANSI layout.  As noted earlier, these are the rejected sample cases that have defects (casting defects, they did not drill all of the mounts and screws correctly so the inner assembly has sunk inside the keyboard, etc.). Fortunately the keyboard is fully functional in my testing with QMK.  Also the texture is a little more visible in this photo than in the SSK photo though the textures are all the same.  It is a nice texture reminiscent of the Model M style cases (originally plastic) as well as the IBM Model F cases (unpainted plastic, painted plastic, and painted metal).

Also shown below are some photos of the inside of the F104, indicating the locations of the P clip and where a solenoid driver and solenoid would go.  The LEDs are designed to have the flexibility for movement so you can move them closer or further away from the LED overlay based on your LED lock lighting preferences.







Someone asked about getting some touch up paint for their powdercoated cases. 

I would just order a sample size of touch up paint for ~$8 from Home Depot.  Some locations have a paint matching machine where you could bring in your keyboard case to get the most accurate color, since colors vary slightly, but if you are okay with a close but not exact match you can refer the Home Depot staff member to the photo below.

[Ellipse]

Leyden Jar controller update:
Good news from Rico.  Rico just announced the completion and open sourcing of the Leyden Jar controller project with the 18x8 extended matrix!  And wcass has designed the F122 PCB to accommodate these extra pads, so now we have everything that is needed for the full F122 usage.

The next step is to optimize the components / design for mass production at the lowest feasible cost that does not result in noticeable performance loss.  At first glance the RP2040 based board seems to cost more than the ATMEGA-based controller, even with bulk quantity. It looks like the board uses several components that cost $0.50 or more each, compared to the ATMEGA-based design only using one such component, not counting the ATMEGA chip itself.  Which components can be changed out for lower cost components, even if the design has to change a bit?  The push buttons probably need to be eliminated for example, since they cost nearly $1 each.

https://www.keebtalk.com/t/the-leyden-jar-a-tentative-pcb-replacement-for-the-brand-new-model-f-keyboards/17489/23

https://github.com/mymakercorner/Leyden_Jar

PS/2 support - A welcome surprise is that Rico has designed an add-on board that adds PS/2 support, however it has not yet been programmed on the firmware side so some development will be needed.  It plugs into the solenoid header, which would not be needed for LEDs nor the solenoid, given the separate LED through holes and the PS/2 connection not permitting the required power for a solenoid.

Some of the higher cost components:
Comment   Footprint   Matched Part Detail
MCP4716A0T-E/CH   SOT-23-6   MCP4716A0T-E/CHC110057
      SOT-23-6 Digital To Analog Converters (DACs) ROHS
PCA9557PW,118   TSSOP-16_4.4x5mm_P0.65mm   PCA9557PW,118C141380
      8 400kHz I²C, SMBus TSSOP-16 I/O Expanders ROHS
ADP122AUJZ-3.3-R7   TSOT-23-5   ADP122AUJZ-3.3-R7C143910
      300mA 60dB@(10kHz,100kHz) Fixed 3.3V~3.3V Positive 5.5V TSOT-5L Linear Voltage Regulators (LDO) ROHS
LMV339   TSSOP-14_4.4x5mm_P0.65mm   LMV339IPWRC273648
      TSSOP-14 Comparators ROHS
W25Q16JVUXIQ   USON8_3x2mm   W25Q16JVUXIQC2843335
      USON-8-EP(2x3) NOR FLASH ROHS
mSMD110-16V   Fuse_1210_3225Metric   SMD1210-150C70102
      6V 1.5A 100A 3A 1210 Resettable Fuses ROHS
USBLC6-2SC6   SOT-23-6   USBLC6-2SC6C7519
      6V 17V Unidirectional 5.25V SOT-23-6 ESD Protection Devices ROHS

[Ellipse]

Here is a comprehensive 1 hour setup video for the new Model F keyboards - I recommend that everyone looking to set up and learn how to use and maintain a Model F keyboard watches this video.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction, safety information
2:57 Parts identification
3:28 Initial setup steps
5:35 Installing stabilizer inserts
7:15 Spacebar installation and optimization
12:16 Installing the remaining keys; fixing stuck or binding keys (the wiggle method, etc.)
18:23 “Quality control secrets” steps:  adjusting a key that doesn’t click, doesn’t work, or buzzes
23:23 Steps starting with plugging in your keyboard to the computer (testing, troubleshooting double presses, etc.)
27:26 Solenoid installation (optional)
31:02 Diagnosing issues with many keys
37:08 Opening up the keyboard inner assembly (change/maintain the layout or case)
40:08 Intermediate firmware adjustment (firmware/layout customization)
57:40 Appendix (cleaning, modifications, etc.)

[POCO Estudio]

og，Amazon

[Ellipse]

Level1Techs just posted a nice video on the ultra compact new Model F!

Here was the reply I posted:  "Thanks Wendell for making this video on the Brand New Model F Keyboards project!  If you do adapt the new Model F into the IBM SSK case, please do let me know how it goes.  I would not recommend it as you would probably have to irreversibly trim some plastic off the original case to fit the larger inner assembly of a Model F.  Regarding the recessed case, I do want to let everyone know that you can also order the F104 and FSSK with a standard Model M style case that is made out of metal and whose interior design is adapted to the Model F.  A downside is that unfortunately you can't switch an inner assembly from the compact case to the classic case or vice versa as they are slightly different in design (you could do this with the F62/F77 though)."

[Ellipse]

I just came across a thorough F62 Kishsaver review video on YouTube (embedded below), which included setup, sound tests, solenoid on and off, along with various combinations of mods:  Floss mod, foam mod (adding foam inside the keyboard to dampen the sound), using a keyboard mat, etc.

And for old time's sake, here is one of my favorite videos from a keyboard meetup in 2018, highlighting the new Model F project.  The song and editing are so nice, I have to see it a few times!

And here's a nice F62 sound test that someone posted (I might have posted this one before)

F77 sound tests

[Ellipse]

PC World review:  Here is a nice review of the new Ultra Compact F104 from PC World:

https://www.pcworld.com/article/1928356/model-f-ultra-compact-keyboard-review.html

[Ellipse]

Stolen keyboard alert:

Sadly there is another stolen keyboard to be reported:  an ultra compact F104 with serial number 11.  Please do let me know if you come across this keyboard listed online, or if one does not have the correct serial label with the serial pictured.

[Ellipse]

F15 Split, BS Ortho / Ergodox Style, and F50 reverse auction update:

I am hoping to wrap up the bids in the next week or two.  Feel free to join the reverse auction with the link below.  You can still get one of these keyboards by not participating in the auction, though the board will be priced higher for all of the remaining 10 or so boards of each type that are reserved for the public.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PqXBAtHVRHWHvheCSMXVNI96_zuhXMMhnrQ2piT6QLk/

Can anyone help set up the matrices for QMK?  I can provide screenshots of the PCB.  I would like to start testing these boards with QMK (currently the testing has been done with the original xwhatsit firmware).

[Ellipse]

Production update - the factory is still refining the Model M style case tooling.  If the latest samples are approved then I hope production on the cases can start this month.  Since the inner assemblies have completed production and assembly, it should not be too long before the keyboards can be assembled and make their way into a shipping container, though production and finishing/powdercoating will take a couple months.  We are still looking at shipping out to everyone to start later this year.  Below shows a detail of the latest sample case.  The goal is to get the top and bottom cases to fit together as well as possible and to improve the quality of the countersinking of the screws on the bottom of the case.  They were designed to have gaps like the IBM originals but I don't want the gaps to be too big.



Here is a terrific video testing many mods to the project's solenoid - it is interesting to hear how many different ways the solenoid can sound!

Looking around on YouTube I also came across two new Model F videos that are both not what I have seen before!  I cannot recommend the safety of what is done in the video, so definitely do not try at home!

[Ellipse]

Blog update posted:

Please see today's blog update post for a summary of the various goings-on with the project in recent months:
https://modelfkeyboards.com/blog

[Ellipse]

As an update the factory has made good progress with the new key mold for the non-stepped ISO Enter, code, and PC AT Big Enter keys after much delay to get all of the particulars right. 

The factory is now just fine-tuning the key top texture and then hopefully production can start on these keys.  After they are sublimated I am hoping to open up orders for these keys and key sets with these keys.

[Ellipse]

Project update:

I have just approved the Model M style cases to enter production.  Due to some quality issues it took many months extra to get the quality to where it is now.

Here's one photo from the approved sample - the gap in the back looks nice now.

Now the cases have to be die cast, drilled, and powdercoated, and then they can be assembled.  The F104s and FSSK inner assemblies are complete and the F122 working sample still needs to be completed (I need to do some more testing with the new Leyden Jar controller and the F122 before continuing).  I expect all to be on the same container shipment with the Round 2 beam spring boards, hopefully around year end.