My weird psychosis behavior about using keyboards

[Tangtawan]

Hi, I have been into vintage keyboards lately; since I have been introduced to my first vintage keyboard which is the IBM Model M and have been using it for around 6 months. I have always been looking for another Model M; while only can use one at a time- I'm now having 3 Model Ms and will buy more if I found a good deal. The reason is that I'm afraid my first model M will break down and I cant find parts for it. I have a weird feeling of insecurity when using the keyboard if i dont have another spare one ready to use. I dont even use the original keycaps, but instead ordered blank sets from Unicomp as i dont want the original keys to get dirty. And the worst part is I used to play lots of games and is currently running a high performance PC, but after started using these keyboard I stopped playing games; believing that WSAD keys and switch will wear down more than others (of course I still feel bad for spacebar while typing this)

Now I have got myself a Model F AT, and indeed i love it; but the problem is I cant apply mentioned behavior with the Model F as its much more rare and harder to find. I cant even order keycaps from Unicomp since not all the keys will fit. After spending a whole lot of money and effort for this Model F, I surely love how it feels to type on; it does work perfectly but I'm still afraid that its going to break down one day.

In simpler terms, I spent a whole lot on keyboards and did not dare to even use it. I live in Thailand, and all these stuff I have are extremely hard to find.

Any of you guys have the same behavior? And is hoarding the same keyboard a common thing?

[mike52787]

Hi, I have been into vintage keyboards lately; since I have been introduced to my first vintage keyboard which is the IBM Model M and have been using it for around 6 months. I have always been looking for another Model M; while only can use one at a time- I'm now having 3 Model Ms and will buy more if I found a good deal. The reason is that I'm afraid my first model M will break down and I cant find parts for it. I have a weird feeling of insecurity when using the keyboard if i dont have another spare one ready to use. I dont even use the original keycaps, but instead ordered blank sets from Unicomp as i dont want the original keys to get dirty. And the worst part is I used to play lots of games and is currently running a high performance PC, but after started using these keyboard I stopped playing games; believing that WSAD keys and switch will wear down more than others (of course I still feel bad for spacebar while typing this)

Now I have got myself a Model F AT, and indeed i love it; but the problem is I cant apply mentioned behavior with the Model F as its much more rare and harder to find. I cant even order keycaps from Unicomp since not all the keys will fit. After spending a whole lot of money and effort for this Model F, I surely love how it feels to type on; it does work perfectly but I'm still afraid that its going to break down one day.

In simpler terms, I spent a whole lot on keyboards and did not dare to even use it. I live in Thailand, and all these stuff I have are extremely hard to find.

Any of you guys have the same behavior? And is hoarding the same keyboard a common thing?

Ibm model Fs are indestructible. Dont worry about wearing out your keys. I dont think a lifetime of keypresses could wear them out.

[Tangtawan]

Ibm model Fs are indestructible. Dont worry about wearing out your keys. I dont think a lifetime of keypresses could wear them out.

Its funny that I had been was using $10 rubber dome boards for many years and never had any problem with it, no key shine whatsoever. But now too worried using high quality keyboards.

[mike52787]

Ibm model Fs are indestructible. Dont worry about wearing out your keys. I dont think a lifetime of keypresses could wear them out.

Its funny that I had been was using $10 rubber dome boards for many years and never had any problem with it, no key shine whatsoever. But now too worried using high quality keyboards.

IBM Caps are PBT as well, so key shine isnt as much as a problem. If you ever do manage to wear out a model F, Youll definitely have gotten your moneys worth out of it. The alphas can be replaced easily with unicomp alphas, and they will match perfectly as PBT doesnt yellow.

[tp4tissue]

Pretty straight forward OCD..

Most of us got it.. 

[Geroximo]

I cannot game on my good keyboards either. Too worried about WASD shine and inconsisten usage of the keys.
I have a cheap MX Black keyboard for gaming.

[tp4tissue]

I cannot game on my good keyboards either. Too worried about WASD shine and inconsisten usage of the keys.
I have a cheap MX Black keyboard for gaming.

hahahahahahahaha

[chyros]

With some maintenance here and there you'll find these boards as well as the keycaps are indestructible. The electronics are very sensitive and could screw up at some point, but it would be something like plate spacing or a capacitor leaking or something, so it'd be repairable.

[y11971alex]

Ibm model Fs are indestructible. Dont worry about wearing out your keys. I dont think a lifetime of keypresses could wear them out.

Its funny that I had been was using $10 rubber dome boards for many years and never had any problem with it, no key shine whatsoever. But now too worried using high quality keyboards.

The thing with rubber domes is that when they deteriorate they simply decline in tactility (feel).  They may never technically stop working at all, but at that point you will probably hate them.

[chyros]

Ibm model Fs are indestructible. Dont worry about wearing out your keys. I dont think a lifetime of keypresses could wear them out.

Its funny that I had been was using $10 rubber dome boards for many years and never had any problem with it, no key shine whatsoever. But now too worried using high quality keyboards.

The thing with rubber domes is that when they deteriorate they simply decline in tactility (feel).  They may never technically stop working at all, but at that point you will probably hate them.

Membrane traces get ****ed. You can clean those, though.

[y11971alex]

Ibm model Fs are indestructible. Dont worry about wearing out your keys. I dont think a lifetime of keypresses could wear them out.

Its funny that I had been was using $10 rubber dome boards for many years and never had any problem with it, no key shine whatsoever. But now too worried using high quality keyboards.

The thing with rubber domes is that when they deteriorate they simply decline in tactility (feel).  They may never technically stop working at all, but at that point you will probably hate them.

Membrane traces get ****ed. You can clean those, though.

Aren't there also PCB traces?  I recall you reviewed a few specimens with membranes over PCB.

[Fiery]

interesting problem, but if you are worried about certain keys getting more "worn" wouldn't the fact that when you type you use your letters more than numbers be a problem? Like you can't get consistent "wear" on your keys even if you only type. So I wouldn't worry  because remember that you use certain letters way more when typing words

[klennkellon]

I have not been wanting to use my SKCL Brown board because it's in such pristine condition, I don't want to spill something on it or wear it out! I'm ordering a replacement board at some point and I'm going to put this in a nice safe n' dark drawer.

[rowdy]

A cracked barrel plate or incursion of corrosive liquid are about the only things that will kill a Model M.

Oh, and being dropped from a height of more than about 2m.

[Tangtawan]

Thanks for all the comments though, I'm now using Model F as a daily driver; can anyone suggest me of its weakness that i should be aware of if using it as a daily driver. I heard that under the plate there are some sort of foam which might already corrode after 30+ years, this board has never been disassembled before and im not planning to do it any time soon; is it okay to keep using it like this or anything might fail?

[Adgar]

You are just too love your keyboard to suffer any accident.  )

[SBJ]

I must admit I'm a little scared something's going to happen to this keyboard before I can get another one.
But in life, sometimes, we must gamble!

[tp4tissue]

Ibm model Fs are indestructible. Dont worry about wearing out your keys. I dont think a lifetime of keypresses could wear them out.

Its funny that I had been was using $10 rubber dome boards for many years and never had any problem with it, no key shine whatsoever. But now too worried using high quality keyboards.

The thing with rubber domes is that when they deteriorate they simply decline in tactility (feel).  They may never technically stop working at all, but at that point you will probably hate them.

Membrane traces get ****ed. You can clean those, though.

Membrane cause people to develop bad technique and over-exert physical force on the keys, which leads to their quicker deterioration..

But overall,  If someone with Good technique were to use membrane,  it'd likely last as long as anything else...

[Hypersphere]

My mechanical keyboard mania started by acquiring spare Model M boards "just in case something happened to the first one". Then I started looking for contemporary mechanical keyboards and branching out into vintage boards other than IBM Model M. Now I have an extensive collection, and I enjoy refurbishing old boards and converting them to USB. In order to justify my habit, I rotate among my favorite boards, and I have started to sell those that I will probably not find the time to refurbish.

We keyboard fanatics are perhaps a little weird, but probably we are not suffering from frank psychosis.

[jcoffin1981]

After purchasing 8 or 9 keyboards and various keycap sets I have settled on a favorite-  the Poker 3 with white LED's, Cherry Brown Switches, and original ABS caps.  My original suffered a bad liquid spill and I replaced all the switches and took apart and cleaned and lubricated all the stabilizers.  Unfortunately the PCB of this board is very delicate and the tracers come off very easily.  There were 4 or 5 switches and LED's that needed repair or to be manually wired.  On one occasion I had to resolder a repair that failed. 

Most keyboards seem to be produced in a certain amount of units and when they are sold out they are not available anymore.  I purchased a new replacement and was going to use this as a backup.  However, I'm terrified that something will happen to the new one, so it's still sitting in the box and I'm using the original.  So to a certain extent I share your paranoia, but I'm happy with one back up.  I wouldn't call it psychotic- this means that you do not have a grasp on reality, which is not really accurate.  Possibly obscessive compulsive.

[tp4tissue]

After purchasing 8 or 9 keyboards and various keycap sets I have settled on a favorite-  the Poker 3 with white LED's, Cherry Brown Switches, and original ABS caps.  My original suffered a bad liquid spill and I replaced all the switches and took apart and cleaned and lubricated all the stabilizers.  Unfortunately the PCB of this board is very delicate and the tracers come off very easily.  There were 4 or 5 switches and LED's that needed repair or to be manually wired.  On one occasion I had to resolder a repair that failed. 

Most keyboards seem to be produced in a certain amount of units and when they are sold out they are not available anymore.  I purchased a new replacement and was going to use this as a backup.  However, I'm terrified that something will happen to the new one, so it's still sitting in the box and I'm using the original.  So to a certain extent I share your paranoia, but I'm happy with one back up.  I wouldn't call it psychotic- this means that you do not have a grasp on reality, which is not really accurate.  Possibly obscessive compulsive.

Yea but none of those keyboards are ERGONOMIC mechanical keyboards...

/ERGODOX