« previous next »
Pages:  [1]     Go Down

Author Topic: First Conversion | IBM Model F AT | ANSI, Spacebar, Flossmod, Soarers  (Read 5457 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline lions2

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 2
First Conversion | IBM Model F AT | ANSI, Spacebar, Flossmod, Soarers
« on: Thu, 27 July 2017, 16:55:18 »
Pictured below is my first keyboard mod which is ~95% done.
I was lucky enough to purchase an IBM Model M and Model F XT on the cheap for parts to accomplish this (still missing L-ALT and Up Arrow (not pictured) keycaps) I have the R-ALT, but both will need to be taken down a bit as it sticks under the case by a millimeter or so.

As you can see the spacebar is currently replaced with a caps lock key.. I cannot get the Model M spacebar to actuate properly!

Pictured to the right of the spacebar is a washer (I have two) which I attempted to retrofit around the barrels below the 'C' and '<' keycaps.
The spacebar's stabilizer bar was then sandwiched between the washers and the barrel plate, but to no avail. The flossmod is also done which removes the 'ping' completely without any other noticeable effect. It is literally a dream to use.

How would I set it up such that my L-CTRL + F1-F8 would be able to act as F9-F16? (using Soarer's)
I tried a function layer, but that completely removed the normal functionality of L-CTRL

Does anyone more experienced have tips on getting my model M spacebar to actuate?
Bonus points if I don't have to take it all apart again.

Thank you so much for viewing!
« Last Edit: Thu, 03 August 2017, 21:31:53 by lions2 »
Logged

Offline fohat.digs

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 6533
  • Location: 35°55'N, 83°53'W
  • weird funny old guy
Re: First Conversion | IBM Model F AT | ANSI, Spacebar, Flossmod, Soarers
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 27 July 2017, 18:58:17 »
The easy way to stabilize the space bar is by using 7/16" SAE washers as wcass discovered.

I have tried many other washers (stock and modified, including fiber and rubber) and none work as well as the 7/16" SAE.

Otherwise, in my guide I show bending tabs out of sheet metal and using epoxy to adhere them.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48288.msg1034243#msg1034243
Logged
"Starting in 2011, the deficits again started to shrink. During Obama’s term  the deficit was reduced by $900 Billion  before finally in 2015 the GOP managed to wrangle a “reconciliation” bill out of Obama where he again cut corporate taxes, as well as made permanent some of George W. Bush’s original tax cuts. This is the year everything reversed. Before this, under Clinton, Bush and Obama the deficit in almost every year was gradually decreasing. The balance we had of taxes and the economy was bringing the deficit down, the money coming in was slowly catching up with the money going out until 2015. Trump’s subsequent tax cut has continued the new trend even after the rest of Bush’s cuts have since expired. Obama had an average GDP of 2.3%, with 11.6 million jobs created and unemployment peaking at 10% in 2009, then falling to 4.3% in 2016. If we had continued on that downward deficit track, we would have again reached balance and another surplus in 2017-2018.
– Frank V Walton 2025-07-01

Offline lions2

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 2
Re: First Conversion | IBM Model F AT | ANSI, Spacebar, Flossmod, Soarers
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 03 August 2017, 21:30:46 »
Cool, I've ordered two 7/16" SAE washers online (could not find them locally!) and will follow up.

I was lucky enough to pick up two black buckling spring keyboards from eBay this week; An IBM Model M13 13H6705 and Unicomp UB20416. The former has one piece caps which I am really excited for. Whichever one I like least will be donating the complete black keycap set to this Model F (thus completing my dream keyboard)

I've also figured out how to best remap LCTRL + F1 to be F9, etc if anyone else is ever curious:
Code: [Select]
macroblock
macro F1 LCTRL
PUSH_META CLEAR_META all
PRESS F9
POP_ALL_META
endmacro
endblock


Logged

Offline Giorgio

  • Posts: 1846
  • Location: Italy
Re: First Conversion | IBM Model F AT | ANSI, Spacebar, Flossmod, Soarers
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 17 June 2018, 17:59:24 »
Is there any picture of the washers put in place with the spacebar wire? thanks

How does the modded spacebar feel compared to the original spacebar? Is it wobblier or just as smooth? I wonder if the work is worth the effort, or if I can just live with it, by making the spacebar softer (modifying the curvature of the wire, but how much?)
« Last Edit: Sun, 17 June 2018, 18:01:52 by Giorgio »
Logged
Pages:  [1]     Go Up
« previous next »