Added another keyboard to my collection

[HAL]

This IBM Model M 1390120 was built on 1986-04-26 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_disaster.
I got it on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/380965482085 and the seller had no clue what he was selling. Of course it was in working condition: the keyboard just needed some key caps, a cable, a really good cleaning and a new home

Day light quit on me so I tried the flash in some of the pictures. I quite like the result

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_front_1024x576.jpg (97.42 KiB) Viewed 3357 times

Old label with barcode

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_back_1024x576.jpg (75.4 KiB) Viewed 3357 times

heavier than younger Model M keyboards

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_weight_without_cable_1024x576.jpg (112.16 KiB) Viewed 3357 times

square silver logo on the right side

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_logo_1024x576.jpg (122.86 KiB) Viewed 3357 times

This is the older variant of the 1390120 controller

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_controller_1024x576.jpg (149.08 KiB) Viewed 3357 times

old style brass like back plate, only a few missing rivets

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_backplate_1024x576.jpg (105.69 KiB) Viewed 3357 times

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_barrel_plate_1024x576.jpg (113.23 KiB) Viewed 3357 times

[Hypersphere]

Looks like a good deal; the board appears to be in excellent shape.

Say, you could add some LEDs and turn it around for a handsome profit!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Model-M-Spa ... 4ada614f51

[HAL]

Looks like a good deal; the board appears to be in excellent shape.

Say, you could add some LEDs and turn it around for a handsome profit!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Model-M-Spa ... 4ada614f51

I know I could also paint it to be industrial:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Model-M-SSK ... 1320217720

[Hypersphere]

Looks like a good deal; the board appears to be in excellent shape.

Say, you could add some LEDs and turn it around for a handsome profit!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Model-M-Spa ... 4ada614f51

I know I could also paint it to be industrial:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Model-M-SSK ... 1320217720

Yep! One of a kind!

[Madhias]

Nice pictures and documentation!

The 1390120 from July '86 i have is a little bit different to yours, it has for example a new style label (if this is the correct term). Unfortunately i had no time for cleaning it, it will be my next project. I also need two CTRL caps, a "-" cap, an arrow, and a '.'. I think spare caps from http://www.clickykeyboards.com will the solution, or i'll buy the one i saw here at DT with these ISO APL caps (ah it's pending or sold right now).

[andrewjoy]

Ahh older Ms are nice, i do need to get one at some point as i want to see how much better they are than the newer lexmark and unicomp Ms. I have a newer one and it just does not feel as good as it should, it feels kind of mushy to be honest kind of like a rubber dome, i don't know if mine is just bad or it need a bold mod.

I am keeping my eye out for a silver label M one will come up at some point.

[dorkvader]

Ahh older Ms are nice, i do need to get one at some point as i want to see how much better they are than the newer lexmark and unicomp Ms. I have a newer one and it just does not feel as good as it should, it feels kind of mushy to be honest kind of like a rubber dome, i don't know if mine is just bad or it need a bold mod.

I am keeping my eye out for a silver label M one will come up at some point.

I brought around a stack of different Ms but nobody wanted to try them. I would say that bolt-modding it does more to the feel than anything else. My 1390120 (3 - 3 - 1986 ) weighs 2305g without cable post bolt-mod. I felt bad bolting it because it was missing exactly no rivets. None were even loose! But it feels so good to type on now I don't mind.

Also changing out the mat from the old (neoprene?) to a modern unicomp mat was a good change for it. I liked the result.

I think it's the lack of consistent pressure between the rivets and thin plate that makes the unicomps feel worse, but so many old model Ms are starting to loosen up with the broken rivets and stretched plastic, they sometimes feel similar too. Just a theory, though.

[HAL]

I also need two CTRL caps, a "-" cap, an arrow, and a '.'.

Hey Madhias, I just had a look at my 1390120 donor keyboard from 1986 and I still have the numpad minus. You can have it. So your 1390120 will stay a little bit more original (or at least 1986ish).

[Madhias]

I also need two CTRL caps, a "-" cap, an arrow, and a '.'.

Hey Madhias, I just had a look at my 1390120 donor keyboard from 1986 and I still have the numpad minus. You can have it. So your 1390120 will stay a little bit more original (or at least 1986ish).

Great news, original caps - or at least same age is even better. I'm thinking of what i would have for trade. Let's switch to PM mode.

[HAL]

I also need two CTRL caps, a "-" cap, an arrow, and a '.'.

Hey Madhias, I just had a look at my 1390120 donor keyboard from 1986 and I still have the numpad minus. You can have it. So your 1390120 will stay a little bit more original (or at least 1986ish).

Great news, original caps - or at least same age is even better. I'm thinking of what i would have for trade. Let's switch to PM mode.

No worries. You can have the key as a gift. I quite like the idea of having a keyboard community in Vienna.

[ShawnMeg]

This IBM Model M 1390120 was built on 1986-04-26 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_disaster.
I got it on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/380965482085 and the seller had no clue what he was selling. Of course it was in working condition: the keyboard just needed some key caps, a cable, a really good cleaning and a new home

Day light quit on me so I tried the flash in some of the pictures. I quite like the result

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_front_1024x576.jpg

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_back_1024x576.jpg

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_weight_without_cable_1024x576.jpg

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_logo_1024x576.jpg

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_controller_1024x576.jpg

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_backplate_1024x576.jpg

IBM_Model_M_1390120_19860424_barrel_plate_1024x576.jpg

Nice pictures.

[seebart]

Those are really nice HAL and madhias!I own a silver label 1390133 from 30-06-1987. I love this keyboard. It´s 287 grams heavier than my Lexmark blue label from 1993 according to my slightly inaccurate kitchen scale. Mine came with a thick black SDL to DIN cable. The layout of the M is still THE best daily driver for me. No compromise. I wish I had one in mint condition!

Also changing out the mat from the old (neoprene?) to a modern unicomp mat was a good change for it. I liked the result.

I´ll have to try that some time.

IMGP6685.JPG (825.29 KiB) Viewed 2974 times