I receive a ragged incomplete beat-up Model F 107-key terminal keyboard from Orihalcon, who had been kind enough to install the xwhatsit controller before he sent it to me. I am sure that I could do that work, but since he has experience and wasn't charging too much to do it, I was happy to pay the extra fee.
My goal was to finish the outer case as the metal that it is, and let its natural appearance show through.
I did not want to have to maintain a highly-buffed and polished product, and went for matte instead.
Unfortunately, when I took it to the metal shop for shot blasting, they told me that it was not actually a good strong aluminum product, but rather a “very soft” alloy that did not yield a consistent finish, either in texture or color. Bummer.
However, Rustoleum continues to add really interesting and attractive colors in their spray paint line, so I chose “hammered copper” for the internal front plate and “oil rubbed bronze” for the outer case. I would have preferred a lighter color more like the IBM “industrial” cases, but the “oil rubbed bronze” was just too nice to pass up.
Since I really don't like noise, I padded the case with my heavy 60 mil EPDM. I glued the pieces in with black silicone caulk.
I believe that Model Fs need some help along the centerline of curvature after they are cracked open and put back together.
3 bolts were added: left of Tab, right of Right Shift, and right of Page Down. They really make a difference, in my opinion.
So here it is:
Plain stock keys for the office:
All dressed up for the party:
