Search found 280 matches

by OldIsNew
31 Mar 2022, 04:22
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Desoldering bent switchplate legs. [Alps switches]
Replies: 8
Views: 3315

Re: Desoldering bent switchplate legs. [Alps switches]

For sure something to watch for! More than once I've pulled off a trace off when trying to remove a bent contact and then spent way too much time trying to fix it - better to take your time and do it right. I have found that using solder wick is helpful (put some extra flux on it too) to reduce the ...
by OldIsNew
01 Aug 2020, 03:17
Forum: Workshop
Topic: I made a mechanical gaming keypad
Replies: 2
Views: 3181

Re: I made a mechanical gaming keypad

Oh that's nice! Good job!
by OldIsNew
01 Aug 2020, 03:12
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Genuine Model M 1390131?
Replies: 14
Views: 4565

Re: Genuine Model M 1390131?

For sure many 1390131's have the "silver" instead of "rainbow plates". From what I've seen and from the 1390131's I've managed to acquire, it seems the early 1986 models are most likely to have the "rainbow" back plates. All of them are excellent boards but the "rainbow" plate ones do seem to have a...
by OldIsNew
19 Jun 2020, 04:52
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Numeridex Oak FTM Board Rebuild
Replies: 2
Views: 2231

Re: Numeridex Oak FTM Board Rebuild

This is way cool! So many rivets :o So I'd assume they server no real purpose? Thanks! I thought it was sort of an interesting board. The rivets are formed from the four corner posts of each switch and hold the switches and membrane to the back plate so they are important. I used silicone sealant t...
by OldIsNew
17 May 2020, 23:08
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Need help on a Tandy TRS-80 USB conversion
Replies: 14
Views: 5351

Re: Need help on a Tandy TRS-80 USB conversion

Yes, as an earlier post from that same blog, http://nerdlypleasures.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-northgate-omnikey-to-tandy-1000.html, points out, the Tandy scan codes are clearly taken from the 83-key XT ones.... Very cool! Hope can work out a native conversion. Otherwise, the dark side of desoldering...
by OldIsNew
15 May 2020, 01:03
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Open my Montereys?
Replies: 1
Views: 937

Re: Open my Montereys?

Oh, I don't know. I have a Chicony 5181 with Montereys that had a number of scratchy switches. I cleaned them liberally with 91% IPA (letting it drip down in to the switches) and used WD-40 plastic safe silicone spray to lube - without desoldering or disassembling. They turned out quite well. So far...
by OldIsNew
09 May 2020, 04:25
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Need help on a Tandy TRS-80 USB conversion
Replies: 14
Views: 5351

Re: Need help on a Tandy TRS-80 USB conversion

rommelbquinto --> Just wondering if you want to share your Teensy project for your Tandy keyboard. Let me see if I can trace it on my board. Thanks! This is the Teensyduino code I wrote for this board. I'm not a programmer so I'm sure there are better ways to do it but it works. It's important to no...
by OldIsNew
29 Apr 2020, 03:44
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Kaypro keyboard to USB?
Replies: 4
Views: 2029

Re: Kaypro keyboard to USB?

I have a Kaypro II that used vintage (tall stem) Keytonic F&F. Used xwhatsit to convert. Post here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=92067.msg2505876#msg2505876 I probably have the IC pinouts for the rows/columns somewhere - if yours is also Keytronic F&F and if that would be helpful. Also have ...
by OldIsNew
20 Apr 2020, 15:19
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Need help on a Tandy TRS-80 USB conversion
Replies: 14
Views: 5351

Re: Need help on a Tandy TRS-80 USB conversion

I have a Tandy 1000 and it's a nice board overall. I really do like FLS switches quite a bit. I ended up tracing out the matrix and doing a controller replacement with a Teensy: https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17994&hilit=tandy I don't know anything about the protocol on your board howev...
by OldIsNew
31 Mar 2020, 00:45
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Decision Data terminal keyboard (IBM 5251 clone?)
Replies: 1
Views: 1518

Re: Decision Data terminal keyboard (IBM 5251 clone?)

That's a nice one. I actually really like the old "vintage" Key Tronic F&F switches. It's a sharp looking board and good job with the retrobrighting!
by OldIsNew
30 Mar 2020, 21:18
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Alps restoration guide
Replies: 37
Views: 12173

Re: Alps restoration guide

  @abraham speak about "WD-40 Specialist with PTFE" and @Old is new speak about the WD-40 Specialist water resistant silicon lubrifiant. That's two different product, wich one did you suggest ? PTFE ? Silicon ? Both ? My bad for being confusing. I've used the WD-40 Silicone spray not the PTFE versi...
by OldIsNew
29 Mar 2020, 16:43
Forum: Workshop
Topic: "Restoring" and hacking a Pinnacle Deko!
Replies: 4
Views: 2193

Re: "Restoring" and hacking a Pinnacle Deko!

Nice job! Oh, but those poor rubber domes!
by OldIsNew
25 Mar 2020, 17:11
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Solenoids
Replies: 4
Views: 1592

Re: Solenoids

I've ordered these soleniods off ebay before. Not an exact match for beamspring solenoids but they've worked well enough for me: https://www.ebay.com/itm/0837L-06C20-6V-0-3A-2mm-0-2kg-First-Stroke-Push-Solenoid-Electromagnet-with-Base/271967978003?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438...
by OldIsNew
23 Mar 2020, 13:50
Forum: Workshop
Topic: AEK2 Custom Build Log
Replies: 1
Views: 1011

Re: AEK2 Custom Build Log

Nice! Good looking job on the hand wiring and I really like the case!
by OldIsNew
22 Mar 2020, 18:31
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Alps restoration guide
Replies: 37
Views: 12173

Re: Alps restoration guide

I've had good luck with "WD-40 Specialist with PTFE" It leave a slightly oily film instead of being completely dry like Dupont PTFE i've tried, it seems to work well... I second this one. I've used this on a number of different switch types with good results including complicated Alps and some craz...
by OldIsNew
21 Mar 2020, 21:05
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Epson Q503A Keyboard
Replies: 3
Views: 2840

Re: Epson Q503A Keyboard

How did you layout the ctrl and alt keys? Seems have to choose one for the key left the spacebar, and another one right the spacebar. I left the Ctrl and Alt keys the way they are on the board with Ctrl above and Alt below the left shift key and Caps Lock to the right of the space bar. It's the typ...
by OldIsNew
21 Mar 2020, 03:06
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Epson Q503A Keyboard
Replies: 3
Views: 2840

Epson Q503A Keyboard

This is a nice little board I was able to pick up recently. It's an Epson Q503A with 3rd gen Fujitsu leaf spring switches. 01_orig1_sm.jpg 02_back_sm.jpg 03_back_label_sm.jpg Opened board, PCB and top switch plate: 05_open2_sm.jpg 06_Key_module_sm.jpg 07_PCB_Label_sm.jpg 08_PCB_Back1_sm.jpg 09_PCB_B...
by OldIsNew
18 Mar 2020, 15:12
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Hi-Tek high profile terminal keyboard with a few quirks
Replies: 2
Views: 1582

Re: Hi-Tek high profile terminal keyboard with a few quirks

Just saw this one, very nice work! I always find the Hi-Tek switches to be disappointing to discover in a board, however. I have some very cool looking boards that also have Hi-Tek high profile switches - I wish there was a way to make them nicer to type on! I've tried silicone based lubes, which do...
by OldIsNew
17 Mar 2020, 16:35
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Retrobrighting Omnikey keycaps (thin doubleshot ABS)
Replies: 8
Views: 2476

Re: Retrobrighting Omnikey keycaps (thin doubleshot ABS)

I've been using 3% peroxide with good results for a while now. I use a glass pan under two 90W halogen lamps, typically for 6 - 8 hours. The lights warm up the solution and I suspect that's really all they are doing, but since my setup works I've been sticking with it. Here's a link to a post I put ...
by OldIsNew
17 Mar 2020, 14:09
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Nondetachable_beamspring_3741_keyboard restoration and converting log
Replies: 11
Views: 3357

Re: Nondetachable_beamspring_3741_keyboard restoration and converting log

Nice! Looks like making good progress. Keep it up!
by OldIsNew
14 Mar 2020, 02:28
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Numeridex Oak FTM Board Rebuild
Replies: 2
Views: 2231

Numeridex Oak FTM Board Rebuild

I recently picked up a Numeridex 7000C2 keyboard. I haven't been able to find out much about the system it came with. The date code is 249-8219 so maybe 19th week of 1982? 01orig_sm.jpg 02front_orig1_sm.jpg 09back2_sm.jpg 10side2_sm.jpg It turned out to be an Oak Full Travel Membrane board: 25switch...
by OldIsNew
17 Feb 2020, 21:47
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Do you type properly?
Replies: 81
Views: 21329

Re: Do you type properly?

Of course I type properly. I just don't keep my fingers on the home row, use two to four fingers (just depends) and do peek at the keyboard. The letters seem to come out in the right order for the most part so I'm happy.
by OldIsNew
17 Feb 2020, 18:42
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Another Data General 6246-A
Replies: 4
Views: 3957

Re: Another Data General 6246-A

Hi, OldIsNew, may i ask if the 3rd generation leaf spring used in this keyboard are clicky? Or linear? I intend to believe its linear according to wiki info but better ask that for 100% sure. That matrix will save a lot of time to compile the hex with tmk. Good job. Thanks. The board has linear swi...
by OldIsNew
17 Feb 2020, 00:31
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Informer 207/VT100 Keyboard
Replies: 1
Views: 1133

Re: Informer 207/VT100 Keyboard

As far as the Stackpole switches go, I did apply WD40 brand silicone lubricant (NOT regular WD40) around the sides of the sliders with a cotton swab. WD.jpg It has definitely helped. Has anyone found other lubes useful for these switches or have any other tricks for improving the key feel? Suggestio...
by OldIsNew
14 Feb 2020, 18:32
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Which switch is this? From Oak Switch Systems Wal1 keyboard
Replies: 3
Views: 1422

Re: Which switch is this? From Oak Switch Systems Wal1 keyboard

The top looks like Oak FTM switches ("Full Travel Membrane") in the variation with with black octagonal tops, but the bottoms are different than in pictures linked. Apparently there are a few different variations. Yes, looks like this one: https://deskthority.net/wiki/File:Oak_Full-Travel_Membrane_...
by OldIsNew
14 Feb 2020, 07:00
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Which switch is this? From Oak Switch Systems Wal1 keyboard
Replies: 3
Views: 1422

Re: Which switch is this? From Oak Switch Systems Wal1 keyboard

It looks like the flat top black version of the Oak full travel membrane switch.
by OldIsNew
09 Feb 2020, 23:57
Forum: Workshop
Topic: READY - $10 - DIY Through Hole Universal Model F and Beamspring Controller
Replies: 100
Views: 35501

Re: Coming Soon - Through Hole Universal Model F and Beamspring Controller

A relay costs less than 1 eur and a DC DC Boost converter also costs about the same. So for just 2 euros in additional components you can drive a solenoid. If you buy a 5v solenoid, then you dont even need a boost converter - all you need is a 1 euro relay. Yes it's pretty straight forward with a 5...
by OldIsNew
08 Feb 2020, 06:32
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: IBM Model F AT - shift/enter key issues
Replies: 1
Views: 926

Re: IBM Model F AT - shift/enter key issues

Are the stabilizers for the keys seated properly? If the keys are working with single unit keycaps, but not the larger stabilized keycaps, that could be the source of the problem.
by OldIsNew
07 Feb 2020, 20:13
Forum: Workshop
Topic: READY - $10 - DIY Through Hole Universal Model F and Beamspring Controller
Replies: 100
Views: 35501

Re: Coming Soon - Through Hole Universal Model F and Beamspring Controller

I really like this idea. While commonsense is very cool, I have found it tricky to get rebuilt F&F boards working well with it. The xwhatsit has always worked smoothly for me and a through the hole version would be great!

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