deskthority

New project video:

2026 Brand New Beam Spring Keyboard production: case bending assembly

AfOwziARG_w

You can still customize your Brand New Model F and/or Beam Spring Keyboards on the project website: https://modelfkeyboards.com/

Production and assembly of the round 2 (classic style) Brand ...

The first beam spring Round 2 pallet has been packed and sealed! They are still trying to get as many B104's finished in the coming weeks before the Chinese New Year. I've asked them to prioritize completing before CNY at least the quantity of each variation that has already been ordered, in case ...

Yes edbods, I noted last year that the boxes and outer foam would be updated for my orders to the factory in the future. This will allow more space for the keycaps and additional burst rating for the box itself. However, for current stock, just like with the old cases from the original production ...

We don't get a lot of photos of how folks are using the custom bumpers on the new boards - one such photo and commentary is included below.

"I just wanted to reach out and say thank you again for your continued support. I honestly can never get enough typing on this keyboard.

The main reason for ...

bsones it would be helpful if you could email me a firmware flashing guide that would be better, as I feel the project web site manual is understandable for most folks.

The keyboard auto restarts after using the firmware bat file, so nothing else is needed.

Blog update:

The latest blog update has been posted on the project website:

https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/blog/

As always, this update collects all of the various updates since the last update in mid-year.

Production update:

The factory expects to complete all or almost all B104 before the Chinese New Year (mid-Feb.). Before they leave they will load what they have completed onto a container shipment, so the B104's can start going out to everyone in early April if all goes well.

The inner assembly ...

I have personally used Joe's replacement foam in my Model F rebuilds. No complaints here.

I went and looked up a receipt and I even bought flippers and springs on one of the orders.


Thanks for your feedback Falkenroth.

Thanks for your clarification Green Maned Lion. Yes they should all work ...

Muirium there have been dozens of orders of folks repairing their original XT, AT and F122 boards with the project's new parts (foam and flippers/springs) and I have received zero complaints about issues.

I like to check up on folks who reach out to me having bought a board several years before ...

Hello kona, project coordinator here.

I believe the two files you mention point to the same link QMK layout files.zip - if not, please copy and paste both sentences and I will check.

The firmware flashing is step by step.

Some paragraphs only apply to certain controllers. The beginning of such ...

3d printed parts update:

https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/product/3d-printed-parts/

On the above product page, everyone can now get Model F - related 3d printed parts from the shop, including 3d printed solenoid driver and solenoid holders, flip out feet, and original Model F feet. If any others ...

dodddummy I noted last month that they expected to finish the first 100 cases that month, which they did, and they have now completed assembly of around 100 B104 boards. They are making progress, albeit slowly. They are prioritizing completion of the B104 boards first while working on production of ...

DiscoMike the factory has completed the 100 or so B104's they noted last month. Now they are working on completing the remaining B104's and other models. It is going to take more time but they are aware of the high quality requirements and have been inspecting each keyboard for cosmetic defects, and ...

edbods these boards do not have large QC issues, despite what the same few folks like to repeat and show the same photos again and again over the past several years. Several people posting mostly about paint from boards made 5 years ago does not indicate widespread issues. With 7,000+ boards shipped ...

Chyrosran22 has just posted the new F122 unboxing video - I am looking forward to the full review coming soon!

Pad print update:

After the other pad print supplier failed to produce keycaps that met my requirements, I changed to another factory earlier this year. They have been in business for a couple decades and focus on computer peripherals.

A reminder to sign the Google form (link below) to reserve a ...

Chyrosran22 has just posted the new F122 trailer - I am looking forward to the full video!

New project video: Brand New Beam Spring Keyboards factory tour - powdercoating process

Just a quick walk around the factory's powdercoating area. This video shows some of the B104 cases that are drying after being powdercoated.

With permission I am posting some interesting photos:

First, here is a customized New F122 with third party extras: an IBM badge and LED overlay.
IMG_7293 - Copy.jpeg

And here is a very rare IBM Selectric I typewriter repair log / service transcript. A true testament to the repairability of ...

Major project milestone:

This month the keyboard projects passed 7,000 shipped keyboards! Shipping started in late 2019.

We still have the normal backlog of recent orders as well as the round 2 beam spring keyboards, which are currently in production and expected to go out over the coming months ...

Production update:

The factory notes that they have finished the production and assembly of the B104 inner assemblies, and they expect to finish the remaining B104 cases this month. The other models will follow after the B104's are completed.

Their production process is to slowly complete a ...

As production and assembly continue, we have some new production images from the factory. Here are the first photos of the beige and light blue production beam spring keyboards (they are the same color mixes and powdercoating as the Model M style case Model F keyboards).

2025 11 03 B104 production ...

Leyden Jar firmware update (for F122):

Rico has posted an update for the Leyden Jar firmware. It allows more space to store macros compared to the Vial default and all firmware files can now split and unsplit keys (no need to reflash the allpads firmware).

https://github.com/mymakercorner/vial-qmk ...

With permission I am posting a nice new production F122 setup with a CRT monitor. I had one of those old Dell CRT's back in the day! I don't recall the specific model but we got it in 1997 or 1998 I believe.

Please update to the latest firmware that was released this month: https://github.com/mymakercorner/vial-qmk/releases

Also are you using any of the previously discussed problematic connections: USB hub, KVM switch, extension cable, the USB port on a computer case, third party USB cable, a failing ...

Everyone please check out GH forum member ploxiln's updated Linux and Mac pandrew utilities as well as other updates here, and let us know your feedback:

"Hi Ellipse, I've been working on building the xwhatsit/wcass firmware an util for all platforms, and my own scripts for building and flashing ...

Rico has just published the latest firmware update for all Leyden-Jar based keyboards (currently just the F122 but soon the Round 2 B104 and B122, and eventually all boards):

https://github.com/mymakercorner/vial-qmk/releases/tag/Firmware_Release_2025_10_24

This firmware fixes a bug where the ...

Has anyone come up with additional Model F 3d printed mods? I have looked around the various 3d parts sites.

I have purchased a 3d printer to help with prototyping as well as to offer 3d printed items to those who do not have their own 3d printer - items like 3d printed solenoid holders and feet ...

Production update:

The factory continues production and assembly, but it continues to be slow.

They've been off for some time this month due to the Mid-Autumn Festival and subsequent break (often the workers take off more time than the official holiday).

Currently before they ramp up to full ...

The mod was announced some time ago. The 3x5 cut out F122 case can also be ordered alone, in order to upgrade the keyboard for anyone who has already received their F122. Just order the case and 100 units of $1 increments and remind me to include the additional barrels and flippers.