Search found 582 matches

by SneakyRobb
24 Sep 2023, 22:49
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Development of Keyboard F article
Replies: 6
Views: 10721

Development of Keyboard F article

Hi, Posting on behalf of Richard Hunter (Dick) Harris the attached article about the IBM Keyboard F development. "Development of the IBM Keyboard F Abstract: The development history that led to the IBM Keyboard F is chronicled. Keyboard specifications are established. Development motivation and deve...
by SneakyRobb
15 Apr 2023, 04:05
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

1 Great video! Can we infer that the "click" sound is produced primarily by the spring snapping against the inside of the plastic barrel? (Rather than the flipper touching down?) Also interesting that with this prototype there is a second "click" when the key is released, but little "ping." Dick: Th...
by SneakyRobb
26 Nov 2022, 23:30
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

Ah, 50 year beamsprings. Say, what did IBM folk think about Micro Switch and their Hall effect switches? I don’t like them nearly as much as beam or F (especially F) but they do still mechanically work quite nicely; if not the incomprehensible protocols spoken by their PCB mounted controllers. IBM ...
by SneakyRobb
17 Sep 2022, 23:58
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

Dick, 1. Is it true that the need for a new keyswitch design to follow the beamspring, leading to the buckling spring, was due to a new ISO standard about keyboard height? 2. Are you aware of the modern recreations of the 4704 line of banking terminal Model F keyboards? What do you think of that en...
by SneakyRobb
05 Aug 2022, 00:26
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

Hey Dick, I have two more questions: 1) Do you happen to know what the purpose of those two floating tiny dots/circles was above the Model F pad card footprint, as shown here? I would guess that they are there for mechanical reasons, perhaps to lift up the flipper pivot point to the same height as ...
by SneakyRobb
01 Aug 2022, 19:44
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

21. Was there an official IBM method of reattaching a buckling spring that fell out of the module. People now often use a chopstick to press it on. How would you have restuck a spring that came off while the board was assembled? The way people in production handled this was to use a toothpick or ot...
by SneakyRobb
24 Jul 2022, 00:26
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

I'd like to know who designed the spacebar stabilizer for the Displaywriter. That's one of the most impressive (as impressive as a stabilizer can be I guess) stabilizers I've seen. Hi I discussed with Dick and this should be the production version of the 3rd and 4th page space stab from the pdf abo...
by SneakyRobb
19 Jul 2022, 01:09
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

Question: Did you design the spacebar stabilization system of the F XT keyboard? The space bar has an underbarrel stabilization spring that requires disassembly to reinstall. Why was that method chosen over the exterior wire stabilization like on earlier beamsprings 3277, 5251 etc. I know the F122 k...
by SneakyRobb
16 Jul 2022, 22:41
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Does anyone know what's going on with Matias?
Replies: 43
Views: 5672

Re: Does anyone know what's going on with Matias?

What would the housing then be like? Hypothetically speaking ... Everything would be the same except the metal leaf is what I wanted to modify. neon vs other.jpg Daniel Beardsmore photo from wiki https://deskthority.net/wiki/File:Alps_SKCM_Haru_(bamboo)_--_tactile_leaf_comparison_1.jpg It was not a...
by SneakyRobb
16 Jul 2022, 17:48
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Does anyone know what's going on with Matias?
Replies: 43
Views: 5672

Re: Does anyone know what's going on with Matias?

Interesting project. Was there enough interest? I ordered switches from Matias in January and had no issues and thankfully no price increase since my last order. Hopefully they stay in business and keep the alps switch alive. Hi, I wasn't really contacting them to do a group buy. I just wanted to s...
by SneakyRobb
16 Jul 2022, 04:16
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

Hi,

Dick and I will try to upload more soon. He made and sent this video of an original buckling spring prototype/mockup. Hopefully have more info soon.

https://youtu.be/0MaIkV-TV2w

Robb
by SneakyRobb
16 Jul 2022, 01:13
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Does anyone know what's going on with Matias?
Replies: 43
Views: 5672

Re: Does anyone know what's going on with Matias?

I met with Matias in November 2021 about possibly making SKCM neon green style tactile leaves. I was told we would need about 100,000 complete switch orders to produce Neon tactile leaf. So at least as recently as November they were seriously entertaining business ideas. Would need about 150 people ...
by SneakyRobb
19 Jun 2022, 00:48
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Curve plate bending apparatus thoughts
Replies: 8
Views: 3436

Re: Curve plate bending apparatus thoughts

If the bending tool is narrow like that, the plate outside the bent part would be bent sideways near the tool. I believe you would have to either form the entire plate at once, or go back and forth across the plate bending it only a little at a time so as to each time compensate for the error in th...
by SneakyRobb
19 Jun 2022, 00:27
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Curve plate bending apparatus thoughts
Replies: 8
Views: 3436

Re: Curve plate bending apparatus thoughts

If the bending tool is narrow like that, the plate outside the bent part would be bent sideways near the tool. I believe you would have to either form the entire plate at once, or go back and forth across the plate bending it only a little at a time so as to each time compensate for the error in th...
by SneakyRobb
19 Jun 2022, 00:18
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Curve plate bending apparatus thoughts
Replies: 8
Views: 3436

Curve plate bending apparatus thoughts

Hi, This is more just an open thought than anything. I have seen Model M to Model F conversions for a while. I know that you need a metal top plate to hold barrels etc. This flat metal plate must somehow be curved to interface with a model m back plate. These top plates require some kind of bending ...
by SneakyRobb
07 May 2022, 01:36
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Why has nobody tried to make a custom case for model f's and beamsprings? (other than that one thread)
Replies: 6
Views: 1653

Re: Why has nobody tried to make a custom case for model f's and beamsprings? (other than that one thread)

For me the focus is the switches. The case is sometimes irrelevant, and sometimes an extremely critical part of the experience. It can be a super big piece of metal or plastic with huge cost to make. Your question relates specifically to Model F and Beamspring switches. These switches in terms of vi...
by SneakyRobb
04 Jul 2021, 22:23
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Removing "deep grime" from beamspring keycaps
Replies: 24
Views: 5243

Re: Removing "deep grime" from beamspring keycaps

Also be careful it's not that hard to remove the front "PF 6" legends by abrasion!
by SneakyRobb
28 Jun 2021, 01:24
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Beamspring Factory process - How to
Replies: 97
Views: 47455

Re: Beamspring Factory process - How to

Hi, Okay so a few updates. Obviously been discussing on the forum with Richard Hunter (Dick) Harris about the beamspring and model f keyswitches. Which has been amazing. Very happy that Dick has now been able to interact directly with the community. For the beamsprings themselves it apparently is su...
by SneakyRobb
17 Jun 2021, 04:16
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Tips to get a mint-as-possible original model F?
Replies: 73
Views: 10016

Re: Tips to get a mint-as-possible original model F?

Hi, IBM had durability tests on this and somehow never found fault. I've never seen a model f pcb that was slapped out of commission. The most vulnerable parts of Model F are the pcb controller and the thin plastic case. The point is that any pcb controller fault would stop any other keyboard. The m...
by SneakyRobb
17 Jun 2021, 02:22
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Tips to get a mint-as-possible original model F?
Replies: 73
Views: 10016

Re: Tips to get a mint-as-possible original model F?

I'm also looking for a low use/clean one The IBM Model F is one of the best examples of a keyboard that can realistically be brought to "very-near-new" condition with some work. This is the real answer. I do not think there is a single keyboard switch design that is more recoverable from dust, rust...
by SneakyRobb
13 Jun 2021, 02:23
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Super rusty IBM 5251 keyboard restoration Log
Replies: 4
Views: 1685

Re: Super rusty IBM 5251 keyboard restoration Log

Hi,

Very impressive! The level of rust on these uses modules is low and you should be able to restore them all.

Good job

Robb
by SneakyRobb
13 Jun 2021, 00:24
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Recreating the Lisp keyboard (10 years later)
Replies: 270
Views: 403489

Re: Recreating the Lisp keyboard (10 years later)

Hi, This thread is amazing. Your keycap making abilities are super excellent. Absolutely outstanding work! Robb Now Robb, I hope you get the same game up for the BeamSpring caps ;) Hah. Feel very attacked!!! I actually have all the chemicals to make these sort of keycaps, just need the time and wil...
by SneakyRobb
12 Jun 2021, 22:57
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Recreating the Lisp keyboard (10 years later)
Replies: 270
Views: 403489

Re: Recreating the Lisp keyboard (10 years later)

Hi,

This thread is amazing. Your keycap making abilities are super excellent. Absolutely outstanding work!

Robb
by SneakyRobb
12 Jun 2021, 22:53
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

Hi again Dick,

What are your thoughts on these different capacitive pcb designs from users DMA and wcass?

viewtopic.php?t=19166

Were there other patterns that IBM investigated? Why are the 2 rectangles that were on the final PCB slightly different sizes
by SneakyRobb
12 Jun 2021, 02:38
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dear Model F owners, can we talk? (Long rant)
Replies: 143
Views: 276377

Re: Dear Model F owners, can we talk? (Long rant)

Model F is objectively better than beamspring in almost every single way. Not a hot take. It's just objectively true. The jump from beam to f is one of the most big brain leaps ever in keyboards. The move from f to m was just a cost saving measure. I do not personally own an IBM model m but I don't ...
by SneakyRobb
12 Jun 2021, 02:04
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

Hi Dick,

Would you be open to receiving random key switches in the mail and then offering thoughts? For instance we users could send you various key switches and you could critique and discuss them? Would be interesting to get your takes

Robb
by SneakyRobb
12 Jun 2021, 02:02
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

Hi Dick,

Was there ever a reverse dye sub legend as far as you know?

Like you dye the entire keycap except for the legend? Maybe the legend has a sticker covering it during dying

Robb
by SneakyRobb
04 Jun 2021, 22:07
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

18. Was a curved plate beamspring ever considered as a proposal. 19. Did you design all of the keycaps? F AT came out later and has a large stepped enter key, did someone use your basic design or were you consulted for those. 20. Why do beamspring housings have a slot running down 2 opposite sides. ...
by SneakyRobb
04 Jun 2021, 21:51
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

13. Did you have any involvement in the stabilization inserts for keycaps on model f/m. I.e. those plastic tubes that get inserted into empty barrels instead of wire stabilization for wide keys. If so how did that come about. 14. Why were 2 unit wide beamspring keycaps often employed with no wire st...
by SneakyRobb
04 Jun 2021, 21:46
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dick Harris question/answer thread
Replies: 88
Views: 42382

Re: Dick Harris question/answer thread

6. The original beamspring PCB sense card had both sense pads on the front of the PCB. So both "rows" and "columns" on the front. Do you know why later PCB sense cards had rows and columns on opposite sides of the card? Was the change made so the model f PCB could be bent into the curve with less PC...

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