Search found 3048 matches

by fohat
22 Feb 2024, 15:01
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Model M screw mod on a white barrel plate + case repair
Replies: 6
Views: 1292

Re: Model M screw mod on a white barrel plate + case repair

especially the tedium Ha Ha Ha! Then you will want to get rid of that trivial rust, just because. I have 2 things to say about the difficult part - re-assembly. You can expect that it will take multiple tries to get it back together, and usually that means considerable dis-assembly, too. After doin...
by fohat
16 Feb 2024, 21:52
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Model M screw mod on a white barrel plate + case repair
Replies: 6
Views: 1292

Re: Model M screw mod on a white barrel plate + case repair

I wouldn't worry too much about the barrel plate. It may be marginally weaker than the older ones, but a new replacement part from Unicomp would not likely be much different. A question of strength is rather moot since it is affixed to a metal plate. If you do order anything from them, I definitely ...
by fohat
05 Feb 2024, 20:32
Forum: Deskthority talk
Topic: Future of DT
Replies: 440
Views: 6985551

Re: Future of DT

kbdfr wrote:
05 Feb 2024, 18:18

3 of us will have deleted half a dozen spam topics, a dozen of spam posters and two dozens of spam posts
Are they hoping to make money here, or just doing this for "fun"?
by fohat
24 Jan 2024, 15:57
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Total Makeover of a Model M122 aka Battlecruiser
Replies: 2
Views: 9209

Re: Total Makeover of a Model M122 aka Battlecruiser

The 2nd Generation case shell does look more modern and sculpted, but the 1st Gen top is much more "bad-ass" in my opinion.

Also, I would miss the pencil ledge.
by fohat
29 Dec 2023, 22:34
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Will this PS/2 converter work for an IBM M keyboard?
Replies: 3
Views: 7364

Re: Will this PS/2 converter work for an IBM M keyboard?

I have never had a problem with the cheap "Y" cables for Model Ms and modern PC motherboards, but they are not always a sure thing. The older "AT" connectors can be downsized to the PS/2 (mini-DIN6) with a simple connector and then taken to USB through the above active device. Note that Model F keyb...
by fohat
08 Dec 2023, 15:03
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dear Model F owners, can we talk? (Long rant)
Replies: 143
Views: 276646

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

thefarside wrote:
08 Dec 2023, 06:43

It sounds like you fill all the cavities in the case?
Does it dampen the sound?
I have done various things. You can cut the sound in half and remove the most annoying overtones.
I love Model Fs for their feel, not their sound, a clicky but silent keyboard would be fine by me.
by fohat
07 Dec 2023, 17:21
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dear Model F owners, can we talk? (Long rant)
Replies: 143
Views: 276646

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

What type of internal padding to you use? Generally art foam, sometimes felt and/or waffled drawer lining. Where flat sheets fit I will do that, for spaces that have more volume I cut strips to the proper width and enough length to roll them into cylinders that will fill that particular volume. It ...
by fohat
06 Dec 2023, 23:43
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dear Model F owners, can we talk? (Long rant)
Replies: 143
Views: 276646

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

Having experienced repeating keystrokes while using the Model F that has been "in rotation" for a few years, I pulled in my most convenient backup, a Northgate Omnikey 101, and have been using it for a couple of weeks. It is a very nice keyboard but I sorely missed the "extra" keys that I programmed...
by fohat
27 Nov 2023, 14:13
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Heat inserts on Model M Barrel Plate?
Replies: 15
Views: 5293

Re: Heat inserts on Model M Barrel Plate?

That looks interesting but isn't it quite a bit more work than simply using nuts?
by fohat
22 Nov 2023, 01:28
Forum: Workshop
Topic: XT/AT/PS2/Terminal to USB Converter with NKRO
Replies: 866
Views: 588847

Re: XT/AT/PS2/Terminal to USB Converter with NKRO

My favorite Model F 122-key has developed an impossible case of repeatingggggggggg certain keyssssssssss. The keyboard and its internal Soarers Teensy have operated flawlessly since I built the unit 6-8 years ago, and this problem is new. Nothing about its environment has changed in a couple of year...
by fohat
18 Nov 2023, 14:49
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Modern switch closest to the Alps Salmon or Oranges switches in the AEK
Replies: 49
Views: 77569

Re: Modern switch closest to the Alps Salmon or Oranges switches in the AEK

Did AT101W ever come with rubber domes? rubber domes were introduced with the Quietkey I have owned these keyboards although it was some years ago. My experience is that the Dell AT101R (and presumably the ISO variant AT102R) is the rubber dome version. I have had several Dell Quietkey keyboards an...
by fohat
16 Nov 2023, 21:23
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Modern switch closest to the Alps Salmon or Oranges switches in the AEK
Replies: 49
Views: 77569

Re: Modern switch closest to the Alps Salmon or Oranges switches in the AEK

Yes, there are differences. I think the earliest ones have salmon ALPS and also PBT key caps - these are highly desirable. I think that the PBT caps outlasted the salmon switches by some time, but my memory may be weak on all this. The rubber dome variant has an "R" in the model number. I had one on...
by fohat
16 Nov 2023, 20:57
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dear Model F owners, can we talk? (Long rant)
Replies: 143
Views: 276646

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

You have several ANSI mods under your belt? Yes, probably 10 or so, and I don't know that I've ever gotten the re-assembly in 1 go, it usually takes 2-3. It has taken as many as 5-6 tries because the pieces have to stay in place just so as you go through the trauma of the "sliding force fit" so whe...
by fohat
16 Nov 2023, 17:38
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dear Model F owners, can we talk? (Long rant)
Replies: 143
Views: 276646

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

1. Layouts on the Fs are dumb. the keyboards are the same size as a full size but lack 104 keys. That's dumb. BUT, they're substantially better than tenkeyless, and those who grew up on keyboards without the nav cluster are fairly adept at using the numpad, which you never have to turn on if you do...
by fohat
14 Nov 2023, 16:52
Forum: Other external
Topic: Great/Interesting Finds
Replies: 26262
Views: 8605572

Re: Great/Interesting Finds

engr wrote:
14 Nov 2023, 02:36

$1,099 for one with a black oval badge.
They aren't showing the label, but presumably it is 1980's with the black badge.
by fohat
14 Nov 2023, 16:49
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Remove paint from F/AT keyboard case?
Replies: 7
Views: 10746

Re: Remove paint from F/AT keyboard case?

I think that you will regret messing with it. Model F cases have a textured off-white "skin" over a smooth white body core.

That is why people modify 1st generation Model M 122 top shells to replace F-122 case tops, which are also much more brittle than the plastic used for M cases.
by fohat
13 Nov 2023, 15:36
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Putting new firmware on the XTPTFABS Soarer's converter
Replies: 21
Views: 23716

Re: Putting new firmware on the XTPTFABS Soarer's converter

I always mix up which PS/2 color is supposed to represent keyboards, and which mice. Purple is actually for keyboards. As I recall, the green mouse plug has one less wire inside and will not connect a keyboard properly. Off-topic but tangential, it drives me bonkers when a USB cable leaves out a wi...
by fohat
10 Nov 2023, 02:14
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: IBM Model F not working properly?
Replies: 6
Views: 9285

Re: IBM Model F not working properly?

I bought a soarer's converter (5-pin DIN to USB) off Ebay A "converter" is an active device that does much more than make simple electrical connections. The DIN plug on the XT is the same physical object as so-called "AT" plugs on pre-PS/2 keyboard cables, but it uses a different protocol. If you b...
by fohat
06 Nov 2023, 20:52
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: "I found some other keyboard" said the seller, before making my day
Replies: 15
Views: 12327

Re: "I found some other keyboard" said the seller, before making my day

depletedvespene wrote:
06 Nov 2023, 15:24

Unicomp sells replacement cables
Orihalcon's cables are pricey, but there is a lot to be said for a straight SDL-to-USB cable with no additional drama.
by fohat
05 Nov 2023, 15:20
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Apple Keyboard Extended II w/ Alps Salmon Switch vs. Apple Keyboard Extended II Alps Orange Switch vs. AKEII Alps M0312
Replies: 8
Views: 9424

Re: Apple Keyboard Extended II w/ Alps Salmon Switch vs. Apple Keyboard Extended II Alps Orange Switch vs. AKEII Alps M0

Tribal wrote:
05 Nov 2023, 04:01

are just SO, SO, VERY LOUD
The "floss mod" does not do much for a Model M, but it is much more effective in tamping down the overtones of the F.
by fohat
03 Nov 2023, 14:54
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Apple Extended Keyboard M0115 Orange vs Salmon Alps
Replies: 4
Views: 8307

Re: Apple Extended Keyboard M0115 Orange vs Salmon Alps

Just out of curiosity, what is the serial number?
by fohat
03 Nov 2023, 02:44
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Apple Extended Keyboard M0115 Orange vs Salmon Alps
Replies: 4
Views: 8307

Re: Apple Extended Keyboard M0115 Orange vs Salmon Alps

Not a scientific certainty, but they made roughly a million of them and approximately the first 500K were orange and the 2nd half were salmon. There have been discussions about it but I don't think that there are any hard rules.
by fohat
16 Oct 2023, 22:52
Forum: Other external
Topic: Great/Interesting Finds
Replies: 26262
Views: 8605572

Re: Great/Interesting Finds

thefarside wrote:
16 Oct 2023, 17:05
Industrial Model M from 1985. Any ideas how high it’ll go?
Exquisite bar code label, I have never had a Model M with one.
by fohat
13 Oct 2023, 15:46
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: New Model M vs Old IBM Model M
Replies: 67
Views: 172561

Re: New Model M vs Old IBM Model M

it helps when you already have the facilities, like Unicomp. This is the crucial element. These days almost everything is done with borrowed money and debts to be serviced, but Unicomp has a factory and equipment built by IBM decades ago - and even Unicomp has had the site for 25 years, so the real...
by fohat
25 Sep 2023, 15:59
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Development of Keyboard F article
Replies: 6
Views: 10747

Re: Development of Keyboard F article

Whoa!
Thank you!
by fohat
21 Sep 2023, 15:20
Forum: Workshop
Topic: IBM Model M Screw, Nut and Bolt Mod
Replies: 109
Views: 163914

Re: IBM Model M Screw, Nut and Bolt Mod

DDD80 wrote:
21 Sep 2023, 11:16

the pressure is too high on other parts of the membrane
That would be my guess. Were you careful with the "crescents" at the hole sites? I understand that they are part of the alignment process.
by fohat
19 Sep 2023, 14:57
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: USB Switch Box
Replies: 13
Views: 10284

Re: USB Switch Box

"it's nice to be appreciated" after I've just unloaded a bellyful of impotent rage at her When I was setting up my Android phone, and after an hour of deep frustration, the Android robot woman said "What can I do to help?" and I replied "SHUT THE F_CK UP!" in a loud angry voice. Her cheerful, perky...
by fohat
12 Sep 2023, 14:43
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dear Model F owners, can we talk? (Long rant)
Replies: 143
Views: 276646

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

Is there a consensus on whether there is a noticeable difference in feel or sound between the 1st gen (silver badge) and the 2nd gen (grey badge) Model Ms? I think that the consensus is that the early ones are much "more collectible" .... The square metal badges are SO cool. Personally, I have 2x 1...
by fohat
11 Sep 2023, 13:57
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Dear Model F owners, can we talk? (Long rant)
Replies: 143
Views: 276646

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

Entropia wrote:
11 Sep 2023, 09:16

off-white/beige or in industrial gray?
Industrial gray is a particularly handsome color, in my opinion.
by fohat
08 Sep 2023, 18:13
Forum: Workshop
Topic: IBM Model M Screw, Nut and Bolt Mod
Replies: 109
Views: 163914

Re: IBM Model M Screw, Nut and Bolt Mod

there were not any problems before I installed it in the case. There can be problems down at the bottom where the internal assembly gets close to the inside of the case. I have used slightly shorter screws down there, and usually leave out washers in the bottom row. And I have not done it, personal...

Go to advanced search