IBM MODEL F AT vs XT

[just_add_coffee]

IBM 4704 might be something on this planet that is built better than F xt. Would be nice if someone who has also tried a 4704 can comment on how they feel and compare to AT and XT.

As of 20 minutes ago, I am one of those people!

The FedEx guy got a workout ...


The 4704 feels much more like my F XT than the AT. My XT's springs seem a bit stiffer and the ping is ... ummmm ... "ringier" (think I'm making up word there).

The XT's case bottom is metal, but the AT's is plastic. I love Model Fs and I bought this (from Orihalcon) because of the amazing layout, and I don't know much about the 4704 yet ... but I think the entire case is metal. It's a beast for sure!

[Chyros]

IBM 4704 might be something on this planet that is built better than F xt. Would be nice if someone who has also tried a 4704 can comment on how they feel and compare to AT and XT.

As of 20 minutes ago, I am one of those people!

The FedEx guy got a workout ...


The 4704 feels much more like my F XT than the AT. My XT's springs seem a bit stiffer and the ping is ... ummmm ... "ringier" (think I'm making up word there).

The XT's case bottom is metal, but the AT's is plastic. I love Model Fs and I bought this (from Orihalcon) because of the amazing layout, and I don't know much about the 4704 yet ... but I think the entire case is metal. It's a beast for sure!

Yes, it's a full metal case, but from what I understood it's zinc rather than steel, so it's more prone to bending. Weighs a ton, apparently, though.

[fohat]

Yes, it's a full metal case, but from what I understood it's zinc rather than steel, so it's more prone to bending. Weighs a ton, apparently, though.

My father always called it "pot metal" but it is probably some form of Zamak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamak

It is lightweight metal, I don't think that there is very much weight difference between my 122 and 107 models. And it is probably more brittle rather than flexible.

[just_add_coffee]

My father always called it "pot metal" but it is probably some form of Zamak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamak

It is lightweight metal, I don't think that there is very much weight difference between my 122 and 107 models. And it is probably more brittle rather than flexible.

Refurbishing the exterior doesn't sound like a lot of fun. I think this one might call for professional powder coating.

[fohat]

Refurbishing the exterior doesn't sound like a lot of fun.

It's probably worth the money if you have it to spare. Did you see my guide?

workshop-f7/ibm-model-f-107-key-termina ... arry%20107

[wobbled]

Definitely get it powdercoated!

20161225_004700.jpg (3.43 MiB) Viewed 30277 times

[just_add_coffee]

It's probably worth the money if you have it to spare. Did you see my guide?

workshop-f7/ibm-model-f-107-key-termina ... arry%20107

I had not seen that guide. That looks beautiful!

Any advice on sanding/removing the old paint? Because that seems to be the most critical point on these projects, at least for me.

[wobbled]

It's probably worth the money if you have it to spare. Did you see my guide?

workshop-f7/ibm-model-f-107-key-termina ... arry%20107

I had not seen that guide. That looks beautiful!

Any advice on sanding/removing the old paint? Because that seems to be the most critical point on these projects, at least for me.

Take it to someone that does powdercoat paint jobs for a living, they will remove the old paint for you.

[just_add_coffee]

Take it to someone that does powdercoat paint jobs for a living, they will remove the old paint for you.

Would they get upset if I opted to do the paint job myself?

Hi Mr./Ms. Powdercoater! I'd like you to remove the paint off this. But don't powdercoat it; gonna paint it myself.

I don't know what I'll do yet. But my imagination is going crazy right now!

[fohat]

The metal shop I went to had a $65 minimum for the shot-blasting process.

[wobbled]

Take it to someone that does powdercoat paint jobs for a living, they will remove the old paint for you.

Would they get upset if I opted to do the paint job myself?

Hi Mr./Ms. Powdercoater! I'd like you to remove the paint off this. But don't powdercoat it; gonna paint it myself.

I don't know what I'll do yet. But my imagination is going crazy right now!

I can't see why they'd be upset as they're still making money from you, though I do wonder why you'd opt to paint it yourself. When I got my f107 done it cost me £50 to have the metal stripped and re-painted and I got it back the next day. Or maybe you just enjoy the DIY aspect? Either way, good luck with the paint job. Hope to see pics when it's complete!

[just_add_coffee]

... though I do wonder why you'd opt to paint it yourself.

Glutton for punishment?

Part of it probably is the DIY aspect, but mostly ... between the paints on the market and my OCD, I think I can end up with something more awesome than a shop would do. And fohat's link kinda won me over. A few years back, I redid an old laminated dining room table with Rustoleum's hammered copper and it was absolutely beautiful.

But all of that goes out the window if I bend or break the keyboard case in the process.

[wobbled]

... though I do wonder why you'd opt to paint it yourself.

Glutton for punishment?

Part of it probably is the DIY aspect, but mostly ... between the paints on the market and my OCD, I think I can end up with something more awesome than a shop would do. And fohat's link kinda won me over. A few years back, I redid an old laminated dining room table with Rustoleum's hammered copper and it was absolutely beautiful.

But all of that goes out the window if I bend or break the keyboard case in the process.

If you've got the skill and the tools to do it then go for it dude, and don't worry about breaking or bending the case, it's a massive lump of metal so it'll probably laugh at you even if you tried to break it.

[Sigmoid]

I'm thinking of getting my two XTs painted, but I'm worried that sand blasting or other paint removal methods would damage the plastic top half of the XT case. Any experiences with those?

[just_add_coffee]

I'm thinking of getting my two XTs painted, but I'm worried that sand blasting or other paint removal methods would damage the plastic top half of the XT case. Any experiences with those?

Your worry is justified ...


I did that to my F AT.

My plan now is to create a smooth surface with many layers of primer and very delicate wet sanding and polishing and being super careful, or with a Dremel (outside of the water, of course).

Edited to indicate that I am NOT planning on wet sanding with a Dremel.

[fohat]

Model F cases have an off-white outer "skin" layer over a glossy white core layer.
I have never tried to take the outer layer off, but it certainly does abrade, chip, and flake.

[__red__]

I believe "Pot Metal" is the correct term. I have managed to get a mirror finish on it but the mirror isn't flat so it's kinda like looking at myself in a circus mirror. I may end up powerdercoating it anyways or maybe send it to one of those specialists that do holographic paint.

[fohat]

I believe "Pot Metal" is the correct term. I have managed to get a mirror finish on it but the mirror isn't flat

What I REALLY wanted was something like the middle example in this photo, but the guys at the shop said that it was impossible with the "very low-quality" metal that I had.

[seebart]

Hmm I'd like that matt "flat" look also for a couple of my keyboards. Seiko Scuba eh?

[fohat]

Seiko Scuba eh?

Yes, well, that is definitely "high-quality" metal ....

[just_add_coffee]

I have managed to get a mirror finish on it but the mirror isn't flat so it's kinda like looking at myself in a circus mirror.

I opted not to do it now, but on a future project, I've considered bringing a keyboard case to a chrome shop and seeing what they could do. I've seen chrome on metal and plastic, so I don't know why a keyboard case would be different. I don't know if I'd want an entirely chrome keyboard, but maybe some parts and accents?