IBM Model F AT modification

[keyboard Kultist]

So, I came into a Chicony 5160 AT with blue alps. The switchs are great but the case is uninspiring. On the other hand I have a broken IBM model F AT in the big basket of broken keyboards. You can probably see the wheels turning.

So.... anyone ever put the innards of such a thing in a model F AT case? Any obvious objections to the idea?

Model F with blue alps switchs, That could be fun...

[fohat]

F AT cases are nightmarish to open and close. The plastic is brittle and the clips are too tight.

Why-oh-why didn't the screw a metal back onto the AT?

[dcopellino]

Personally I found very easy opening and closing F AT without clamps. My solution is opening like a book just loosing the top tabs with tongs

[Wazrach]

Personally I found very easy opening and closing F AT without clamps. My solution is opening like a book just loosing the top tabs with tongs

I think he was referring to the case itself, not the assembly.

I agree with Fohat that the F AT case is a bit of a bitch to open. You feel like you're going to break it. The plastic also warps where the clips are.

It's pretty clear that IBM were pinching pennies with the AT, as the plastic case is thinner than the one on the XT and they left out the metal back panel of its higher quality predecessor.

[Wazrach]

So, I came into a Chicony 5160 AT with blue alps. The switchs are great but the case is uninspiring. On the other hand I have a broken IBM model F AT in the big basket of broken keyboards. You can probably see the wheels turning.

So.... anyone ever put the innards of such a thing in a model F AT case? Any obvious objections to the idea?

Model F with blue alps switchs, That could be fun...

Don't forget, the Models F have curved assemblies, so some parts of the case are parallel to the curvature of the barrel frame. The Chicony will probably not fit snugly in the AT's case, but you could give it a go. I know it's technically possible to put the XT's assembly into the industrial, non-buckling spring XT keyboard's case.

[dcopellino]

Personally I found very easy opening and closing F AT without clamps. My solution is opening like a book just loosing the top tabs with tongs

I think he was referring to the case itself, not the assembly.

I agree with Fohat that the F AT case is a bit of a bitch to open. You feel like you're going to break it. The plastic also warps where the clips are.

It's pretty clear that IBM were pinching pennies with the AT, as the plastic case is thinner than the one on the XT and they left out the metal back panel of its higher quality predecessor.

You are right. I didn't realize it. When i bought mine, it came with a foot broken due to shipping breaking. A foot broken in two points and its support completely blown up. I used my son's mechano pieces to rebuild them, melting the plastics with hot pieces got burned on fire.

[Wazrach]

Personally I found very easy opening and closing F AT without clamps. My solution is opening like a book just loosing the top tabs with tongs

I think he was referring to the case itself, not the assembly.

I agree with Fohat that the F AT case is a bit of a bitch to open. You feel like you're going to break it. The plastic also warps where the clips are.

It's pretty clear that IBM were pinching pennies with the AT, as the plastic case is thinner than the one on the XT and they left out the metal back panel of its higher quality predecessor.

You are right. I didn't realize it. When i bought mine, it came with a foot broken due to shipping breaking. A foot broken in two points and its support completely blown up. I used my son's mechano pieces to rebuild them, melting the plastics with hot pieces got burned on fire.

That sounds like a lot of effort for one foot - is it not possible to use XT feet with an AT? I know the mechanism is slightly different, but it's very easy to find XT feet and I'm sure you could get it to work

[fohat]

is it not possible to use XT feet with an AT?

No

[Fkazim]

is it not possible to use XT feet with an AT?

No

What are the reasons the XT feet dont fit into the AT because when I restored my AT the feet looked identical the only difference I could see between the two were the AT used a coil spring for the feet and the XT uses a weird shaped spring. But when I removed the feet from both they looked identical.

[keyboard Kultist]

So, I came into a Chicony 5160 AT with blue alps. The switchs are great but the case is uninspiring. On the other hand I have a broken IBM model F AT in the big basket of broken keyboards. You can probably see the wheels turning.

So.... anyone ever put the innards of such a thing in a model F AT case? Any obvious objections to the idea?

Model F with blue alps switchs, That could be fun...

Ah well, it looks like my evil plot has come to nothing. The metal plate in the Chicony is a bit too wide. It was a nice thought though. Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

[Wazrach]

So, I came into a Chicony 5160 AT with blue alps. The switchs are great but the case is uninspiring. On the other hand I have a broken IBM model F AT in the big basket of broken keyboards. You can probably see the wheels turning.

So.... anyone ever put the innards of such a thing in a model F AT case? Any obvious objections to the idea?

Model F with blue alps switchs, That could be fun...

Ah well, it looks like my evil plot has come to nothing. The metal plate in the Chicony is a bit too wide. It was a nice thought though. Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

Awh. Sorry to hear that. I have another idea though...

If possible, you could sand the sides of the Chicony's plate. Either that, or you could find a better-built Alps alternative?

[fohat]

What are the reasons the XT feet dont fit into the AT

Try it. Prove me wrong. Please.

[keyboard Kultist]

A late addition. So I got another 5160 with the thought I'd just do a case transplant. It got here with Futaba MA switchs. I don't know.... they are so weird that I may keep it as is. Very odd... like typing on jars of home made jam. So odd, yet I kind of like it.

[SneakyRobb]

A late addition. So I got another 5160 with the thought I'd just do a case transplant. It got here with Futaba MA switchs. I don't know.... they are so weird that I may keep it as is. Very odd... like typing on jars of home made jam. So odd, yet I kind of like it.

"So odd, yet I kind of like it."

-Most keyboards here.