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Re: IBM Model M keyboard search

Posted: 06 Feb 2020, 09:54
by kmnov2017
There are plenty of videos on YouTube explaining how to clean, open, repair, mod model M keyboards...

Re: IBM Model M keyboard search

Posted: 06 Feb 2020, 14:54
by swampangel
phinix wrote:
06 Feb 2020, 09:45
I don't have that 5.5mm nut driver, it would be easier to clean it, but I'll try to use brush and clean between keys that way...
If you don't want to buy one, you can try the pen trick: viewtopic.php?p=34013#p34013

Re: IBM Model M keyboard search

Posted: 06 Feb 2020, 15:07
by andrewjoy
phinix wrote:
06 Feb 2020, 09:45


I don't have that 5.5mm nut driver, it would be easier to clean it, but I'll try to use brush and clean between keys that way...
Don't you just love an excuse to buy more tools.

Re: IBM Model M keyboard search

Posted: 06 Feb 2020, 21:27
by phinix
swampangel wrote:
06 Feb 2020, 14:54
phinix wrote:
06 Feb 2020, 09:45
I don't have that 5.5mm nut driver, it would be easier to clean it, but I'll try to use brush and clean between keys that way...
If you don't want to buy one, you can try the pen trick: viewtopic.php?p=34013#p34013

Hahaha :lol:
Good one, love it:)

Re: IBM Model M keyboard search

Posted: 08 Feb 2020, 16:38
by phinix
Ordered one on amazon, came in today, 5.5mm

Opened it up.
Few rivets are gone, but whole board is stable.
What do you guys think?
No need for bolt mod just now?
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Re: IBM Model M keyboard search

Posted: 08 Feb 2020, 16:43
by zrrion
You could potentially just screw mod the few broken rivets for now, and do a full screw mod later.

Re: IBM Model M keyboard search

Posted: 08 Feb 2020, 16:49
by Lost In Static
As long as it shows no issues I'd leave it as is

Re: IBM Model M keyboard search

Posted: 08 Feb 2020, 18:29
by swampangel
If it feels good to type on, leave it. If there are keys that feel noticeably mushy, you might want to add screws in that area of the board.

Re: IBM Model M keyboard search

Posted: 08 Feb 2020, 19:00
by phinix
Cool, thansk guys.
Feels all good now, I guess with time I may need to this mod.
Typing on it now, feels great:)

I gave it a good clean - used whiskey to clean all insides, plate, between keys, all nice and clean now.
Cleaned case top and bottom, cleaned cable.
Now it looks like new:)

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Re: IBM Model M keyboard search

Posted: 08 Feb 2020, 19:53
by Rauha
swampangel wrote:
06 Feb 2020, 14:54
phinix wrote:
06 Feb 2020, 09:45
I don't have that 5.5mm nut driver, it would be easier to clean it, but I'll try to use brush and clean between keys that way...
If you don't want to buy one, you can try the pen trick: viewtopic.php?p=34013#p34013
Just be sure to use Bic branded pen rather than a cheap chinese generic pen.

Some person might have cheapened out and I tried to open industrial Model M case by molting a cheap chinese generic pens. By doing so, that some person might have ended up with plastic covered threads on a screw and the hole surrounding it, which made the case essentially impregnable fortress that cannot ever be opened.

Cannot confirm that the person was actually me, but it is certainly possible. Even likely.

Re: IBM Model M keyboard search

Posted: 08 Feb 2020, 20:31
by phinix
Nah, I bought one on amazon, delivered next day.
All done.

Re: IBM Model M keyboard search

Posted: 05 Mar 2020, 14:22
by Howard81
If you only have a handful of broken rivets don't bother with a full bolt/screw mod, just drill out the failed rivets with a 1/16" dill bit and replace them with M2 6mm machine screws. Don't tighten them hard, just enough to grip while still allowing the springs to move freely back and forth in the barrel.

I will generally only do a full screw mod on a board that either needs to be taken apart (dead membrane or broken striker) or has a ton of broken rivets.