M122 Lock LEDs OEM look

Tbernstein2368 · 19 Sep 2020, 20:15

I recently modified a M122 but wanted to add the lock LEDs and make it look as original as possible. Rather than trash a model M to get the lock LEDs bezel I put hats number of IBM Point of Sale (POS) keyboards and used the bezel and LEDs from those.

Yasu0 · 20 Sep 2020, 00:26

Oh man such a smooth job on this. I may have to attempt copying you. I think I'd be ok with a unicomp overlay. They are cheap enough. Wait so what was there before you did this? Just pure smooth case?

hellothere · 20 Sep 2020, 00:56

Unicomp also has Model M overlays. I have a couple in a box (with an Industrial case).

I like the LEDs, tho. I have a 122 that's waiting for me to do something with it.

Iwaju · 20 Sep 2020, 01:34

I still don't get why people still use old and potentially trashed keyboards. anyways, good find! I hope you figure out your LED problem

Inxie · 20 Sep 2020, 03:24

Iwaju wrote: ↑
20 Sep 2020, 01:34
I still don't get why people still use odl and potentially trashed keyboards. anyways, good find! I hope you figure out your LED problem

Because they tend to work better than a lot of newer stuff? Every single one of my newer mechanical keyboards has chatter of some sort by now after a few years of use. None of my vintage keyboards have chatter, for example none of them. A lot of the sound and tactile characteristics have not been properly emulated. Like my Model F XT, excellent condition, works great. Love it. Also makes a great gaming keyboard because it has NKRO.

Yasu0 · 20 Sep 2020, 03:45

Why do people like classic cars? Classic motorcycles? Classic boats? Classic whatever?

Jesseg · 20 Sep 2020, 04:19

Iwaju wrote: ↑
20 Sep 2020, 01:34
I still don't get why people still use odl and potentially trashed keyboards. anyways, good find! I hope you figure out your LED problem

why are you on this forum?

Redmaus · 20 Sep 2020, 07:06

Iwaju wrote: ↑
20 Sep 2020, 01:34
I still don't get why people still use odl and potentially trashed keyboards.

The perfect bait

Yasu0 · 20 Sep 2020, 07:34

First off there is no LED problem to wish the OP luck with. 2/10 troll. Mind you this coming from a Romer-G user..

Iwaju · 20 Sep 2020, 23:19

ok then...

Yasu0 · 21 Sep 2020, 04:59

Misread you, thought you said "good luck with that LED problem!" Like sarcastic. You like modern, nothing wrong with liking modern. I don't like it. Everybody got their own thing.

The part I am confused about is the depression groove around the lock lights... was that already there or added on?

Inxie · 21 Sep 2020, 05:07

Yasu0 wrote: ↑
21 Sep 2020, 04:59
Misread you, thought you said "good luck with that LED problem!" Like sarcastic. You like modern, nothing wrong with liking modern. I don't like it. Everybody got their own thing.

The part I am confused about is the depression groove around the lock lights... was that already there or added on?

Googled it: https://i1.wp.com/straypoetry.com/wp-co ... parent.jpg

Yasu0 · 21 Sep 2020, 18:00

Bro instead of posing sus links, why not try one of these old boards. You might like it.

Weezer · 21 Sep 2020, 19:13

Inxie wrote: ↑
21 Sep 2020, 05:07

Yasu0 wrote: ↑
21 Sep 2020, 04:59
Misread you, thought you said "good luck with that LED problem!" Like sarcastic. You like modern, nothing wrong with liking modern. I don't like it. Everybody got their own thing.

The part I am confused about is the depression groove around the lock lights... was that already there or added on?
Googled it: https://i1.wp.com/straypoetry.com/wp-co ... parent.jpg

What is this supposed to show?

Weezer · 21 Sep 2020, 19:14

Yasu0 wrote: ↑
21 Sep 2020, 04:59
Misread you, thought you said "good luck with that LED problem!" Like sarcastic. You like modern, nothing wrong with liking modern. I don't like it. Everybody got their own thing.

The part I am confused about is the depression groove around the lock lights... was that already there or added on?

Unicomp in some M 122s will actually install the lock lights and all and then cover up the holes with foam and a sticker. I'll post some pics tonight.

Inxie · 22 Sep 2020, 01:57

Weezer wrote: ↑
21 Sep 2020, 19:13

Inxie wrote: ↑
21 Sep 2020, 05:07

Yasu0 wrote: ↑
21 Sep 2020, 04:59
Misread you, thought you said "good luck with that LED problem!" Like sarcastic. You like modern, nothing wrong with liking modern. I don't like it. Everybody got their own thing.

The part I am confused about is the depression groove around the lock lights... was that already there or added on?
Googled it: https://i1.wp.com/straypoetry.com/wp-co ... parent.jpg
What is this supposed to show?

The depression on the IBM M122 where he asked about? I mean you quoted his message asking about the depression from OP's post, and I showed him a picture so he can see it himself that the depressions are on a stock IBM. I think that was fairly obvious. lol

Yasu0 · 22 Sep 2020, 02:21

You are right, I have an earlier 122 without the depression. I was looking at mine and thought he grafted that onto his. Or milled it out...

Inxie · 22 Sep 2020, 03:06

Yasu0 wrote: ↑
22 Sep 2020, 02:21
You are right, I have an earlier 122 without the depression. I was looking at mine and thought he grafted that onto his. Or milled it out...

Yea there's several versions of the M122. Later models had it, which I think is the tooling Lexmark got, which Unicomp actually used the LED's for. Unicomp sells several variety of labels you can use, or even replace on your existing Model M.

Weezer · 22 Sep 2020, 13:35

Ah, I see. I was under the impression that we were discussing the model where the lock lights were already etched out (originally the Model M 1397000). The version of the top case with the line around where light lights might go was designed by IBM (not Lexmark or Unicomp) in the early 90's and is common.

The version that Unicomp sells and has sold is this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Unicom ... Sw3dtao0bt

Which actually has locklight holes and lock lights already made and installed but covered up by a sticker.

Tbernstein2368 · 23 Sep 2020, 07:44

Yasu0 wrote: ↑
20 Sep 2020, 00:26
Oh man such a smooth job on this. I may have to attempt copying you. I think I'd be ok with a unicomp overlay. They are cheap enough. Wait so what was there before you did this? Just pure smooth case?

Yes with the very slight indentation

Tbernstein2368 · 23 Sep 2020, 07:53

All
Just to be clear the etching/indentation was there already. Underneath was smooth plastic. I drilled out holes for the LEDs and using a glue gun secured them so they were flush with the surface (the LEDs are rectangular). The overlay/label and LEDs were off a NOS 4683 POS keyboard. For those of you who like the classic IBM look I just figured I’d show what you can do with an otherwise useless RS485 based POS keyboard. Now if only I could figure out how to add a solenoid to a model M. Wish Soarer would reappear to add one little feature to his firmware. Take care.