It feels it's been quite the trip to get this beast restored and modified to my liking and after nearly two months it is finally on my desk where it will remain for frigging eternity. This topic is meant to detail the restoration process and the modifications that just_add_coffe has done to it.
For the sake of overview I'm keeping all 35 photographs, of which I have just_add_coffee's permission to post, inside spoilers. All of these were sended to me across the >200 e-mails we've exchanged. Beneath each section of photographs is a bit of explenation on that particular stage of the project.
My wishes for a perfect F122 were;
- ISO enter.
- Left ANSI shift.
- Enter and space bar more sturdy. The F122 I got feels and sounds very rickety, as if it can fall off any moment.
- Basically any enhancement to improve durability, reliability, stability and other ities.
- Black. Because black is awesome.
- A full metal case. (sadly impossible)
Stage 1 - The keyboard itself
This is a short typing demonstration before the floss mod.
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/u-4O_m4vOkQ
Here's a typing demonstration after the floss modd.
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/kelSDw47MyI
Which is better? You decide!
Conclusion:
Well, there it is. The best keyboard I own. The extra two key row at the left will be used as hotkeys for programs, that's something to fiddle with later.
Prior to collecting the keyboard from the ever-troublesome German customs (please fix your damn phone), I spend some days writing my novel using an unmodified F122 so I can sense the difference more clear. The keys of this black battleship feel far more tight and sound way more crisp, the spacebar and enter key really feel massive and sound great, a far cry from the shabby rattling sound and feeling of the other F122. I don't think I could have asked for a better keyboard.