IBM Model M SSK Conversion

[POTV]

I'm thinking of buying an IBM Model M SSK. But since they were not sold in Europe, I'll have to get a keyboard with ansi layout.

But - is it possible to rearrange the keys to iso style - with the big vertical enter and æ, ø and å? And could I still use a blue cube?

Shown is my preferred key layout and the ansi style in comparison...

Desk.jpg (156.37 KiB) Viewed 7256 times

[Khers]

Yes, that should be possible. Look at this guide by ripster. He doesn't put an ISO enter on his though, and I'm not certain of how those look. Will get my first ISO model M the coming week...

[RaleghDirat]

You can see how they look in the ssk club thread (also some details on the bolt mod / conversion):
http://deskthority.net/photos-f62/ibm-s ... t2885.html

[POTV]

Thanks, Khers and RaleghDirat - that was precisely what I was looking for

[seebart]

actually there are SSK's in ISO layout but they are rare. Just follow that guide.

[Muirium]

Bolt mod is required for access to the underside of the barrels, where you need to install an extra buckling spring for ISO. The barrel plates are universal (they can accommodate ANSI, ISO and Brazilian layouts, and an HHKB-like split backspace if you're smart) and all rows are identical so caps can be moved up and down as well. But you've got to have a buckling spring in place, and those insert from the back.

[Ascaii]

It is definitely possible. In fact, my ISO SSK was a bolt-modded ansi model. Standard bolt-mod and rearranging of hammers and inserts will give you the desired layout. The membrane is identical.

[Nuum]

I need to get my SSK from Cindy bolt-modded and changed to ISO some time as well. Unfortunately I have neither the skills nor the tools to do a bolt mod, so I have to find someone to do it for me, without sending it to the US to e.g. Phosphorglow. Is Half-Saint still doing ISO conversions?

[Muirium]

Probably. Fire him a PM. I think there was someone else in Europe offering them a while ago, too.

[Ascaii]

Half-Saint did my conversion way back when. He still has my Phantom and last I heard he was rather busy. It won't hurt to ask him though.

[POTV]

It seems to be a bit more complicated than expected to do the ISO conversion... Thanks for the information!

[ShivaYash]

I'd say just get use to the ansi. I'm UK based and actually prefer it to ISO. Good luck.

[POTV]

Yes, it would be a lot easier, if I got used to ANSI...

One more question - is there any difference in how it feels to use a bolt modded IBM Model M compared to the original? Or is the bolt mod only used for durability?

(Unicomp has, by the way, told me, that their SSK only should be months away)

[Nuum]

[...]
(Unicomp has, by the way, told me, that their SSK only should be months away)

The 1st of April is only months away, too...

[Khers]

Yes, it would be a lot easier, if I got used to ANSI...

One more question - is there any difference in how it feels to use a bolt modded IBM Model M compared to the original? Or is the bolt mod only used for durability?

(Unicomp has, by the way, told me, that their SSK only should be months away)

While some claim that there is a large difference in feel, in my experience the difference is very slim and might just as well be due to other variations between boards. I've seen people claim that changing the original IBM rubber mat for a Unicomp latex (requires a bolt mod) makes quite a difference, but I have not tried that.

Most of the time, a bolt mod is done when the keyboard has either lost too many rivets or too much dirt has accumulated in the barrels necessitating a thorough clean. Or as a way of future proofing your board (and increasing resale value).

[POTV]

Very interesting regarding the bolt mod. It seems that I'll have to try it out.

And Unicomp - yes, the company has a very unusual marketing approach. But Jeanne sounded very convincing!

[fohat]

While some claim that there is a large difference in feel, in my experience the difference is very slim and might just as well be due to other variations between boards.

I've seen people claim that changing the original IBM rubber mat for a Unicomp latex (requires a bolt mod) makes quite a difference

The bolt mod improvement in feel is generally subtle. If you take a keyboard with few or no broken rivets and bolt-mod it, you may not feel much difference. If there were a number of broken rivets, especially in a specific area, then you are sure to notice the difference there.

You can also "tune" the board by differences in the way that you tighten some, or all, of the bolts.

The thin latex mat does make for a springier feel, and I would recommend it in general. However, it is probably not worth doing just on its own.

[POTV]

Now, I finally got an SSK - with original ISO key layout. A 1987 french/canadian version but no problem thanks to new keys from Unicomp.

But I´m thinking of buying one more. And since ISO SSK's are extremely rare, I'll have to settle for an ANSI version.

Now my question: My 1987 has a black metal plate. And I have seen a 1989 version with white metal plate. Is a 1987 heavier (1,8 kilo) and perhaps better constructed than later versions?

(Regarding Unicomps coming SSK - they have no ISO versions planned, I have been told)

[Muirium]

Told by Unicomp?

Re: black / white plate, you're talking about the barrel frame, right? The single assembly that all the caps mount on, and the buckling springs are housed inside? They're plastic. American made Model Ms (including all my SSKs) often have white ones, while Scottish made Model Ms are typically black.

[POTV]

Thanks, Muirium - yes, that plate. So all SSk's weigh the same? (unlike the full size Model M's)

Regarding Unicomp: Yes, Jeanne at the company told me.

[Muirium]

Very strange of Unicomp: they're doing something wrong if they really can't do ISO on their new SSK. Model Ms are smartly designed so you don't even need different hardware: just fit the springs and stabiliser supports in the right barrels, and put on the right caps. This doesn't sound great news at all.

I wouldn't say all SSKs weigh the same. IBM and then Lexmark were up to all sorts of cost cutting over the years. But they were never metal on the barrel plate to my knowledge. Even Model Fs were plastic there!

[POTV]

I also told Jeanne, that the original SSK was made in both versions. She answered, that she would tell the develeoment team about it - but they must know already.

You're right about the cost savings. I really like my 1987 SSK and will probably try to get another early version.

[POTV]

Here's what I got from Unicomp:

"At this time, we are not working on an ISO version of the SSK. I cannot say it is completely out of the realm of possibility, however, it is not on the drawing board at this time."

[seebart]

Here's what I got from Unicomp:

"At this time, we are not working on an ISO version of the SSK. I cannot say it is completely out of the realm of possibility, however, it is not on the drawing board at this time."

of course not, they got a few other things on their desk with getting the SSK itself to production.

[chzel]

Even Model Fs were plastic there!

Technically Fs did have a metal barrel plate, only the actual barrels were plastic!

[Muirium]

Thanks. I didn't notice the holed plate was metal, but I should have known as I've got one under construction with Dorkvader for the XTant!

Here's what I got from Unicomp:

"At this time, we are not working on an ISO version of the SSK. I cannot say it is completely out of the realm of possibility, however, it is not on the drawing board at this time."

of course not, they got a few other things on their desk with getting the SSK itself to production.

This isn't something retarded like MX, Alps or Topre. This is a buckling spring keyboard. ISO compatibility comes by default. They're doing it wrong!

I'm not even into ISO personally. But the fact they seem to be confused about how their own bloody keyboards work is not exactly reassuring!

[seebart]

go ahead and tell'em Mu! Let's hope their not messing up the entire project which I do not believe! This is not some random company that has zero knowledge in keyboard production.

[Muirium]

Dear Unicomp,

You're doing it wrong.

We need to talk.

Cheers!

[XMIT]

I wouldn't say all SSKs weigh the same.

Later revisions of Model M keyboards thinned the back plate as a cost saving measure. The Unicomp M122 I've got has an 0.80mm steel backplate that feels really light. This is the same thickness of cold-rolled steel in most cheapo PC cases these days. By contrast a July 1989 Model M I happen to have handy has a 1.00mm steel backplate. That is a 20% reduction in material! That's huge!

It's a little bit of everything: thinner case plastics, thinner backplates, thinner cables.

[POTV]

you're right, XMIT - but the early IBM Model M's from 1986 probably never reached 2,5 kilo as mentioned in the Wiki. I have never seen one above 2,25 kilo...