Newbie with an ambitious project

[rayfenwick]

Hi all.

I'm a newbie to the world of mechanical keyboards, but in another way not - I used to type on, refurbish and sell old mechanical keyboards 25 years ago, when IBM Model Ms and Fs were bin fodder for many people.

I have a few original mechanical keyboards on my computers - IBM 5150, 5160, 5170, and lots of Acorn/BBC, MSX, Commodore etc, but I have decided to make myself a customised daily driver which will be somewhat unusual but should be a good challenge.

Here's the base for the project:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1980 ... 2749.l2649

Here are the things I want it to have:

Internal USB conversion, with a single USB cable coming out, USB input socket(s) for a mouse and/or a flash drive.
English/Russian keys - иногда я должен набирать русский язык.
Coloured modifiers and function keycaps - blue modifiers, red escape, quite possibly a green something.
Internal USB soundcard/amplifier for the built-in speaker (assuming this model has one - I've not seen it in person yet)
Possibly a solenoid

Overall I want it to have a very retro feel, but work in a modern way. Oh, and with a Mac.

I'm pretty competent at basic electronics, handy with a Dremel etc, so I don't expect to have any problems in that respect

So, what I need is some advice on where to find the stuff I need, and any general advice you can give me. I promise a write up and lots of photos in return.

Thanks
Ray

[fohat]

Terminal Ms are generally looked down upon in this forum.

If you are going to the time, effort, and expense of a project like this, wouldn't you rather start with something really good like a 122-key F terminal?

And also look into an xwhatsit converter.

[tatsurou]

If I am correct, you can get usb hub boards which would fit nicely inside your case. Personally, I would make a thicc-ass USB cable for it ( braided one would be cool too ). I wouldn't really make any backlight, especially blue as blue light is fairly new. If you really want to, go orange as it was the most common light back in the day. You can make it looking super nice, retro but still in a modern way. Loads of customisations available I'm hyped to see the progress!

[rayfenwick]

Terminal Ms are generally looked down upon in this forum.

Why is that? Lots of scope for customisation and lots of extra keys to play with at a reasonable price - I thought they'd be a good choice..

If you are going to the time, effort, and expense of a project like this, wouldn't you rather start with something really good like a 122-key F terminal?

I'd much rather base it on an F122, but finding one for sale for a reasonable price has been unsuccessful so far. Of course if one comes along it can be Project 2, built on my experience of Project 1.

And also look into an xwhatsit converter.

Thanks, I will. As I said, it's all new to me so I am grateful for all the advice I can get!

[rayfenwick]

If I am correct, you can get usb hub boards which would fit nicely inside your case.

That's what I was thinking.

Personally, I would make a thicc-ass USB cable for it ( braided one would be cool too ).

I was thinking thick and curly. Possibly detachable too..

I wouldn't really make any backlight, especially blue as blue light is fairly new. If you really want to, go orange as it was the most common light back in the day.

I wasn't actually considering a backlight, but now you've mentioned it orange might be nice. I want it to look original, but a switchable backlight might be nice if it is totally hidden when switched off. I'll think about that, thanks.

You can make it looking super nice, retro but still in a modern way. Loads of customisations available I'm hyped to see the progress!

Absolutely what I am thinking, but don't know where to start looking - especially for things like the Cyrillic keys, for example. I promise to post photos of my progress - if I make any!

[tatsurou]

Hard to get super thick USB cables these days. Only ones I've seen available were in Japan for like 30 bucks each. Braided and heavy, but I still think that they would be too thin actually, as F cables are welder-thick. Or maybe buy a USB plug itself and then modify the original cable? That would be great actually. Haven't seen a proper fist-thicc USB cable yet.

Regarding backlight, a little, dark orange dimming would be sweet. Heck, you could stuff entire Arduino inside and program the hell out of it to make the keeb look and behave like entire friggin Coca-Cola Christmas truck. I kinda want to own one now, haha

[Blaise170]

Hard to get super thick USB cables these days. Only ones I've seen available were in Japan for like 30 bucks each. Braided and heavy, but I still think that they would be too thin actually, as F cables are welder-thick. Or maybe buy a USB plug itself and then modify the original cable? That would be great actually. Haven't seen a proper fist-thicc USB cable yet.

Regarding backlight, a little, dark orange dimming would be sweet. Heck, you could stuff entire Arduino inside and program the hell out of it to make the keeb look and behave like entire friggin Coca-Cola Christmas truck. I kinda want to own one now, haha

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=95028.0

[tatsurou]

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=95028.0

SHIEEZ I didn't know that. That looks sweet