IBM Model F AT Keyboard restoration and ISO layout mod

Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 17:21

Hello everyone Here is my 1984 IBM Model F AT Keyboard restoration log hope you find it helpful.

How the keyboard Looked when I first got it
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IMG_20190209_211731 (2).jpg
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Last edited by Fkazim on 04 Mar 2019, 01:13, edited 11 times in total.

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JP!

02 Mar 2019, 17:37

Very nice. Those AT's in German layout are super rare it seems and yours seems to be in excellent condition.

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depletedvespene

02 Mar 2019, 17:38

Mind if I feel a bit envious of you, for possessing that F AT?

Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 17:52

Thanks a lot for all the support guys these keyboards are much nicer layout than the XT.

John Doe

02 Mar 2019, 18:15

Always like to see such kinda threads, nice job.

Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:16

Thanks

Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:27

Starting to remove all the key caps.
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IMG_20190220_165100.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:28

All Key caps removed ready for ISO key caps.
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IMG_20190220_170149.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:28

Image of the IBM logo IT EVEN HAS THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC WRAP STILL ON IT.
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IMG_20190220_170200.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:29

All old key caps.
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IMG_20190220_170520.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:29

Image of top case before being cleaned.
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IMG_20190220_173927.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:30

Close up of the dirt on the top case.
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IMG_20190220_173937.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:30

More dirt on the top case.
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IMG_20190220_173950.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:31

Getting ready to clean the top case.
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IMG_20190220_174024.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:31

Image of the capacitive sensing board for the keys.
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IMG_20190220_190342.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:31

Image of the foam which appears in good condition but it is not as you will see in the next image.
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IMG_20190220_190602.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:32

All key barrels removed at this point I knew it needed new foam.
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IMG_20190221_224633.jpg
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Last edited by Fkazim on 28 Apr 2020, 17:35, edited 2 times in total.

Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:32

All keyboard parts disassembled.
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IMG_20190221_225851_1.jpg
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Last edited by Fkazim on 03 Mar 2019, 15:41, edited 1 time in total.

Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:33

Image of all the buckling spring assemblies.
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IMG_20190221_225858.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:33

Image of the lock light circuit board.
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IMG_20190221_225920.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:34

New 3mm foam traced ready to be cut to shape.
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IMG_20190222_010417.jpg
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Last edited by Fkazim on 03 Mar 2019, 15:42, edited 1 time in total.

Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:34

New foam in and a tip to anyone doing this use lots of clamps when reassembling.
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IMG_20190222_220602.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:35

New foam installed and also space bar lightened by bending the wire stabiliser outwards and then using fishing line to hold the buckling spring in place while reassembling the keyboard.

Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:35

Image of the completed keyboard Let me know what you think.
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IMG_20190223_181603.jpg
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Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:36

The Manufacture label on the back of the keyboard.
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IMG_20190302_160908.jpg
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snacksthecat
✶✶✶✶

02 Mar 2019, 18:44

Fkazim wrote:
02 Mar 2019, 18:34
New foam in and a tip to anyone doing this use lots of clamps when reassembling.
Ha! Reminds me of how many clamps I had to slap on when I stupidly used 1/8" foam to restore my F-122. And even with all this squeeze-power I still had a hell of a time getting it put back together.

Image

Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 18:47

Haha yeah I feel your pain but I would still say the IBM Model F is easier to work on than the IBM Model M what do you think?

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snacksthecat
✶✶✶✶

02 Mar 2019, 19:18

F is much more modular and repairable. The darn rivets truly ruin M's (otherwise I feel they're great keyboards).

But M is less finicky from an electrical standpoint. I have a simple Soarer's converter that I made a long time back with Gnd, Vcc, data, and clock wired up. My F's don't work with this converter though. For the F's I have to also wire earth ground (?) to Gnd as well.

Sorry if this doesn't make sense. I don't understand basic electronics principals that you learn in jr. high.

Fkazim

02 Mar 2019, 19:45

That's really useful info thanks for sharing and the plastic rivets really ruin M's as you said such a shame IBM chose that assembly method.

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digital_matthew

02 Mar 2019, 21:08

I wouldn't be able to resist peeling that plastic off of the badge.

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