deskthority

Greetings Deskthority members, new user here!

I recently bought a Ultra Classic board from Unicomp (US layout, 104 keys). It works great and all and I've confirmed to myself that I really enjoy buckling springs (I couldn't really recall my typing experience as a kid, when I used an IBM Model M, I just remembered the outstanding clacks).

I've been using my new keyboard for a couple of weeks and I'm starting to notice subtle differences in key presses. At first I thought that some keys require less actuation force than others (it certainly felt like so), but then I realized that the ones that are easier to press are somehow softer than the rest. The inconsistency is audible as well: most keys make a somewhat metallic sound, but others sound more muffled (less metallic). For instance, the down arrow key is softer than the rest of the arrow keys, and the left shift is noticeably softer than the right one; the left shift doesn't quite sound right, either.

I was wondering whether this kind of inconsistency is something one should expect from Unicomp boards in particular or from buckling springs keyboards in general. For instance, is this the case with IBM Model Ms? I did consider buying a genuine IBM Model M from Ebay, but I was unable to find a reasonably-priced working board in ANSI US layout, with either a 5-DIN or a PS/2 connector. Shipping included, it always adds up to more than 100€. And then there's always the issue of packaging: I tend to have more trust in a company manufacturing keyboards as their business to know how to pack the thing such that it survives transport than in an unknown seller on Ebay. So weighting the options I figured it would be safer to pay 130€ to have it shipped to Europe from Kentucky than to risk getting a non functioning board or a board that gets damaged during transport.

I'd really appreciate your input on this. Thanks!

Hi LLRnR, welcome to DT.

firstly you do not need to spend more than € 50,00 to get a IBM Model M in good condition here in the EU. IBM Model M is not a rare keyboard. Now if you want a new one that's slightly more difficult but you landed in the right online community for that! Now to your Unicomp: try pulling a keycap on one that sounds (muffled) or different and see if the spring looks normal and if so then simply remount the cap. When you set the keycap on the barrel take a look that it sits right (you cannot mount it wrong) and push it down. Now see if it still sounds and feels wrong. You may need to repeat this, don't use force, you won't break anything.I have not owned a Unicomp but from what I understand their pretty much identical to M´s. I have owned a several IBM M's.None of the switches should feel or sound different! How old is your Unicomp?

Cheers.

seebart wrote: firstly you do not need to spend more than € 50,00 to get a IBM Model M in good condition here in the EU. IBM Model M is not a rare keyboard.

"ANSI US layout", he said. That is rare.

Thank you, seebart. Following your advice, I've removed the keys sounding muffled and popped them back on, and everything sounds OK now (except for the left shift, which is still a bit muffled). It's not obvious, for some keys I needed to re-seat them more than once. I was so scared I'd break something, but the plastic seems sturdy. Thank you for your advice!

My Unicomp is actually brand new: I've ordered it on December 22 2014 and its birth date is the December 5 2014.

As for Model M keyboards, as Arakula pointed out, I am indeed seeking the US ANSI layout. I can't stand the European variations, I like my backslash/pipe key to be big and bold and above the enter key, thank you. I've been watching offers on Ebay for months and haven't been able to find a reasonable deal. I'm still hoping I'll someday get a Model M though... I get a feeling I landed in the right place here on DT.

And I'm not a 'he', BTW

You'll definitely get an ANSI Model M if you ask on the forums. Everyone has them. In fact, I've got more of them than fingers on one hand and yet another NIB SSK in the post... In any case, you should definitely post a wanted ad.

Oh, and welcome to Deskthority!

I'm glad that helped you out somewhat. Take another look at the key's that sound and feel muffled or wrong. A rivet could be defect also but that's a different story.

"ANSI US layout", she said. That is rare.

ANSI IBM M is not that rare at all, not even in the EU! I read what she wrote!

And I'm not a 'he', BTW

Now THAT is one thing that I am upset with myself now. Why do I automatically assume there's a male user posting? I don't know! Sorry about that!

You'll find an ANSI Model M if you want one, trust me. Check our marketplace every once in a while.

Thank you for your encouragements, scottc and seebart! I will definitely check out the marketplace. Since I got 'infected' with the whole mechanical keyboard microbe (early 2014), I pondered joining DT quite often but decided against it (had nothing useful to say at the moment and no specific needs either, but I figure this changes fast as soon as one gets addicted to mechanical keyboards).

seebart wrote: I'm glad that helped you out somewhat. Take another look at the key's that sound and feel muffled or wrong. A rivet could be defect also but that's a different story.

I'm not sure I can check that out without opening the keyboard (if the rivet is the little thingie coming out of the bottom side of the plate, the thing that keeps barrels in place; please correct me if I'm wrong); for that I would need a nut screwdriver, which I don't have. Anyhow, I'll take another look at the left shift key some other time. For now, all my other keys feel and sound OK.

seebart wrote: Now THAT is one thing that I am upset with myself now. Why do I automatically assume there's a male user posting? I don't know! Sorry about that!

Hahaha! No problem. I also assume by default that posters with nicknames not obviously girl-ish are males.

Welcome to DT. I have similar background with mecs as you have. But i got it 2013. I was lucky that i got IBM SSK as my first BS board and love it so much. I have four boards in rotation ATM and SSK and HHKB are fighting about top spot! Then comes my beamspring that doesn't get time she would deserve on my desk. Last but not least is my FaceU with cherry clears (ergo). I also have steelseries 6gv2 but thats just for some games that i play and need numpad for commands + macros.

Also what comes to IBM Ms its pretty easy to find ANSI M at EU. I have 4 at the moment.

LLRnR wrote: And I'm not a 'he', BTW

Sorry for that; glad to read that you're not offended.
Well, live and learn ... from now on, I'll use "the original poster" instead.

seebart wrote: ANSI IBM M is not that rare at all, not even in the EU! I read what she wrote!

Ive been following eBay for quite some months now (that's what the original poster mentioned); you don't see many of them on ebay.de / .at, that's where my idea came from.

good thing eBay.de /at is not the only marketplace available![emoji57]