Model M Internal USB Conversion

XMIT · 30 Oct 2016, 13:17

A few months ago, I did a USB conversion on a Model M keyboard for a friend. I flashed Soarer's Converter onto a Pro Micro board, hard-wired it to the board's existing controller, and attached a USB cable. This isn't new but it works.

What was new, was the way I secured the USB cable. This was a later model keyboard with a fixed cable instead of an SDL connector. I was able to, carefully, cut the cable exit grommet away from the existing cable, slice it open, and glue the new USB cable into it. Apart from the color being off it looks seamless.

At the time, I didn't have a chance to take photos since I worked on the board for friends. Well, those friends are moving, and I got to see the keyboard again. I took the best photos I could given the available camera and lighting situation. Here they are!

: Model M conversion to USB re-using existing cable exit grommet.; IMG_20161027_203749.jpg (414.45 KiB) Viewed 1823 times

: Cable Exit Mod - alternate view.; IMG_20161027_203758.jpg (405.66 KiB) Viewed 1823 times

: Keyboard rear view.; IMG_20161027_203819.jpg (421.08 KiB) Viewed 1823 times

: Keyboard front view.; IMG_20161027_203842.jpg (518.61 KiB) Viewed 1823 times

lot_lizard · 02 Nov 2016, 20:27

The port cover is printed I'm assuming (knowing you)... It looks great, and would be interested to see the detail there. I know pics are hard to come by at this point, but if you could describe the grommet approach in more detail?

XMIT · 02 Nov 2016, 20:32

Nope, this re-uses the existing port cover that came with the keyboard.

If I ever do another I'll get more photos, but, what I did was to use a hobby knife to carefully split the existing grommet open down the middle, and liberate it from the existing cable. I then used super glue to attach it to the new cable, and to glue it together. It was a drop in fit.

lot_lizard · 02 Nov 2016, 20:38

XMIT wrote: Nope, this re-uses the existing port cover that came with the keyboard.

If I ever do another I'll get more photos, but, what I did was to use a hobby knife to carefully split the existing grommet open down the middle, and liberate it from the existing cable. I then used super glue to attach it to the new cable, and to glue it together. It was a drop in fit.

This is a terminal... I should pay closer attention. By the way... I gave all of the barrels (+8k) in the MF project a teflon bath last weekend per recommendation... they are glass now... great call

XMIT · 02 Nov 2016, 21:05

Nope, not a Terminal M - this was a PS/2 M with a really terrible cable!

Ooh, Teflon lubed barrels, I'll need to try this for myself! Please keep me in mind when taking orders for MF.

ohaimark · 02 Nov 2016, 22:12

I teflon lubed my Model Ms a while back, and even measured the difference in audio waveform.

It makes the switches ~1/4 smoother, imo.