deskthority

I hesitate to post this because Seebart has a similar keyboard posted here under "IBM 3104 Display Terminal" but since I took the pics, I'll post them anyway. These are very cool keyboards that are Model F but these go by many different part numbers. They were used for various incarnations of IBM terminals and it looks like this one was a 3178 "C3" type.

This one has a yellowy/green PCB board which differs from Seebart's example and also has a slightly different case. Luckily, this one still has it's "birth certificate" on it, like the Model F's to come, so it has the original part number showing. I didn't go further into taking this apart as it's in good condition but see Seebart's post linked above for internal pictures.

Anyway, here are the pics.

snuci wrote: I hesitate to post this because Seebart has a similar keyboard posted...

I'm glad you did post yours, looks to be in really good shape. Despite the strange terminal layout I like these, I did manage to pick up the 3178 / 75-key variant that uses a similair case as the 87-key ones, with the number-pad area covered. I just posted this lousy pic of it today by chance, I have yet to take a closer look at it.

Thanks for sharing, snuci! I'm not sure why, but I always got the impression that the 3178 was not as well-liked as the other Model F keyboards. I think I like the aesthetics of the 3178 the most out of all of the Model F keyboards; it's probably the blue switch that does it for me. The layout isn't too shabby either.

I certainly wouldn't mind picking one of these up eventually.

emdude wrote: I'm not sure why, but I always got the impression that the 3178 was not as well-liked as the other Model F keyboards. I think I like the aesthetics of the 3178 the most out of all of the Model F keyboards; it's probably the blue switch that does it for me. The layout isn't too shabby either.

I agree that the profile (skinny), blue switch, and built-in solenoid are things that really make me like this board. What I completely dislike about it is the build quality compared to it's F counterparts (its just cheaper by comparison). I think I remember seeing Seebart compare the shell to the AT's top shell in thickness and material. I think that is a very good comparison. The problem... they used the same material for the BOTTOM SHELL as well. It is a much more brittle and thinner plastic than that of the M, screws and mount design is unimpressive, backplate is a touch thinner than compared to other F's... just smaller touches that add up to a theme.


Having said that... it's got all the qualities you pointed out, and probably has the nicest badge of the lot. The solenoid sounds pretty trippy in a plastic case too. Any F with a solenoid, and a controller at the top resembling a beam spring is a fun touch.

lot_lizard wrote:

emdude wrote: I think I remember seeing Seebart compare the shell to the AT's top shell in thickness and material. I think that is a very good comparison. The problem... they used the same material for the BOTTOM SHELL as well. It is a much more brittle and thinner plastic than that of the M, screws and mount design is unimpressive, backplate is a touch thinner than compared to other F's... just smaller touches that add up to a theme.

That is absolutely true and I still find it quite baffling that IBM used thinner plastics on these, I really don't get it. I compared the case to the AT, now I'd even say its inferior to that and early M's. Due to the capacitive buckling springs and the plate the 3178 and 3104 still feel good to type on, but the overall sturdiness of the case is miles away from the XT.

Congrats nice pictures like always, I love those big IBM keyboards.

Interesting that neither my 3178 nor my 3104 have these holes where the documentation sits, of course I have the 3178 75-key version, not yours.

I do agree that the plastic for the top and bottom covers are a little more flexible but it would be interesting to see what the difference in thickness is between this, the Model F XT, Model F AT and the Model M. I didn't think this one was that much thinner but I wasn't looking for it. I did notice there was a small gap in the rear because of the absence of a a center screw in the bottom back. You could squeeze it and see the bottom flex.

As for the holes in this one,it kind of makes sense. If you put something in the pocket that is small, you won't know it's there or may not be able to get it out. The extra holes provides visibility but I imagine it also makes it slightly lighter and obviously uses less material. While the fit is not perfect, the finish is still top notch.

I also have never seen a keyboard come out of Armonk, NY which was (and still may be) IBM head quarters. Perhaps the label just indicates where IBM is and not exactly where the keyboard was made in the USA.

snuci wrote: I do agree that the plastic for the top and bottom covers are a little more flexible but it would be interesting to see what the difference in thickness is between this, the Model F XT, Model F AT and the Model M. I didn't think this one was that much thinner but I wasn't looking for it. I did notice there was a small gap in the rear because of the absence of a a center screw in the bottom back. You could squeeze it and see the bottom flex.

The difference to the XT is huge IMO, there is no flex with the XT case.

snuci wrote: As for the holes in this one,it kind of makes sense. If you put something in the pocket that is small, you won't know it's there or may not be able to get it out. The extra holes provides visibility but I imagine it also makes it slightly lighter and obviously uses less material. While the fit is not perfect, the finish is still top notch.

I love these compartments for the documentation, very smart solution.

snuci wrote: I also have never seen a keyboard come out of Armonk, NY which was (and still may be) IBM head quarters. Perhaps the label just indicates where IBM is and not exactly where the keyboard was made in the USA.

Very good point, never thought of it that way. Both mine were made in the UK. The most exotic one in that sense is my displaywriter F that's made in Italy, the UK and Armonk NY.

I'll have to check which version mine is (I always forget), but it's not 75-key one, and it also doesn't have holes in the back. With regards to plastic, I can confirm the bottom part is brittle, because it's in overall good shape, but the plastic around one screw hole broke off. Luckily, epoxy glue took a nice care of that, and the seam is almost invisible. Another pet peevee of mine is that when reassembling the board, it doesn't fit exactly in, but you need to place it properly or else the assembly might be off to either side relative to the case.

I still haven't got it running though, and I don't presume I will find the adapter and solenoid driver any time soon. Still, it looks so sleek, that I don't wish to take it apart.

Be really careful shipping these. The plastic back case is comparably flimsy and will get destroyed in shipping if not packed very well. (Sorry, idollar.)