deskthority

Here's my F77 (first batch). It's been my daily driver since it arrived and the paint finish nearly mint, I even have a wood wrist rest occasionally rubbing against the surface w/out issues. It's a bit dirty but otherwise in great shape.

RE: scratchy key feel. I ordered three boards that shipped with the original first batch: F62 compact, F62 and F77. IMO all three feel very similar to my OEM model F boards with a lighter key feel (which I feel is more practical for most people). IMO swapping around key caps or asking for ...

I've noticed the updated "V2" or recent Kailh box switches are now claiming 70 to 80 million. It's safe to assume most switch brands have updated their QC since ~2018 and the new molds, upgraded materials and lube could help reduce wear and extend life. Also, consider the environment the switches ...

This means all knowledge in recreating these keyboards will be lost to history once again.


IIRC Ellipse had mentioned years ago that when these projects are complete he would write a book detailing the production process and lessons learned from the success and failures (I don't know if this is ...

Would it be possible to offer a paid option on the site to pre-install keys and configure the keyboard before shipment?

For what it’s worth, I would rather do some minor installation and setup for a new model F vs restoring an older one. The casting dents and paint chips on the back side of the ...

@Ellipse. Are the R1 switch stem legs prone to breakage during shipping or from mounting keycaps with too much force? It's rare but I've seen the legs break off during shipping and noticed the compact R1 stems have less material to reinforce the stem legs (less material relative to IBM stems ...

@Ellipse. Are the R1 switch stem legs prone to breakage during shipping or from mounting keycaps with too much force? It's rare but I've seen the legs break off during shipping and noticed the compact R1 stems have less material to reinforce the stem legs (less material relative to IBM stems).

Just waiting on the R2 BSSK and B62 renders to make my purchase. These all look so nice I’m having a hard time picking just one type :D . If Chyrosran has R1 in the review line up I think his insights would be super helpful for purchasing R1 or waiting for R2. IMO R1 sounds nice and satisfying for ...

@pandrew, would it be possible to have access to the QMK beta ?

Thanks. I actually paid about $80 for these back in 2018. Given the low evaluation I would opt to hang on to them for a bit longer.

Out of curiosity, did you pick up three of them or rather you haven't tried them yet? I wouldn't resist the temptation to click clack on them. :mrgreen:
P.m. I ...

Price check for NIB factory sealed IBM Pingmasters (Japanese sub legends).


I remember a couple of years ago, your neighbour Mendlesons sold them on ebay for less than 40$. Unfortunately, shipping prices were as much as the double of the keyboard value to EU without mentioning custom fees. I'd ...

Price check for NIB factory sealed IBM Pingmasters (Japanese sub legends).

IBM 3101 advertising/mailer.

So what do we do if our paint job deteriorates as a result of crap powdercoat jobs?


"Internal White River" from Prismatic Powders is the closest stock powder I could find that even comes close to the original IBM beige (Prismatic sells powder in small amounts suitable for a keyboard). Ideally ...

I have a couple spare 3u beamspring keycaps. The Field + is a German version "Eng+" and has some minor yellowing like this back tab key. If nobody else responds send me a PM in a few weeks. I'm a bit too busy to ship anything out at the moment.

Nice job Ellipse. My vote is left Ellipse, right original.

I talked to a couple people on Discord that tried the Silo beam switch prototypes. They reported it feels a bit more like click bar and quite a bit different vs the IBM design. I guess that makes sense when you shrink everything down so much. Lets hope they improve the final version before launch.

I too like the feel of beamsprings a tad more than capacitive BS, but they are much more vulnerable to contamination, which is a con that very few people mention. My guess is that YMMV and some models are just more prone than others to negative side-effects when enough dust and debris makes it ...

I love using mine for creative writing, blogs/cash blogging, chat rooms, emails, etc. Basically anything that isn't work related with a deadline. This one I'm typing on is my favorite out of the four I own. It's in like new condition and has an HHKB like backspace and normal size left shift :D ...

Great job with your restoration. The foam looks like a close match to the type I found in my RPQ Cyrillic 3278. It wasn't the degrading tar like foam but rather some type of rebond. I chose to remove it because of the musky smell but otherwise it was in perfect condition.

WTS:

-Topre 104UK-HiPro (full keyboard). Great condition. $390 shipped CONUS only.

-Norbaforce R1 (tactile black/hard ano). Great shape, all parts and packaging included, no flaws visible
from the outside of the case. $370 shipped. CONUS only.

Imgur Gallery: https://imgur.com/a/JrMrAB3


Let me ...

My NOS white Alps just arrived These feel pretty good, can't wait to build my ADK/AEK64. Thanks again for running this GB.

If you plan on running a GB I'd love to get multiple. I was going to hack mine down but this looks like a much better option .

I thought he was using the older controller/converter (I don't remember the name). What do you mean with drops?


It does look like the 3278 in his review video used an older Xwhatsit controller but I'm not sure what changed between revisions.

According to Mog genius 120 wpm is the max speed he ...

Also stock beamsprings don't have a very slow scan rate or something like that? I remember that Chyros was complaining about something like that in his first beamspring review.


I'm pretty sure the voltage wasn't set properly in Chyrosran's 3278 review video (check out the comments calling out ...

Just noticed this new converter shipping from China. Looks like it uses the stock connector-

https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Beam-Spring-6580-USB-Converter/163653459543?hash=item261a819e57:g:FWQAAOSw57Zctt5F

https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Beam-Spring-3101-USB-Converter/163653435634?hash ...

Congrats mcmaxmcmc! I had fun with this contest, thanks for hosting it Snacks

Take-two

I know people are looking for deals so hopefully this isn't too controversial.

My bad. I should have looked at the renders a bit closer. It’s better to use the F versions if they have a slightly different style. Unfortunately I don’t have an F122 on hand.

BTW- Thanks for including such cool icons, they really make the board look vintage