Beam Spring 104+SSK Reproduction Project! First Batch In Stock, Shipping early next year after New Model F Project
-
Green Maned Lion
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: Unicomp New Model M
- Main mouse: X-keys L-Track
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
I just ordered the re-legendables; my setup uses all 34 of the function keys for special functions on a 122 layout, and binds actual F1-F12 to a function layer. I can't imagine I'll be able to get custom-legend double-shots the way I can cajole Unicomp to dye-sublimate custom keycaps for me.
-
dr_xadium
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM M13
- Main mouse: Elecom HUGE
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
I just got mine in, and it's amazing to type on, the feel is buttery smooth yet with that tactile mechanical feedback - I didn't think the Model F repro could be surpassed but this did it.
Setup was painless and I'm more than satisfied - the wait was worth it!
Setup was painless and I'm more than satisfied - the wait was worth it!
- Attachments
-
- beamer.png (732.97 KiB) Viewed 561 times
-
dr_xadium
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM M13
- Main mouse: Elecom HUGE
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
I do have one question - my fingers are having a hard time adapting to this style keycap - is there a Cherry MX Set in existence that is basically on par with the Model M / F in terms of look and feel that I might be able to use on this?
EDIT: I found something on Amazon that might work, going to give it a try.
EDIT: I found something on Amazon that might work, going to give it a try.
-
Ellipse
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Brand New Model F Keyboards
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
dr_xadium glad your keyboard arrived safely!
The project keycaps are designed to be like the original IBM beamspring caps which are spherical on the key top surface. Model F caps have a slight curve to their top. If you have any recommendations for MX caps like the Model F please do share after you end up testing them.
The Chyrosran22 keyboard has been mailed out! It is a B104 ISO in Industrial Gray with the project keycaps. As noted over the years, the project keycaps work with both ANSI and ISO but are not specific to any one international set for the ISO, so compromises will be needed in order to use the sets with ISO. Most folks with ISO end up picking the project key set despite these limitations. Since the set is double shot, making any additional keys/legends would require making a new double shot injection mold which would cost tens of thousands of dollars.
The project keycaps are designed to be like the original IBM beamspring caps which are spherical on the key top surface. Model F caps have a slight curve to their top. If you have any recommendations for MX caps like the Model F please do share after you end up testing them.
The Chyrosran22 keyboard has been mailed out! It is a B104 ISO in Industrial Gray with the project keycaps. As noted over the years, the project keycaps work with both ANSI and ISO but are not specific to any one international set for the ISO, so compromises will be needed in order to use the sets with ISO. Most folks with ISO end up picking the project key set despite these limitations. Since the set is double shot, making any additional keys/legends would require making a new double shot injection mold which would cost tens of thousands of dollars.
- 2026-05-27_22-55-50.jpg (1.54 MiB) Viewed 480 times
- 2026-05-27_22-52-26.jpg (1.65 MiB) Viewed 480 times
- 2026-05-27_22-55-36.jpg (2.9 MiB) Viewed 480 times
- 2026-05-27_22-55-55.jpg (1.75 MiB) Viewed 480 times
- 2026-05-27_22-57-26.jpg (2.66 MiB) Viewed 480 times
- 2026-05-27_22-59-21.jpg (2.31 MiB) Viewed 480 times
-
Ellipse
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Brand New Model F Keyboards
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
I recommend the transparent relegendables, or ordering two sets of the keycaps, since individual double shot keys are not available. Or you could use another MX type keyset since the project uses the MX stem on the beamspring modules.
-
engr
- Location: USA
About keycaps profiles: there was a thread some time ago that discussed in detail which MX profile was the closest to Model M/F.
I ended up putting a set of Drop MT3 keycaps on my B104. They are spherical (rather than cylindrical like M/F) and fit the aesthetic of beam spring keyboards yet I find them more comfortable to type than the default set that B104 comes with, although of course it’s all subjective. The only problem is that MT3 keycaps are not being made anymore, you will have to look for them on the secondhand market... or get MTNU keycaps which do not look as nice, in my opinion.
I ended up putting a set of Drop MT3 keycaps on my B104. They are spherical (rather than cylindrical like M/F) and fit the aesthetic of beam spring keyboards yet I find them more comfortable to type than the default set that B104 comes with, although of course it’s all subjective. The only problem is that MT3 keycaps are not being made anymore, you will have to look for them on the secondhand market... or get MTNU keycaps which do not look as nice, in my opinion.
-
dr_xadium
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM M13
- Main mouse: Elecom HUGE
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
These are the keys I got from Amazon (I didn't swap out the spacebar because I don't have time to tackle that at the moment). They're shallower and a bit less sturdy-feeling than the IBMs which is to be expected, and they are slight misalignments in the printing (and some labels are completely different like on the numpad). These are, obviously, cheap caps hahaha.
Looks-wise from a distance it feels a bit more consistent with the other IBM tech I use, The color is basically on point, which helps my OCD. (I'm also going to change out the badge and the LED overlay to be more like a model F/M)
From a feel perspective, it's all right but I don't think any discerning keyboard fan would love them in the long term so I can't say "buy these now!". For a short term stopgap they're quite serviceable, and the beamspring's unique feedback profile helps them feel more premium than they are.
Looks-wise from a distance it feels a bit more consistent with the other IBM tech I use, The color is basically on point, which helps my OCD. (I'm also going to change out the badge and the LED overlay to be more like a model F/M)
From a feel perspective, it's all right but I don't think any discerning keyboard fan would love them in the long term so I can't say "buy these now!". For a short term stopgap they're quite serviceable, and the beamspring's unique feedback profile helps them feel more premium than they are.
- Attachments
-
- 20260530_221258.jpg (3.17 MiB) Viewed 389 times
-
dodddummy
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM F122
- Main mouse: What's a mouse
- Favorite switch: IBM buckling springs.
Reply never works for me here so this...
I did a quick search for 'casting keycaps' and there are some on youtube I might give a go. This one looks promising.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIRkCXV ... BrZXljYXBz
I did a quick search for 'casting keycaps' and there are some on youtube I might give a go. This one looks promising.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIRkCXV ... BrZXljYXBz
-
primus
- Location: Romania
Those keycaps are made by keymacs. You can buy them on his site. They are very interesting. I have some samples. But they are very expensive. They are extremely thick. Especially the keys longer than 1u. They only have enough space underneath for the switch housing. They are made in a custom profile that is supposed to be similar to symbolics keyboards. He makes topre, alps and MX stems. You can see some pics here https://www.instagram.com/p/CzLpLfasSsy/ . I think they are really cool, but too expensive for my blood. It would be interesting to try them out on the beamspring repros.
-
Ellipse
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Brand New Model F Keyboards
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
dr_xadium your setup looks great! A nice match with an IBM beamspring style keyboard. I like your PS/2-encased modern computer (?) too!
I'm extremely glad the off-white cases came in early--the beige looks so much better with these keycaps than the original black I selected!
MTNU Susuwatari. The keyboard is a dream to type on, and the solenoid really adds to the experience. I might have to turn it down to the minimum setting, however. If I don't, I may well wake up to the fiancée hitting me over the head with the board.
One minor thing I noticed during setup is that the lower edge of the case bottom bows out ever so slightly. The keyboard works perfectly fine, and it's unnoticeable when the board sits on my desk. I'm assuming this is just a fact of life and not something easily rectified.
MTNU Susuwatari. The keyboard is a dream to type on, and the solenoid really adds to the experience. I might have to turn it down to the minimum setting, however. If I don't, I may well wake up to the fiancée hitting me over the head with the board.
- IMG20260601075844.jpg (441.69 KiB) Viewed 237 times
Mine arrived today, serial number 344. Order was placed 1237 days ago.
Case Color: Regular Gray.
All keys worked on arrival.
I would prefer to have it tilted slightly, will probably 3D-print some wedges that i attach with existing screw holes and longer screws on the bottom.
Case Color: Regular Gray.
All keys worked on arrival.
I would prefer to have it tilted slightly, will probably 3D-print some wedges that i attach with existing screw holes and longer screws on the bottom.
- beamspring.jpeg (127.19 KiB) Viewed 231 times
-
Ellipse
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Brand New Model F Keyboards
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
B104 ISO Firmware update - recommended:
Rico has just released a firmware update with one change, and only for B104 ISO users: "Fixed ANSI \ key mapped by mistake on ISO B104 keymap"
It is a recommended update for all B104 ISO users. B104 ANSI users are not affected. I would have thought that a key being pressed all the time would affect operation of the keyboard but Windows and possibly other OS's appear to ignore it, but anyways it's better to replace it. Sometimes after flashing the ISO firmware (before the current fix), the Leyden Jar diagnostic tool would freeze and you'd have to unplug and plug back in the keyboard to continue using it, whereas normally the keyboard should automatically restart and be ready for normal usage without needing the power cycle.
https://github.com/mymakercorner/vial-qmk/releases
Rico has just released a firmware update with one change, and only for B104 ISO users: "Fixed ANSI \ key mapped by mistake on ISO B104 keymap"
It is a recommended update for all B104 ISO users. B104 ANSI users are not affected. I would have thought that a key being pressed all the time would affect operation of the keyboard but Windows and possibly other OS's appear to ignore it, but anyways it's better to replace it. Sometimes after flashing the ISO firmware (before the current fix), the Leyden Jar diagnostic tool would freeze and you'd have to unplug and plug back in the keyboard to continue using it, whereas normally the keyboard should automatically restart and be ready for normal usage without needing the power cycle.
https://github.com/mymakercorner/vial-qmk/releases
-
Green Maned Lion
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: Unicomp New Model M
- Main mouse: X-keys L-Track
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
I am wondering how loud the solenoid is. I don't think my wife will hit me over the head with my beam spring, especially since I still, from time to time, write books with my Smith Corona basket-style typewriter, which can't be quieter than a solenoid. I did order it. For my birthday. Which was in July. Last year. I know, I know, all the research I did on this project prepared me for the reality that Joe can be quite optimistic on his shipping dates to the point of, had Hofstadter's Law not been a thing, Strandberg's Law would have been created.
(No shade here, Ellipse, Hofstadter's Law is a thing for a reason, and it snares me, too!)
But this is the first thing I've ever bought where delivery was not from an extant supply, so... new experience. I'm stuck typing on my MacBookPro's keyboard right now because my van (and thus my office, and my M122, and my 34" monitor, and my X-Keys L-Trac, and my Mercedes W114 office chair...) are in for scheduled maintenance, and its making me dream of having a Beam Spring. Hell, compared to this hunk of trash, a Cherry MX would be a godsend.
(No shade here, Ellipse, Hofstadter's Law is a thing for a reason, and it snares me, too!)
But this is the first thing I've ever bought where delivery was not from an extant supply, so... new experience. I'm stuck typing on my MacBookPro's keyboard right now because my van (and thus my office, and my M122, and my 34" monitor, and my X-Keys L-Trac, and my Mercedes W114 office chair...) are in for scheduled maintenance, and its making me dream of having a Beam Spring. Hell, compared to this hunk of trash, a Cherry MX would be a godsend.
-
kbdfr
- The Tiproman
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Main keyboard: Tipro MID-QM-128A + two Tipro matrix modules
- Main mouse: Contour Rollermouse Pro
- Favorite switch: Cherry black
- DT Pro Member: 0010
I would trash any IBM junk for a Cherry MX keyboard. That's solid craftmanship, proven reliability, and so appreciated that the whole world is eager to copy them.
-
Ellipse
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Brand New Model F Keyboards
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
The solenoid is adjustable in its throw length, which adjusts its loudness and physical impact during typing. As noted in the manual, I recommend starting with around half extension of the bracket, which is a good compromise to be able to hear and feel the beam mechanism itself as well as the solenoid when typing. The zinc cases (F62 and F77) are thicker and use a denser metal (zinc) and for those I recommend closer to full power.
Yes, the beam spring boards have taken far longer than expected but they came out great and were well worth the effort for sure! Once things are in stock then I am just the bottleneck, which is by far better than having to wait for the factories. Everyone feel free to see my post from a week ago regarding the latest update: https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?p=525537#p525537
Yes, the beam spring boards have taken far longer than expected but they came out great and were well worth the effort for sure! Once things are in stock then I am just the bottleneck, which is by far better than having to wait for the factories. Everyone feel free to see my post from a week ago regarding the latest update: https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?p=525537#p525537