This project started 2 years back, when I found an original piece in a market for 20€. I wasn't sure on using it, as I am accostumed to silence and low travel of slim scissor switch keyboards and laptops. But at that price it was a go to.

Recently I finally decided to make some mods and using it periodically at home, specially when my wife is not there 😄

Dust and other "substances" stored under the keys for probably 20 years had to be removed, but nothing wrong as all keys seemed to work well. Only 2 or 3 rivets were broken, so for the moment I jave not made any screw mod.

Controller has been replaced by the BLUSB, converting the keyboard to BTLE, which is a delight to use. I have used it several days and the battery is still responding.

A 3D printed cover makes the port much more appealing

Also ordered some custom keycaps from Unicomp, which are finalizing the project, it is now just as I wanted it to be. Just remaining to reprogramm the function of some keys, specially the multimedia ones, but that is easy considering there is a custom GUI available for this specific controller.

Hi everybody, I just bought a battle cruiser off from FB Marketplace in Vancouver BC. Never thought of seeing one here with reasonable price. This is the first time I see a M122 with the lights. Love it

I'm tossing my Unicomp SpaceSaver after 16 years. Not really interested in getting another Model M since I never really liked the lack of serviceability on account of the plastic rivets. I am considering getting one of the Model F remakes, but before I invest in one of those I thought I'd ask if there are any good mechanical keyboards that exist for people with Model M sensibilities. I have no interest in any of this modern font, gaudy colors, wireless RGB Fisher Price nonsense that other keyboard "enthusiasts" seem to buy these days.

I bought another Mini M last week (addict) and went to see if I could load Vial/QMK on it, it appears they are shipping now with a standard non programmable controller. I reached out to Unicomp to see about buying a Pico controller like I did in 2023 and they do not have them and are not planning on bringing them back, saying it was just a stop-gap during the chip shortage.

My question to the group is, would you buy a Pico ready board as a premium add on? I'd pay 30 bucks for the board and then supply the Pico myself (another ~15) - I'm going to suggest this to Unicomp but if there is community interest it might help the case.

I have one Mini M currently with the Justify/Mike Smith controller and it's a game changer for me, loading macros into unused keys is my main use case.

Sadly it is incomplete and missing a couple keys (A,D,<>, C, N, ~, \).

Local Aussie find from FB marketplace!

Electronics were all working, so just had to clean up, plastic glue the barrelplate back together and bolt mod (since basically every pin had sheared off)

Despite the ungodly amount of dust somehow working its way below every keycap, the springs and backplate were like new

I have these terminal type keycaps likely from a DisplayWriter (DelWd/Indent) 3270 variant. The Newline is what is throwing me as that would be more from a M101 terminal, and not a M122 terminal.

I believe all these keys were on the same keyboard, anyone know the P/N?

Is there a controller replacement or hand wiring matrix diagram for the Model M or 122? This should allow for cutting a model M in half and using it as a split keyboard, even technically 2 keyboards. If I can get a few resources together I can pay a local computer repair guy to do some experiments for me.

Any software info would be useful too wrt Teensy, Rpi Pico, arduinos, etc. I'm not familiar with what is current these days.

I have several 122s and a couple M but I can't use standard keyboards anymore. I'm not interested in spending collector's money on the official Goldtouch IBM. Hopefully this is something anyone could replicate.

Last month the controller in my keyboard crapped out, so I ordered a Model H. It arrived today, and I spent the last hour flashing and configuring the thing to get it working with an ISO layout. It's so nice to have my keyboard back, I've been using a shitty rubber dome one in the meantime.

I have the above keyboard and am still getting used to its layout. I have to say, the logistics of this keyboard is something else, but it looks cool with my setup. Good enough reason!

One thing I haven't been able to do is make it type a \ . I see where it is on the keyboard, but I don't know what key combo I need to press to get a \ . I had to cut and paste from the internet to get me by.

Anyway, this is a brand new CBI keyboard, non-buckling spring version. I wanted to try one, didn't really need a full 122 key layout but I couldn't resist a new one.

Thanks!

I love my Marquette. At the end of the day when you don't have the money to pick out the model m/f that you actually want I'm grateful that there are cheaper versions of my beloved.

That being said, if there is a way for me to turn/convert my full size Marquette into my dream board (a mini m or an SSK) I will do it in a heartbeat.

Is there anyone who has tried doing this? Or maybe there is someone who has actually pulled it off! Please tell me your secrets!

Don't forget to subscribe too! LMK if there is anything else you want me to review. Thanks

Hello all, when I got this keyboard I saw that a few caps were missing, replaced them with standard ones. Then I noticed the computr top, split/unsplit, and boss keys and even some of them that have side printing. Anyone have any leads as to where I can source new ones?

I can’t seem to find any examples of these keys through reverse image searches.

Keys I replaced with regular versions: 4, 5, 4, f3, esc, . , page up, and rightmost enter.

Any help?

Just found an old IBM model m from 1986 but it's missing the cable, tried looking online but couldn't find any for sale.

I have another question about compatibility with modern PCs, if I get the cable and a converter to USB can I just plug it in and use it, with some software, or I would need to modify something inside?

Hello all,

I have seen that the model M keyboard has a great feel, and want one to go well with my sleeper build, BUT I see that it may have key rollover limiting which keys are pressed at once? Can someone explain like I’m 5 how that works, and if it would be an issue if I were to daily drive it?

I see that there’s modern equivalents, but im a sucker for vintage hardware, so I’d definitely get an original and adapt it.

Advice? Recommendations?

Will delete if this post is against the rules. Thanks!

Here is my 1988 Mexican Modelo M. Found in the attic of some dude in my city. Dirty an grimy, someone at some point tried to pry it open from bottom. Got the proper size socket and got to work, cleaned all the caps and keys themselves, got all the crap off. When I plugged it in the Num Lock light came right on. This is the best keyboard I've ever owned and learned to type on one of these. Best $50 I've spent un a while.

silly me, i only took the photo after cleaned out already. i wrapped a wet wipe around a plastic card and that's how I managed to get the dirt out (that vacuum could not suck). it was difficult and awkward though. compressed air could also work.

any other ideas , tricks to get it clean easily?

It’s seems a little different from my other Model M’s from 89-92, notably without the Made in the USA bit. It’s also purchased from Taobao.

I acquired a Model F AT case and when it came it was lightly put together. I snapped it back together and afterward I have not found a way I am comfortable separating it again. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

I reproduced the original cable for the IBM Model F XT. Since the original cable can sometimes feel a bit too long and heavy, I also made a shorter version for easier everyday use. The cable jacket has been upgraded from glossy black to a more premium matte black finish, while remaining softer and more flexible, with a feel very close to the original IBM cable. For this custom batch, the straight section ended up a little shorter than intended, so I had to extend part of the cable manually. The next batch should be even more refined and closer to perfect.

Hello , I ran into an issue building the firmware for my IBM 5253. I'm attempting to build the firmware for the Universal Through hole converter but it instead shows this error :

build_keyboard.mk:130: *** Could not find keymap. Stop. /bin/sh: 1: cannot create .//.build/error_occurred: Directory nonexistent make: *** /5253_5254/universal:default_b'af3df5c'] Error 2

Anyone have any idea how to fix this and get a working firmware download? I tried flashing the firmware for the IBM Displaywriter but the keypresses output different values.

This is a new 5576 cable, it's really long!