deskthority

"MICRO SWITCH" and its the size of 15inch laptop lol. But seriously I can't imagine what its like to use it for data

Here is what they look like in place.
https://imgur.com/a/5sDIMoS


OMG that makes so much sense. Now I really wish I had a 3D printer. Someone should take measurements at least so it can be 3D printed.

My Guide for Restoring IBM 5251 - Make or find a contamination cover for assembly (Read a plastic sheet could work) - lubricate all switches. I tested EK "MechLube 2" on a extra switch I bought and it makes a night and day difference in the feel. But I am unsure if it will hurt the plastic or get o...

I took a quick shot. I ended up finding mine about two months after the restoration

thats what it looks like? Yeah I don't have those little things. I think I would have noticed them had they been on. Maybe I did lose them they are small. Can you take a pic of them in place?

What a detailed guide. I have never seen the 'Field Exit' key with the label in the middle of the key rather than on the top. Where and when was the keyboard manufactured? Also, there is a small black piece of plastic at the right side of each key rail (stabilizer) under the 'Field +' key that I am...

My Guide for Restoring IBM 5251 https://i.imgur.com/dmc4Wgq.jpg Preface: First off BIG thanks to everyone that helped me with my questions in the comments. https://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/ibm-5251-beamspring-replaceing-insulation-mat-toxic-mat-check-mats-t19272.html https://deskthority.net/key...

Okay, I overslept but here is: https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/281239152781950977/459923637261303808/IMG-20180623-WA0002.jpg?width=314&height=559 https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/281239152781950977/459923631728885761/IMG-20180623-WA0004.jpg?width=994&height=560 https://media.discor...

Wait a sec, have you experimented discharges from your keyboard using that mat? Even with a well placed ground cable is still bothering. I'll test it tomorrow if have time. Ok so this is interesting. :D :D :D I have yet to receive any response from IBM however I contested the Computer History Museu...

What kind of soap did you wash it with? Might have something to do with it Regular dawn soap (not the constraint dish one). I just realized that mine has the same weird mat. The grease never dissapered, even with a very aggresive bath. If you want I can test a piece of 3mm thick EVA sheet that left...

I would say that even if it is oily and smells like decomposing plastic that you should still use it. My beamsprings mat was also slick and smelled of decomposing plastic but works just fine. Really??? Idk it just seems odd to not replace it. My mat is really gross. I understand keeping it for orig...

I washed my mat with soap water. It was oily and sticky with a gross residue all over it. After washing it looked good and the residue was gone. However 24hr later the mat was oily again and smelt like chlorine... the residue on it stung my skin. I put it in a ziplock. And washed the area and my han...

I usually just wash and reuse the PCB insulation mat (that's what I've decided to call it today) though you could just as easily replace it. They can be black, clear, or even white from the factory, and I'd say clear is the most common. I'm sure you could replace with art foam if you wanted. It's r...

hypkx wrote: ↑The spacebar only has one flyplate, there are two contacts. I thought on my 5251 the same after refurbishing it.

OMG glad I am not alone on this uhhhhhhh hahhaha I looked all over the place looking for it after removing the pcp plate thinking it must have fallen out

I am missing a fly plate for the other switch on the space bar. I noticed that in this guys restoration https://i.imgur.com/JzD7DXO.jpg and in this guys https://i.imgur.com/ynDb4ph.jpg they are both missing one fly plate where the space bar is located. I thought for a while I had lost the fly plate....

I am missing a fly plate for the other switch on the space bar. I noticed that in this guys restoration https://i.imgur.com/JzD7DXO.jpg and in this guys https://i.imgur.com/ynDb4ph.jpg they are both missing one fly spring where the space is located. I thought for a while I had lost the fly plate... ...

idk man but they look cool. Do you own any?

sure man go for it

(Photos coming soon) I am currently restoring a 5251. Everything is going good ordered things I need replace broken switch and convert to USB. Very little corrosion good condition other than the normal rubber rot from the contamination shield and foam rot that holds the switches in place. In all my ...