IBM Model F XT Question

[pelletik]

Most keyboards have small bumps or ridges on the F and J keys to help the user to correctly position their left and right hands without having to look at the keyboard. My IBM Model F XT does not have these bumps. What would you suggest I use to add a way to put bumps on the F and J keys? I don't want to permanently modify the F and J keys.

[jsheradin]

Grab the keys from a model M and pop them on - totally reversible.

Unicomp sells individual replacement ones.

[pelletik]

Grab the keys from a model M and pop them on - totally reversible.

Unicomp sells individual replacement ones.

Yes. Unicomp keys will work, however, the F and J keys are different height compared with the Model F keys.

[jsheradin]

They're exactly the same as far as I can tell (dye-sub aside) but I'm not an IBM expert.

Spoiler:

M key on F

IMG_20220417_182804.jpg (224.75 KiB) Viewed 1422 times

IMG_20220417_182825.jpg (806.42 KiB) Viewed 1422 times

[Yasu0]

You could drill a small dimple or hole. I've done that on modern keyboards where I wore the bumps completely smooth. It serves the same purpose just as well.

[orihalcon]

I've seen stickers with some thickness/texture used and that works pretty well. That way it's not a permanent modification if it doesn't go the way you want. I'm thinking like those plastic adhesive backed label maker media - definitely has a thickness and you could just put a strip of it at the bottom. I think they also make traction based stickers for showers or stairs that would work well - just cut to size/shape.

[Jacobalbertus1]

Most keyboards have small bumps or ridges on the F and J keys to help the user to correctly position their left and right hands without having to look at the keyboard. My IBM Model F XT does not have these bumps. What would you suggest I use to add a way to put bumps on the F and J keys? I don't want to permanently modify the F and J keys.

IBM model m keycaps f and j if you can find 1 part even better