Mods complete, would like to introduce my Mini M. I named it "mPossible" (aka the Death Star), can you tell me why?

[SunshineRag_DT]

I suspect you all will need to look twice at this, you might not catch it at the first first glance. Do you know your Model Ms and Unicomps well enough to see what it is?

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And its no joke it is a fully functioning buckling spring Mini M.

[Elrick]

Actually that is quite nice.

Good to see the return of all Black Mini's, since they do look the business on any desk within any Office layout.

[SunshineRag_DT]

Actually that is quite nice.

Good to see the return of all Black Mini's, since they do look the business on any desk within any Office layout.

That they do, thanks. FYI it is not just that it is all black

[raoulduke-esq]

Not the typical M13 caps… I’m intrigued! The in-key lock lights work I hope?! Please show more.

[SunshineRag_DT]

Not the typical M13 caps… I’m intrigued! The in-key lock lights work I hope?! Please show more.

Sadly no on the key lock lights although it could be possible, I have not gone that far down the rabbit hole yet. Getting warm.

[Rayndalf]

Wait... that bottom row.
Nice job.

Those caps aren't from a M13 either.
I have questions.

[SunshineRag_DT]

Wait... that bottom row.
Nice job.

Those caps aren't from a M13 either.
I have questions.

There is a man who knows his keyboards. Bingo, that bottom row should not be possible on any Mini M or other Model M. And I will repeat this is a fully working Mini M. I have to log off for the night will see what folks think in the morning.

[Rayndalf]

Caps are Keytronic DCS from a... foam and foil board?

[CallmeJohn]

I wanna say MX (or other keycap type) to buckling spring adapter but you would have to offset the bottom row which not sure how well it would feel 3d printed parts. The caps look like they sit too low to be 3d printed adapters though compared to the ones I have but otherwise really impressive.

[Muirium]

If you could hide that accursed Unicomp LED panel, and have in-key lock lights exclusively, then you will have achieved legend!

Other than that, it's a real looker.

[Rayndalf]

I think the caps came from a board with a curved backplate (which is why the profile fits so well).
I guess you could hollow out the caps and fit them onto 2 piece stems.

But then the bottom row would require extensive barrel plate modification.

[Findecanor]

Nice! I'm guessing you're using an older Unicomp barrel plate and membrane that did support those posititons. Was it possible to cut the membrane without cutting traces or did you have to tuck it behind the plate?

The style of the keycaps remind me of Key Tronic: both the font and lock LED.

[sharktastica]

I'm guessing you're using an older Unicomp barrel plate and membrane that did support those posititons.

I don't think so. Unicomp's old bottom row still used 1.5u Ctrl keys.

[SunshineRag_DT]

Just because I am a bit of a tease before heading off to work... I will say that interestingly the "Emerg Save" key is the only original Unicomp keycap in the black mod. I think you all probably got this by now.

Also if anyone has a spare black u6 spacebar I would love to acquire one.

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[SunshineRag_DT]

I don't think so. Unicomp's old bottom row still used 1.5u Ctrl keys.

Shark yeah that is correct I figured you would know that better than anyone. There is no standard IBM or Unicomp layout that should make this work hence "mPossible".

[Crizender]

Wow, this looks fantastic, I dread to think how long it took to get it this well done. Good job!

[SunshineRag_DT]

Wow, this looks fantastic, I dread to think how long it took to get it this well done. Good job!

You certainly have that right. Even though I know how to do it now, not sure I would want to spend amount of effort required to do it again. It really was a pain. I am somewhat pigheaded though and once I had the idea I really had to see it through.

[paperWasp]

I like the "all" black version better. I'd rather use a slightly different colour (not so contrasty) for all "special" keys - in the IBM style.

Spoiler:

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A noob question: Why so many mods have the Esc key in the "rebel" style? Here it is just the red colour but some use a skull shaped keycap etc.? What's behind that strange tradition?
Btw. I do use my escape key and I don't want a skull there.

[fohat]

if anyone has a spare black u6 spacebar I would love to acquire one.

IBM PBT can be dyed to black fairly easily.

[Elrick]

IBM PBT can be dyed to black fairly easily.

You even have standard MX design key-caps being coloured in various forms, including the Legends upon all PBT key-caps. In various profiles.

It's now almost standard with them these days. Dye-sub is no longer an impediment to using any colour, for 2021 and beyond.

[SunshineRag_DT]

And just for good measure a 103 style layout and of course I would have to remap that.

IBM PBT can be dyed to black fairly easily.

And fohat thanks for the dye sub tip I may try that.

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[Bitteneite]

I see you...



Great job though, almost didn't notice. Did you just chop off the stems?

[SunshineRag_DT]

I see you...

Not quite that one (has Big Ass Enter) but you and Rayndalf have started to sniff it out.

[timw4mail]

I see you...

Not quite that one (ISO Layout) but you and Rayndalf have started to sniff it out.

So it is a buckling spring keyboard, but you've adapted caps from another very similar -looking board to reorganize the bottom row?

[Palatino]

Wow, this looks fantastic, I dread to think how long it took to get it this well done. Good job!

I am somewhat pigheaded though and once I had the idea I really had to see it through.

That is a good quality. Whenever I have an idea, it almost certainly never comes to fruition.

[SunshineRag_DT]

So it is a buckling spring keyboard, but you've adapted caps...

Basically yes but many Bothans (donor boards) died to bring us this information. I guess I may need to rename the keyboard the "Death Star", since it is black and has the green lights.

[depletedvespene]

How is it that no one has mentioned that little detail in the Scroll Lock key yet?