(Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)

[lot_lizard]

Thanks everyone for voting... this is exactly what I wanted to see for the number discrepancies (was too close before). Green it is!!! To andrewjoy's point, we will shop around, and at our potential volume, can afford to be a little picky. Will try to request some samples.

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[Techno Trousers]

It is three extra barrels that we will just cap (so an impact to the bottom line of about 12 cents). I don't want to impact the schedule with PCB changes though (unless someone wants to take that). The plates are the expensive part about all of this.

I like this idea. What would the cap material be made of, and will it stand the test of time? I suspect 90+% of us will just leave those caps in place indefinitely. I do have one Code key, but I don't necessarily want one of my daily driver keyboards to be configured that way and another not (work/home). I get layout confusion when that happens. Years ago I had a nice white Alps board at home (big-ass enter) and an ANSI RD at work. I was working in DOS at the time (dating myself), and the changing position of the backslash drove me bonkers. I can just imagine how annoying it would be if I had a left spacebar mapped to backspace (NMB style) on just one keyboard.

[fohat]

I can just imagine how annoying it would be if I had a left spacebar mapped to backspace (NMB style) on just one keyboard.

Since the bottom row will also support Unicomp 103-style Windows keys, I will not feel any particular need for more keys down there. But I may build the 2.75+2.75+1.5 and map them all 3 to space bar anyway, just because I can.

[lot_lizard]

But I may build the 2.75+2.75+1.5 and map them all 3 to space bar anyway, just because I can.

This sums me up as well... Actually, I might try this in lieu of the winkeys to gain the two extras without having to alter the shell. Attached is a picture of the cap close-up in any obviously weird spot (sneak peek of the stainless). It is actually a 7/16 cap that I had on hand, where we need 12mm. When a proper size is used, the cap compresses almost completely flat when it locks in place (envision from the second diagram).

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[Techno Trousers]

Okay, so a rubber cap in a standard size. That should be fine--even if it disintegrates eventually it should be easy to source a replacement.

[lot_lizard]

Okay, so a rubber cap in a standard size. That should be fine--even if it disintegrates eventually it should be easy to source a replacement.

I should have been more specific. It is LDPE (low-density polyethylene). It might be the last remaining piece of the board after many generations

[Techno Trousers]

Awesome. Archaeologists find my FEXT buried with me, and the stainless steel plate has all but rusted away, while the LDPE plugs still look pristine. ;P

[lot_lizard]

Awesome. Archaeologists find my FEXT buried with me, and the stainless steel plate has all but rusted away, while the LDPE plugs still look pristine. ;P

haha... It is a sad reality that our time will eventually be referred to as the "plastic people". Unfortunately we must contribute in the name of "budget driven" progress. LDPE is number 4 should anyone ever decide to recycle their MF

[fohat]

our time will eventually be referred to as the "plastic people"

I thought that you were going to link to the real Plastic People.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Plast ... e_Universe

[andrewjoy]

Will try to request some samples.

Samples are good , some greens are good others not so much. ( this is not my PCB so please excuse the terrible font on the silk screen )

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This green is quite nice , don't know where it came from tho

the generic cheap bright green is horrible

[Techno Trousers]

To borrow one of fohat's images, I assume we would like a PCB color close to the original deep green IBM PCBs?

[E TwentyNine]

Is it to late to vote for mauve?

That green seems about right to me.

[drevyek]

Love that green. Boards will look great!

[andrewjoy]

IBM green if possible, but your not going to get the texture like that.

[lot_lizard]

The smaller xWhatsit WCass refactored, and later changed the connection specifically for us, has been ordered as a prototype from OshPark. They only produce in purple, but will eventually be green.

For those that aren't aware of how much smaller this is than the previous xWhatsit (to save the math... 45% reduction)

• xWhatsit F rev 2 (what I am currently using): 5.52x1.13 inches (140.11x28.63 mm)
• xWhatsit mini with our connector: 3.38x1.01 inches (85.88x25.55 mm)

Thanks again WCass for all of your efforts. To pair down Tom's original design by half onto a profile 3x the size of a Teensie (with WAY more parts) is a something that should have received more notice and praise.

Controller Front

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Controller Back

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Paste Stencil (would be a horrible prototype soldering session if this didn't exist)

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[shreebles]

Cool! Kudos to WCass!

[andrewjoy]

Kudos indeed . Lets get it even smaller 4 layer board and spin our own custom chip !!!

[Techno Trousers]

Hooray for wcass! Quality work, indeed.

[seebart]

Very nice, great work!

[Hypersphere]

I am in awe of the talents of wcass and many other wizards of mechanics and electronics here at Deskthority! Thanks to all of you for your excellent contributions to our community!

[Ratfink]

Paste Stencil (would be a horrible prototype soldering session if this didn't exist)

Oh, it wouldn't be that horrible. Some fine solder, a decent soldering iron, a lot of flux, and a fair amount of patience is all you'd need. I just hand-soldered a board that looks like a similar level of difficulty, and I didn't have to rip all my hair out or anything.

That does look like a neat little circuit board. I like that it doesn't use so many no-lead packages like the original xWhatsit controllers do. One suggestion though: it looks like both of the buttons are facing in directions that would make them very difficult to press. Turning both of them 180° would probably be a good idea.

[lot_lizard]

Okay... I'm FINALLY back in town from across the pond. I tried uploading these a couple of days ago, but my reception was terrible.

You are about to be bombarded by pictures. This would be the latest stainless steel version of the SSK. I have a couple of things to make sure I am in LOVE with, but it really is just about there (would be passable as-is).

This has become my favorite board all over again (mostly a 1395682 with OG APL caps mixed in choice spots). I didn't break out the buffing wheels and rouge, but this will easily look like mirrored chrome with 10-15 minutes of extra effort. I think in the end, it is a mirrored top plate with "engine turned" back.

Both plates with minimal cleaning. Really wish I would have taken the time to fully process them, but will save for another day

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No keys, assembled, from overhead

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Assembly back... I am not a fan of the medium polish, and will eventually "engine turn". Any deformation you see around the screws is SLIGHT, but caused from my countersink being a little dull. The good/bad thing about high luster finishes is they make MINOR deformations look HORRIBLE. Trust me when I say that the finger can't perceive any change when rubbing across

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Angled no keys

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What a lovely reflection!!! Imagine if buffed to a mirror finish

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Industrial top without APL keys (overhead)

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Industrial top without APL keys (angled)

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USB-B daughter board utilizing retainer clips

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USB-B from back

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Close up of our APL keys (left side)

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Close up of our APL keys (right side)

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Top "case-less" from overhead with all keys

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How it might sit on my desk for a WHILE!!!

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With industrial top (angled)

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With industrial top (overhead)

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[emdude]

Absolutely beautiful, lot_lizard. All of the work you've done so far has been phenomenal, I am just taken aback by that stainless steel plate, stunning stuff.

[alh84001]

[E TwentyNine]

Wow.

[Khers]

Bloody hell, that's beautiful!

[seebart]

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You just became a candidate for this:

Spoiler:

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[E TwentyNine]

You just became a candidate for this: [gold.jpg]

Come on. Is there even a question that's a lock?

Now that I'm done ogling - are the extra screw holes near navigation a bit of securing that you've realized isn't needed?

Also, what's the function of the rectangular cutouts in a few places?

[seebart]

You just became a candidate for this: [gold.jpg]

Come on. Is there even a question that's a lock?

WOT? Lock?

[Hypersphere]

lot_lizard: Truly stunningly beautiful. You are doing a magnificent job.