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

[webwit]

Good point, I never even considered that. I think it's nice as an official way to replace a couple of keycaps, but if you do a whole board or more, it's much easier and faster by hand, with less chance of scratching. It also doesn't look very sturdy.

[Techno Trousers]

I was always curious about those IBM cap pullers. The original may have had some issues, but the best thing about MF projects is the chance to take an original object and improve it, right? I'm excited to see what lot_lizard comes up with eventually. Maybe a sturdier, dual ended version with one side optimized for 2-piece, and the other for 1-piece cap removal?

[fohat]

The sole purpose of this tool is removing the cap from the stem. For that it is unbelievably fast and efficient.

When I can get fingers on both top and bottom sides of the cap, then yes, fingers are faster and easier. But my fingers are much too large to pull 1 cap out of a field.

This tool is worthless for removing entire assemblies, and there is no point in attempting to make one for that - wire pullers are much better (except for manipulating NMB Hi-Teks).

The entire concept revolves around the fact that the lip on the top leg is the same thickness as the cap, so that it pulls the cap off and misses the stem. The lower leg is shorter and has no lip - it is only there to keep the top leg snug against the cap so that it grabs the edge just right.

This is a specialized IBM tool designed for one purpose only.

[Techno Trousers]

I saw a really interesting post today about a novel user for a laser cutter. It reminded me right away of lot_lizard, and made me dream about what kinds of cool etching effects might be possible on a phase 1.5 metal case!

https://imgur.com/a/xeHDB#wZqDxe6

[Wingpad]

I saw a really interesting post today about a novel user for a laser cutter. It reminded me right away of lot_lizard, and made me dream about what kinds of cool etching effects might be possible on a phase 1.5 metal case!

https://imgur.com/a/xeHDB#wZqDxe6

Yeah, I saw that earlier today as well. It's very cool... I would love to see a keyboard engraved like this

[DMA]

I have a question that bothers me for a while.

Why use IBM paraphernalia? I understand keycap font. But the logo? What's the point when it's more and more different under the hood?

I'm not even starting on copyright problems.

[derzemel]

Good question DMA!

I would love to have a DT logo, instead of the IBM one.

I think that if someone will start making new cases for the MF and the MF SSK then we should use another logo

[drevyek]

An MF badge would be appropriate, I think. The DT-style looks really nice in the MF logo, it's simple enough, and recognizable. It could slot directly into the space where the oval IBM logos go in the older M's, or the rectangular space in the Unicomp/late Lexmark cases.

[Techno Trousers]

I would definitely love an official MF logo for future cases!

Actually, if the MF droplet logo is the final one, having the droplet recessed and the MF raised would look especially cool.

[lot_lizard]

Actually, if the MF droplet logo is the final one, having the droplet recessed and the MF raised would look especially cool.

I would think we are keeping that (or something improved upon variant) for eComm only. I think we can take that "MF" base and run with it in a lot of regards. It's simplicity lends itself to adaptation.


I know many will think "well Model M and Model F currently have nothing to do with project x"... that's okay. It's us at this point I think, and welcome the disagreement. Speaking of which, I can dabble in graphics but is by no stretch my thing. Would welcome someone actually good at it to run with some ideas for the future (including the "drop"). All the SVGs are available if you just PM me.

[lot_lizard]

We are officially done with all the spacers. GREAT feeling

Dorked with our "drop" logo a bit more last evening. Subtle changes, but improvements... Remember it will be small integrated into a banner when you are making judgements (not ENORMOUS like below). Does it really matter, definitely not , but part of the fun of everything.

mfDrop.png (46.48 KiB) Viewed 5956 times

Previous for comparison

Spoiler:

[Hypersphere]

Reminds me a bit of the Deluge Bittorrent logo:

deluge.jpg (4.91 KiB) Viewed 5997 times

[lot_lizard]

Opened a lovely little package today, and just wanted to thank everyone for such a wonderful year. We accomplished so much and couldn't be more proud of what we have become. I have mentioned multiple times in PMs and posts that I am a social ghost (on purpose), but highly social in the real world. i$'s project brought me from a LONG time lurker meddling in the shadows out to play mad scientist with a phenomenal group of friends. Again... (starting to get misty)... just thanks for teaming up. So many good thoughts and contributions by so many.

IMG_0734.JPG (1.09 MiB) Viewed 5940 times

[fohat]

thank everyone for such a wonderful year

We accomplished so much

You deserve it, in spades.

Plenty of other projects have come and gone, but the dream of a dead-standard Model M layout in Model F construction has been unobtainium for many people for many years.

The icing on the cake will be when it goes into the aluminum case ....

[E TwentyNine]

Opened a lovely little package today, and just wanted to thank everyone for such a wonderful year.

Well achieved, without question.

[E TwentyNine]

The icing on the cake will be when it goes into the aluminum case ....

Wooden. Like a grand piano, a great keyboard deserves a wooden case.

(But to each his own.)

[fohat]

Wooden. Like a grand piano, a great keyboard deserves a wooden case.

Yes, well, if this is the fantasy wish list I would request walnut or dark rosewood trimmed in copper.

[POTV]

I'm in for any case that keeps the pinging at reasonable levels.

[DMA]

The icing on the cake will be when it goes into the aluminum case ....

Wooden. Like a grand piano, a great keyboard deserves a wooden case.

(But to each his own.)

..wooden one is much easier to get bluetooth in!

(Upd: and since I couldn't resist the post anyway - Congrats lot_lizard, I envy you a bit and hope to get one too someday Though you'll probably still get the gold next year, if the hints you drop are any good.)

[seebart]

Opened a lovely little package today, and just wanted to thank everyone for such a wonderful year. We accomplished so much and couldn't be more proud of what we have become. I have mentioned multiple times in PMs and posts that I am a social ghost (on purpose), but highly social in the real world. i$'s project brought me from a LONG time lurker meddling in the shadows out to play mad scientist with a phenomenal group of friends. Again... (starting to get misty)... just thanks for teaming up. So many good thoughts and contributions by so many.

IMG_0734.JPG

You deserved it, now don't get too mushy on us.

I like that shot BTW, another pic for my desktop rotation.

[alh84001]

I've been a bit absent lately, so forgive my ignorance, but is there a story behind using droplet as part of the logo?

[lot_lizard]

I've been a bit absent lately, so forgive my ignorance, but is there a story behind using droplet as part of the logo?

Nothing to do with the phase 1 GB. This is for future fluff. We had some back and forth about domain names for our eComm site going forward to manage our GBs. Squatted on mfDrop.com, and this would be the logo for it only. Silly stuff

[Hypersphere]

Opened a lovely little package today, and just wanted to thank everyone for such a wonderful year...
...<snip>...

Congratulations! We are all grateful to you for spearheading this effort. It's amazing what can be accomplished with the right leadership and some well-orchestrated teamwork.

[Techno Trousers]

Not to get too personal, lot_lizard, but that's a nice pair of nuts!

[lot_lizard]

I like that shot BTW, another pic for my desktop rotation.

Didn't even dawn on me... let me think in 980x120, and take a better one later when I return home so you don't waste time trying to make it work. I agree they are three things that belong together

[ohaimark]

I'm glad the nuts weren't... Erm... Busted in shipping.

[just_add_coffee]

This thread is an absolutely amazing labor of love. I spent four hours last night reading it, starting from page one, and plan on finishing it later today. Wow!

I'm currently refurbishing and modding a Model F AT. I would be interested in purchasing one of those black LED inserts should they become available. I discovered that Unicomp's version doesn't fit the Model F.

I'd also be interested in buying a replacement silver IBM "Personal Computer AT" badge. I'm going to try to remove the scratches from the old one with Brasso, but I'm not optimistic that will work.

But most of all, those MX Cherry to IBM Buckling Spring adapters ... PLEASE make those a reality! Tens of thousands of Buckling Spring users at work and at home would be ecstatic if they could put the MX Cherry keysets that are out there on their boards. And, as far as I can tell, the person who made it possible would be compensated very nicely!

Thank you to lot_lizard and everyone else in this thread.

[lot_lizard]

This thread is an absolutely amazing labor of love. I spent four hours last night reading it, starting from page one, and plan on finishing it later today. Wow!

This statement makes me very happy. Welcome to the party... Hopefully you can help us improve our vision going forward.

[Sigmoid]

Hey guys, I totally love this project. I'm a great fan of Model F keyboards, and own two XTs I cleaned out, fixed and converted myself, so it's great to see this effort being made. I've started reading the thread, but there is so much of it, it will take me a while to get through.

Anyway I'd love to eventually contribute to the second, "brand new capsense buckling spring keyboard" phase. I'm thinking what the world probably needs is an updated XT / Bigfoot keyboard layout, keeping the same form factor, but doing a bit of a functional fix-up (like adding Command keys, Alt on both sides, numpad * /, etc)... A 60% would be pretty awesome too.

One thing, you mentioned that you intend to open everything up, which is just awesome. I don't know if there were any links in the later pages, but I have a suggestion... Could you open a github repository for all this stuff, and link to it in one of the opening posts? For all the mechanical and electric CAD files, production notes, firmware and layout files, etc. It would make collaboration and access much easier.

[alh84001]

For a take on XT modernisation, check out XTant project at
workshop-f7/bringing-the-ibm-pc-xt-into ... 7-120.html