IBM Model M Ninja M modification process

[cdaman]

Hello guys,
I'mma newbie from Thailand

I recently purchased this keyboard from one of my friends that really got me into the mech keyboard community. Hes the one who do all the work in this Model M. As an professional full-time architect/interior design, he has a part-time of modified junk, useless, broken keyboard for hobbies. And I think one of his masterpiece and I wanted to purchase this keyboard from him for years, until recently, he says yes!!! So I can fully says its mine. However, he doesn't speak well English, but he had a well documentation of his work in his page.

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[cdaman]

This is basically a modified IBM Model M Terminal in which mixed with Chicony KB5181's frame as the surround frame around the IBM. All the material use are very low cost, he told that the cost of making this work is only around $21USD, but the amount of time he actually spend on the keyboard to make it work like new is enormous. If you noticed, he use the white paint, to mimic the Japanese character in ninja style font on the keycap. The inspiration is pretty obvious, its from Kawasaki Ninja motor bike

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Yes, the IBM Model M ninja M!

[Drclick]

Nice work!

[green-squid]

Looks glorious man!

[cookie]

I highly appreciate all the work and effort that has been put into this keyboard!
The result although might not appeal to the borad audience of this particular forum, which is mainly into genuine keyboards. Especially if they are older ones, like the model M you have.

Don't be discouraged though! Feel free to stick around ask questions post your projects! Who knows, a certain taste might evolve?

You might consider www.geekhack.org or /r/mechanicalkeyboards as well, this audience is more into flashy boards like yours.

Cheers and welcome!

[Brett MacK]

As someone who normally isn't into heavily modified vintage keyboards, this is an amazing keyboard. Very impressive work. He payed attention to every little detail, and it really payed off with the finished project.

[codemonkeymike]

Indeed impressive work!

[Elrick]

Can see the Kawasaki in this keyboard, excellent work.

Shame the company itself didn't get into any promotional work using keyboards, especially Model-M's .

[Prelim]

great work man! congrats

[clickykeyboards]

Very clean, elegant and tastefully done.

It is nice to see how much detail work it must have taken to apply masking tape to the internal barrel plate to ensure that the individual key stems do not stick or rub on the added layers of paint.

Glad to see that you used 6mm long screws applied from the inside surface of the keyboard and kept the screw heads on the inside of the keyboard versus using nuts and 8mm long bolts.

Did you hand paint the legends on the side surface of the keys?

[6664]

Very clean, elegant and tastefully done.

It is nice to see how much detail work it must have taken to apply masking tape to the internal barrel plate to ensure that the individual key stems do not stick or rub on the added layers of paint.

Glad to see that you used 6mm long screws applied from the inside surface of the keyboard and kept the screw heads on the inside of the keyboard versus using nuts and 8mm long bolts.

Did you hand paint the legends on the side surface of the keys?

yes. paint by hand

[orihalcon]

Very cool!

My only suggestion would be to start with a black barrel plate instead of spray painting a white one. I get that the keyboard in question was already white, but black ones are pretty easy to find. Spray paint could potentially add some gritty feel to some keys if not masked down far enough and not having to paint or mask at all would save a ton of time as well

[savantstrike]

For a neon green color scheme, the design is actually quite elegant.

This was a board rescued from the scrap heap, not a mint condition prize - so I think the reception here should be positive. People here only get upset when a good vintage board gets modded for no reason.

[ag36]

Lovely craftsmanship, I personally prefer a more subtle look but as long as the owner of this keyboard likes it why not .

[just_add_coffee]

Very, VERY cool and inspiring! Thank you for sharing this!

[digital_matthew]

As an IBM keyboard purist, I must acknowledge the great work that went into this keyboard. The Ninja scheme actually works pretty well on this, and the lock lights under the wire screen is a great touch that I would like to see on other "gamer" keyboards. Nice!

[livingspeedbump]

This is totally bonkers. If you'd have described what you did to me without pictures, I'd just assume I'd hate it.

But golly, this is great! Truly love this.

[webwit]

#dta2018 Best mod

[digital_matthew]

It just goes to show that no matter the style, if it's well thought out and the craftsmanship is strong then you'll get a good result.

[Iggy]

Totally, utterly, irrevocably, epically, impeccably, eternally, definitely BADASS work!!

And the Nobel Keyboard Prize goes to...