IBM Model M keyboard search

[kmnov2017]

There are plenty of videos on YouTube explaining how to clean, open, repair, mod model M keyboards...

[swampangel]

I don't have that 5.5mm nut driver, it would be easier to clean it, but I'll try to use brush and clean between keys that way...

If you don't want to buy one, you can try the pen trick: viewtopic.php?p=34013#p34013

[andrewjoy]

I don't have that 5.5mm nut driver, it would be easier to clean it, but I'll try to use brush and clean between keys that way...

Don't you just love an excuse to buy more tools.

[phinix]

I don't have that 5.5mm nut driver, it would be easier to clean it, but I'll try to use brush and clean between keys that way...

If you don't want to buy one, you can try the pen trick: viewtopic.php?p=34013#p34013

Hahaha
Good one, love it:)

[phinix]

Ordered one on amazon, came in today, 5.5mm

Opened it up.
Few rivets are gone, but whole board is stable.
What do you guys think?
No need for bolt mod just now?

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[zrrion]

You could potentially just screw mod the few broken rivets for now, and do a full screw mod later.

[Lost In Static]

As long as it shows no issues I'd leave it as is

[swampangel]

If it feels good to type on, leave it. If there are keys that feel noticeably mushy, you might want to add screws in that area of the board.

[phinix]

Cool, thansk guys.
Feels all good now, I guess with time I may need to this mod.
Typing on it now, feels great:)

I gave it a good clean - used whiskey to clean all insides, plate, between keys, all nice and clean now.
Cleaned case top and bottom, cleaned cable.
Now it looks like new:)

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[Rauha]

I don't have that 5.5mm nut driver, it would be easier to clean it, but I'll try to use brush and clean between keys that way...

If you don't want to buy one, you can try the pen trick: viewtopic.php?p=34013#p34013

Just be sure to use Bic branded pen rather than a cheap chinese generic pen.

Some person might have cheapened out and I tried to open industrial Model M case by molting a cheap chinese generic pens. By doing so, that some person might have ended up with plastic covered threads on a screw and the hole surrounding it, which made the case essentially impregnable fortress that cannot ever be opened.

Cannot confirm that the person was actually me, but it is certainly possible. Even likely.

[phinix]

Nah, I bought one on amazon, delivered next day.
All done.

[Howard81]

If you only have a handful of broken rivets don't bother with a full bolt/screw mod, just drill out the failed rivets with a 1/16" dill bit and replace them with M2 6mm machine screws. Don't tighten them hard, just enough to grip while still allowing the springs to move freely back and forth in the barrel.

I will generally only do a full screw mod on a board that either needs to be taken apart (dead membrane or broken striker) or has a ton of broken rivets.