F104+SSK+122+62+77+50+Ergo orders now open! New Kishsaver+Industrial Model F Keyboards

[Ellipse]

The new Model F project keyboards are going out to 51 countries so far (including the US)! Here are the international orders by country code per ISO 3166, ranked by order value:


United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)
Canada
Germany
Australia
Sweden
Netherlands (the)
Japan
Norway
Switzerland
Hong Kong
Finland
France
Singapore
Malaysia
Austria
Korea (the Republic of)
Poland
Czechia
New Zealand
China
Denmark
Spain
Italy
Ireland
Thailand
Romania
Russian Federation (the)
Brazil
Belgium
Taiwan (Province of China)
Saudi Arabia
Slovenia
Bulgaria
Philippines (the)
Luxembourg
Israel
Mexico
Chile
Argentina
Estonia
Viet Nam
Hungary
Croatia
Oman
Serbia
Peru
India
Turkey
South Africa
Iceland

F6Z I would imagine yes, but I do recommend getting a set of keys as configured with the keyboard - you would be getting a new Model F XT quality set for half the cost of what the set sells for separately.

[zrrion]

Are the Unicomp New Model M keys compatible with the keyboards?

they are compatible, yes

[Gunsight1]

yes they are, thats what I'm using right now, but once my new keycaps arrive I'll be switching them out

[Elrick]

Got the shipping notice last week, so I'm a little hesitant about receiving the F77.

Might even leave it inside it's box, to keep it 100% authentic with no other contact than from Ellipse when he set it up for me.

It's one of those purchases that goes down as a future investment when this whole manufacturing finally stops. It then becomes something far more important than the original Model-Fs that left their factories, all those decades back in time.

Thanks for finally finishing this F77, much appreciated by me and my family.

[robo]

Got the shipping notice last week, so I'm a little hesitant about receiving the F77.

Might even leave it inside it's box, to keep it 100% authentic with no other contact than from Ellipse when he set it up for me.

It's one of those purchases that goes down as a future investment when this whole manufacturing finally stops. It then becomes something far more important than the original Model-Fs that left their factories, all those decades back in time.

Thanks for finally finishing this F77, much appreciated by me and my family.

Just my opinion, but owning something untouched in a box is silly. If you appreciate it, use it (but take care of it).
If you want an investment buy some index funds.

[depletedvespene]

Just my opinion, but owning something untouched in a box is silly. If you appreciate it, use it (but take care of it).
If you want an investment buy some index funds.

I agree. It's just like when they ask you "What is the best [photographic] camera?". The answer photographers will retort back is "The best camera is the one you USE.". So, Elrick, use the F62, or the F77, or both at the same time.

[russypt]

When my two keyboards finally arrived, my gf threw away the boxes that same night, which the garbage truck immediately picked up. At first I was pretty unhappy about that, but just like the originals, these are meant to be driven. I am not worried about what they will go for in 15-30 years or even 2-3.

[photometer]

I surely do hope there is full F104 keyboard from ellipse.
I mean the fixed costs for keys, electronic components and even spring/barrel assembly have already been done. Only the some parts like the case, steel backing, flexible contacts that register keys etc, need to be designed. The supply-chain has been all sorted out and in place.
I for one will buy a full keyboard if it is available.

[hiram]

Photos of many of the variations are in this periodically updated imgur album - check towards the bottom for a few photos of the regular gray compact F77: https://imgur.com/a/gw8FOl0

This is the only non-black ultra-compact F77 I could find. Is the color accurate? It's almost a white from what I can tell

[Ellipse]

hiram it's difficult to photograph. In person it is reminiscent of a 2015 Macbook Pro type finish. I'd describe it as a light gray that is slightly reflective of light.

[Gunsight1]

Day 2 of typing with the F77 here and I absolutely love it! I've officially decommissioned my old corsair K90, unplugged it from my computer and put it away for safe keeping! Just the F77 from now on The key feel when typing on this just feels good and it sounds good and I'm just having a blast typing on it! Been gaming on it as well, it works fantastic for that too (also the pen rest is perfect for holding fountain pens!)

[Ellipse]

Does anyone have Mac-specific recommendations for their new Model F on QMK? Was anything needed to alter from the defaults? Are any of the key or function combinations different for media keys like volume, or Esc? Someone has emailed me asking for advice.

Great Gunsight1! I was talking with one or two other buckling spring users offline about fountain pens - must have been a couple years back. My favorite (non-fountain) pen is the Pilot Precise V5 - have been using these for over 20 years.

[Gunsight1]

ahyeah the V5 is a great pen! For non-fountain pens, I really enjoy the Retro 51 rollerballs! Which also look good sitting on the pen res, BTW ;D The one in the pic earlier is a Pilot Custom 74. Which reminds me, I need to take a pic of the F77 with my other IBM keyboard based device and post it here

[hiram]

hiram it's difficult to photograph. In person it is reminiscent of a 2015 Macbook Pro type finish. I'd describe it as a light gray that is slightly reflective of light.

Gotcha, thank you! And the ultra-compact versions are the only ones with the removeable/detachable USB cable? Also, does the zinc case result in a different sound from the aluminum?

[Scarpia]

ahyeah the V5 is a great pen! For non-fountain pens, I really enjoy the Retro 51 rollerballs! Which also look good sitting on the pen res, BTW ;D The one in the pic earlier is a Pilot Custom 74. Which reminds me, I need to take a pic of the F77 with my other IBM keyboard based device and post it here

We need a “Model Fs holding pens” photo thread. No headphones allowed though, this isn’t r/mechanicalheadpens

[Gunsight1]

ahyeah the V5 is a great pen! For non-fountain pens, I really enjoy the Retro 51 rollerballs! Which also look good sitting on the pen res, BTW ;D The one in the pic earlier is a Pilot Custom 74. Which reminds me, I need to take a pic of the F77 with my other IBM keyboard based device and post it here

We need a “Model Fs holding pens” photo thread. No headphones allowed though, this isn’t r/mechanicalheadpens

Hahaha yes, that would be awesome!

[depletedvespene]

ahyeah the V5 is a great pen! For non-fountain pens, I really enjoy the Retro 51 rollerballs! Which also look good sitting on the pen res, BTW ;D The one in the pic earlier is a Pilot Custom 74. Which reminds me, I need to take a pic of the F77 with my other IBM keyboard based device and post it here

We need a “Model Fs holding pens” photo thread. No headphones allowed though, this isn’t r/mechanicalheadpens

I don't understand the allure of this, but let's try.

F77 holding a blue pen.

F77_and_pen.jpg (234.69 KiB) Viewed 9763 times

[robo]

I'm not surprised there's a lot of overlap between fountain pen enthusiasts and buckling spring keyboard enthusiasts. Both input devices, of a style considered outdated and mostly abandoned in favor of cheaper, lighter, more convenient alternatives, but never actually surpassed in terms of feel for people who really care about their tools. Basically the same thing, just for different mediums

[Ellipse]

robo that is a good way of describing it!

I have updated the project web site manual with an additional way to reduce key binding (some 2.25U and larger keys requiring a little extra pressure if you press at the edges): Troubleshooting, section J

"Gently wiggle the key post (the part that goes into the stabilizer insert) a few times in the direction of the left and right sides of the key if you were to look at the key as oriented on a keyboard - seems to eliminate binding when the extreme edges of a key are pressed.  Be very gentle as this is the easiest part to break on a key!"

This is in addition to the other methods described on this thread and in the manual, including the method to squeeze the key stem and hold for 30 seconds, and wiggle it a bit while holding - it sounds odd but these two methods have fixed the keys 100% of the time so far in my experience!

Another interesting addition - "Another way of reducing the space bar force slightly is to squeeze the stems of the key as described in the Troubleshooting section, point J, but please be careful as you could break the space bar."

[Elrick]

If you want an investment buy some index funds.

Bond Markets are extremely risky and not worth anyone's money nor interest. Have not wasted any of my own money with any of that overestimated junk-bonds.

Best investment ever in 2021 and beyond - is in real Bitcoin and F77s .

[depletedvespene]

If you want an investment buy some index funds.

Bond Markets are extremely risky and not worth anyone's money nor interest. Have not wasted any of my own money with any of that overestimated junk-bonds.

Best investment ever in 2021 and beyond - is in real Bitcoin and F77s .

... and beamsprings (and pingmasters for a quick buck).

[elcano]

When my two keyboards finally arrived, my gf threw away the boxes that same night, which the garbage truck immediately picked up. At first I was pretty unhappy about that, but just like the originals, these are meant to be driven. I am not worried about what they will go for in 15-30 years or even 2-3.

Don't mention it. I saved the styrofoam with the emergency kit, but lost the box in the same circumstances, so now I have no box to keep the styrofoam and all the parts.

However, I use the keyboard so much that I'm noticing a darkening in the metal next to the spacebar where I rest my hands. Hopefully it is dirt embedded in the texture of the metal and it is not discoloring. How do you suggest cleaning it? I have not tried anything because I don't want to damage the finish if I use the wrong product. I have a tendency to solve everything with a Magic Eraser, but admittedly, that is too abrasive.

[Gunsight1]

Talking about overlap in hobbies. . . .



2 generations of IBM (also this was really heavy, the Selectric II is another 35lbs in addition to the weight of the F77 lol)

[F6Z]

F6Z I would imagine yes, but I do recommend getting a set of keys as configured with the keyboard - you would be getting a new Model F XT quality set for half the cost of what the set sells for separately.

Ah okay. I was just getting too antsy and wanted to have a Model M in the meantime while waiting on my F62.

Also, I think this was addressed on the website but does the F62 come with all the keys that would go into the F77 as well?
I was considering ordering a F77 but with a different set of keycaps so I'd be able to swap/borrow keys between the keyboards.

[Ellipse]

Nice photo Gunsight1!

Yes you get most of the standard ~101 keycaps with a key set configured with any of the new keyboards, except 0 Ins 1U special key for the F77 right side block and 2 pearl unprinted keys for the right side block Ins/Del type layout.

[Scarpia]

Not to derail this thread, I have created a new photo thread for pics of great pens on great keyboards:

viewtopic.php?f=62&t=25292

[Gunsight1]

Not to derail this thread, I have created a new photo thread for pics of great pens on great keyboards:

viewtopic.php?f=62&t=25292

Ohyes!

[elcano]

Hi ellipse,

Do these slots located at each side of the keyboard have an intended purpose? They look like a space reserved for a very specific slide switch, but I'm not sure which one would fit there.

[Ellipse]

elcano not sure of IBM's purpose for those, probably ventilation holes?

More new Model F keyboards with the new dye sublimated keycaps continue to go out. I'm now going through 2019 "all in stock" custom/low serial orders - all prior ones have gone out.

Below are photos of the standard US ANSI layout, and the Apple/Mac Command/Option 6 key sets (the factory sent the US, Mac 6 key, and HHKB 6 key sets as part of the first small batch).

These are the first photos of all these variations with the new Model F caps installed.

2021-02-22_21-06-50.jpg (590.33 KiB) Viewed 9109 times

2021-02-22_21-07-32.jpg (967.89 KiB) Viewed 9109 times

2021-02-22_20-51-33.jpg (575.83 KiB) Viewed 9109 times

2021-02-22_20-51-58.jpg (436.84 KiB) Viewed 9109 times

2021-02-22_20-54-47.jpg (616.77 KiB) Viewed 9109 times

2021-02-22_20-59-04.jpg (662.64 KiB) Viewed 9109 times

2021-02-22_20-59-23.jpg (491.85 KiB) Viewed 9109 times

2021-02-22_20-59-35.jpg (873.34 KiB) Viewed 9109 times

2021-02-22_20-59-49.jpg (798.64 KiB) Viewed 9109 times

[DrivenKeys]

When my two keyboards finally arrived, my gf threw away the boxes that same night, which the garbage truck immediately picked up.

OUCH! That's some rare storage sacrificed.

Hey Ellipse, do you think you could make replacement boxes/styrofoam available to order seperately? I'm sure this isn't the only accidental trash story, and there are bound to be boxes damaged in shipping as well. I was lucky that both my F77 boxes arrived pristine, and I'd hate to have them damaged. Along with the dot matrix packing slips, the packaging really completes the experience.

As always, amazing looking keys.