Beamspring from Hell Restoration Log
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Deus_LB
- Main keyboard: IBM M
- Main mouse: Ducky
- Favorite switch: Buckling Springs
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lucar
- Location: Italy
- Main keyboard: Wyse PCE
- Main mouse: Logitech MG900
- Favorite switch: Alps Blue
- DT Pro Member: -
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Rayndalf
- Location: Texas
- Main keyboard: Kinesis Model 130
- Main mouse: Logitech M-S48, Razer Viper
- Favorite switch: MX Browns
- DT Pro Member: -
Truly one of a kind. Nothing wrong with the bondo and new paint route (given the quality of work you've done I'm sure it'd look great), but the authentic wrecked finish is brutal and impossible to replicate.
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Erderm_
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: IBM 3278
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Beamsprings, Amber alps, Gat yellows
- DT Pro Member: -
Hello all, I have been very lazy in finishing this project! Basically I finished the mechanical aspect of the restoration, but foolishly tried to lube the sliders and used way too much lube! 
Realizing I had to essentially take it all back apart, clean, and reassemble a second time was very discouraging and caused me to shelve the project for a large amount of time haha.
Well enough time passed that I finally got around to cleaning each switch again! Finally all reassembled for the second time, I was able to actually try to use this keyboard.
Although there are newer QMK controllers available, I am a bit stuck in my ways and prefer the xwhatsit's way of mapping my keyboard so I found one for a reasonable price ($60) on ebay. Now, I was very much expecting the PCB on this keyboard to be too far gone considering it had multiple bubbles that had cracked and were exposing the inner layers of the board itself. Surely that would cause issues with the capacitive sensing right?
WRONG! This keyboard can not be killed!
Thats right, I connected the xwhatsit and it just works! Every key registers and nkro works fine.
I have been typing all of this update on it!
If this keyboard sitting on a seasonally flooding basement floor of an abandoned building for 20+ years and still functioning after a cleaning isnt a shining example of IBM's legendary build quality than I dont know what is!
I have some more small things to finish on this keyboard...
TODO:
1. Repair the case so it can screw together again.
2. Re make the spacebar stabilizer
3. Color match the plastic door
4. Find / make a better fitting badge. Current one is off a old IBM typewriter.
Enjoy some photos below of my newly resurrected 3101
I found an alternative use for the little door at the top as well.
Realizing I had to essentially take it all back apart, clean, and reassemble a second time was very discouraging and caused me to shelve the project for a large amount of time haha.
Well enough time passed that I finally got around to cleaning each switch again! Finally all reassembled for the second time, I was able to actually try to use this keyboard.
Although there are newer QMK controllers available, I am a bit stuck in my ways and prefer the xwhatsit's way of mapping my keyboard so I found one for a reasonable price ($60) on ebay. Now, I was very much expecting the PCB on this keyboard to be too far gone considering it had multiple bubbles that had cracked and were exposing the inner layers of the board itself. Surely that would cause issues with the capacitive sensing right?
WRONG! This keyboard can not be killed!
Thats right, I connected the xwhatsit and it just works! Every key registers and nkro works fine.
I have been typing all of this update on it! If this keyboard sitting on a seasonally flooding basement floor of an abandoned building for 20+ years and still functioning after a cleaning isnt a shining example of IBM's legendary build quality than I dont know what is!
I have some more small things to finish on this keyboard...
TODO:
1. Repair the case so it can screw together again.
2. Re make the spacebar stabilizer
3. Color match the plastic door
4. Find / make a better fitting badge. Current one is off a old IBM typewriter.
Enjoy some photos below of my newly resurrected 3101
I found an alternative use for the little door at the top as well.
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zrrion
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: F122
- Main mouse: Microsoft IntelliMouse
- Favorite switch: ALPS SKCC Cream
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
this is such a cool restoration project.
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Erderm_
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: IBM 3278
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Beamsprings, Amber alps, Gat yellows
- DT Pro Member: -
Thanks everyone!! It was a real PITA but also a labor of love, and I plan to keep the case exactly how it is right now. Unsure if clearcoating it is even necessary tbh.