Beam Spring 104+SSK Reproduction Project! First Batch In Stock, Shipping early next year after New Model F Project
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Green Maned Lion
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: Unicomp New Model M
- Main mouse: X-keys L-Track
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
I just ordered the re-legendables; my setup uses all 34 of the function keys for special functions on a 122 layout, and binds actual F1-F12 to a function layer. I can't imagine I'll be able to get custom-legend double-shots the way I can cajole Unicomp to dye-sublimate custom keycaps for me.
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dr_xadium
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM M13
- Main mouse: Elecom HUGE
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
I just got mine in, and it's amazing to type on, the feel is buttery smooth yet with that tactile mechanical feedback - I didn't think the Model F repro could be surpassed but this did it.
Setup was painless and I'm more than satisfied - the wait was worth it!
Setup was painless and I'm more than satisfied - the wait was worth it!
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dr_xadium
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM M13
- Main mouse: Elecom HUGE
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
I do have one question - my fingers are having a hard time adapting to this style keycap - is there a Cherry MX Set in existence that is basically on par with the Model M / F in terms of look and feel that I might be able to use on this?
EDIT: I found something on Amazon that might work, going to give it a try.
EDIT: I found something on Amazon that might work, going to give it a try.
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Ellipse
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Brand New Model F Keyboards
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
dr_xadium glad your keyboard arrived safely!
The project keycaps are designed to be like the original IBM beamspring caps which are spherical on the key top surface. Model F caps have a slight curve to their top. If you have any recommendations for MX caps like the Model F please do share after you end up testing them.
The Chyrosran22 keyboard has been mailed out! It is a B104 ISO in Industrial Gray with the project keycaps. As noted over the years, the project keycaps work with both ANSI and ISO but are not specific to any one international set for the ISO, so compromises will be needed in order to use the sets with ISO. Most folks with ISO end up picking the project key set despite these limitations. Since the set is double shot, making any additional keys/legends would require making a new double shot injection mold which would cost tens of thousands of dollars.
The project keycaps are designed to be like the original IBM beamspring caps which are spherical on the key top surface. Model F caps have a slight curve to their top. If you have any recommendations for MX caps like the Model F please do share after you end up testing them.
The Chyrosran22 keyboard has been mailed out! It is a B104 ISO in Industrial Gray with the project keycaps. As noted over the years, the project keycaps work with both ANSI and ISO but are not specific to any one international set for the ISO, so compromises will be needed in order to use the sets with ISO. Most folks with ISO end up picking the project key set despite these limitations. Since the set is double shot, making any additional keys/legends would require making a new double shot injection mold which would cost tens of thousands of dollars.
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Ellipse
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Brand New Model F Keyboards
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
I recommend the transparent relegendables, or ordering two sets of the keycaps, since individual double shot keys are not available. Or you could use another MX type keyset since the project uses the MX stem on the beamspring modules.
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engr
- Location: USA
About keycaps profiles: there was a thread some time ago that discussed in detail which MX profile was the closest to Model M/F.
I ended up putting a set of Drop MT3 keycaps on my B104. They are spherical (rather than cylindrical like M/F) and fit the aesthetic of beam spring keyboards yet I find them more comfortable to type than the default set that B104 comes with, although of course it’s all subjective. The only problem is that MT3 keycaps are not being made anymore, you will have to look for them on the secondhand market... or get MTNU keycaps which do not look as nice, in my opinion.
I ended up putting a set of Drop MT3 keycaps on my B104. They are spherical (rather than cylindrical like M/F) and fit the aesthetic of beam spring keyboards yet I find them more comfortable to type than the default set that B104 comes with, although of course it’s all subjective. The only problem is that MT3 keycaps are not being made anymore, you will have to look for them on the secondhand market... or get MTNU keycaps which do not look as nice, in my opinion.
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dr_xadium
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM M13
- Main mouse: Elecom HUGE
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
These are the keys I got from Amazon (I didn't swap out the spacebar because I don't have time to tackle that at the moment). They're shallower and a bit less sturdy-feeling than the IBMs which is to be expected, and they are slight misalignments in the printing (and some labels are completely different like on the numpad). These are, obviously, cheap caps hahaha.
Looks-wise from a distance it feels a bit more consistent with the other IBM tech I use, The color is basically on point, which helps my OCD. (I'm also going to change out the badge and the LED overlay to be more like a model F/M)
From a feel perspective, it's all right but I don't think any discerning keyboard fan would love them in the long term so I can't say "buy these now!". For a short term stopgap they're quite serviceable, and the beamspring's unique feedback profile helps them feel more premium than they are.
Looks-wise from a distance it feels a bit more consistent with the other IBM tech I use, The color is basically on point, which helps my OCD. (I'm also going to change out the badge and the LED overlay to be more like a model F/M)
From a feel perspective, it's all right but I don't think any discerning keyboard fan would love them in the long term so I can't say "buy these now!". For a short term stopgap they're quite serviceable, and the beamspring's unique feedback profile helps them feel more premium than they are.
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dodddummy
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM F122
- Main mouse: What's a mouse
- Favorite switch: IBM buckling springs.
Reply never works for me here so this...
I did a quick search for 'casting keycaps' and there are some on youtube I might give a go. This one looks promising.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIRkCXV ... BrZXljYXBz
I did a quick search for 'casting keycaps' and there are some on youtube I might give a go. This one looks promising.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIRkCXV ... BrZXljYXBz
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primus
- Location: Romania
Those keycaps are made by keymacs. You can buy them on his site. They are very interesting. I have some samples. But they are very expensive. They are extremely thick. Especially the keys longer than 1u. They only have enough space underneath for the switch housing. They are made in a custom profile that is supposed to be similar to symbolics keyboards. He makes topre, alps and MX stems. You can see some pics here https://www.instagram.com/p/CzLpLfasSsy/ . I think they are really cool, but too expensive for my blood. It would be interesting to try them out on the beamspring repros.