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Using a Model M spacebar on Model F AT/122
Posted: 30 Jun 2021, 17:15
by ivanthetolerable
Does anyone have any advice on using a model M spacebar on an F (non xt)? I emailed Joe at ModelF keyboards and he suggested this adapter but didn't have advice on installation. I was directed to ask here. I would like to be able to hotswap model M spacebars since we can't really buy replacement F ones.
- Screenshot_20210630-063901.png (1.07 MiB) Viewed 2066 times
Re: Using a Model M spacebar on Model F AT/122
Posted: 30 Jun 2021, 22:46
by fohat
The easiest way is to slip 2 washers over the "V" and ",<" barrels. Wcass discovered that 7/16" SAE washers work quite well.
Their weight is just right, and although they may interfere with the bottom millimeter of key travel, it is hardly noticeable.
I don't know what the metric equivalent would be, or if there is one, but I tried other washers such as rubber, fiber, etc, but none worked properly.
Re: Using a Model M spacebar on Model F AT/122
Posted: 30 Jun 2021, 23:31
by ivanthetolerable
fohat wrote: 30 Jun 2021, 22:46
The easiest way is to slip 2 washers over the "V" and ",<" barrels. Wcass discovered that 7/16" SAE washers work quite well.
Their weight is just right, and although they may interfere with the bottom millimeter of key travel, it is hardly noticeable.
I don't know what the metric equivalent would be, or if there is one, but I tried other washers such as rubber, fiber, etc, but none worked properly.
Huh? Do you know if there's any pics of this?
Re: Using a Model M spacebar on Model F AT/122
Posted: 01 Jul 2021, 02:56
by fohat
The ones that I did are in deep storage. There is really nothing to it. Drop the washer over the barrel and slip the wire under it.
Re: Using a Model M spacebar on Model F AT/122
Posted: 01 Jul 2021, 03:07
by fohat
Re: Using a Model M spacebar on Model F AT/122
Posted: 01 Jul 2021, 15:14
by E TwentyNine
fohat wrote: 30 Jun 2021, 22:46
The easiest way is to slip 2 washers over the "V" and ",<" barrels. Wcass discovered that 7/16" SAE washers work quite well.
Their weight is just right, and although they may interfere with the bottom millimeter of key travel, it is hardly noticeable.
I don't know what the metric equivalent would be, or if there is one, but I tried other washers such as rubber, fiber, etc, but none worked properly.
I had tried it with both metal and nylon washers. The metal was too clangy and the nylon was just ok.
Ended up epoxying down two of the wire catches from another spot on the board. If you don't have the spares you could make something similar I would guess.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=52379
Re: Using a Model M spacebar on Model F AT/122
Posted: 01 Jul 2021, 15:36
by fohat
I have done this several times. Epoxy the tabs to bare metal, otherwise the paint layer might separate.
The tabs were bent strips of sheet metal. Cuts from food tins are a bit flexible but work well enough.
Re: Using a Model M spacebar on Model F AT/122
Posted: 01 Jul 2021, 15:50
by Sheepless
fohat wrote: 01 Jul 2021, 15:36
I have done this several times. Epoxy the tabs to bare metal, otherwise the paint layer might separate.
The tabs were bent strips of sheet metal. Cuts from food tins are a bit flexible but work well enough.
I used 0.2mm steel tinplate, bent into a U shape and epoxied down. No problems since, though it'll be a pain to remove if that's ever needed.