IBM model M keycaps

[casebuilder]

i just got a new (to me) ibm model m space saver from october 1987. the only problem is that it is missing the left shift and control buttons. anybody know where i can get replacements? this is the model that has the keycap and stem as one module. clickykeyboards.com selles keycaps and stems as seperate items. is there any way i can get the keys from a reliable seller?

 

[ssddx]

have you tried unicomp? i believe they sell keys and keycaps.

 

[casebuilder]

yes i tried them and it seems they do not currently have the multi wide keys in stock. would the key and cap style sold from clickykeyboards work with my model?

 

[ssddx]

the white one? aka this one


edit: image removed for clarification



afaik the same keys for the m fit the spacesaver (basically its a 10keyless).

the keycap+stem and one-piece-molded both fit into the same style mechanism so should be interchangeable. not sure if the one would have a very slight height difference or not so i'd stay with the same sort of design you have already (not sure if you have the k+s or 1piece)

provided the keyboard layout is the same (ie not the L shaped enter key, etcetera) the keys from a full size should fit the spacesaver so if you had 1piece you could change out to all stems.

as far as the black one is concerned (the trackpoint models) they use black keys and may be hard to find keys for (and you'd be stuck with exact replacements)

clickykeyboards deals in all original ibm m parts afaik so isnt a bad choice however they are often sold out of most items (since they have a limited stock). the items they dont have are clearly marked "sold out". another option is ebay such as this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replacement-Keys-and-Keycaps-for-IBM-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-Choose-Any-Key-/190795326001?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c6c49a231

if you wanted to change over all the keys from 1piece to k+s (again not sure what type yours is) you sometimes can find whole lots of all keys from an m. or just buy a broken (nonworking) m and take the keys.

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i have two model m's (one from 1987, one from 1991) and while i cant say i'm 100% certain since i dont have a spacesaver as far as i can tell they are just a cut down m and look to have the same size keys (and i know the mechanism is the same). i've done a fair bit of research on the m from repair to modding and have owned and used one a long time so i'm pretty confident those keys will work. but since i havent personally used or owned a spacesaver... its an educated guess.

all of what i said only applies to the white model. not the trackpoint black model. if you have the trackpoint you are screwed and ned to buy those exact keys

 

[casebuilder]

yes i have the white one but the key layout is slightly different. the best way to explain is with pics but i am having trouble figuring out how to post pics on this site. help with that would be apperciated.

 

[ssddx]

just upload to tinypic.com and give us the url

 

[casebuilder]

http://imgur.com/T0Mty39[img]

[img]http://imgur.com/miVcZZw[img]

[img]http://imgur.com/T0Mty39[img]

[img]http://imgur.com/oVTXPkP[img]

 

[casebuilder]

ims orry but im a complete noob to this site. but is there any way to write a response not in the quick response area? once agian im sorry for my noobieness.

 

[ssddx]

html doesnt really work for forums. just use the direct link...
http://imgur.com/T0Mty39
http://imgur.com/miVcZZw
http://imgur.com/T0Mty39
http://imgur.com/oVTXPkP

or if the images are small (like thumnails) or if there arent a whole lot of photos you can use the

[ i m g ] and [ / i m g ]

tags to directly post photos (putting the image URL between the tags without any spaces in the tags

to post in the detailed entry form click the post an answer button to the top right of the quick reply area at the bottom of the page.

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actually it was me who made a goof.... i used an image of one of those wonky key layout ones earlier which is why it has that strange looking enter key. my mistake (i was going to link another image originally but then swapped it at the last second because i liked the size and layout of this one better... without looking at the enter key... DOH!

this is what a standard 101 key us-layout model m looks like..

see the resemblance?

sorry for the confusion.

 

[casebuilder]

right sorry about that. now i understand.

 

[casebuilder]

hmm it worked in the preview post. oh well. you saw them right?

 

[ssddx]

yes... and i linked them in my response.

it looks like you are missing the left ctrl and the left shift buttons.

the shift key is a one piece design (left side is a key stem, right side is just a pin which rides in the hole) and the ctrl key is a key stem + keycap (seperate pieces, at least on older standard layout m's) combination.

on closer inspection it does look like some of the keys are printed a bit different (looks like they added numbers to JKL..... etcetera but other than the difference in printing i think they use the same size keys (you have all those keys though)

 

[casebuilder]

yeah thats what i thought. i think i am going to buy from clickykeyboards.com. once again thanks for your help