The iconic (and iconically clicky) IBM Model M keyboard has been a fan favorite for three full decades now – an unbelievable run in computer years. I take a look at the major revisions in this video, and I also answer the question of whether it’s still worth buying one in this second age of mechanical keyboards. Is the Model M still the One True Keyboard, and if so, which one should you get?
Some helpful links mentioned in the video:
All of the different model numbers and minor variants of the “Enhanced Keyboard”: https://deskthority.net/wiki/IBM_Enhanced_Keyboard
The screw, nut and bolt mod featured in the video: https://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/ibm-model-m-screw-nut-and-bolt-mod-t9169.html
Another site with slightly different instructions: https://wiki.geekhack.org/index.php?title=Modifications:IBM_Model_M:Nut_and_Bolt_Mod
Phosphor Glow will bolt mod your keyboard for you: https://phosphorglow.net/
Keep in mind that everyone does the screw/bolt mod a slightly different way. There’s not one way to do it.
Buy a pre-modded Model M on Ebay: https://ebay.to/2lWfkQy
Where to get the screws, nuts, and bolts in my video: https://www.mcmaster.com/
Part #’s:
Screws for screw mod: 91099A107 (I chose these on purpose for their undercut flat head)
Screws for bolt mod: 92005A029
Nuts for bolt mod: 90591A111
You can also get the required 5.5mm long socket there: 7195A38
Unicomp if you just want a new Model M, but I can’t vouch for these yet, and my understanding is that the quality isn’t quite the same (then again, some say the same about the blue logo Lexmarks): https://www.unicomp.com
IBM PC image attribution: Rama & Musée Bolo (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:IMB_PC-IMG_7271.jpg)
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There are lots of ways to figure this out, but how can it be done accurately with what you have around the house? Easy, we show you in this video of our parts manager Scott showing us a quick & easy way to do it.
We could sell a lot of wheels and brake hubs online, but because there was never a good “how to” to show people how to measure the bolt pattern out there we decided to make our own. Now we may make wheels and brake hubs available online. Visit us online at www.rondotrailer.com
Or we can use our template if you come in for a visit! We are in Sycamore, IL 60178 by DeKalb, Illinois