Re: Fix/clean IBM model M

On Fri, 3 Apr 2026 20:52:01 +0000 (UTC)
adr <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Fri, 3 Apr 2026, Todd Gruhn wrote:
> > I have a key ( pipe and back-slash ); I cant
> > use this key. Idea how to make this key  work
> >u again?
> 
> This is an old-school mechanical keyboard. There is a big trend
> now mostly in the gaming world. I like the feedback for typing but
> most enthusiasts these days are gamers. The problem is that unlike
> modern mechanical keyboards, some even not needing soldering for
> replacing switchers, this thing is built solidly in a block and is
> not meant to be easyly disassembled. If you like mechanichal
> keyboards I recommend you to by a new one, there are farely good
> cheap chinese ones with swappable caps and switchers, just choose
> the switchers' color (type) that suit you, and donate that keyboard
> to a retro museum, where someone maybe has the time to take this
> thing appart, clean everything and repare broken paths in plastic
> circuits with toxic silver paste... just an advise.

Within the United States at least, the actual Model M keyboard
production line is still active and building them. The current company
will even repair vintage keyboards as well as sell you a new one.

https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/category/Repair

It's not cheap though. I got a quote on replacing the cable and
repairing the tracpoint on my blue label M13, and was not within my
budget at the time.

-- 
Aaron B. <[email protected]>