Beam Spring: Dead Keyboard Tech w/USBc
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- Опубликовано: 9 апр 2023
- We're kicking it old skool with Wendell as he checks out the beam spring keyboard from Model F Labs! Whoa!
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Intro and Outro Music By: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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Original beam springs often didn’t have stabilizers for 2u or 3u keys because the switches were good enough to handle even pressing on the very edge or wall of the cap. Beamspring switch is so well-designed that you could push the key sideways and it would still go down perfectly smoothly!
USB C connectors for keyboards should really extend past the PCB and be sandwiched between the case to stop vertical movement happening, doesn't take much to break SMD connectors off the board if the cable is snagged when moved.
Yeah - the university where I work at has been looking for 'armoured' type-c PCB connectors to put up with abuse in the various sensors/electronics we build from scratch.
@@RamonInNZ How about an ultra-short extension cable with the female end screw-clamped to the chassis? If it gets mangled, replace it. The best thing I'm seeing on Amazon for that application are 20cm with a right-angle connector on the male end, so you could design the PCB with the jack on the side, and not need *too* much internal volume to route it to the front panel.
A lot of custom boards use a daughterboard, a small PCB with the connector. Very cheap and easy to replace if it breaks. Some older boards did that too, one of my early boards was a WASD brand one, I broke the connector and support sent out a replacement including pry tools.
The board isn't anything to write home about but i'm glad they had a daughterboard in there.
What about a connector like those between those coiled cables, I think it's called QDC. So you insert it, then screw it on to secure it.
The college library that my parents went to had an old IBM terminal with a beam spring keyboard along with old 8088s with model f and m keyboards. I'm glad these conversions and reproductions are made. Now the real question, serial or PC Jr style interface for the connector
PC Jr or course! 😅
Wendell's new diet and lifestyle change is doing him wonders! I almost didn't recognize him from that old clip! He looks like a different person, who also happens to be 10 years younger! 💪💪
That capacitive Unicomp conversion is pretty interesting lol. I would still probably go for a 122 key Model F from Elipse or his 122 key Beamspring.
Ah... The battleship keyboard. The keyboard weapon of choice if you ever needed to use it in a combat situation.
The original IBM keyboard had that most civilized of extras -- a place to put your pencil.
Yup, I that tray on top of mine is always occupied with pen, pencil, erase, and a few other items. All keyboards should have that.
For the USB C connection, consider getting any one of the now myriad of magnetic connector adapters that allow the cable to be ripped away, without damaging either the port or cable. Additionally, there are types that change the angle of the connection, so you can have right angle connectors allowing the cord to run along the keyboard back, rather than sticking straight out.
Good points about USB-C! If a device isn't going to be seeing tons of mating cycles, something sturdier does make a lot of sense. I know it doesn't support the goal of ultimate thinness, but I sort of wish that USB-C had been designed to take at least a bit of the plastic inside. It's quite easy to damage a connector and even a port because the amount of stiff material sticking out creates a lever that can be efforlessly pushed with one clumsy move.
My dad used to occasionally bring home one of those IBM "luggables" and it came with the amazing Model F keyboard. I occasionally used to write short stories on it. The keyboard was probably the best I have ever used.
I am very much looking forward to these new Beamspring remakes from Ellipsis.
Wow! You have lost some weight! Good for you! Congratulations. Thank you for the video.
Oh, thanks very much Wendell, for making me feel very very old. Reaaally appreciate it 😓
9:55 Totally agree with you here. The robust and strong connection of USB type B connector best suits a keyboard that is not meant to be disconnected everyday.
These big beasts were my first intro to a keyboard that was not a typewriter. I tossed out so many of these over the years never thinking they would be useful .
You tossed out a fortune. Even the poor condition ones were going for big bucks the last time I looked. I have a dozen of them myself, but none of them modified to work with a modern PC, nor would the layout really be suitable for me, so I've just kept them in storage. I guess I should have sold them. Maybe the price for the old ones will drop now that these replicas are out.
I was able to get a beamspring 5251 back in 2017, paid 120 bucks for it, used to carry it around my high school.
Why did you carry it around? As a weapon? Or to build muscles in your arms?
@@aaronlee6821 i didn't like the Dell keyboards in my programming class and I was cool
@@matthewpalmer9820 lmao physical lol bro, for anyone who didn't pick up on his sarcasm, making a public spectacle of your autistic "hobby" is the definition of uncool. (pls don't do it)
Thanks Wendell and team for this and the history
Editor: lol nope we're leaving it in
The sound is like no other!
finally something to thwack expensive cherry keyboards with.
Wait wtf that guy who made model F77 now made a Beamspring keyboard kit? this is very interesting.
I am defiantly going to get the Unicomp conversion. Its been my main keyboard for a few years now.
My dad worked for Sperry-Univac. I remember spending time on some beautiful keyboards.
Did anything ever come of the M to F conversion kit? I have a unicomp 122 I'd love to convert to F style switches.
for the usb-c i do agree that it is a concern. however for a product this size my feeling is there should internally be a seperate daughter pcb that can be chosen as either type b or c. and then when it inevitably breaks it does not have to destroy main pcb with it etc.
as for how to solve - yes recessing i agree. but if that has not been designed in, then can buy either a right angled usb-c cable is one partial help.... the other help are those usb-c cables that are like magsafe. with a magnetic end that breaks away under duress. h2h
Has there been a controller kit for the Unicomp New Model M (2020)? Thanks!
I really liked my old buckling spring keyboards from the 90's, but $580 is really steep.
How do you like the feel of the Beam Spring compared to the Model F?
What is your daily driver?
If you're a fast typist, would the delay in the release of the key slow you down when double pressing a key?
Wendell, this is VERY cool. It's not older than me... LOL.
That keyboard has had a lot of birthdays
oh boy, capacitive unicomp? that's exciting!
The oldest I've had was a vic20. I don't know what it used as a spring system, but, I miss it , every day
In would like to get my hands on a capacitive type board to replace my membrane keyboard along with the usb keyboard connector to replace my ps/2 connector. Please let me know when that is available.
I am still using my model m 2 keyboard I purchased back in the year 2000. Uncertain if it is a unicomp keyboard though.
Only connector I've had outright fail is USB-B... the pins just outright fell out of the port when removing a cable straight out.
You are a cool dude. I can imagine you being that cool prof at a school.
Keyboard nerds are at another level
11:35 Yes! What you really want to do is recess the connector completely, and then provide for strain relief and cable routing. Check the Keychron C3 Pro to see how they implemented USB-C.
Even some razer mice that I own have a usb connector that has a huge plastic moulding around it that sockets into a slot in the mouse or in the dock. That takes almost all of the stress on the Connector away. I get they don't want to use that because akward cable replacement but it's an easy solution
Hell Wendell, you're looking fantastic lately !
Just wait until Wendell discovers the custom keyboard trend of using "aviator connectors" for USB signals ...
Got two of them, with my custom parachute cord....no coil though.
I suppose I'm "lucky" with my type-c keyboard, the connector is well within it and it has little clips for the cable so the connector should never really be stressed.
Also makes more sense than B in this location because it's under the keyboard, but it could always be moved.
M to f conversion? Sign me up
Also, congratulations on the weight loss! Keep it up!
Previous manager had to swap out these Model M IBM keyboards. It seems some of these keyboards had a cache built in and if the user could type over 100 wpm or faster than the terminal would freeze up creating tickets.
that membrane is insane
Love to hear more about M to F conversion lol
I like having USB-C on my keyboard because I travel with it - there's been many times when I forgot my phone charger and my keyboard cable saved me!
Yeah USB C is not really needed if you arent trying to transfer high amounts of data quickly. So if thats the case, it would be better to go with the physically stronger connector
Keyboards with beams and springs
WAY older than me, I still love it
I bet Wendel wouldn't even like me but I could listen to him talk all day long!
Did you guys ever get anywhere with your "M to F" conversion for Unicomp Model M keyboards?
Yeah but the volume likely isn't there. Software is a bit lacking for the cap sense PCB version but it feels good converting a unicomp m to f at least.
@@Level1Techs It's a shame the volume isn't there. Have you considered demoing it in a video? As a model F/M fan I'd love to see/hear the thing in action.
M to F conversion? Hell yeah!
I am older than the Beamspring Keyboard. Not to sure if I should be happy about that though!!
man wendell did lose so much weight
YES!! Fellow engineer here. USB-C *SUCKS* mechanically. Surface mount connectors of any kind do not belong on a keyboard either.
Insane in the membrane. Sorry, couldn't resist :)
You look slim keep up the good work!
12:11 why are these pictures of lightning connectors when we are talking about USB C?
USBC one end lightning on the other. In the context of adapters. C to c cables are not super common yet
dang thats alot of SSK's i wish i had an industrial variant of the SSK i just have a normal one
I snagged a few industrial SSKs years ago off of Ebay from someone who didn't realize what they had, I think for about $50 each. Never opened them or used them. If I recall the ones I have are with the blue Mopar keys. Maybe I should dig them out and sell them. I've never really used any of my SSKs except for when I travel. For desktop use I prefer the full layout.
bruh the usb-c thing, i get into so many arguments with friends where they call me a boomer but USB A is GOAT
He's getting more jacked by the day. TRT baby
I would really like a 60% version 😍
I think a keyboard with a c-hub built in would be a cool thing, but you're right you don't need usb-c for just a keyboard.
Are you telling me the VIC-20 was modelled after a keyboard from the 70s?
Beamspring?
You had me at first click.
Finally!
Ooo IBM/beam spring keyboards, someone called?
would have appreciated a longer typing test demo
Philmore 61-628 8 Pin Male Chassis Socket or less pins, not shure how many needed. these would be the best strong old school looking. i use them.
Woot!
It should just have an 8P8C/RJ-45 connector so you can just chop the end off whatever cable happens to be in fashion and crimp on something standard
the beeeeeeeeemz
I feel like you could make a housing for the USB C connector that would clamp down on the cable securely, but yeah, if there's no built in hub or anything else in the keyboard it's a waste of what few Type C ports most motherboards & cases have. I don't think people care about the bandwidth, as outside external drives, most peripherals simply aren't going to use that much bandwidth.
Building a Type C hub into the keyboard would be ideal.
But the wobble in those keys is bothersome to me.
That's a 3270 keyboard isn't it ? (had one of those for a while, printer used to shake my house)
The keys on this keyboard look extremely wobbly in this video. Were original beamspring keyboards like that, or are the new replicas more wobbly? Or is it just an artifact of filming?
I don't know that I want that "electric sensation" when using my keyboard - although, I suppose it depends on the voltage ;)
If electric typewriter (Selectric) sensation, then absolutely, yes, I want it.
@@aaronlee6821 I think I'll stand my ground. I want to know the voltage first :D
Yeah! Something's older than me.
Beamspring!
Hey ... I am from the 1970's :O
The first and worst keyboard I had was the ZX Spectrum rubber-top dome-switch multi-functional HORROR.
Then came the Commodore 64 with a slightly less total cr@psh00t or a keyboard.
Then finally an XT. Don't know what keyboard it came with. Maybe it was an M-type.
That said. Kinesis Advantage is the best thing that ever happened on my desk. (other than the 10+ different trackballs I tried ..)
When it comes to keyboards: gaming has to be "normal" and mechanical (blue clicky preferred).
When it comes to typing, it has to be non-staggered and mechanical (blue or brown preferred)
The XT was a Model F, but the layout wasn't very good. That IBM AT was also a Model F, but a better layout. Model M layout is the best layout of the three, IMHO, but the key feel is inferior.
comparing these dinosaur keyboards with modern keyboards.
if using USBc the keyboard should be a USBc hub, would make for convenient spots to plug in phones, card readers, portable hard drives etc
Sadly No. It's not older that me. I am in fact older. But thanks for the reminder! 🙄🤦♂ If you adding USB to something like a keyboard then please also add a USB Hub. Check out the Dell SK-8135 which has two USB 2.0 ports which are good enough for a mouse or other low power devices. A version that supported USB 3.2 Gen 1 would be nice 😀
Me too. Made me feel old when he said it's probably older than us.
both of these keyboards are older than me
It would be nice if it were like the framework laptop, an internal USB-C port, but then a little block that swapable with the USB-C port that is cheap and easily replacable, Do you want USB-B, just use the USB-B version of the card
6:12 Including hammers? 😳
The beamsprigs are amazing , i have one , i dont use it all the time but its fantastic .
Not double height keyboard but ISO enter
Didn’t you call it endless paper back then? At least in German it was called Endlospapier.
please hurry with your model m to model f conversion! I am looking for a Model M that is actually reliable.... and there is just nothing available right now!
M to F conversion, i though that was going somewhere different
More model M mods!
#M⁴
A $600 Keyboard??? I was born before these old keyboards..........and used them.......but $600.........hmmmm ya really gotta love typing on it. hahaha
I mean, an original beamspring keyboard is two or three times that price so while it might be pricy it's not exactly expensive
@@davidjonsson7165 I typed on IBM Selectronics that weren't that expensive brand new, but thanks for the reply........I do enjoy your vids. (I am becoming a bigger fan of Linux with every new and improved windows version.)
M to F conversion.... are you transitioning?
this passed week i was looking at weytec keyboards , if people say this one are big dunno about these weytec with 170% keys ahahaha , but i cannot find annyoe selling them nnor people wanting to do it all over =(
People who love USB-C only ever use it to charge their phones.
I wasn't too old! (well ... if being 11 counts 🤪🤪😂😂🖖🏻🖖🏻
I just want the keycaps with a cherry mount. No way I can afford $500+
USB-C all the things. Your keyboard isnt going anywhere to "rip off" the connection.
No I disagree. Type C is still the way to go. But with the USB-IF standardized screwed in cables.
I find the uneven gaps quite disappointing, especially for the price you are paying
Those keyboards vs. the typewriters from the 70s .. Keyboard wins.. lol..
Which typewriters from the 70's? You simply cannot duplicate the feel of those old IBM Selectrics. As much as I love the old IBM keyboards, there was never a better feeling keyboard than the Selectric, IMHO.
Love keyboards, but 550 USD for one is not worthy it.
If you're a professional and use your keyboard a lot, having a keyboard that you're the most comfortable with and the most productive on is well worth a $550 investment, if you ask me. For personal use, you have a point, though.