Restoring IBM Model M Keyboard with Destroyed Cable + USB mod

In this video I'll restore the legendary IBM Model M keyboard. The plastic is yellowed and dirty and the cable is broken. I will retrobright the plastic and mod the keyboard by adding an easily replacable USB cable so it works for a new PC and the cable will be easy to replace. This is a non destructive mod so it will be very easy for anyone to reverse the process if they want it to have the original PS/2 style cable. I also show how to make a coiled cable like old keyboards used to have.
Thanks for watchin as usual! The bellow links to amazon are affiliate links. I get a small fee of anything you buy after clicking them, but you pay no more than without clicking. This is a great way to support my channel.
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SOME TOOLS FROM THIS PROJECT:
Screw driver set: amzn.to/3WB3YjP
Soldering station: amzn.to/3t75jWc
Key cap puller: amzn.to/3OM2Jwe
PS/2 to USB adapter: amzn.to/49GAQxt
Isopropyl alcohol: amzn.to/42vUdX0
Hydrogen peroxide: amzn.to/3O5qOyF
UV light: amzn.to/48n5dZ0
3D printer: 3D Printer: shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=108542...
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#restoration
#repair
#tech
#asmr
#tech

[@FineappleRyan]

The quality of the transition at 6:08 did not go unnoticed. That was class.

[@kennynakawaki]

Wait wtf 🤣

[@Error-2156-X]

It was so good I didn’t even know there was a transition there

[@_Killkor]

Stealth 100

[@raerae1630]

Yes, I watched it a couple times to verify that it was the same container!

[@yoda1908]

6:04 is the transition

[@nfsfan0783]

Ah, yes, the sound of removing the keyboard buttons. So satisfying.

[@proYEEThean]

It's like bubble wrap for your ears

[@midnight_blue_moon]

Not so much for me. Repetetive noises make me anxious so after the first row or so I had to mute my volume until he was done.

[@commissarkordoshky219]

yes.

[@TheEmperorsSidekick]

Thup thup thup thup thup thup...........................thup

[@angeltensey]

no buckling spring- no fun.

[@ItsHyomoto]

The twist at the end was a wonderful touch, the whole project was a fun use of various components to produce a very satisfying result! But the cable twist? Look, this is a classic keyboard and paying respect to its original design with an detail you could have easily skipped? Pure bliss.

[@OddTinkering]

I couldn't have done this without it 😁 it so important part of the design. I used to love those cables as a kid whether it was on the phone or the keyboard. Luckily it seems they are making a comeback, some companies sell really expensive and fancy coiled cabels for modern keyboards

[@C.A._Old]

*old or classic school masterpiece.*

[@D0csavage1]

I worked in the assembly line for these IBM keyboards back in the 90's. They were regarded as the Rolls Royce of keyboards by IBM technicians. Other keyboards would be thrown away but these keyboards were returned for disassembly, cleaned by putting them in commercial dishwashers, worn parts renewed then shipped back as good as new.

[@bean420man]

These things are absolute tanks. I bought one about 5 years back that was made on my birthday no less, in 1990. Looks great and still works like a charm.

[@mistermyass9920]

The 80’s made boards (made by IBM and not Lexmark) are even better.

[@ireallyreallyreallylikethisimg]

​​@@bean420manI have one but it's a 1987 server rack model so it uses an RJ port for connection and the conversion boards seem complicated to install 😂

[@C.A._Old]

*old or classic school masterpiece.*

[@alanp3334]

Nice touch of taping the part you don't need inside, rather than binning it. Very classy!

[@ls190v2]

Cable? Disintegrated. Motherboard? Servicable. Keys? Servicable. Proof of how tough these things are. Nice work, Odd!

[@ThatGuySquippy]

Hotel? Trivago.

[@ls190v2]

@@ThatGuySquippy, what? How does Trivago relate to an ancient IBM keyboard?

[@kallisteinbarge5656]

​@@ThatGuySquippy I thought the same thing 😂

[@maticpodobnik]

​@@ls190v2for the meme

[@DaniiiAy]

​@@ls190v2it's a saying from an advertisement

[@Dorelaxen]

Ok, the coiling of the cable was next level.

[@cannonCoder]

The pliers aggressively chomping at the adapter at 6:57 was amusing

[@raerae1630]

It reminds me of that repair shop scene from The Brave Little Toaster

[@zixea3318]

Babe wake up new odd tinkering video

[@cmschmidt]

I love the clickity clack the keys made when you typed on them. Extra bonus they were almost indestructible.

[@lordlundar]

Wouldn't surprise me if it still worked before the resto.

[@Error-2156-X]

@@lordlundarhonestly same

[@LordHoth_09]

@@lordlundarhell, I know it would. Replace the cable and I’d bet that sucker had another 30 years in it, clean or dirty.

[@mehere8299]

They did fail, though. Usually it was the chip that failed.

[@grittykitty50]

that sound was very nostalgic

[@Mgn-1]

My parents used to work in a government building in my country and almost all pc’s had this keyboards, the clicking/clunky sound of the big bulky keys is now a good memory… Nice work!

[@ashlostbones]

Reminds me of the old retail POS systems with the bulky keys. Such a nostalgic sound

[@kiltio123]

I freaking love retrobrighting I'd watch a compilation of nothing but retrobrighting

[@maskddingo1779]

I havent seen a model M that needed it. Most are just cruddy with dirt.

[@katarh]

I'd say this one definitely benefited from it. I didn't realize for years that the color of the plastic wasn't actually yellow, because most of them I saw had been yellowed. But then I remembered the brand new Apple IIes that my school got when I was in 4th grade.... and they were in fact a nice shade of pale gray and not yellow.

[@kevinintheusa8984]

I have a bunch of these old keyboards in storage and I am still using a Northgate from 1988 on my current rig. These things were the best ever and I will never give up those that I saved from the trash bin. One of my office mates said I was nuts but now they are priceless and still type great. Great video.

[@kenhagen6122]

The secret is out on these things, and now they're pretty expensive. You're sitting on a gold mine 😂

[@lawrente]

I enjoy watching you restore "old" electronics. They're not necessarily that old to me, but I'm old. 😅

[@joacim178]

I must say that you are the only restoring creator that i have the sound on because you have cool soundeffects sometimes and i like that

[@marckyle5895]

between the bad music, obnoxious clickbaitness and constant chatter, there's not many others I'll watch. I do like My Mechanics. He's working on a Datsun 240Z right now.

[@jgvillan01]

Less sought after, as this type of Model M is rubber domed. Much prefer the buckling springs.

[@LoganCableTech]

I noticed the key sound was off, to say the least. Thanks for the clarification!

[@jgvillan01]

I noticed the stems were filled in. Bucking spring types, the stems would be hollow to accommodate the springs. @@LoganCableTech

[@coski87]

I came to the comments to say this, nice work on the restoration and modding but would be best on a buckling spring

[@michaldvorak1]

Wow, I totally forgot there were rubber dome Model Ms. The missing buckling springs confused the hell out of me.

[@supremacistdawn]

the model M is kinda dogshit no matter what switches are in them, remember it was introduced as a cheaper replacement for the model F

[@kytepheonix]

You say the cable is disintegrated... That is the reason I have wireless things now! ... Wait, no, CATS are the reason I have wireless things now because they made every cable look like that 😑

[@samuelfellows6923]

😠 - same thing with house rabbits

[@extremelydave]

Unfortunately you can't make power cords wirelessly for kitty cats....at least not yet. They only bite the power cords once though....until they make a connection.....HA!!!

[@davideyres955]

My mum has the same problem but with the wall paper and the net curtains.

[@anceptus]

Cats are masters of cable coiling. With themselves inside it.

[@sixteenbitify]

The Model M is such a good keyboard.

[@supremacistdawn]

mid keeb tbh the model F is way better

[@kennynakawaki]

8:21 damn he knows how to braid too 😂

[@red58impala]

My stepfather gave me my first computer back in 1995 and it came with one of these keyboards. I used that for years until I switched to the Microsoft ergonomic keyboard some years later. I really enjoyed using this keyboard the clicks provided confirmation you had typed the key. I now use a mechanical keyboard for the same reason. If IBM reintroduced this keyboard to the market again I'm pretty confident he'd chose this model over anything else he's used in the past 15-20 years.

[@supremacistdawn]

the superior model F has been resurrected by fans and is available to buy

[@lu.cicerone.cavalheiro]

About the Medusa hair's worth of cables inside the keyboard, as I have heard from a teacher on electronics technician formation I did long time ago, "if it fits and closes, it is well done".

[@OddTinkering]

There wasn't a lot of space over the circuit board but plenty at the side so it made sense to add longer cables to mount everything there. Also it will be a lot easier to maintain if ever needed

[@heitorgdo]

These restorations are visibly made with love, joy and respect

[@tim1479]

The editiing you did with the keycaps was really cool

[@kjamison5951]

A particularly excellent restoration because you added USB functionality yet retained the AT cable grip for the future! Thank you!

[@TacoWrath95]

Reminds me of when The 8-Bit Guy used to do restorations/repairs like this. Good work!

[@CaptainMarvelsSon]

I owned one, and I loved it. For me, your restoration channel is the only one worth watching. Thanks for another great video.

[@masonl87]

*initial shot* "Oh wow, I learned to type on one of these in 1997. Cool!" *shows the cable* "Oh god, aw jeez, what the FUCK!?!?!"

[@RuSosan]

"Look how they massacred my boy!"

[@haphazardprism]

Pulled apart for the sake of content 😂

[@mr.headcrab31]

@@haphazardprismNormally, I'd agree with you, but the Model M's cord, especially the Lexmark and MaxiSwitch manufactured ones turn brittle rather quickly. Had a NOS M13 that ended up looking the same in under a year.

[@haphazardprism]

@@mr.headcrab31 Possible, I'm sure. But for every real restoration there's like 10 fakes. And why not? it makes people money. Edit: I done a little research and I found some cables that were frayed, but nothing close to this videos. So, I still figure the damage was intentional.

[@mr.headcrab31]

@@haphazardprismI gotcha, the fake repair channels annoy me to no end as well. The Almighty Algorithm brought me in randomly, thought it was going to be more involved than just wiring in the Monoprice adapter and calling it a day. The earlier Ms, and the oddballs like the M13, draw more power than the later revisions, and cause the USB converter to disconnect and reconnect seemingly at random. The rest of this guy's channel? no idea, could very well be the shenanigans you speak of, but for the cable wear at least, that's legit. Probably still worked fine though. The cables are sheathed in plastic, then shielded from EMF with the foil, the signal wires had a different coating so they're probably still fine.

[@rovannerb]

Watched this while listening to Air on G String. Oddly satisfying.

[@cjmoss51]

1:09 was unusually satifying. I really wish someone would mold a replacement for that black plastic thing that holds the keys out of aluminum.

[@Error-2156-X]

You mean the key base?

[@LexusLFA554]

I did quite enjoy your restoration =D The legendary Ducktor returns with new produckts!

[@jacobmckenna8661]

That transition with the peroxide was smooth

[@furrymessiah]

It's good to have you back. I was beginning to have Ducktor withdrawal!

[@carolanne9217]

I was today years old when this man taught me how to finally uncoil my work phone’s cord. Thank you. You have done me a great service 😅

[@jasonevans498]

One of my favourite keyboards ever. An absolute joy to type on.

[@Stev417]

Yo I’m here when video is 13 seconds old!

[@candlesauce5858]

your restorations are so nice to watch, theyre relaxing and you have alot of skill but also humor

[@sofiaknyazeva]

This is the best restoration video and channel I've ever looked. I really enjoyed the quiet restoration, so subbed!

[@sa230e]

Sadly, this is not one of the collectable model Ms. The desirable ones had the buckling spring style switches that made a sort of mechanical twangy sound when you typed. Still a very nice restoration job, though!

[@Hitek146]

This is true. Real Model M's were much heavier, and more importantly used a detachable cable that could be unplugged from the keyboard....

[@JustYourAverageRetro]

1995? That looks terrible for something so new, after all that was only.....wait. 30 years ago??? When did that happen?

[@fretzil]

some plastics tend to just disintegrate with time, I picked up a model M that had the same issue, had to also replace the cable, wasn't as yellow though at least

[@TGtornadoe]

These are the perfect videos to watch right before sleep. It really puts the mind at ease. Thank you.

[@ToonlinkPlays-ex9hm]

I alwayss thought these old keyboards looked cool and sounded cool

[@TapscottJ]

Always amazing to see your work. And the Ducktor, of course. Every aspect was so cool, and the attention to detail is always amazing.👍

[@anothersiguy]

Editing the key cap removal part must have been hell lol. Great restoration!

[@StefanNoack]

There are tools to automatically make cuts like that based on the sound. Even manually it shouldn't take that long when looking at the audio track.

[@itsthemoonrabbit768]

Would have liked to see the LEDs for numb lock and stuff, but other than that satisfying as always. You make it look so approachable that I want to start restoring stuff myself!

[@evelynolazaba8236]

I thought to myself, will he show himself removing all the keys? Yes. Yes he did. And I enjoyed listening to it.

[@setoace]

IBM keyboards are extremely solid that could probably last more than a lifetimes. I regretted giving away to a junk collector two these keyboards (one has click metal spring) along with my Dad's old office PCs that I had 20 years ago. I could've mod those.

[@late244]

I've been using my BUCKLING SPRING 1988 IBM Model M for 10 years now, since I got a free from my grandparents IBM PS/2. It is made of PVC and PBT plastic, so it will not turn yellow. It also have thicker steel backplate and it is build very well. It still looks almost brand new.

[@TONYCGG]

I have been looking for this Keyboard for 3 months! Thank you for uploading this project and the KeyTronic

[@meganwalker9148]

Your videos have been a source of inspiration for me to try to restore and repair various electronics! Thank you for continuing to provide quality videos that are informative and relaxing

[@Whipiih]

"Keyboard from 1995" "30 years of dust inside" People born in 1995: "IT HASN'T BEEN 30 YEARS YET WDYM"

[@artramirez3506]

He could've purchased a coiled cord but instead he showed us how to make one. Awesome. Excellent video.

[@lazy_termite]

i personally think usb C or B socket would be a better option than usb A on a keyboard. mA-mA cables aren't that common, compared to mA-mB, mA-mC or mC-mC.

[@keiztrat]

Indeed

[@shogun2215]

Replacing the PS/2 commector with a USB makes me feel slightly uncomfortable for some reason. But I am glad you brought an old Model M back to life regardless :)

[@edenfeuchtwang]

I love how you make the most out of otherwise unusable parts! It's so refreshing to see someone so dedicated to preventing as much ewaste as possible ❤

[@FatCatGarfield]

Love these videos, I even got myself my own Ducktor because of you!

[@Banjalucanka]

Beautiful work, great sense of humor. 😄Always enjoy watching your videos, keep up the good work. 👍🏼

[@finnleyflint]

Always enjoying your videos. They are always so nice and calm. Such nostalgia to see the old keyboard.

[@matthwe3468]

That was fantastic as always. Just great stuff. Very relaxing and therapeutic.

[@IridiumFlames]

when the intro says "plastic is yellowed" and you KNOW immediately you're gonna see a beautiful recovery in OddTinkering's UV bath

[@Tall_Order]

So THATS how you curl a cable.

[@fourecks1]

I love that, man, the tasteful update of a classic. Excellent work!

[@renzo7042]

Just in time before i go to sleep! Keep up the awesome videos, love them❤

[@RenanOliveira-xq1lz]

Pretty cool. I'm not a big fan of old keyboards but had good moments in my memory you brought back with this restoration. Thank you and congratulation!

[@Froxyfan13]

I always enjoy your restorations❤ they are always amazing.

[@KeefJudge]

Nice - I like that the mod is reversible with the spare part taped inside and non-destructive changing of the socket.

[@luizguilhermeolivera3303]

Yeah that's te stuff! Love you vids! Dream is to send you my psp and see you bring it back to life 😢

[@abbydelamora7221]

Love your restoration videos! They are so calming ❤

[@mihane233]

That is a very beautiful MDA height mechanical keyboard. Satisfying to see it being restored!

[@oneshotme]

It looks great and you did a wonderful job restoring it as well!!!! I enjoyed your video so I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@AndrewPonti]

I'm 36 and I had a computer with this (hand-me-down from an office), and though I only had it a little, the satisfying clacking always stayed with me.

[@razorgcy]

A Type-C mod would've been the cherry on top, instead of the Type-A. Still, great restoration!

[@butterparty]

Even USB-B would have been sufficient. But we're nitpicking, a fantastic restoration!

[@hawkfeather6802]

It looks great! It was really cool to see how the cable got curly like that. And the new mod is genius 😄

[@Knightblade1981]

I enjoy your videos and enjoy all the restorations that you do.

[@Punksplay]

Every time I'm too lazy to open the translator for a comment, but I do it every time. Thank you for the video. Very interesting to watch. I don't watch any other restorations. Only you.

[@Kaaatie2395]

Favorite channel on KZbin, keep up the great work.

[@jayboo1447]

Awesome job @Odd Tinkering. Even I have a Windows 10 PC that's still working in my bedroom, you keep up the good work!

[@lazy_termite]

that's a really weird way to address a PC by it's OS, given the OS in question is a pretty modern one and supports a wide array of hardware.

[@rwxstudio7173]

Yeah, not sure what kind of flex that was but okay I guess.

[@javidambra]

Excelent!!! I would do the USB mod a little bit diferent 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@simoapell2537]

I'd choose to use USB B-type port instead of A-type as is (was) commonly used for peripherals. Could be that there wouldn't have been enough room for B-type though.

[@stephenwilson7641]

I got my IBM Model M keyboard in 1897 and have been using it since then. Computers come and go, but the Model M lives on. I have broken it down for cleaning twice, but I use Oxy-Clean and soak the case and keys overnight for a 'like new' appearance. Also, mine came with a connector on the rear of the keyboard for the cable, but it's an oddball IBM one-off connector. I had three of them, but two went to my kids, who also use them daily. Just one more example of excellent engineering killed by the penny-wise, pound-foolish bean counters and button sorters. Thanks for a good video!

[@samanthadean1083]

Awesome job from you and the Ducktor!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❤️❤️❤️

[@t.j.giroux5936]

At first I was super impressed with the skill/patience required to do these tasks….. then I was thankful for tech asmr, something I didn’t know I needed until I found this channel but seriously that funky doctor octopus looking “assistant” was an amazing thing of pure awesomeness. I need to find one of those for myself.

[@Demran100]

Your videos are awesome and very satisfying to watch 😊

[@alexj0101]

Nice work as always. Love the attention to detail.

[@AlexanderL23]

Removing the keyboard buttons were so satisfying to listen. Once again your talent is insane 😱

[@Chaos89P]

There's something timeless about the Model M keyboards.

[@DiannaAtherton]

You have the patience of a saint! Great job. All the letter keys removal.. epic

[@Razoredge]

The model M is the best keyboard ever created. I miss my old one so dearly.

[@weiner19]

Your knowledge blows my mind. Mad Props!

[@michaelburke5842]

Your restoration tell me everything needed to know.

[@skewdtchr85]

Absolutely love your restorations!

[@bilelsahraoui1881]

"Did you enjoy my restoration?" You have got to be kidding man! I'm absolutely delighted! Just keep up the amazing work! I said it before and i'll say it again: Perfection is your motto!

[@shafakthelegend]

Awesome restoration! Bravo 🎉

[@cyanidae_]

aww, this is the one i grew up on, we had our family computer with windows 95 for over 10 years and this was the keyboard! its like seeing an old friend i had forgotten about...

[@ForeverGhibli]

Is it me or did everyone have this keyboard? If I knew collectors wanted them I wouldn't have thrown it away a few years back 😅

[@neelamsunder4953]

Odd Tinkering: 'Who needs a toothbrush this big? A walrus?' Me: 'No, a keyboard.'

[@jackpumpoen]

somehow your best video for sleep yet. 4:51 is as far as i’ve gotten in like 4 attempts. no way a knock to your content though, i love it! it’s just so relaxing i tend to doze off

[@easonz4283]

I spent a year going through eBay and other place and was able to find my birthday model M. Absolutely love this board

[@ericlindau2039]

Very entertaining and good job with the restoration!

[@majomist]

Oh nostalgia hit hard with this one! I remember my first steps on a computer with edutainment games for toddlers, with this exact keyboard!

[@user-gf1bb5lk5w]

You have a prodigious talent sir! That was amazing 😮!

[@Invisibleman7]

Superb work as always