Model M

Customized and Upgraded IBM Model M Terminal Keyboard

This is my early 1990's IBM Model M terminal keyboard. I've replaced the original PCB (that was dead when I purchased it) with a custom board containing a Teensy ++ 2.0. A speaker has been added in the factory location on the bottom of the keyboard. The terminal versions of this keyboard did not come with status LEDs, so I built a custom board with NeoPixel LEDs and bought a new overlay from Unicomp. The LEDs are able to be set to any color or pattern, but will change solid green like OEM when enabled. The keyboard is running the VIAL version of QMK. The source for it and more information can be found on my Github. Below you will find some pictures of the build process. I didn't do a full documentation of the build, but feel free to reach out to me with questions.

1992 IBM Model M Terminal Keyboard

Teensy ++ 2.0 MCU

Panel mount mini USB extension cable

Connectors / Ribbon Cables / Protoboards

5cm 8ohm 0.5W speaker

NeoPixel LEDs x 3

VIAL QMK Firmware

The original dead controller board

Disassembled

The new Teensy controller

New controller wired up and ready to test

The new USB connector. I used micro usb because that's what I had on hand from a previous project

Fully converted to USB but prior to the status LEDs

Added RGB status LEDs

Some of the QMK code