New Beam Spring Keyboards

6/1/2026 at 12:45:33 AM

Note that Ellipse/modelfkeyboards is notorious in the keyboard community for poor quality control and support. The keyboards often come misaligned or damaged in shipping, and it's up to you to fix them. I'm not sure about their beam spring keyboards, but their Model F keyboards come without keycaps installed, meaning that the keys haven't even been tested to actuate properly before the keyboard is shipped. If you have the money and free time, you can usually turn what you receive into a working product with enough tweaking. You just have to keep in mind that you'll be paying over $400 for a keyboard that may arrive broken, and if it does you will have as close to no warranty as what's legally possible. If you dig around on forums and in comments you can find a bunch of examples of this, but here's a decent summary: https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Model_F_Labs

by ndiddy

6/1/2026 at 1:40:25 PM

What a contrast against MoErgo, which I recently contacted just to notify them that a keycap broke in transport due to rough handling by the postal service.

Although spare keycaps came with the purchase and the broken one still worked anyway, they insisted on sending me a replacement for the keycap that broke.

by kqr

6/2/2026 at 1:10:15 AM

I'm eyeing a MoErgo Go60 at the moment... Which one did you buy?

by ebbi

6/1/2026 at 2:29:37 AM

I have a model F and yes it was tricky to get working. The new beam spring (v2, metal case) was a breeze to set up (just put the caps on, mx style) and works flawlessly.

The keyboard sits very high and it is a very different feel (long travel, very loud) but it is unlike any other keyboard I have used and very inexpensive compared to used original beam springs.

Worth a look if you are a retro keyboard enthusiast.

by recursivedoubts

6/1/2026 at 5:07:11 AM

> You just have to keep in mind that you'll be paying over $400 for a keyboard that may arrive broken, and if it does you will have as close to no warranty as what's legally possible.

PinePhone Pro vibes, except the PPP's problem isn't lack of QC; it's just lack of (FOSS) SW support. Pay 400 bucks, may need lots of tweaking/work to get it usable. Market is enthusiasts that aren't satisfied by anything else and/or that want to support it out of principle.

by jolmg

6/1/2026 at 2:53:25 PM

At about the same time ModelFKeyboards posted his comment here, somebody created a new account on that wiki, then removed much of the negative information on the page and replaced it with similar wording to the comment (including deleting a scan of the warranty policy for "DMCA reasons"). This was what the page looked like at the time I made my comment: https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=Model_F_Labs&old... . If it was him, this would violate the wiki's conflict of interest policy: https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Consumer_Rights_Wiki:Conflict_... .

by ndiddy

6/1/2026 at 10:28:22 PM

>At about the same time ModelFKeyboards posted his comment here, somebody created a new account on that wiki, then removed much of the negative information on the page and replaced it with similar wording to the comment (including deleting a scan of the warranty policy for "DMCA reasons").

I appreciate the alert, thank you my friend.

by larossmann

6/1/2026 at 1:05:54 AM

Thanks for posting this. I've been looking at getting one but this has made me pause.

by fooqux

6/1/2026 at 1:54:44 AM

Yeah it's a shame because his keyboards are genuinely good, I just find it strange that he operates like this. If he charged an extra $100 or whatever and acted like a normal company (fully assembling and testing prior to shipping out products, packaging things properly so they don't get damaged in shipping, having a mail-in warranty service, that sort of thing) I think he'd have better sales.

by ndiddy

6/1/2026 at 11:17:23 AM

All of those things would cost a hell of a lot more than $100 unit. Probably closer to doubling the price.

by TylerE

6/1/2026 at 2:47:06 AM

See my sibling comment: the v2 beam spring keyboard (metal version) worked immediately out of the box and all I had to do was but key caps on.

This is an enthusiast producing these and the beam spring mechanism is entirely redone with modern touches (e.g. support for mx style keycaps) so there is risk, but mine works great. I think that the fully enclosed beam spring mechanism should hold up better during shipping than the spring-and-barrel mechanism on the model F.

Of course YMMV and it is an expensive and rare keyboard, but my experience has been good.

by recursivedoubts

6/1/2026 at 2:21:29 AM

The keyboards look janky. Why buy this over something like Das Keyboard which has mechanical keys as well and is cheaper?

by jmspring

6/1/2026 at 2:31:56 AM

Because it’s a physical mechanism that has a unique feel that modern switches don’t mimic.

I like lots of keyboards and switches but this is a unique switch with deep historical roots that has been brought back to life by an enthusiast. I think it’s worth supporting (if you can afford it) on general principle.

by recursivedoubts

6/1/2026 at 9:57:03 AM

MX switches are the entry point of the "mechanical keys". You can go into way too many rabbit holes beyond consumer brands like Das Keyboard.

There are topre capacitive switches (HHKB, Realforce etc) , buckling spring switches like the ones in this post (& older IBM model M, Unicomp), Alps switches (older mac keyboards, matias), and an endless selection of MX compatible customized switches. All with different tactility and sound profiles.

Merely "having mechanical keys" is a very basic criteria especially for enthusiasts who might have very specific requirements and preference for how their keyboards should feel and sound. This one is mainly targeted towards those enthusiasts.

by TwoFerMaggie

6/1/2026 at 2:13:07 PM

It's a real shame that the world standardized on MX and ALPS has been left in the dust.

by Blackthorn

6/1/2026 at 4:55:46 PM

I think it's because ALPS stopped making keyswitches when rubber domes completely took over the market in the early 2000s, and Cherry kept making MX switches. When the mechanical keyboard market started back up in the early 2010s, Cherry was there and ALPS wasn't. I agree it's a shame. I think we've seen clicky switches become a niche and most of the market switch to linear switches mainly because MX style clicky switches are fundamentally incapable of feeling as tactile or having as deep of a click as ALPS style switches due to how they're shaped and how the components are arranged internally. I don't blame everybody for preferring linear if "clicky" means "high pitched plasticky sound and a barely perceptible bump in the middle of the key travel". At least Matias still makes modern ALPS style switches, they're one of the best clicky options available today.

by ndiddy

6/1/2026 at 10:16:45 PM

> At least Matias still makes modern ALPS style switches, they're one of the best clicky options available today.

Would be great if they don't have chatter issues.. I'm typing on my third matias and all three started chattering after some use. Their quiet switches are the best tactile ones I've ever tried. Sound so nice too.

by TwoFerMaggie

6/1/2026 at 10:50:25 PM

Their clicky switches (Matias Click) don't have this issue, I think it's only on the tactile ones (Matias Quiet Click). Agreed that it's a shame they've been selling them for so long and haven't worked out how to make them not chatter.

by ndiddy

6/1/2026 at 11:18:34 AM

Mechanical was always a dumb name. A collapsing rubber dome is a mechanism anyway.

by TylerE

6/1/2026 at 5:29:26 AM

Essentially every keyboard key is mechanical. Most "mechanical keyboards" are using Cherry MX or Cherry MX-like key switches.

The key switches in these are as different in design from a Cherry MX switch as a Cherry MX switch is from a rubber dome.

by clhodapp

6/1/2026 at 9:24:36 AM

Guess I spin around and go back to Unicomp...

Kinda digging the Mini M. https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/MINI_M

by kotaKat

6/1/2026 at 2:50:00 PM

I suppose you have to look at it as this person is just unwilling or unable to operate in a different way at this price point, and if you want a new beam spring keyboard, right now there is no competitor.

by nsxwolf

6/1/2026 at 12:12:47 AM

Some keys won’t work right away – you are responsible for making this keyboard work

Do not use any beam spring keyboard in a mission-critical environment.

I can say this is the first time I've seen this in the sales description for a keyboard. Are these assembled from NOS parts?

by userbinator

6/1/2026 at 12:37:48 AM

Having dealt with this vendor in the past he uses verbiage like this to weasel out of INAD claims (eg. if something is defective he’ll just point to this and deny your return) - I wouldn’t trust him with a $400 keyboard

by momopoco

6/1/2026 at 12:21:39 AM

I’m not going to call it dumb, but I will will say… reading that bit, I don’t understand this product at all and could not be further from their target market.

by appplication

6/1/2026 at 2:05:20 AM

I don’t understand it either and I know people who are in it. Super expensive keyboards are one of the strangest hobbies I’ve heard of!

by chongli

6/1/2026 at 5:37:25 AM

I'd understand it more if super expensive keyboards actually improved typing speed and accuracy, but I think they just like the sound and feeling of the keys.

I have a rare board with Blue Alps switches, from when most keyboards were mechanical; it's definitely very clicky and tactile, but I rarely use it because I can type much faster on a generic low-profile one with soft and cushy rubber domes.

by userbinator

6/1/2026 at 10:32:28 AM

These are keyboards for users of LLMs. Every time their keyboard falls apart they are reminded that LLMs can make mistakes.

by amelius

6/1/2026 at 2:26:25 AM

Woah, how is this legal?! Actually, is it?

by stodor89

6/1/2026 at 4:37:44 AM

All it means is you have to follow the instructions to set it up; it doesn't come working out of the box. Yes, it's legal to sell products that require setup and are only partially assembled out of the box. Think of a more extreme example like a backyard swing set for kids that comes all packed up in a box. The keyboard is guaranteed to work after you follow the setup, and you can send an email for help if you are stuck.

by ModelFKeyboards

6/1/2026 at 8:35:46 AM

This isn't saying "you have to do some assembly" it's saying "random parts may be broken and that's your problem to solve however you can". If the "g" key is broken it might be as simple as needing to pop the key in/out or it might be as complex as a defect in the board/just plain broken key you need to go source a replacement for yourself. It's very vague because it's saying any fixes are on the buyer, not just some assembly.

If you mean to say you have to assemble but you get support/replacements if that doesn't work out then that would be a lot better to put than the current text.

by zamadatix

6/1/2026 at 5:23:02 PM

Yes, that's actually step 2 in the manual - check everything and email me if something broke in shipping. I get emails when things break so people do follow the manual! The manual was significantly updated recently.

by ModelFKeyboards

6/1/2026 at 7:08:59 PM

If it's in the manual that's great, the problem is with what's on the purchase page though.

by zamadatix

6/2/2026 at 12:21:03 AM

That’s the crux of it, he will use what’s on the purchase page to deny your return and any credit card chargebacks.

by momopoco

6/1/2026 at 4:38:15 AM

Probably, if "for parts or not working" is a valid description for items on eBay.

by userbinator

5/29/2026 at 1:39:41 PM

Hi HN,

I know many of you are keyboard aficionados and I wanted to let you know that the Model F keyboard guy is making a 2nd generation of his Beam Spring keyboards. I got one and it is unlike any other keyboard I have ever used: the tactile feedback is precise like a buckle spring but louder and with a more pronounced break. Travel feels longer and obviously the keyboard sits very high compared to modern board. But it's a heck of a typing experience if you are interested.

I've you've never heard of beam spring keyboards, this was the IBM keyboard before buckle-springs (same guy, Richard Harris) took over. It uses a very different mechanism than buckle-spring:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFYoh5VcZvg

Very cool that someone is working to bring back these older key switches!

From the page:

> What is a Beam Spring Keyboard? Before the Model F keyboard was the Beam Spring keyboard, a keyboard that was designed to be like the IBM Selectric electric typewriters but made to work with IBM’s mainframe terminals. Originals regularly sell for over $1,000 to $2,000 but now you can get one in various “normal” modern layouts and various color options for a fraction of that cost. The new beam spring keyboards are also compatible with MX keycaps (see below for details).

by recursivedoubts

5/31/2026 at 10:27:08 PM

"Like a Model F, but louder" is a heck of a pitch. I'm interested!

by MengerSponge

6/1/2026 at 12:26:04 AM

Are mechanical keyboards becoming a way to show off like the programmer equivalent of loud truck exhaust?

The sound is satisfying yes, but with other people in mind I am looking for the quietest mechanical keyboard I can find these days. I have become self conscious about typing quietly during phone calls or meetings in case I am unmuted.

by porknubbins

6/1/2026 at 12:29:56 AM

I had to switch to low force choc couple years ago over tendon pain. Ended up on totem for day to day & bad wings for travel. 20g silent nocturnal switches. Silencing mechanism also gives bottom out a rubber feel, worth it just for that

by __s

6/1/2026 at 4:39:06 AM

20g? How do you use it? I'm light typist, I'm not hammering on keys at all and even 32g is too nervous for me, I can't rest my fingers on keyboard without typing a novel. Can't imagine 20g keys.

by ihateolives

6/1/2026 at 6:32:15 PM

You get used to it quickly. Low force useful for combos

by __s

6/1/2026 at 2:09:21 AM

Totem and bad wings are gorgeous, but I'm here to thock.

I'm actually a Topre purist.

by MengerSponge

6/1/2026 at 4:18:42 AM

I could probably $searchengine this, but not being into keyboards: none of that made any sense to me :D

by moepstar

6/1/2026 at 3:47:14 PM

https://youtu.be/-C-eYnqeBuk?si=18nyv86uYKu74gi0&t=242

It's a weird hybrid keyswitch that isn't widely used because it's expensive. It has a distinctive sound and a fantastic feel.

by MengerSponge

6/1/2026 at 2:08:09 AM

I have loud keyboards for selfish fun typing when no one is around, and a silent one for working near others.

I use a switch called Akko Penguins, but there are tons of silent switches out there that people like. Topre keyboards also have a strong following and I think are pretty quiet.

by bschwindHN

6/1/2026 at 2:54:34 AM

I think the "buy a solenoid and a hammer to slap the case everything you hit a key" think most definitely is, like the typists truck nuts of keyboard mods.

by wpm

6/1/2026 at 9:01:59 AM

This was in the original, because without that solenoid, typists accustomed to the sound of typewriters were not sure their presses registered correctly. The times were different.

by Hendrikto

6/1/2026 at 5:54:42 AM

In the gaming sphere these kinds of loud-ass mechanical keyboards are absolutely not in vogue anymore.

Many gamers are even migrating over to hall effect sensors over mechanical switches, since you have a full analog customizable setup for key actuation.

by dangus

6/1/2026 at 4:37:11 AM

Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but is the loudness of your keyboard really a big deal in office environments?

Like I get if where you work is as quiet as a library, but in most places people are on voice calls, talking to each other over your head, etc. Any one complaining about clicky keys in that kind of environment can get stuffed as far as I am concerned.

by LAC-Tech

6/1/2026 at 2:10:19 AM

"straight pipes save lives" -> "key clicks don't need a fix"

by MengerSponge

5/31/2026 at 11:13:32 PM

In the meantime, I would remind the people who would like to experience a vintage keyboard to take a look at the Unicomp model M keyboards. They are not Model Fs or beam spring, but are rock solid, reliable, and sensibly priced considering their quality.

by rbanffy

6/1/2026 at 12:19:54 AM

> considering their quality

Has their finishing improved at all? A coworker bought one, maybe 15 years ago. He has to spend time with a file to remove all the remnants of the molding process. I'd expect a nearly $200 keyboard to feel finished and not have sharp pieces poking out all over the place.

I've long thought about getting a Unicomp, but seeing how poorly finished they were always gave me pause and made me question what other shortcuts they took.

by al_borland

6/1/2026 at 12:44:01 AM

Yes, they're way better now! The quality was poor because they were using decades-old original IBM tooling, and injection molds don't last forever D:. But, they made new molds in, I think, 2020? I bought a New Model M in 2021. Mine has a custom-printed layout, and it looks stock, not just some one-off. The plastic chassis is sturdy and doesn't need any sort of filing. It's been my daily driver ever since and is my favorite keyboard I've ever used, so I happily recommend them to any typing enthusiast. Sooo much better than Cherry switches (or, dog forbid, "office" keyboard rubber domes).

by MrMetric

6/1/2026 at 1:21:19 AM

I have bought a Unicomp keyboard 7 years ago, had none of those problems, it works as well now as the day I bought it.

by kop316

6/1/2026 at 5:51:58 PM

I agree with your sentiment (Unicomp is a much more reliable company than other commenters seem to suggest Model F Labs to be...). That said, the Unicomp New Model M does not have N-key rollover, so I had to return mine back when. Unfortunate, because I really do like the buckling spring feel! (typed from Realforce R3S)

by zbikowski

6/1/2026 at 12:21:07 AM

I've been twice the past year to buy their keyboards in-person in Lexington Kentucky US. They treated me very well. I can say this much, the full-size keyboard has a slightly nicer feel to it than the 10-key-less version, the key travel that is.

by usermac

5/31/2026 at 11:20:10 PM

Link: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/category/UKBD

I’d get one if the shipping to EU would be more reasonable.

by KronisLV

6/1/2026 at 2:10:41 PM

That's $55 to ship to the UK. Tbh, I have an original Model-M and if ~£175 gets something of similar quality on your desk I'd say that's a fair value deal.

It's not cheap for a keyboard, but no one on this forum should be cheaping out on a keyboard. I always say, if you can find a vendor of Model-M keyboard buy a lifetime's supply (i.e. one).

by AndrewOMartin

5/31/2026 at 11:20:02 PM

My Endura Pro started having issues three months in after arriving to me in 2013; I remember how it was $99 and shipping was $98, and then I had to pay VAT on it.

It died quite quickly after and become parts donor for old IBM Model Ms I bought out from people’s attics. It was a wonderfully repair-unfriendly thing, too.

by WesolyKubeczek

6/1/2026 at 4:08:50 AM

I love Unicomp and fully support their goal of keeping these switches alive, but I had a similar experience. The controller on the keyboard died after about a year. Meanwhile all of my 30+ year old IBM Model M's continue to work flawlessly.

This was the same time, around 2013, so I like to hope things have improved since then. I know they did switch the controllers they use in the intervening years and they also replaced the original IBM tooling for the other parts of the keyboard, so hopefully things are in better shape now.

by filchermcurr

6/1/2026 at 12:13:46 AM

Contrariwise, my unicomp model M has been going strong as a daily driver for at least 18 years. They may have lowered the quality more recently, and I'd recommend something in the cherry mx brown ballpark over it perhaps.

by jaggederest

6/1/2026 at 12:32:10 AM

Many people swear by Unicomp, but I had that bad luck that I first paid for the thing, got the thing, and then read that as of recently, there had been problems. Problems with quality, problems with output. Then they went so quiet people thought they had gone out of business, then they resurfaced. By that time, I've had an original Model M and two different OG Model Fs. When I buy old stuff from eBay, at least I have my expectations calibrated to the fact that this shit is real old.

Your unit must have been a couple years older than mine, so it just might be of that more legendary quality. Yours is from at least 2008, right? You may even had got it before markets went bonkers!

by WesolyKubeczek

6/1/2026 at 4:31:21 AM

Yeah I believe it's a 2006 model shipped in May 2007

by jaggederest

6/1/2026 at 1:01:10 AM

Awesome! I'm happy I have a future option in case my 3727 ever wears out (which I somehow can't see ever happening...).

I'm not associated with this project in any way, but I'm excited to see the Beamspring (and Model F capsense stuff) is still ticking along. I keep meaning to redesign my controller for the 2020s but the original crappy design keeps working perfectly for my needs and I can't justify the time to update it. I'd love to do something dumb like throw an FPGA at the problem or try and use the RP2350 PIO. I don't think we ever matched what IBM's original ASIC achieved.

by xwhatsit

6/1/2026 at 4:33:02 AM

Nice to hear from you xwhatsit! Project coordinator here. Your contributions to the mechanical keyboard community are still well-regarded as probably the one who single-handedly saved thousands of original IBM keyboards and gave them a second life.

Not sure if you've been following but forum member Rico recently created a new controller based on your original: an RP2040-based controller that runs on Vial. Check out Rico's github for the "Leyden Jar Controller"

by ModelFKeyboards

6/1/2026 at 2:40:16 AM

Some people have mentioned quality control issues with this keyboard vendor, particularly with the Model F. I have the Model F and it is a bit finicky admittedly. I support the vendor based on their hard work to bring back these classic keyboard mechanisms, but if you want one that "just works" the Model M from Unisys is probably a better bet.

As far as the beam spring goes, this is the second revision of these switches. These switches are a complete modern re-imagination of the original beam spring switches and support Cherry-style key caps. Unlike the Model F, the switches are self-contained and setup just involved putting key-caps on. The keyboard worked flawlessly and immediately.

This is an enthusiast trying to bring back classic keyboard switches that have been out of production for decades, so I am willing to grant him some slack in general, but I'm extremely happy with my board. It's a very different typing experience, but I love it. I understand many people aren't willing to risk $400 on a keyboard, but I also want to let people know about my great experience with it.

by recursivedoubts

5/31/2026 at 11:26:14 PM

> This keyboard is not for you if you do not want to spend an hour or more to set it up and time in the future to adjust a key that stops working well. Do not use any beam spring keyboard in a mission-critical environment.

Yeah, I’ll pass

by Our_Benefactors

6/1/2026 at 1:15:58 PM

> Custom/Low Serial/Birthday? : Single Digit (0 through 9) ($149)

Jinkies!

by haritha-j

6/1/2026 at 3:51:04 AM

Hello, project coordinator here. If you haven’t been following the project recently, I am happy to report that more than 7,000 Brand New Model F and Beam Spring keyboards have shipped since 2019, and the very first Round 2 classic style Beam Spring B104 keyboards started shipping this month, as noted here. If you want to see current comments about the project, please do check out the recent user feedback on the current production boards on the Deskthority forum - Beam Spring project thread linked to on the project web site - About page.

You are seeing discussion of issues in these HN comments and in the project thread in recent years due to me preparing and shipping a few thousand keyboards over that time, not because a high percentage of boards are permanently nonrepairable. If you can follow what’s in the manual, you are guaranteed to have a working keyboard, period. It’s nice to receive a note that all is well, but most folks only email/post if there is an issue. If several dozen out of 7,000+ folks are posting with issues that does not indicate mass quality control improvements needed. Almost all of the negative discussion stems from the same half-dozen people who posted again and again on one of the now-ghost town mechanical keyboard forums a couple years ago, whereas I have exchanged thousands of emails with folks, many of whom let me know privately that they followed the manual and are happy with the setup. And almost all of their reports centered on one product that ended production years ago, instead of the dozens of variations of keyboards that have been released since then.

Apologies in advance for my long-windedness. To quote Oscar Wilde: “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”

Regarding the warranty - nonworking parts are replaced for free under the limited warranty. If someone is saying otherwise, they didn't read the project or did not contact me to ask for a replacement. You don't have to live with a broken keycap.

Regarding paint wear - the main complaint - this was with the original production keyboards that started shipping over 6 years ago. 5 years ago, the paint formulation changed to a more modern, tough powdercoating that has received zero complaints of premature wear. Bottom line, if you want tough powdercoating, pick a model besides the classic style F62/F77. That’s the only one with the paint-wear issues. The originals still have some stock remaining (with full disclosure of this, and now sold at a hefty discount), which is why it’s still brought up every now and then that these two old models can be bought today and will have the old coating because they were made a long time ago.

Regarding firmware - the project switched to Vial several years ago. To change a key you can now use the Vial GUI. Additionally, a new controller has been made that is based on the RP2040; it also uses Vial firmware. Many changes since the old days of original xwhatsit firmware and QMK. With the new Leyden Jar controller you literally click a key combination to enter the bootloader, an empty drive appears in the file manager, and you copy and paste the firmware file to that folder.

Regarding the manual, keys getting stuck etc. - the manual has recently been rewritten and reorganized into easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. I think the main complaint is that many folks believe that all products should arrived fully assembled and never require maintenance or adjustments; they think if they have to adjust something as a normal part of setup that it is somehow broken. I explain below why that's just not possible for a small project like this one. Additionally, someone else wrote their own ultra short manual which can be found as a link on the manual page on the project website. It’s normal to spend a couple hours to setup the keyboard and then a few minutes to adjust keys and springs every now and then. The manual is designed to cover every possible step to setup and maintain these keyboards in the decades to come; not every action is needed as part of normal setup. The manual will enable even beginners to have a fully working keyboard by following the step-by-step instructions there. As I mention there, the last step is to email me if you are having trouble after following the manual and I can help.

Regarding the project philosophy (customer service, etc.):

The project philosophy has always been about teaching folks how to maintain their keyboard for life, not to rely on others for help. The setup guide is there to walk you through everything, from adjusting springs to reseating keycaps, so that even if you aren’t naturally inclined to use tweezers and a screwdriver, you can keep your board running long after the project has shut down. For ten years now, the priority has been clear: pass along the lowest possible cost to everyone. The project rejects the modern product philosophy of essentially “renting” a device for its warranty duration and then discarding it because it can’t be repaired.

To keep these keyboards affordable, the responsibility falls on the end user to learn the basics, such as reseating springs and keys. The alternative would be adding several hundred dollars to the cost of every keyboard to cover “free” repairs, salaried customer service representatives, and shipping charges (due to the heavy keyboard weight) for simple things that only require a screwdriver and tweezers, or to reduce the quality and production cost substantially. That would completely defeat the goal of making these boards accessible to as many folks as possible. Making these boards that much more expensive with friendly service and dedicated phone support would reduce the possible number of new Model F’s shipping each year by half or more. There’s a reason why IBM charged $800, plus annual maintenance contract fees, for what the project charges $200 to $400 (without service contracts). At those prices and with IBM’s economies of scale, one can afford generous customer service with a no questions asked full replacement of the keyboard even if one key stops working, instead of fixing it yourself. Always a tradeoff in small business - more one-on-one service and freebies that big companies offer, higher cost or cheaper product. There are no margins to cover these extras. The businesses that can afford concierge service have a large enough margin and economies of scale to support it, whether one is aware that they charge many times the cost of the product/service or not. For example Apple’s average selling price is $900 to $1000 for an iPhone and their gross margin is estimated at 50% to 60% for each iPhone, with other products as well contributing to their overall profit margin of close to 50%. Given their scale that margin comfortably allows for retail stores with Genius Bars and walk-in support, but with products that are not economically repairable outside the warranty period.

While a small but vocal group might post online wanting personalized customer service for every issue and for a rep to never tell someone to read the manual, the vast majority of the thousands of users simply follow the manual and are perfectly happy typing away. Taking an hour or two to read the guide almost always addresses the expected adjustments required as part of the initial setup. If a part actually fails prematurely during the warranty, it gets replaced for free, but realistically, I just can’t be the first line of defense for simple operations that are already clearly detailed in the manual. I need to focus on working with the factories and mailing out all the orders. These kinds of small projects require balancing the desires for more against the need to keep the keyboard cost as affordable as possible without sacrificing quality.

In summary and to directly respond to several commenters here, according to the thousands of emails I’ve sent and received over the past several years, these keyboards have held up well for those who have bought during that timeframe. If they didn’t, then you’d see thousands of complainers, not dozens of the same folks who post the same things again and again, and you’d see hundreds of folks each year trying to sell broken new Model F keyboards on eBay. (I track these sales and estimate that more than 97% of the project’s keyboards have not been resold). Every part of the Model F and Beam Spring keyboard is repairable or replaceable, which is one of the main draws to these keyboards being truly Buy It For Life and against the planned obsolescence movement. The only reason the keyboard would stop working is if someone did not follow the manual to set it up and maintain it when needed. I wouldn’t ruminate on comments based on products made 6 years ago (two specific old models you’re likely not buying), which the bulk of the few negative comments are about. It’s easy to be negative on social media, especially when the algorithms reward controversy to maximize engagement, but it takes a rare courage to put your (online) reputation towards stating something positive, in public, when you know that others may disagree with you and then personally attack you for your beliefs if you speak up.

by ModelFKeyboards

6/1/2026 at 4:18:52 PM

Thank you for posting your side of the story. This is the first time I've ever posted anything publicly about modelfkeyboards. If you're dealing with some sort of targeted harassment campaign, that's obviously horrible. My sources for information are assisting my brother getting his keyboard he bought from you up and running, and talking with people I trust online.

At least at the time my brother bought his keyboard, the warranty policy was "1 year duration only covering manufacturing defects, buyer pays for all shipping, if any labor is required it will be billed at $50/hour". I think that even you realize this is unusually harsh, as the warranty policy isn't publicly available anywhere on your site prior to placing an order. There's just a mention buried in the terms of conditions that you will provide a copy of the warranty upon request.

From the people I've talked to, the impression I get is that the QC has gotten worse over time, not better. The newer models being larger and having more keys means that they need more adjustment to work properly. You can get a board where the keys on the middle click properly but the keys near the edges don't, and you have to mess with the mounting pressure and springs to get everything working.

In general I don't like pushing the philosophy of "these keyboards are for enthusiasts who like tinkering" as a way to spin avoiding QC and offloading the adjustment and testing process onto customers. I appreciate the idea of making a keyboard that's user-serviceable, but if it's not a kit, it should at the very least be working when it arrives.

by ndiddy

6/1/2026 at 5:43:33 PM

Thanks for your feedback, but what you are saying is not at all representative of the feedback I received after thousands of back and forth emails over the years. Thanks to the updated manual and firmware process, those who have never used a Model F before tell me they were able to easily set everything up and it works fine.

Having to adjust more springs because there are more possible keys that need to be set up on the larger layout keyboards does not mean that QC has gotten worse over time. That's just because there are more keys on the keyboard that it's more likely that at least one or more springs need adjustment.

The most common setup step is just adjusting springs and reinstalling a key if it doesn't click the first time you install it.

The warranty includes replacements for parts because the user replaces the parts like keycaps, springs etc. if they are broken. I just mail the parts for free as part of the warranty. My post that you replied to notes that a full mail-in warranty service would not be sustainable, so there is no real way I can offer a labor service. The manual emphasizes that I can't offer free labor to set up or maintain each keyboard; following the manual will give everyone a 100% working keyboard.

This is not a kit for tinkerers; it's for folks who have a buy it for life mentality and are not afraid to use tweezers and a key puller to reseat something over the coming decades. If you follow the manual, your keyboard will be working 100%, but you do have to adjust the springs and keys and go through the setup instructions. I explained why it's not feasible to offer increased service.

by ModelFKeyboards

6/1/2026 at 4:12:30 AM

This is really interesting and a part of history. Really appreciate the candid insights.

My grandfather is a long retired design engineer and has told me about designing a keyboard like this because the typists didn’t like their first few iterations because they didn’t feel “like a typewriter”. I should send this over to him and see what he thinks about it. I’m curious if this is the keyboard he designed (he’s in his 80s now). He’s very spry intellectually despite his advanced age, I bet he’d be willing to answer any questions about the original design, he loves talking about the glory days.

by wincy

6/1/2026 at 4:50:13 AM

Yes that would be fascinating! There were so many iconic designs back in the day, even of everyday household products like electric clocks and rotary telephones (two of my other collection/restoration hobbies).

The inventor of the IBM buckling spring actually had a chat session on another forum several years ago: https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=25847

by ModelFKeyboards

6/1/2026 at 5:05:01 PM

It would have been nice if you had let your early customers know that they bought garbage controllers with insanely painful firmware installs (and listen i build fpv drones and other keyboards, i know how to flash firmware, yours was something special) that there are new controllers that can be purchased to replace them, perhaps even at a discount for being a beta tester.

by sleepybrett

6/1/2026 at 4:29:50 PM

system76's Launch is my favorite, when it comes to retro keyboard. https://system76.com/keyboards/launch

by cednore

5/31/2026 at 11:02:51 PM

I have his model-f, and while i like it setting it up to flash firmware to it was a bitch and a half and his docs read like a 4th grader wrote it. He should invest some money in cleaning up that side of his business.

by sleepybrett

6/1/2026 at 4:53:29 AM

The manual was redone recently - folks tell me now that they were new to these keyboards but were able to easily follow along the manual to set up their keyboard.

by ModelFKeyboards

6/1/2026 at 4:58:12 PM

Well I should revisit then, I was pretty early in the process but the docs initial provided were utter dogshit. Would have been nice if you had sent out even an email to your customers to let them know.

by sleepybrett

6/1/2026 at 6:43:12 PM

I just went and looked at your manual: https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/manual/#10

This is still dogshit. This document is poorly formatted, is your intent to make the website look like it was written in the era when the original keyboards were introduced?

Pay a designer/tech writer/information architect and get the job done.

by sleepybrett

6/1/2026 at 2:41:46 PM

That black+white key keyboard gives off serious VIC20/C64 breadbin vibes.

by lelanthran

6/1/2026 at 1:23:23 AM

I had a model F, I loved it. Then the H key stopped working. I knew from previous experience that trying to fix them never went well, so it went to the shelf and eventually to the garbage.

They were only about $100 on ebay at the time though.

by asmodeuslucifer

6/1/2026 at 2:35:10 PM

403 Forbidden Access to this resource on the server is denied

great!

by Natfan

6/1/2026 at 5:50:55 AM

Do they have to look like this and use up way more desk space than normal keyboards, or is it part of the "aesthetic"?

by globular-toast

6/1/2026 at 5:44:35 PM

There are ultra compact modern design keyboards also available, that are the smallest possible designs that can accommodate what's needed for these old switch designs.

by ModelFKeyboards

6/1/2026 at 1:30:08 AM

What's the solenoid option used for? Sorry I'm young and don't know any better.

by poopsmithe

6/1/2026 at 2:31:24 AM

The problem with clicky keyboards like this one is that they annoy everyone sharing the same workspace, but the boss in his office may not hear it. The solenoid fixes that problem.

by GuB-42

6/1/2026 at 1:43:52 AM

It's a solenoid that actuates each key press, for the sound and tactile feedback. It's something else, lol.

by gedy

6/1/2026 at 2:34:58 AM

Glad to have an original IBM Unsaver so I don't have to rely on sussy reproductions

by redlewel

6/1/2026 at 2:48:50 AM

Amazing keyboard.

This one is good to, and takes MX key caps.

by recursivedoubts

5/29/2026 at 1:47:39 PM

It's nice to see human-centered computing making a comeback with the older, robust, and hefty tactile interfaces - and I hope to see more like this as token factories eat wallets and jobs.

by atriarch

5/31/2026 at 11:05:35 PM

Funny to hear that about a $400+ (!) mass-produced keyboard mostly targeting people that already have at least a dozen mechanical keyboards. Making money on pointless overconsumption that borders on obsession is kind of the opposite of being human-centered.

by orbital-decay

5/31/2026 at 10:23:21 PM

These are definitely not robust. The product description mentions about 5 times that it will most likely be broken when it arrives to you, and will definitely break again in months or years so recommends buying extra first aid kits with spare parts so you can tinker it and keep it working.

by aetherspawn

5/31/2026 at 11:10:59 PM

I understand they are restarting production from scratch for a product that no longer exists and that nobody actually knows how to make, but being openly unreliable is a significant problem at this price point.

by rbanffy

5/31/2026 at 11:22:30 PM

Nah. It's a british sports car, but a keyboard. At this price point the idea that you can have a little pile of parts and take it apart on weekends to fiddle with the springs is its own selling point.

I'm typing this on a Das that's been completely reliable and, to some extent, clackety and 'special' in its own right. There's five other keyboards that came with computers not thirty feet away including an older Das that I wore out: the keycaps are unreadable on that one, the current one's hanging in there.

I'm not in a position to randomly splurge on this new beam spring monster but I understand exactly what it is, and admit to craving it something fierce :) it's exactly the sort of thing I'd get.

by Applejinx

5/31/2026 at 10:30:29 PM

The thing is, something like this is way outside of the budget of someone who isn't making a lot of money or has saved a lot in the first place. 438 dollars is a lot of money.

by kaladin-jasnah

5/29/2026 at 2:56:20 PM

100% agree, gives me hope

by recursivedoubts

6/1/2026 at 11:46:58 AM

> $438.00

Must be alien tech.

by WhereIsTheTruth

6/1/2026 at 5:49:05 AM

I have used similar retro keyboards to this. I think it was that company that got the machinery from IBM.

This stuff has cool factor but it’s pretty terrible compared to the incredibly varied and fully customizable modern mechanical keyboard market.

It was a nice novelty for me to have an “IBM keyboard” but outside the novelty it wasn’t anywhere close to being a competitive keyboard.

Someone interested in this should just buy real vintage equipment as the novelty factor on that is way higher.

by dangus

6/1/2026 at 4:34:43 AM

I'm a bit of a clicky switch enthusiast. I use gateron melodics, which have a click leaf, meaning the click sound directly corresponds to actuation, unlike most modern clickies.

So I am very curious about beam springs. I doubt I would ever use one every day (I am pretty set on split ortholinears that sit low on the desk with short keycaps) but would love to try one.

by LAC-Tech

6/1/2026 at 4:51:20 AM

If you are curious, I recommend Chyrosran22's excellent overview of IBM Beam Spring keyboards on YouTube.

by ModelFKeyboards

5/31/2026 at 11:15:52 PM

Mine is now at customs. Wondering how fucked it’s going to arrive. But I guess I like pain.

The 104-key model F I’ve got has a dead spring in numpad delete, and I can’t carve out enough time to disassemble and fix it. Mind you, I did disassemble, put in DIY foam, and reassemble a Model F XT, so I’m not afraid to do it.

Between me ordering the beam spring one and getting it, I managed to change my citizenship, name, and house. But it was only a two year wait, the first Model F remake (60%) took three years and I was quite late to that party.

by WesolyKubeczek