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Keyboards / Re: Mission Control
« Last post by wjrii on Fri, 03 May 2024, 21:07:27 »This thread has very similar parallels with the automotive community in regards to Resto-mods vs restorations. What has more value, a USB enabled, usable keyboard made from the bones of a vintage machine or keeping it stock and using a convertor or translator to communicate via USB?
I have been harvesting Alps switches for use in AEK keyboards, but with new guts to use with modern systems. AEKs are very common and are not seen as sought after in the way some other keyboards are. Makes me wonder what people think of switch harvesting (engine swapping) from vintage keyboards.
So I think cutting the plastic rivets, as mentioned, is a pretty common mod, and is basically necessary to do anything at all inside the board. I don't think many people will begrudge someone their bolt mod. I tend to feel that if there is a good supply of something, to the point where it doesn't seem to be holding much value, then there's no sense in wringing one's hands about the potential future state. It's only when they start getting rare enough that people who want them for what they are have trouble finding them that I feel you should at least consider how much you value your project. Ultimately, though, they're things, and if one instance of an object is bringing you joy, then enjoy. In particular with Alps and Buckling spring, there's only the one company making them at all anymore, and supply could end up scarce.
One thing I did NOT realize is that Unicomp keeps 122's in stock. Think I finally found the pre-built to put on my Christmas list.