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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: winteralfs on Fri, 31 July 2020, 14:57:33

Title: what switch is this? From a vintage Wang board
Post by: winteralfs on Fri, 31 July 2020, 14:57:33

Here is a close up shot

Title: Re: what switch is this? From a vintage Wang board
Post by: -Jerry- on Fri, 31 July 2020, 15:03:03

Any model identifier? Might narrow it down.

At least one Wang used Alps SKCL/SKCM switches, but those stems have nubs further down the side, not in the corners. The SKFR/SKFS switches have corners like that, but with a raised section in the middle. I think Alps 'common mount low profile' (or SKFM/SKFN if you prefer) match these closest, but as far as I can find, there weren't any pale blue ones, so these might be clones.

Title: Re: what switch is this? From a vintage Wang board
Post by: winteralfs on Fri, 31 July 2020, 15:07:26

Thanks, here are some more pics.

Title: what switch is this? From a vintage Wang board
Post by: -Jerry- on Fri, 31 July 2020, 15:14:45

That’s interesting, the only examples I can find for 725-4500 boards had Pink SKCM switches. That said, they seem to be fairly rare (at least I can’t find many listings for them and DeskAuthority doesn’t have a page for them) so it’s entirely possible only those ones have ever come up for sale.

Are the switches under the alpha keys the same?

Title: Re: what switch is this? From a vintage Wang board
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 31 July 2020, 15:31:09

https://deskthority.net/wiki/SMK_Alps_mount

(The article lumps clicky and non-clicky together, but all blue should be clicky)

Title: Re: what switch is this? From a vintage Wang board
Post by: winteralfs on Fri, 31 July 2020, 15:35:35

I will try and take more pics. Could they be Monterey Blues?

Title: Re: what switch is this? From a vintage Wang board
Post by: -Jerry- on Fri, 31 July 2020, 15:38:47

Quote from: Findecanor on Fri, 31 July 2020, 15:31:09

https://deskthority.net/wiki/SMK_Alps_mount

(https://media2.giphy.com/media/MUeQeEQaDCjE4/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e47edqm0pwjid9ccjm4vn5425yup1le2jpx0e30xwzh&rid=giphy.gif)

Title: Re: what switch is this? From a vintage Wang board
Post by: winteralfs on Fri, 31 July 2020, 15:42:45

Do you think those are PBT keycaps?

Title: Re: what switch is this? From a vintage Wang board
Post by: -Jerry- on Fri, 31 July 2020, 15:47:08

Quote from: winteralfs on Fri, 31 July 2020, 15:42:45

Do you think those are PBT keycaps?

Since other boards of the era from Wang had dye-sub and double dye-sub PBT keycaps, it seems likely.

Title: Re: what switch is this? From a vintage Wang board
Post by: Rob27shred on Fri, 31 July 2020, 16:34:01

Quote from: Findecanor on Fri, 31 July 2020, 15:31:09

https://deskthority.net/wiki/SMK_Alps_mount

(The article lumps clicky and non-clicky together, but all blue should be clicky)

Definitely what the switches are, Monterey Blues. I got a batch for a 660 style SMK build & they are identical to the one OP pictured.

Title: Re: what switch is this? From a vintage Wang board
Post by: winteralfs on Fri, 31 July 2020, 20:12:26

Do you like the Monterey blues? How would you compare them?