Alps Appreciation Thread

[henz]

I still would like to try Monterey SMK Alps mount switches at some point, the impression I get of them is that they are better Alps switches than even SKCM Whites or later simplified clicky Alps/clones.

Tbh i like them more that skcm blues=)

[Aran.E99]

i love them but make sure all the keys work if you get a kb with them on. to put the switch back together after cleaning, you have to have everything in the top housing UPSIDE DOWN then you have to make sure about 5 things line up with the bottom plate, and if you take the top off when its on a keyboard, you have to have some great balancing skills and timing or everywhing will fall out or the contact plate will bend. (i put 4 of these together) luckily, unlike alps, they do not accumulate dirt easily so they should be fine.

[Mattr567]

They are better than SKCM White but not Blue imo. The click and action isnt quite as deep/thick. Still good switches though. Wish they were more common. I don't think anyone has ever built a custom w/ them.

[emdude]

That will likely change when BlueNalgene goes ahead with his new Alps Party GB.

[chyros]

They are better than SKCM White but not Blue imo. The click and action isnt quite as deep/thick. Still good switches though. Wish they were more common. I don't think anyone has ever built a custom w/ them.

Yeah, that's what I would say as well. They're excellent switches, with a few small design imperfections but they're so nice to use. THE go-to light clicky switches IMO.

just tried this thing out, the feel on this thing!

Show Image

Cool what switches does it have?

[Blaise170]

My clicky switch preferences:

Blue Alps > SMK Blue > Gateron Green > White Alps > Cherry Blue

There's several I'm leaving off but I either don't remember them right now or don't remember how much I like them.

[alienman82]

removed.

[emdude]

Well, there's no accounting for taste.

[Aran.E99]

 

just tried this thing out, the feel on this thing!

Show Image

Cool what switches does it have?
[/quote]
Think he said SMKs (started the whole SMK discussion)

My clicky switch preferences:

Blue Alps > SMK Blue > Gateron Green > White Alps > Cherry Blue

There's several I'm leaving off but I either don't remember them right now or don't remember how much I like them.

Still yet to try blue alps. Never see any boards with them in.

[chyros]

My clicky switch preferences:

Blue Alps > SMK Blue > Gateron Green > White Alps > Cherry Blue

There's several I'm leaving off but I either don't remember them right now or don't remember how much I like them.

Model F BS > Cherry Blue >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Blue Alps

WAT

[alienman82]

removed.

[digi]

I just can't get into the Alps key caps.  They don't feel very good.  I've tried all the best ones.

LIES!!!

[alienman82]

removed.

[digi]

I just can't get into the Alps key caps.  They don't feel very good.  I've tried all the best ones.

LIES!!!

false

false=truth

[alienman82]

removed.

[digi]

I just can't get into the Alps key caps.  They don't feel very good.  I've tried all the best ones.

LIES!!!

false

false=truth

you're the reason I stick around

You're the stick I reason with? ....sorry that's all I got... you win.

[fohat.digs]

I just can't get into the Alps key caps.  They don't feel very good.  I've tried all the best ones.

The best ones are the wretched-looking ones on the old Apple AEK and AEK2. Nothing else comes close.

But they are butt-ugly and will not make a proper set.

Lack of top-shelf key caps is a major shortcoming of an otherwise excellent switch.

[alienman82]

removed.

[mike52787]

petition to ban alienman from the alps appreciation thread
mike52787
_________
_________
_________

)
jk love you

[alienman82]

removed.

[Blaise170]

petition to ban alienman from the alps appreciation thread
mike52787
Blaise170
_________
_________

)
jk love you

Seconded 

[alienman82]

removed.

[Mattr567]

Huh

The seller probably won't sell it separately though. Its all one bundle of 5140 stuff. Cool story behind it though. http://www.ebay.com/itm/162151324671

[mike52787]

Huh

Show Image

The seller probably won't sell it separately though. Its all one bundle of 5140 stuff. Cool story behind it though. http://www.ebay.com/itm/162151324671

yeah I saw that too. NOS brown alps. I want em. I wont pay whatever hes asking though. if I remember right it was something like 1000$.

[Magna224]

On the topic of SMKs. Does anyone else think that the whites feel much worse than the blues? They are very very similar internally correct?

[E3E]

I just can't get into the Alps key caps.  They don't feel very good.  I've tried all the best ones.

Except the Cherry profile key caps though.

[jacobolus]

On the topic of SMKs. Does anyone else think that the whites feel much worse than the blues?

If your source for white SMK switches is an Apple IIGS keyboard, then the keycaps are preventing the switches from functioning properly.

[Magna224]

On the topic of SMKs. Does anyone else think that the whites feel much worse than the blues?

If your source for white SMK switches is an Apple IIGS keyboard, then the keycaps are preventing the switches from functioning properly.

Yes that was the source. The blues didn't seem odd like the whites though after being transplanted. They might have suffered from it though I only used the keyboard for a little bit one night then threw it in the closet.

[chyros]

On the topic of SMKs. Does anyone else think that the whites feel much worse than the blues? They are very very similar internally correct?

You mean tactile white or clicky white?

[Magna224]

On the topic of SMKs. Does anyone else think that the whites feel much worse than the blues? They are very very similar internally correct?

You mean tactile white or clicky white?

Tactile ALPS style mount. Sorry for confusion.

[chyros]

On the topic of SMKs. Does anyone else think that the whites feel much worse than the blues? They are very very similar internally correct?

You mean tactile white or clicky white?

Tactile ALPS style mount. Sorry for confusion.

The tactile and click leaves have quite different hooks to compensate for the loss of tactility inherent in Alps-style tactile leaves compared to their clicky counterparts. I only have an inverse-mount tactile SMK board but it's pretty good I'd say. Quite inconsistent though.

[mike52787]

On the topic of SMKs. Does anyone else think that the whites feel much worse than the blues? They are very very similar internally correct?

You mean tactile white or clicky white?

Tactile ALPS style mount. Sorry for confusion.

The tactile and click leaves have quite different hooks to compensate for the loss of tactility inherent in Alps-style tactile leaves compared to their clicky counterparts. I only have an inverse-mount tactile SMK board but it's pretty good I'd say. Quite inconsistent though.

waiting patiently for the review of those smks.

[chyros]

On the topic of SMKs. Does anyone else think that the whites feel much worse than the blues? They are very very similar internally correct?

You mean tactile white or clicky white?

Tactile ALPS style mount. Sorry for confusion.

The tactile and click leaves have quite different hooks to compensate for the loss of tactility inherent in Alps-style tactile leaves compared to their clicky counterparts. I only have an inverse-mount tactile SMK board but it's pretty good I'd say. Quite inconsistent though.

waiting patiently for the review of those smks.

It'll be a while, but it'll be there .

[rowdy]

I just can't get into the Alps key caps.  They don't feel very good.  I've tried all the best ones.

The best ones are the wretched-looking ones on the old Apple AEK and AEK2. Nothing else comes close.

But they are butt-ugly and will not make a proper set.

Lack of top-shelf key caps is a major shortcoming of an otherwise excellent switch.

There needs to be an Alps renaissance to encourage manufacturers to make Alps-compatible sets.

The biggest problem is that most of the legacy Alps keyboards have their own unique layout.  Even modern Matias keyboards tend to have distinct layouts.  Supporting all of those in a single set would be a nightmare!

[fohat.digs]

The biggest problem is that most of the legacy Alps keyboards have their own unique layout. 

I bought a set of the modern "Dolch-esque" doubleshots a few months ago, and they are very nice, but the bottom row is not compatible with the common vintage boards like Dell, Northgate, and Focus. Is is very sad.

[ipreferpie]

Does anyone have preferences on what type of ALPS switches are best used with stainless steel? Looking to build a Preonic with these thick ABS keys below but can't decide on which works best. I have a bunch of SKCM Blues, SKCM Browns, SKCM Ivories & SKCL Browns. Since it's my first ortholinear, I'm prioritizing key accuracy first with all keys being 1u. And it's portable so something quieter would be nice. And won't type for long stretches so a heavier but more accurate switch would be good. It looks to be a toss up between SKCM / SKCL Browns right now. Any suggestions?

[Blaise170]

For quiet and accurate I'd say SKCM over SKCL.

[Hak Foo]

The biggest problem is that most of the legacy Alps keyboards have their own unique layout. 

I bought a set of the modern "Dolch-esque" doubleshots a few months ago, and they are very nice, but the bottom row is not compatible with the common vintage boards like Dell, Northgate, and Focus. Is is very sad.

If you mean the Tai Hao set, it's compatible with the AT101W save for Caps Lock and perhaps the space bar.

[E3E]

Does anyone have preferences on what type of ALPS switches are best used with stainless steel? Looking to build a Preonic with these thick ABS keys below but can't decide on which works best. I have a bunch of SKCM Blues, SKCM Browns, SKCM Ivories & SKCL Browns. Since it's my first ortholinear, I'm prioritizing key accuracy first with all keys being 1u. And it's portable so something quieter would be nice. And won't type for long stretches so a heavier but more accurate switch would be good. It looks to be a toss up between SKCM / SKCL Browns right now. Any suggestions?

Show Image

Ivories from the NeXT keyboards? 
 
I favor SKCL Brown over SKCM Brown. It's got a nice weighty press that isn't too heavy (imo), but with enough weight that you have to be deliberate in your presses. Its smooth nature is something that wins me over.

It's a fun and rocky road with SKCM Brown, but for pure typing experience and probably as someone who's more of a linear lover at heart, I favor SKCL Brown.

Note that I also use Cherry profile doubleshots with the brown linears, which give it a very unique feel on top of all of that, so that might lead to more bias. :P

I should also say that you aren't going to get much quiet from SKCM Brown. Thick key caps and linear switches will give you the quietest experience.

[alienman82]

removed.

[Mattr567]

Does anyone have preferences on what type of ALPS switches are best used with stainless steel? Looking to build a Preonic with these thick ABS keys below but can't decide on which works best. I have a bunch of SKCM Blues, SKCM Browns, SKCM Ivories & SKCL Browns. Since it's my first ortholinear, I'm prioritizing key accuracy first with all keys being 1u. And it's portable so something quieter would be nice. And won't type for long stretches so a heavier but more accurate switch would be good. It looks to be a toss up between SKCM / SKCL Browns right now. Any suggestions?

Show Image

Ivories from the NeXT keyboards? 
 
I favor SKCL Brown over SKCM Brown. It's got a nice weighty press that isn't too heavy (imo), but with enough weight that you have to be deliberate in your presses. Its smooth nature is something that wins me over.

It's a fun and rocky road with SKCM Brown, but for pure typing experience and probably as someone who's more of a linear lover at heart, I favor SKCL Brown.

Note that I also use Cherry profile doubleshots with the brown linears, which give it a very unique feel on top of all of that, so that might lead to more bias. :P

I should also say that you aren't going to get much quiet from SKCM Brown. Thick key caps and linear switches will give you the quietest experience.

+1 those creams form NeXT's are so nice. So crisp and snappy. Much more than SKCM Orange but that might be down to condiction. Using mine right now. Same WPM as my Model M.

[Mattr567]

Got the dupont lube in. Lubed a couple of SKCM Blues. They are better but still don't feel as clean and snappy as the couple perfect condition ones I have. I'll let them sit for a bit and see how they do. It had less of an effect on the SKCL Greens. There is something up with the top housing causing friction. Lubed the slider wells.

[E3E]

+1 those creams form NeXT's are so nice. So crisp and snappy. Much more than SKCM Orange but that might be down to condiction. Using mine right now. Same WPM as my Model M.

I just pulled out the NeXT again and, man, I really need to get a converter for it. It really is probably the most pleasant standard tactile switch out there, in my opinion. Not too light, not too heavy, and with a mellow tactility that's just right.
 
I also need to get a converter for those Docutechs too. Hasu posted about the protocol they most likely use in the Deskthority thread, but I have no idea what to do with that information.

https://deskthority.net/photos-f62/xerox-docutech-keyboards-and-restoration-t13229.html

[Mattr567]

+1 those creams form NeXT's are so nice. So crisp and snappy. Much more than SKCM Orange but that might be down to condiction. Using mine right now. Same WPM as my Model M.

I just pulled out the NeXT again and, man, I really need to get a converter for it. It really is probably the most pleasant standard tactile switch out there, in my opinion. Not too light, not too heavy, and with a mellow tactility that's just right.
 
I also need to get a converter for those Docutechs too. Hasu posted about the protocol they most likely use in the Deskthority thread, but I have no idea what to do with that information.

https://deskthority.net/photos-f62/xerox-docutech-keyboards-and-restoration-t13229.html

I know man, its perfect. The Wob ds caps are awesome too. Thicker than Tai Hao's. The aesthetic of the thing is great too. Small on my desk compared to my other battleships. The layout is pretty standard too. Still getting used to the ctrl key where caps usually is but other than that its pick up and go. Hasu will sell you one for $40. Pricey but it works great and is compact. Ordered a proper usb cable since right now i'm using a white usb cable from my phone.

Using a Docutech would be badass.

[chyros]

Got the dupont lube in. Lubed a couple of SKCM Blues. They are better but still don't feel as clean and snappy as the couple perfect condition ones I have. I'll let them sit for a bit and see how they do. It had less of an effect on the SKCL Greens. There is something up with the top housing causing friction. Lubed the slider wells.

You might also want to lube the contact and slider leaves, some keyboard companies were known to specifically lube those.

[Wingpad]

Got the dupont lube in. Lubed a couple of SKCM Blues. They are better but still don't feel as clean and snappy as the couple perfect condition ones I have. I'll let them sit for a bit and see how they do. It had less of an effect on the SKCL Greens. There is something up with the top housing causing friction. Lubed the slider wells.

You might also want to lube the contact and slider leaves, some keyboard companies were known to specifically lube those.

Based on my experience, here's what I can recommend:

• Soak the top housings and sliders in soapy water -or- use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean them
• Using a toothpick, clean the slots for the slider in the top housing. There is usually a lot of dust built up in them, even after soaking them. You'll want to scrape it away until they are smooth
• Using a brush, lightly brush lube on the tabs of the slider and the slots for the slider in the top housing
• Reassemble the switch, ensuring that the cutout on the slider is facing the switch plate and the two ridges on the top housing, exercising the usual caution when working on SKCM switches.

The switches are a bit mushy until you use them and/or they sit for a while, they begin to feel "regular" afterwards.

[mrbishop]

the vintage switches i cleaned by using hot dish soapy water mixing them careful several times during the several hour soak. rinsing then adding water again and some denture cleaning tabs (the ones that bubble) letting that soak over night then ricing the next day (about 24hrs later) they came out really clean and minty 

switches were completely disassembled i took the metal parts out before the water bath.

[mike52787]

the vintage switches i cleaned by using hot dish soapy water mixing them careful several times during the several hour soak. rinsing then adding water again and some denture cleaning tabs (the ones that bubble) letting that soak over night then ricing the next day (about 24hrs later) they came out really clean and minty 

switches were completely disassembled i took the metal parts out before the water bath.

Yeah, that is the right way to clean them, But the discussion were on is lubing the first gen switches, which came pre-lubed from the factory. I cleaned my skcm blues the same way, but I let them air dry.

[mrbishop]

the vintage switches i cleaned by using hot dish soapy water mixing them careful several times during the several hour soak. rinsing then adding water again and some denture cleaning tabs (the ones that bubble) letting that soak over night then ricing the next day (about 24hrs later) they came out really clean and minty 

switches were completely disassembled i took the metal parts out before the water bath.

Yeah, that is the right way to clean them, But the discussion were on is lubing the first gen switches, which came pre-lubed from the factory. I cleaned my skcm blues the same way, but I let them air dry.

i'm so sorry, kinda jumped in with my experiences in cleaning with out reading the entire ongoing at the moment. however i'll be interested in the lubing aspects as well.

[mike52787]

the vintage switches i cleaned by using hot dish soapy water mixing them careful several times during the several hour soak. rinsing then adding water again and some denture cleaning tabs (the ones that bubble) letting that soak over night then ricing the next day (about 24hrs later) they came out really clean and minty 

switches were completely disassembled i took the metal parts out before the water bath.

Yeah, that is the right way to clean them, But the discussion were on is lubing the first gen switches, which came pre-lubed from the factory. I cleaned my skcm blues the same way, but I let them air dry.

i'm so sorry, kinda jumped in with my experiences in cleaning with out reading the entire ongoing at the moment. however i'll be interested in the lubing aspects as well.

haha dont be sorry, you provided excellent advice as to how to clean switches. That way is perfect, and all you need to do for 2nd gen. Im not sure if lubing would affect the feel of later switches as much as the early ones.