Coming from typewriters, I got introduced to the Keyboard enthusiast community.

[Olumin]

Coming from the Typewriter enthusiast community, I got introduced to mechanical Keyboards.

Hi, I am a German typewriter collector and Keyboard enthusiast! My fingers went from manual and electric typewriters to a IBM Model M, since then I tested out and owned a huge variation of mechanical Keyboards and switches. To date, I stuck with a IBM Model M (Standard & SSK), a IBM Model F and my HHKB Pro 2 Type S.

I'm always interested in experiences with mechanical keyboards (or typewriters for that matter) and others preferences!
I'm always open for all kinds of questions and gladly give advise or opinions as long as my knowledge and experience allow it.

[Bromono]

This sounds like this thread was made for you 

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=76653.msg1919082#msg1919082

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

The HHKB would be quite a contrast to the buckling spring keyboards - what made you choose an HHKB?

Typewriter thread linked above, there are also threads for buckling spring keyboards, and specifically SSKs

[jerue]

Hi there!

You have some great keyboards...I'm typing on my SSK right now, so awesome.

What sort of typewriters do you have? I have an original IBM Selectric I, and it's a dream to use.

[Olumin]

Hi there!

You have some great keyboards...I'm typing on my SSK right now, so awesome.

What sort of typewriters do you have? I have an original IBM Selectric I, and it's a dream to use.

I'm quite a collector, I have mainly manual/mechanical typewriters, mainly German machines, but also a few electrics. I own a Selectric too, although a Correcting Selectric II (here in Germany 86c). The machine I most frequently work with is funny enough, a Erika Model M.

[Olumin]

Welcome to Geekhack!

The HHKB would be quite a contrast to the buckling spring keyboards - what made you choose an HHKB?

Typewriter thread linked above, there are also threads for buckling spring keyboards, and specifically SSKs

Perhaps, It is that contrast that makes me enjoy it. Although I enjoy the clickyness and sort of feedback I get from a old Model M or F, I also like "taking a break" and appreciate the smooth feeling of a topre switch.

Actually, the HHKB is my main board, the Model M and F are mainly used for plain typing.

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

The HHKB would be quite a contrast to the buckling spring keyboards - what made you choose an HHKB?

Typewriter thread linked above, there are also threads for buckling spring keyboards, and specifically SSKs

Perhaps, It is that contrast that makes me enjoy it. Although I enjoy the clickyness and sort of feedback I get from a old Model M or F, I also like "taking a break" and appreciate the smooth feeling of a topre switch.

Actually, the HHKB is my main board, the Model M and F are mainly used for plain typing.

I like the sound and feel of buckling springs, but my other half and my daughter appreciate the quietness of Topre switches while they are trying to sleep )

[Olumin]

Welcome to Geekhack!

The HHKB would be quite a contrast to the buckling spring keyboards - what made you choose an HHKB?

Typewriter thread linked above, there are also threads for buckling spring keyboards, and specifically SSKs

Perhaps, It is that contrast that makes me enjoy it. Although I enjoy the clickyness and sort of feedback I get from a old Model M or F, I also like "taking a break" and appreciate the smooth feeling of a topre switch.

Actually, the HHKB is my main board, the Model M and F are mainly used for plain typing.

I like the sound and feel of buckling springs, but my other half and my daughter appreciate the quietness of Topre switches while they are trying to sleep )

Oh, sorry to hear that you have a split personality disorder, must be hard to live with that, I can not even imagine

[bcredbottle]

I think we should get together and make a list of typewriters with caps that are compatible with mechanical keyboards.

For example, I was able to get a beautiful set of caps from a Royal Beta 9000D that were MX-compatible.

More

[Olumin]

I think we should get together and make a list of typewriters with caps that are compatible with mechanical keyboards.

For example, I was able to get a beautiful set of caps from a Royal Beta 9000D that were MX-compatible.

More

Show Image

Many electronic typewriters indeed have mechanical keyboards and are cherry or alps compatible, but I mostly collect and own much older machines. I only own 2 electric typewriters, a IBM selectric II from 1976 and a Olympia Report deluxe from 1974.

But if you know a machine with Dye Sublimated PBT keycaps which are alps compatible, let me now.

[bcredbottle]

I think we should get together and make a list of typewriters with caps that are compatible with mechanical keyboards.

For example, I was able to get a beautiful set of caps from a Royal Beta 9000D that were MX-compatible.

More

Show Image

Many electronic typewriters indeed have mechanical keyboards and are cherry or alps compatible, but I mostly collect and own much older machines. I only own 2 electric typewriters, a IBM selectric II from 1976 and a Olympia Report deluxe from 1974.

But if you know a machine with Dye Sublimated PBT keycaps which are alps compatible, let me now.

Alps compatible??? Really? Do you know any examples?

[3K]

I think we should get together and make a list of typewriters with caps that are compatible with mechanical keyboards.

For example, I was able to get a beautiful set of caps from a Royal Beta 9000D that were MX-compatible.

More

Show Image

Such information is already available on here: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Triumph-Adler (sorted by brand, for example TA)
Many typewriters also provide a nice mounting plate, and allow to make a nice custom board out of them!  :)

Also welcome to geekhack @Olumin!

[Olumin]

I think we should get together and make a list of typewriters with caps that are compatible with mechanical keyboards.

For example, I was able to get a beautiful set of caps from a Royal Beta 9000D that were MX-compatible.

More

Show Image

Many electronic typewriters indeed have mechanical keyboards and are cherry or alps compatible, but I mostly collect and own much older machines. I only own 2 electric typewriters, a IBM selectric II from 1976 and a Olympia Report deluxe from 1974.

But if you know a machine with Dye Sublimated PBT keycaps which are alps compatible, let me now.

Alps compatible??? Really? Do you know any examples?

They do indeed exist, but are quite uncommon, here is a example: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43454.0

They are probably found in electronic typewriters made in the late 80 and 90, like the one I linked.

[bcredbottle]

I think we should get together and make a list of typewriters with caps that are compatible with mechanical keyboards.

For example, I was able to get a beautiful set of caps from a Royal Beta 9000D that were MX-compatible.

More

Show Image

Such information is already available on here: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Triumph-Adler (sorted by brand, for example TA)
Many typewriters also provide a nice mounting plate, and allow to make a nice custom board out of them!  :)

Also welcome to geekhack @Olumin!

Yeah but that doesn't have a category for typewriters. The DT wiki has a list of all brands, but not a list of typewriter brands, much less typewriter brands/models whose caps are compatible with mechanical keyboard swithces.

[rowdy]

I think we should get together and make a list of typewriters with caps that are compatible with mechanical keyboards.

For example, I was able to get a beautiful set of caps from a Royal Beta 9000D that were MX-compatible.

More

Show Image

Many electronic typewriters indeed have mechanical keyboards and are cherry or alps compatible, but I mostly collect and own much older machines. I only own 2 electric typewriters, a IBM selectric II from 1976 and a Olympia Report deluxe from 1974.

But if you know a machine with Dye Sublimated PBT keycaps which are alps compatible, let me now.

Alps compatible??? Really? Do you know any examples?

They do indeed exist, but are quite uncommon, here is a example: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43454.0

They are probably found in electronic typewriters made in the late 80 and 90, like the one I linked.

I still have that typewriter :)

[hoggy]

I think typewriters are amazing machines. Thousands of parts and they needed a huge amount of setup/tuning by hand.  Talking about the older models, of course.

I think it's somewhat of a shame to take the keys from working typewriters, just to turn into jewellery and the like.

PS welcome to geekhack!

[rowdy]

I think typewriters are amazing machines. Thousands of parts and they needed a huge amount of setup/tuning by hand.  Talking about the older models, of course.

I think it's somewhat of a shame to take the keys from working typewriters, just to turn into jewellery and the like.

PS welcome to geekhack!

Although if the typewriters are broken beyond repair, at least their organs can be donated to a good cause.

[hoggy]

Of course!
I'd say there's a gradient, at one end there's this sort of thing

[hoggy]

I've been trying very hard not to start collecting typewriters, I've got one (just one), and my partner bought me a book 'The Typewriter Revolution' for my birthday. 

I wonder if it's easier to get others to understand why you would collect typewriters than it would be to explain why you collect computer keyboards.  A lot of people have a bit of nostalgia for typewriters, certainty many of those won't have much if anything about the keyboards they are using now.

[Olumin]

I do actually have a Blue Alps (Alps SKCM Blue Switches) Keyboard, a  Chicony KB-5161C, laying around here, I wanted to sell it for quite some time since I am not capable of removing the switches and build them into another board or PCB. If someone is interested in buying it please contact me, I will provide more info if there is any interest.

[vivalarevolución]

Did you happen to attend the 2014 International Typewriters Collectors Convention in Milwaukee?

[jacobolus]

a Olympia Report deluxe from 1974.

This is a nice mechanical typewriter, but for real fun try the Olympia Professional electric typewriters from a few years later, which were the only known keyboards to use Marquardt plate spring “butterfly” switches. Here are some videos of HaaTa’s: qf8l7hJ1nT4 FA31C5-Oku8

If you can ever find one, I highly recommend typing on it for at least a few minutes. Addictively clicky.

[jacobolus]

I do actually have a Blue Alps (Alps SKCM Blue Switches) Keyboard, a  Chicony KB-5161C, laying around here, I wanted to sell it for quite some time since I am not capable of removing the switches and build them into another board or PCB. If someone is interested in buying it please contact me,

If you make a few more posts here, you can put up a thread in the classified section. I’m sure someone would be willing to spend at least $70–80 USD for it, or perhaps $100. Not sure what the going rate is in Germany.

[Olumin]

I do actually have a Blue Alps (Alps SKCM Blue Switches) Keyboard, a  Chicony KB-5161C, laying around here, I wanted to sell it for quite some time since I am not capable of removing the switches and build them into another board or PCB. If someone is interested in buying it please contact me,

If you make a few more posts here, you can put up a thread in the classified section. I’m sure someone would be willing to spend at least $70–80 USD for it, or perhaps $100. Not sure what the going rate is in Germany.

Thanks for the info, actually somebody already bought it So its no longer available.

[hoggy]

Olumin, do you use a typewriter pad? I was wondering if they were any good for mechanical keyboards (obviously the shape won't be right).

[Olumin]

Olumin, do you use a typewriter pad? I was wondering if they were any good for mechanical keyboards (obviously the shape won't be right).

I do yes, It works wonders on mechanical and electric typewriters. So far as pads for keyboards go, I just use my Desk-pad, but I don't think that a Pad will reduce the noise your keyboard makes.

[hoggy]

That's good to know, thanks!

[Trente]

I am a college student recently into typewriter and want to get one for my course works. But I am very not sure which path to go and want to get some help here. Personally I would like to get a electric one with maybe Alps switch or some kind of click mechanical switch. But a smooth tactile one would also works great. Thank you.

[mjcr]

Hi There,

I've also recently got into typewriters. I'm cleaning up and restoring a 1954 Empire Aristocrat and have a nice Olivetti Lettera 32. However, I've just got the Freewrite as well, and that is lots of fun. Also a fan of typewriter pads. There's a chap in the UK sells them, or some pressed wool felt of a suitable thickness cut to size will work well.