Alps Appreciation Thread

[Wingpad]

Holy **** guys, they dude has a new batch of SKCM Blue boards on the listing!

Daaang, he must be sitting on a pile of these things.

[emdude]

Haha, maybe I will pick up a few for myself, wallet forgive me.

[mike52787]

Haha, maybe I will pick up a few for myself, wallet forgive me.

my wallet is already too hacked, plus I have 3 on the way, hopefully.

[Mattr567]

Lol we must be making this guys week ) Looking at them we have a couple avg. condition 95 yen ones, and a 39 yen one that looks awful. The plate is extremely rusted and falling apart. One of the 95 yen ones looks to be the same board as mine as well. Dirty, but a bit less. Also more complete switches. Wonder how many of those Model M clones he has.

He also refreshed the SKCL Green listing w/ this odd looking 84 key thing.

[emdude]

I have been working on a preliminary AT101W plate, could someone with an AT101W please check if it is more or less correct?  The only issues I have are the two bottom space bar stabs.  Any measurements for those would be appreciated.

I am also working on an AT101/SGI plate, I need measurements for the space bar stabilizers, including the circular clips and the bottom two stabs.  I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could contribute those as well.

EDIT: As I suspected, I screwed up with the stepped Caps Lock, I will fix this in a bit.

EDIT 2: Fixed Caps Lock issue, the plate seems to be off based on a test print.  Hope it isn't an issue.

EDIT 3: Double-checked, should be okay actually.

[fohat.digs]

I know that it is mostly off-topic, but did you see the AT101 chop job that grimey did a few years ago?

It is hard for me to find pre-r00tw0rm stuff, my "-fu" is not the greatest, but it may be here somewhere.

[E3E]

I know that it is mostly off-topic, but did you see the AT101 chop job that grimey did a few years ago?

It is hard for me to find pre-r00tw0rm stuff, my "-fu" is not the greatest, but it may be here somewhere.

My fufu skills are pretty okay.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=9542.0

I remember another one without the broken picture links though.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=16754

This isn't it either. Huh.

[Hak Foo]

Do you only get the PCB-plate assembly?  If he had a complete example with case, even pretty filthy, I'd be willing to pay TWO HUNDRED YUAN!  Seriously, I'm not even that obsessed with the blue switch, but a donor that's clean and classy looking, and has a straight ANSI board inside....

This one's interesting for the lettering on the caps: https://world.taobao.com/item/533916632442.htm?fromSite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4002-2302559237.37.IvJCRd

Honestly, though, I threw $144 at that i-Rocks "new Alps but sort of MX" board crowdfunding fiasco so my budget is shot for a while.

[E3E]

Though I could not imagine those caps having anything  but pad printed sub legends due to the sheer complexity of all those additional legends, it's a shame that they aren't something more resilient. I noticed those as well a while back. PBT caps with the same kinds of legends would be fantastic.

[Wingpad]

Just as a follow up to emdude's progress update about our 60% plate reverse engineering project, I sent my AEKII drawing off to get fabbed today. I am considering this to be a test run since I am not 100% confident in it; however, it has passed my preliminary tests and seems to be laid out correctly, we will find out for sure soon! Once I get all of the details sorted out, I will be open-sourcing it for personal use and (hopefully) use in future GBs. I would post it now but I don't want to get responses like "It doesn't woooooork," haha.

Here is a render of what it will (should?) look like:

[mike52787]

Looks great so far!

[Mattr567]

Found these. Looks to be the same SKCL Grey listing as before, but this guy has actual switches in stock. The guy also must be really high if he wants that much for 20 SKCL Grey's. Cool find though. Wish he would sell them individually.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/5pcs-lot-SKBM-Keyboard-switch-grey-axis/32601728123.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_0,searchweb201602_1_10017_507,searchweb201603_11&btsid=1f0cbe65-349c-48bf-ad16-e60355e4612b

Also some cool Plate Springs and caps. Those doubleshots remind me of 2 piece BS caps, look similar in a way.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-lot-alp-Keypads-Keyboards-switch-white/32653375208.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_0,searchweb201602_1_10017_507,searchweb201603_11&btsid=1f0cbe65-349c-48bf-ad16-e60355e4612b

[deductivemonkee]

Has anyone tried these?
https://matias.store/products/keycap-set-black-blank
Or does someone have a set of AW they can part with?

[Hak Foo]

Well, I'd assume theyr're the same as the stock Tactile Pro 4 ones but blank.

I have a TP4.  The stock caps are okay, OEM profile.  Stabilizers are ALPS-mount except the spacebar which is Costar-style IIRC.`  It's nice that they seem to rpovide an abundance of caps to handle different layout choices.

What board do you want to fit?  The Tai Hao sets are nice for some boards, but limited in what they fit well-- mostly the new KBParadise boards.

[emdude]

Continued work on the AT101W plate, moved the two bottom-most stabs using approximate measurements provided by alh84001, here's what it looks like:



Should be more or less done now, barring major screw-ups.  Anyone with an AT101W is more than welcome to try this out with a test print; I don't have one so I cannot do it myself, unfortunately.

EDIT: Updated with more accurate measurements thanks to alh84001, I am more confident about this one.

[klennkellon]

I think you all have been making this random Chinese guys week!

[deductivemonkee]

Well, I'd assume theyr're the same as the stock Tactile Pro 4 ones but blank.

I have a TP4.  The stock caps are okay, OEM profile.  Stabilizers are ALPS-mount except the spacebar which is Costar-style IIRC.`  It's nice that they seem to rpovide an abundance of caps to handle different layout choices.

What board do you want to fit?  The Tai Hao sets are nice for some boards, but limited in what they fit well-- mostly the new KBParadise boards.

I was looking for something to replace my tai-hao dolch on my alps64, colors are horrible with the rest of my desk.

[emdude]

I've opened a separate topic in the Making Stuff Together! subforum and will be continuing the plate work there.

[Mattr567]

Retrobrighting and repairing my FK-3001. What a pain. Had to completely take apart the calculator mechanism and desolder it. At least now when i'm done the screen will be like new.

[klennkellon]

Retrobrighting and repairing my FK-3001. What a pain. Had to completely take apart the calculator mechanism and desolder it. At least now when i'm done the screen will be like new.

Focus boards are lovely, it will be worth it I'm sure.

The FK-2001 I had was a huge PTO to disassemble because the tabs would break easily if you weren't careful opening it.

[Mattr567]

Retrobrighting and repairing my FK-3001. What a pain. Had to completely take apart the calculator mechanism and desolder it. At least now when i'm done the screen will be like new.

Focus boards are lovely, it will be worth it I'm sure.

The FK-2001 I had was a huge PTO to disassemble because the tabs would break easily if you weren't careful opening it.

It will be great when its done. Funny, with the display and everything is desoldered the numpad doesn't work in any mode. Num lock and the buttons to switch between calc and keyboard mode still do however.

[Wingpad]

I was tinkering with KLE this afternoon after I looked at the new Redscarf GB on Massdrop and thought to myself "I want that, but with Alps switches!" So began a quest to create something similar and here is what I came up with:



Any thoughts, guys?  Do any of you know if anyone has done something like this before? This could potentially be endgame material for me and should be feasible by harvesting caps from an Apple Standard Keyboard and an Apple Extended Keyboard. The only things I would have to worry about are the stupid rotated stems of the Apple F-keys but I should be able to account for that with some clever plate engineering. In addition, I have an old Apple Design Keyboard with Alps-compatible stems that has correctly rotated F-keys that I could use if worse comes to worst. Regardless, in my opinion, this is an interesting layout that warrants further thought.

[mike52787]

I was tinkering with KLE this afternoon after I looked at the new Redscarf GB on Massdrop and thought to myself "I want that, but with Alps switches!" So began a quest to create something similar and here is what I came up with:

(Attachment Link)

Any thoughts, guys?  Do any of you know if anyone has done something like this before? This could potentially be endgame material for me and should be feasible by harvesting an Apple Standard Keyboard and an Apple Extended Keyboard. The only things I would have to worry about are the stupid rotated stems of the Apple F-keys but I should be able to account for that with some clever plate engineering. In addition, I have an old Apple Design Keyboard with Alps-compatible stems that has correctly rotated F-keys that I could use if worse comes to worst. Regardless, in my opinion, this was an interesting layout that warrants further thought.

You have no idea how excited I am about this. I would be soooo in on this gb


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[emdude]

I was tinkering with KLE this afternoon after I looked at the new Redscarf GB on Massdrop and thought to myself "I want that, but with Alps switches!" So began a quest to create something similar and here is what I came up with:

(Attachment Link)

Any thoughts, guys?  Do any of you know if anyone has done something like this before? This could potentially be endgame material for me and should be feasible by harvesting caps from an Apple Standard Keyboard and an Apple Extended Keyboard. The only things I would have to worry about are the stupid rotated stems of the Apple F-keys but I should be able to account for that with some clever plate engineering. In addition, I have an old Apple Design Keyboard with Alps-compatible stems that has correctly rotated F-keys that I could use if worse comes to worst. Regardless, in my opinion, this is an interesting layout that warrants further thought.

This looks neat, but I personally would not like the mismatching profiles of the function row and the other non-alphanumeric keys.  It does not help that Apple also made their own profile with extra-tall function key stems so I imagine those would stick out like a sore thumb.

Maybe if there were DSA-profile Alps key caps.

[Wingpad]

This looks neat, but I personally would not like the mismatching profiles of the function row and the other non-alphanumeric keys.  It does not help that Apple also made their own profile with extra-tall function key stems so I imagine those would stick out like a sore thumb.

Maybe if there were DSA-profile Alps key caps.

Hmmm, I wonder if there is a way to clear off the dye-sublimated labels from original apple caps and use them as blanks which would solve this issue. Something like this:


Worse comes to worst, there are always DSA-profile Alps Key Caps

[mike52787]

When (and if) you do the GB, Could you offer options on the plate? I love the split backspace and split right shift layout on my alps64. If you havent tried backspace on the 2nd row (hhkb style), give it a shot. I like it alot more than backspace on the first row.

[Wingpad]

When (and if) you do the GB, Could you offer options on the plate? I love the split backspace and split right shift layout on my alps64. If you havent tried backspace on the 2nd row (hhkb style), give it a shot. I like it alot more than backspace on the first row.

It's definitely an if at this point, haha. I am going to look into the case design for it later and how viable this could be. While I am doing that, I can look into the option of being able to split those keys. It would once again come back to a matter of finding appropriate keycaps, though... hmmm

I have tried it on the home row (colemak) and I just kept forgetting it was there, haha, definitely would have to disable it in its "natural" position to get used to it more. I am getting an HHKB at some point in the near future, though, and I'm looking forward to experimenting with that.

[mike52787]

well ****. looks like im only getting 1 blue alps board. Hopeffully noone snags the other one I ordered out from under me.

[need]

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well ****. looks like im only getting 1 blue alps board. Hopeffully noone snags the other one I ordered out from under me.

That one has blue Alps clones if you look closer.

[mike52787]

GOD ****ING DAMNIT

[emdude]

Wait, are these the same boards you were trying to get last week?  Shame if they are.

@need, how do you know they are clones?  The pictures were pretty horrible to begin with but I could not tell if they were genuine SKCM Blues or Simplified Type IIIs when I was viewing the listing.

[mike52787]

Wait, are these the same boards you were trying to get last week?  Shame if they are.

yup. 

[emdude]

Damn, such is Taobao unforunately.

[Wingpad]

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well ****. looks like im only getting 1 blue alps board. Hopeffully noone snags the other one I ordered out from under me.

I am really sorry to hear that man :(

@need, how do you know they are clones?  The pictures were pretty horrible to begin with but I could not tell if they were genuine SKCM Blues or Simplified Type IIIs when I was viewing the listing.

Here is a higher res image of one of them that I saved since it matched the board I bought, these look genuine to me:

[emdude]

Well, I think I can make out the upper mould markings on the space bar switch, which I believe are indicative of genuine switches.

[chyros]

Those are definitely genuine. You can see the switchplate in one of the broken switches .

[need]

I believe I saw somewhere said that IBM blue Alps are counterfeit boards made in Hong Kong, and have clones for that reason.

[Hak Foo]

I feel like that's a conjecture.  It's a knock-off Model M, but it is entirely possible that it was still cost-effective to use real ALPS switches in it.

[rowdy]

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well ****. looks like im only getting 1 blue alps board. Hopeffully noone snags the other one I ordered out from under me.

I am really sorry to hear that man :(

@need, how do you know they are clones?  The pictures were pretty horrible to begin with but I could not tell if they were genuine SKCM Blues or Simplified Type IIIs when I was viewing the listing.

Here is a higher res image of one of them that I saved since it matched the board I bought, these look genuine to me:
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ]

Bottom rows are sometimes creative on older keyboards.

[mike52787]

Bottom rows are sometimes creative on older keyboards.

I dont know why they would go out if their way to put real alps switches on the bottom row if the rest is all clones, that doesnt really make sense from a buisness standpoint. Stop making me doubt my purchase )


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[Mattr567]

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well ****. looks like im only getting 1 blue alps board. Hopeffully noone snags the other one I ordered out from under me.

Well ****, that sucks. Where did you get that message? What proxy did you use? I hope I don't get the same. I did order before anyone else so I think i'm ok.

I believe I saw somewhere said that IBM blue Alps are counterfeit boards made in Hong Kong, and have clones for that reason.

Nah man, nah. Those Model M clones are genuine, the one on deskthority is legit and from the pic of the one I ordered on the listing you can see multiple switchplates.

[mike52787]

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well ****. looks like im only getting 1 blue alps board. Hopeffully noone snags the other one I ordered out from under me.

Well ****, that sucks. Where did you get that message? What proxy did you use? I hope I don't get the same. I did order before anyone else so I think i'm ok.

I believe I saw somewhere said that IBM blue Alps are counterfeit boards made in Hong Kong, and have clones for that reason.

Nah man, nah. Those Model M clones are genuine, the one on deskthority is legit and from the pic of the one I ordered on the listing you can see multiple switchplates.

I used taobaofocus, im not worried about getting my money back for what I did t get to order, Ive heard good things about them.


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[Mattr567]

Well, here it is. I present a restored FK-3001. Nice and white! I couldn't totally fix the screen but whatever. Still displays something legible.

[mike52787]

Well, here it is. I present a restored FK-3001. Nice and white! I couldn't totally fix the screen but whatever. Still displays something legible.

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That looks really good. I couldnt be bothered to try retrobriting my omnikey, so I painted it. I found a real "90s Beige" color, and I think it turned out good. Paint is still drying, Will update thread with pics tomorrow. Im gonna be a few switches short of blue alpsifying it, so if anyone out of the kindness of their heart wants to offload ~5 skcm blues, they know where to ship em to :)) (this is all contingent on taobao coming through for me of course)

[romevi]

Well, here it is. I present a restored FK-3001. Nice and white! I couldn't totally fix the screen but whatever. Still displays something legible.

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Very pristine. For a while I contemplated getting one of the Focus boards and the cut the plate for an Alps64, but now I'm leaning toward something simpler.

[Mattr567]

Well, here it is. I present a restored FK-3001. Nice and white! I couldn't totally fix the screen but whatever. Still displays something legible.

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That looks really good. I couldnt be bothered to try retrobriting my omnikey, so I painted it. I found a real "90s Beige" color, and I think it turned out good. Paint is still drying, Will update thread with pics tomorrow. Im gonna be a few switches short of blue alpsifying it, so if anyone out of the kindness of their heart wants to offload ~5 skcm blues, they know where to ship em to :)) (this is all contingent on taobao coming through for me of course)

Thanks. Retrobrighting is a bit of a pain but its worth it. Its cool imo to have (in this case) a 27 year old keyboard that looks and feels brand new :) Total I have done 3 so far, a AEKII, SGI Granite and the Focus. This is the first time doing all the caps since I have lucked out w/ PBT caps till now. May or may not do the IBM sphericals.

I only have 1 SKCM Blue right now for my tester so I can't help ya :(

[klennkellon]

That focus is absolutely stunning. 10/10

[Mattr567]

That focus is absolutely stunning. 10/10

Thanks. Here are some extra pics. Love the popup display. The biggest change that stood out to me was the caps, they look so sharp and pristinely white. I had gotten used to their yellow haze. Date on PCB is 10/24/1989.

[chyros]

Noice! That 3001 is looking really good . I never noticed how similar it is to the 2001 if you don't look at the right side of the keyboard.

[klennkellon]

Noice! That 3001 is looking really good . I never noticed how similar it is to the 2001 if you don't look at the right side of the keyboard.

It's hard to make an old Focus look bad.