Epson Buckling Spring Board?

[Mikecase00]

So I'm visiting my out of state parents and notice my father has an old (judging the appearance, I'd say early 90's) Epson keyboard sitting in the corner of his den.  I pick it up, look it over, press a few of the moderately clickey keys, and decide to look under the hood to see what kind of switches are hiding underneath, expecting some kind of ALPS type switch.

The key cap comes off like a Model M's, and underneath is a strangely shaped keystem through  which can be seen a silver spring a la an M's buckling spring.  Unlike a Model M though, the collar around the spring looked different.  Unfortunately I didn't have a camera handy, and I won't be able to inspect it again until I'm back to visit in April, but it has certainly piqued my interest.  Was there another non-IBM buckling spring keyboard?  Is this some other kind of switch?  Anyone care to guess?

[fkeidjn]

Does it look anything like this keyboard?

[xsphat]

That thing is fairly bad ass. What kind of switches are those?

[iMav]

I think I used to own the same Epson keyboard...That was in mid-90's and came with my first PC (an Epson 286).  Unfortunately, the system and keyboard are long gone and I have no idea what switches it used.

However, I think I have a friend who still has the same keyboard.  I'll touch base with him and see if he still has it lying around.

[Mikecase00]

Does it look anything like this keyboard?

It looked exactly like that, and the babelfish coarse translation indicates that it's quite similar to the IBM buckling spring design.  That's very cool.  I'll have to see if I can snag it when I go back in April

[fkeidjn]

If you look at this animation, you'll see that the only difference is that you have a membrane (not sure what kind though, contact or capacitor) and spring.  The more you try to compress the spring, the spring will eventually release itself on the rubber, thus causing the rubber to press down.  I think it's similar to the Topre keyswitch (I don't have one to compare side by side though).

[iMav]

However, I think I have a friend who still has the same keyboard.  I'll touch base with him and see if he still has it lying around.

I confirmed that my friend still has his.  I'll see if I can manage to swing by his house this weekend and get some pics.

[Mikecase00]

So I finally managed to get hold of the keyboard and gave it a good going over.  I think the board is VERY similar to an IBM M board in it's construction, especially internally.  I like that the curved steel backplate of the Epson board uses screws to connect through to the black plastic key grid (not sure what else to call it), instead of the melted plastic grommets IBM used.  I'd say the Epson board is every bit as solidly constructed as most Model Ms.

The key action feels different though, as the keys feature shorter key-throws, less snappy actuation, and quieter click.  Very ALPS like I'd say.  I still haven't found any reference to Epson boards using buckling springs though, so I'm not sure that this isn't some other spring based key switch type.  Not a lot of info on these things floating around, although they seem really pretty nice.

Several pictures of keyboard pr0n follow.

[Bluemercury]

Nice, too bad that to find anything remotly like that is night on impossible.....

[Mikecase00]

Actually, there's several of these up on e-Bay right now (Search for Epson Q203A).  Be advised that they use the older AT style plug though, so you'll need at least an AT -> PS/2 adapter.

[Bluemercury]

Actually, there's several of these up on e-Bay right now (Search for Epson Q203A).  Be advised that they use the older AT style plug though, so you'll need at least an AT -> PS/2 adapter.

That's not a problem, since you experience it, how does it compare to cherry switches and bucking spring ones from ibm....?

[Mikecase00]

I can't compare the switches to Cherrys, since I've not used them.  Compared to an IBM buckling spring board, the keys require a lower actuation force and shorter throw.  They produce a shorter, quieter click, and the switch activation is less notchy.  That said, they definitely feel more precise than your average rubber dome keyboard.  They feel a lot like an old Focus 2001 keyboard with white ALPS switches I tried out a few months back, although they do not appear mechanically similar.

[Bluemercury]

BTW i've sent you a private message regarding vinyl dyeing my model M, i just found teh siggy's rants blog and it seems the vinyl dye on the keys didnt hold up.....how's your model M?

[Mikecase00]

I responded to you message (I hadn't noticed them before).  The dye job is holding up great, even on the bottom where it contacts the desk. I didn't paint my keys though, so I can't vouch for that (although I would expect them to be as durable).

You could always buy a cheap $5 board and test some dye out on it...

[Bluemercury]

I responded to you message (I hadn't noticed them before).  The dye job is holding up great, even on the bottom where it contacts the desk. I didn't paint my keys though, so I can't vouch for that (although I would expect them to be as durable).

You could always buy a cheap $5 board and test some dye out on it...

Keep checking your pm then, unless of course you have msn contact.....