Author Topic: Alps Appreciation Thread  (Read 2435635 times)

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Offline chyros

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #250 on: Wed, 25 November 2015, 03:39:16 »
how do i start searching for alps? im new to this alps game
If you like clicky switches, start with a board with white Alps in it, they're pretty good and easy to get. Just make sure to ask for a shot with a cap off because many Alps boards could come with several types of switch.
thats the problem im searching for the best and that is the blue alps how much do you think for a donor board?
At least $100. Blue Alps don't come cheap because everyone knows their reputation. You might want to consider a more entry-level Alps board to see if you even like them at all.
Check my keyboard video reviews:


Offline jdcarpe

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #251 on: Wed, 25 November 2015, 05:08:22 »
how do i start searching for alps? im new to this alps game
If you like clicky switches, start with a board with white Alps in it, they're pretty good and easy to get. Just make sure to ask for a shot with a cap off because many Alps boards could come with several types of switch.
thats the problem im searching for the best and that is the blue alps how much do you think for a donor board?
At least $100. Blue Alps don't come cheap because everyone knows their reputation. You might want to consider a more entry-level Alps board to see if you even like them at all.

Yes, and they are notoriously hard to find, at any price. My recommendation would be to buy a Focus FK-2001, which will have white Alps. White aren't quite as nice as blue, but still much better than black Alps to most people. Buying a Dell AT-101W is good, too, but it will come with the less desirable black Alps.

Or you could get a KBParadise V60MTS (60%) or V80MTS (TKL), with your choice of Matias switches - Click, Quiet Click (tactile), or Linear.
KMAC :: LZ-GH :: WASD CODE :: WASD v2 :: GH60 :: Alps64 :: JD45 :: IBM Model M :: IBM 4704 "Pingmaster"

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Offline Blaise170

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #252 on: Wed, 25 November 2015, 08:40:37 »
Blue Alps are trending at the $80+ range right now. Also be careful with white switches as many of the whites are actually clones.
I proxy anything including keyboards (キーボード / 鍵盤), from both Japan (日本) and China (中國). For more information, you may visit my dedicated webpage here: https://www.keyboards.es/proxying.html

View my current and past keyboards here: https://deskthority.net/wiki/User:Blaise170

Offline bocahgundul

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #253 on: Wed, 25 November 2015, 08:44:14 »
Thx for the info still searching for them exotic blue

Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #254 on: Wed, 25 November 2015, 08:51:41 »
I'm on the hunt for those Matias Quiet Clicks  :cool:

Offline bocahgundul

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #255 on: Wed, 25 November 2015, 08:53:53 »
I'm on the hunt for those Matias Quiet Clicks  :cool:
You can buy it on their website right?

Offline njbair

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #256 on: Wed, 25 November 2015, 08:59:18 »
I'm on the hunt for those Matias Quiet Clicks  :cool:
You can buy it on their website right?
I believe so. I've bought them from mechanicalkeyboards.com before as well.

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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #257 on: Wed, 25 November 2015, 09:08:37 »
But what board do I put them in?  :eek:

Offline bocahgundul

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #258 on: Wed, 25 November 2015, 09:11:46 »
But what board do I put them in?  :eek:
Buy a new one  :p :p

Offline jdcarpe

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #259 on: Wed, 25 November 2015, 09:16:46 »
KMAC :: LZ-GH :: WASD CODE :: WASD v2 :: GH60 :: Alps64 :: JD45 :: IBM Model M :: IBM 4704 "Pingmaster"

http://jd40.info :: http://jd45.info


in memoriam

"When I was a kid, I used to take things apart and never put them back together."

Offline rowdy

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #260 on: Thu, 26 November 2015, 03:38:26 »
I would like to appreciate Alps.
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #261 on: Thu, 26 November 2015, 09:39:38 »
I would like to appreciate Alps.

Good ones are really good and bad ones are really bad.

Stated another way: good Alps are better than good Cherries but bad Cherries are better than bad Alps.
"It turns out that for a decade, whenever Trump wanted to get a loan, or make a deal, he would inflate the value of his real estate. For instance, suggesting that his 11,000-square foot penthouse was a 30,000-square foot penthouse.
And the attorney general of New York knew that Trump's property values were inflated because when it came time to pay taxes, Trump undervalued the very same properties.
It was all part of a very sophisticated real estate practice known as “lying.”
- Jon Stewart 2024-03-28

Offline Lepidus

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #262 on: Thu, 26 November 2015, 10:50:08 »
Got an old costar CSK-7101n, with alps (clones?) type OD1. They felt very ****ty to be honest, but I guess its due to the really bad condition the keyboard was.
Desoldered all of them, cleaned, lubed and the feel improved a lot, but the tactile bump and clickyness were still underwhelming.

Then I took the clicky leaf and bent it. Now it feels pretty good, very tactile and very clicky, a little bit heavier tho.

Hope it lasts.

Offline jacobolus

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #263 on: Fri, 27 November 2015, 05:00:40 »
Stated another way: good Alps are better than good Cherries but bad Cherries are better than bad Alps.
I can’t support this. I’ve seen Cherry boards that were just as unusable as the worst Alps board.

30-year-old Alps boards seem to more often be in extremely poor condition than 30-year-old MX boards, but take any keyboard, throw the box away, put it in a pile with 50 other keyboards, pour a bucket of dirt on it, and then wait 20 years, and you can get truly horrible results.

Offline wakko

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #264 on: Sun, 29 November 2015, 18:08:16 »
Alps64 with salmon and white/orange hybrid switches ...
NOOB
KUL ES-87

Offline Yoe

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #265 on: Tue, 01 December 2015, 06:53:38 »
Alps64 with salmon and white/orange hybrid switches ...

Nice dye job! What kind/color dye did you use?

Offline grav3serker

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #266 on: Wed, 02 December 2015, 00:03:09 »
Alps64 with salmon and white/orange hybrid switches ...
That's sexy. I would love to have a board like that!

Offline wakko

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #267 on: Wed, 02 December 2015, 00:30:13 »
Alps64 with salmon and white/orange hybrid switches ...

Nice dye job! What kind/color dye did you use?

It's iDye Poly turqoise. Dye did come out quiet nice.

Alps64 with salmon and white/orange hybrid switches ...
That's sexy. I would love to have a board like that!

I do enjoy this board :)
NOOB
KUL ES-87

Offline Oobly

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #268 on: Wed, 02 December 2015, 01:29:25 »
I appreciate my Amber Alps :)

118879-0

Need to get a better picture... Anyway, I'll be removing the board at some point and making a case for it (with a Teensy), but will keep it intact so I can swap it back into the machine. I may even make a ribbon cable extension so I can plug it into the mainboard, but keep it in my custom case. It feels very nice to type on, even the "tophat" caps feel good.

I also have an Alpsulator, but the clones in that feel very poor in comparison.
Buying more keycaps,
it really hacks my wallet,
but I must have them.

Offline sean

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #269 on: Wed, 02 December 2015, 21:38:43 »
Alps64 with salmon and white/orange hybrid switches ...

Nice dye job! What kind/color dye did you use?

It's iDye Poly turqoise. Dye did come out quiet nice.

What's the process of dying the caps with iDye?

Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #270 on: Thu, 03 December 2015, 07:24:57 »
"It turns out that for a decade, whenever Trump wanted to get a loan, or make a deal, he would inflate the value of his real estate. For instance, suggesting that his 11,000-square foot penthouse was a 30,000-square foot penthouse.
And the attorney general of New York knew that Trump's property values were inflated because when it came time to pay taxes, Trump undervalued the very same properties.
It was all part of a very sophisticated real estate practice known as “lying.”
- Jon Stewart 2024-03-28

Offline sean

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #271 on: Thu, 03 December 2015, 12:11:34 »
What's the process of dying the caps with iDye?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35444.msg658453#msg658453


Just what I needed, thanks. I'll probably end up really screwing the caps up but it's worth a try.

Offline BlueNalgene

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #272 on: Thu, 03 December 2015, 12:21:36 »
What's the process of dying the caps with iDye?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35444.msg658453#msg658453

That is probably one of my favorite threads on this site.  It came from a user that never  really posted much, but the quality and rigor are just amazing.

Offline zefyr

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #273 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 05:51:50 »
I use broken vintage alps keyboards for my custom keyboard.

Here's some of my works.

1. alpetit II : Alps Salmon Pink Switch from Dell AT101
acrylic housing + 1.5T STS mounting plate.
119335-0
It's no good for me. I don't use it. Switches are too damaged, I just assembled this for sample shots. What a waste.

2. alpetit II : Alps Plate Spring Switch from IBM 5576-001 and Keycaps from Apple M0115 + M0116
acrylic housing + 1.2T STS mounting plate.
119337-1
One of my favorite. The clicky sounds and tactile feeling are so addictive. (I replaced housing with red one after took youtube video stream.)

3. VE.A : Alps Green Linear Switch from Zenith ZKB-2 and Keycaps from Apple M3501 + M0116
CNC aluminium Armor + CNC Poly Carbonate Frame + 1.5T STS mounting plate.
119339-2
This is my weapon of choice. Just perfect for my taste.
Alps green linear switch is my favorite.
It has subtle tactile feeling even it's designed as a linear mechanism.
Pressure is not that light, but bouncy.
I coated its slider with krytox lubs, feels a little soaked but smooth.
ZeFyr "Vermillion" J.

Vergo type.T / alpetit / alpetit II / VE.A with Vergo type.T-II

Offline Lepidus

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #274 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 06:06:13 »
3. VE.A : Alps Green Linear Switch from Zenith ZKB-2 and Keycaps from Apple M3501 + M0116
CNC aluminium Armor + CNC Poly Carbonate Frame + 1.5T STS mounting plate.
(Attachment Link)
This is my weapon of choice. Just perfect for my taste.
Alps green linear switch is my favorite.
It has subtle tactile feeling even it's designed as a linear mechanism.
Pressure is not that light, but bouncy.
I coated its slider with krytox lubs, feels a little soaked but smooth.

Wow, that split one looks really awsome. Please post more pics.

Offline zombimuncha

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #275 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 06:13:29 »
I use broken vintage alps keyboards for my custom keyboard.

Here's some of my works.

1. alpetit II : Alps Salmon Pink Switch from Dell AT101
acrylic housing + 1.5T STS mounting plate.
(Attachment Link)
It's no good for me. I don't use it. Switches are too damaged, I just assembled this for sample shots. What a waste.

2. alpetit II : Alps Plate Spring Switch from IBM 5576-001 and Keycaps from Apple M0115 + M0116
acrylic housing + 1.2T STS mounting plate.
(Attachment Link)
One of my favorite. The clicky sounds and tactile feeling are so addictive. (I replaced housing with red one after took youtube video stream.)

3. VE.A : Alps Green Linear Switch from Zenith ZKB-2 and Keycaps from Apple M3501 + M0116
CNC aluminium Armor + CNC Poly Carbonate Frame + 1.5T STS mounting plate.
(Attachment Link)
This is my weapon of choice. Just perfect for my taste.
Alps green linear switch is my favorite.
It has subtle tactile feeling even it's designed as a linear mechanism.
Pressure is not that light, but bouncy.
I coated its slider with krytox lubs, feels a little soaked but smooth.

Dammit, now I need to change my pants!

But seriously, those are some spectacular keyboards you have there. Thanks for sharing!

Offline zefyr

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #276 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 06:24:07 »
Dammit, now I need to change my pants!

But seriously, those are some spectacular keyboards you have there. Thanks for sharing!

Wow, that split one looks really awsome. Please post more pics.

Thanks guys, here's some more pics I just took.

Here's more on kbdlab gallery, It's built with Cherry MX Black with 60g customized spring.
http://kbdlab.co.kr/index.php?document_srl=3152205&mid=board_Lsno50
« Last Edit: Mon, 07 December 2015, 06:25:57 by zefyr »
ZeFyr "Vermillion" J.

Vergo type.T / alpetit / alpetit II / VE.A with Vergo type.T-II

Offline Jokrik

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #277 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 10:16:49 »
Dammit, now I need to change my pants!

But seriously, those are some spectacular keyboards you have there. Thanks for sharing!

Wow, that split one looks really awsome. Please post more pics.

Thanks guys, here's some more pics I just took.

Here's more on kbdlab gallery, It's built with Cherry MX Black with 60g customized spring.
http://kbdlab.co.kr/index.php?document_srl=3152205&mid=board_Lsno50
So sexy...
Too sexy....
Pants wet.........
So wet.....
Quote
Women always figure out the truth. Always. - Han Solo

Offline jerue

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #278 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 10:52:08 »

3. VE.A : Alps Green Linear Switch from Zenith ZKB-2 and Keycaps from Apple M3501 + M0116
CNC aluminium Armor + CNC Poly Carbonate Frame + 1.5T STS mounting plate.
(Attachment Link)
This is my weapon of choice. Just perfect for my taste.
Alps green linear switch is my favorite.
It has subtle tactile feeling even it's designed as a linear mechanism.
Pressure is not that light, but bouncy.
I coated its slider with krytox lubs, feels a little soaked but smooth.

dam son.jpg

because DAMN SON

Offline E3E

  • Posts: 2831
Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #279 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 11:14:15 »
I use broken vintage alps keyboards for my custom keyboard.

Here's some of my works.

1. alpetit II : Alps Salmon Pink Switch from Dell AT101
acrylic housing + 1.5T STS mounting plate.
(Attachment Link)
It's no good for me. I don't use it. Switches are too damaged, I just assembled this for sample shots. What a waste.

2. alpetit II : Alps Plate Spring Switch from IBM 5576-001 and Keycaps from Apple M0115 + M0116
acrylic housing + 1.2T STS mounting plate.
(Attachment Link)
One of my favorite. The clicky sounds and tactile feeling are so addictive. (I replaced housing with red one after took youtube video stream.)

3. VE.A : Alps Green Linear Switch from Zenith ZKB-2 and Keycaps from Apple M3501 + M0116
CNC aluminium Armor + CNC Poly Carbonate Frame + 1.5T STS mounting plate.
(Attachment Link)
This is my weapon of choice. Just perfect for my taste.
Alps green linear switch is my favorite.
It has subtle tactile feeling even it's designed as a linear mechanism.
Pressure is not that light, but bouncy.
I coated its slider with krytox lubs, feels a little soaked but smooth.

Are you the one who created that split keyboard, the VE.A?

Jeez, and now I find out that it is Alps compatible. Simply amazing and I'm incredibly jelly! That's such a cool custom!

Might finally have another custom aside from the Octagon I'm lusting for now. :P

Offline zefyr

  • Posts: 330
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  • Oddforge
Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #280 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 11:22:46 »
I use broken vintage alps keyboards for my custom keyboard.

Here's some of my works.

1. alpetit II : Alps Salmon Pink Switch from Dell AT101
acrylic housing + 1.5T STS mounting plate.
(Attachment Link)
It's no good for me. I don't use it. Switches are too damaged, I just assembled this for sample shots. What a waste.

2. alpetit II : Alps Plate Spring Switch from IBM 5576-001 and Keycaps from Apple M0115 + M0116
acrylic housing + 1.2T STS mounting plate.
(Attachment Link)
One of my favorite. The clicky sounds and tactile feeling are so addictive. (I replaced housing with red one after took youtube video stream.)

3. VE.A : Alps Green Linear Switch from Zenith ZKB-2 and Keycaps from Apple M3501 + M0116
CNC aluminium Armor + CNC Poly Carbonate Frame + 1.5T STS mounting plate.
(Attachment Link)
This is my weapon of choice. Just perfect for my taste.
Alps green linear switch is my favorite.
It has subtle tactile feeling even it's designed as a linear mechanism.
Pressure is not that light, but bouncy.
I coated its slider with krytox lubs, feels a little soaked but smooth.

Are you the one who created that split keyboard, the VE.A?

Jeez, and now I find out that it is Alps compatible. Simply amazing and I'm incredibly jelly! That's such a cool custom!

Might finally have another custom aside from the Octagon I'm lusting for now. :P

Yes I am.
I heard that my works is posted sometimes here at GH, So I wondered how do you guys think about it.
I got really good feedback from you.
Now I regret why I didn't joined GH a year and half ago when I started custom keyboard hobby.
You know late is way better than never. :)
ZeFyr "Vermillion" J.

Vergo type.T / alpetit / alpetit II / VE.A with Vergo type.T-II

Offline Blaise170

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #281 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 11:53:15 »
I love it. I'd be interested in one if they were sold.
I proxy anything including keyboards (キーボード / 鍵盤), from both Japan (日本) and China (中國). For more information, you may visit my dedicated webpage here: https://www.keyboards.es/proxying.html

View my current and past keyboards here: https://deskthority.net/wiki/User:Blaise170

Offline E3E

  • Posts: 2831
Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #282 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 12:02:33 »
I love it. I'd be interested in one if they were sold.

Likewise! Though with the Octagon v2 coming around, I'd explode if the two buys were close together.

Zefyr, are the PCBs Alps and Cherry MX compatible by default, or do you have separate PCBs for Alps and Cherry? If the Alps PCB is separate, does it allow for in-switch backlighting?

Sorry for all the questions. :)

Offline zefyr

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #283 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 19:18:26 »
I love it. I'd be interested in one if they were sold.

Likewise! Though with the Octagon v2 coming around, I'd explode if the two buys were close together.

Zefyr, are the PCBs Alps and Cherry MX compatible by default, or do you have separate PCBs for Alps and Cherry? If the Alps PCB is separate, does it allow for in-switch backlighting?

Sorry for all the questions. :)

Not at all E3E. :)

My new PCB (Vergo type.T-II) is Cherry MX / Alps compatible and in-switch backlighting is all available also.
But because of backlighting, when it comes to alps there is one critical point.
Old stepped style Alps capslock is not fit on VTT2, I couldn't place switch pads for alps for that damn stem position. It's not at cherry's vintage, nor oem's centered position, it's between them and alps pads cannot be placed... I tried to flip upside-down thing but no luck, LED pads is all over the positions.
My other PCB for example alpetit, is certainly fit all of AT101, AT101W, AEK M3501(M0115 also).
I'm trying to solve this problem on my next PCB, but well... :)
ZeFyr "Vermillion" J.

Vergo type.T / alpetit / alpetit II / VE.A with Vergo type.T-II

Offline E3E

  • Posts: 2831
Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #284 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 20:41:50 »
I love it. I'd be interested in one if they were sold.

Likewise! Though with the Octagon v2 coming around, I'd explode if the two buys were close together.

Zefyr, are the PCBs Alps and Cherry MX compatible by default, or do you have separate PCBs for Alps and Cherry? If the Alps PCB is separate, does it allow for in-switch backlighting?

Sorry for all the questions. :)

Not at all E3E. :)

My new PCB (Vergo type.T-II) is Cherry MX / Alps compatible and in-switch backlighting is all available also.
But because of backlighting, when it comes to alps there is one critical point.
Old stepped style Alps capslock is not fit on VTT2, I couldn't place switch pads for alps for that damn stem position. It's not at cherry's vintage, nor oem's centered position, it's between them and alps pads cannot be placed... I tried to flip upside-down thing but no luck, LED pads is all over the positions.
My other PCB for example alpetit, is certainly fit all of AT101, AT101W, AEK M3501(M0115 also).
I'm trying to solve this problem on my next PCB, but well... :)

Thank you, zefyr. :)

That sounds great! I love MX + Alps PCB designs. Yes, I have noticed this too. It seems that stepped Caps Lock keys on Alps keyboards are between the Cherry style and Non-stepped. I found this out when I was working on my project for a hotswappable backlit Alps keyboard. Though designing a custom PCB is infinitely more awesome.

I can't quite recall how it was done on the Eagle's PCB, but I will say that the pads for the Alps-stepped Caps lock position were so strange, that I didn't notice them. They just looked like PCB-mount leg holes for Cherry MX, but then I realized it was for Alps. I know this doesn't help much!

Here is an image of the position (I missed it, so I didn't add sockets to it at this point), it's circled in green on the right side of the picture. My camera isn't that great so it's a bit fuzzy. :(



Not sure if it can spark any ideas, but I do hope you can get that position figured out! If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know. Your board is great as is, but if you can solve this problem, that'd be even better. :D

Offline zefyr

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #285 on: Mon, 07 December 2015, 22:35:14 »
I love it. I'd be interested in one if they were sold.

Likewise! Though with the Octagon v2 coming around, I'd explode if the two buys were close together.

Zefyr, are the PCBs Alps and Cherry MX compatible by default, or do you have separate PCBs for Alps and Cherry? If the Alps PCB is separate, does it allow for in-switch backlighting?

Sorry for all the questions. :)

Not at all E3E. :)

My new PCB (Vergo type.T-II) is Cherry MX / Alps compatible and in-switch backlighting is all available also.
But because of backlighting, when it comes to alps there is one critical point.
Old stepped style Alps capslock is not fit on VTT2, I couldn't place switch pads for alps for that damn stem position. It's not at cherry's vintage, nor oem's centered position, it's between them and alps pads cannot be placed... I tried to flip upside-down thing but no luck, LED pads is all over the positions.
My other PCB for example alpetit, is certainly fit all of AT101, AT101W, AEK M3501(M0115 also).
I'm trying to solve this problem on my next PCB, but well... :)

Thank you, zefyr. :)

That sounds great! I love MX + Alps PCB designs. Yes, I have noticed this too. It seems that stepped Caps Lock keys on Alps keyboards are between the Cherry style and Non-stepped. I found this out when I was working on my project for a hotswappable backlit Alps keyboard. Though designing a custom PCB is infinitely more awesome.

I can't quite recall how it was done on the Eagle's PCB, but I will say that the pads for the Alps-stepped Caps lock position were so strange, that I didn't notice them. They just looked like PCB-mount leg holes for Cherry MX, but then I realized it was for Alps. I know this doesn't help much!

Here is an image of the position (I missed it, so I didn't add sockets to it at this point), it's circled in green on the right side of the picture. My camera isn't that great so it's a bit fuzzy. :(

Show Image


Not sure if it can spark any ideas, but I do hope you can get that position figured out! If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know. Your board is great as is, but if you can solve this problem, that'd be even better. :D

Thanks man, I saw your job. Really impressive!

Here's the problem with caps that I remember.

Old alps caps position is about center between cherry OEM position (center of 1.75) and cherry stepped position (center of 1.25); yeh - 1.5 position.
It's no problem when switch is cherry, two reeds of switch is far enough (Y axis). but alps is not, it's damn right there. Gap between reeds is only 0.5mm. it cannot be placed 1.25/1.5/1.75 at the same time.

I designed another PCB series named alpetit - 60% only for alps switches, no pads for Cherry MX.
And same problem 1.25/1.5/1.75 happen's here too. but it can be done by placing 1.5 position pads upside-down, since it has no in-switch LED pads.

But your work is so encouraging! I'm gonna work on breaking that damn problem. I wish I can solve it.
ZeFyr "Vermillion" J.

Vergo type.T / alpetit / alpetit II / VE.A with Vergo type.T-II

Offline E3E

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #286 on: Tue, 08 December 2015, 01:23:10 »
Thanks man, I saw your job. Really impressive!

Here's the problem with caps that I remember.

Old alps caps position is about center between cherry OEM position (center of 1.75) and cherry stepped position (center of 1.25); yeh - 1.5 position.
It's no problem when switch is cherry, two reeds of switch is far enough (Y axis). but alps is not, it's damn right there. Gap between reeds is only 0.5mm. it cannot be placed 1.25/1.5/1.75 at the same time.

I designed another PCB series named alpetit - 60% only for alps switches, no pads for Cherry MX.
And same problem 1.25/1.5/1.75 happen's here too. but it can be done by placing 1.5 position pads upside-down, since it has no in-switch LED pads.

But your work is so encouraging! I'm gonna work on breaking that damn problem. I wish I can solve it.

Aww, I am glad I could help encourage you! I really hope that you find a solution to the Caps Lock issue and figure out how to implement it in your PCB designs. Your work is fantastic. I had never known of it before now. :)

Could it possibly work if the pad holes are reduced for the 1.5 stepped Caps Lock position? From what it sounds like you're saying, it's that the pads start running into each other because of their diameter.

Hopefully someone more adept than I am at understanding PCB design can assist you in sorting this issue so that your boards have as much cap compatibility as possible. :D Good luck, zefyr, and thanks for deciding to join GeekHack.

 We definitely all appreciate another talented Korean custom maker joining our forum.

Offline bocahgundul

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #287 on: Tue, 08 December 2015, 01:53:05 »
Such an awesome keyboard zefyr  :thumb:

Offline azhdar

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #288 on: Mon, 21 December 2015, 17:03:46 »
So Alps people can you guide me?
What are the current options for pcb to put alps on ?

That would be to put those beauties onto something

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Offline njbair

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #289 on: Mon, 21 December 2015, 17:11:03 »
So Alps people can you guide me?
What are the current options for pcb to put alps on ?

That would be to put those beauties onto something

Show Image

Are you looking for a full-size?

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Offline E3E

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #290 on: Mon, 21 December 2015, 17:11:17 »
So Alps people can you guide me?
What are the current options for pcb to put alps on ?

That would be to put those beauties onto something

Show Image


A Hasu 60% Alps PCB would be your best bet! It supports pretty much every layout you could ever desire.

If you can't find one of those, I know the V60-MTS allows an ISO layout though you would be SOL for the bottom row, as it only supports the modern standard 6.25u layout.

Getting a bit more into the limited territory, you have the Leeku MXAlps 3000 board meant as a G80-3000 replacement PCB, I think? Only the earlier versions had support for Alps.
 
Then there's the Duck Eagle and Viper. No ISO support. I don't think Leeku's had ISO support either.

There's another Leeku Alps PCB that's more recent, but I forget the name of it. L3 Alps? or Alphas? I dunno.

Into even less compatible territories, you have the Infinity ErgoDox and the Infinity keyboard that also take Alps.
« Last Edit: Mon, 21 December 2015, 17:16:32 by E3E »

Offline azhdar

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #291 on: Mon, 21 December 2015, 17:12:28 »
So Alps people can you guide me?
What are the current options for pcb to put alps on ?

That would be to put those beauties onto something

Show Image

Are you looking for a full-size?

Nope, just somewhere I could put those on, like a WKL TKL, a 60% with 1.5|1|1.5 bottom row ...
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Offline Blaise170

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #292 on: Mon, 21 December 2015, 17:24:26 »
V80 is a modern TKL but has the standard bottom row.
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Offline azhdar

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #293 on: Mon, 21 December 2015, 17:30:58 »
Look like I could possibly use this pcb :
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69740.0
with a 1.5+1+1.5 spc7 1.5+1+1.5 bottom row.

Hopefully there's extras :o
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Offline jdcarpe

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #294 on: Mon, 21 December 2015, 17:40:35 »
If you can wait a couple months, the JD45 will be Alps compatible, too.
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Offline azhdar

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #295 on: Mon, 21 December 2015, 17:41:05 »
If you can wait a couple months, the JD45 will be Alps compatible, too.

But not iso compatible iirc ;)
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Offline jdcarpe

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #296 on: Mon, 21 December 2015, 17:43:36 »
If you can wait a couple months, the JD45 will be Alps compatible, too.

But not iso compatible iirc ;)
Well, the Enter is only 1.75u, so it should be equally bad/good for both ANSI and ISO users. :-*
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Offline Nawit

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #297 on: Mon, 21 December 2015, 19:35:54 »
Edit: Not ALPS, my bad. :(
« Last Edit: Mon, 21 December 2015, 19:48:57 by Nawit »

Offline Blaise170

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #298 on: Mon, 21 December 2015, 19:38:59 »
Well. I looked in my basement today and found this from my grandparent's old computer.
A year ago I'd probably think nothing of it but now I know how lucky I am to find this. How much is something like this worth? I have never experienced ALPS until now and I gotta say it ain't half bad.

Not Alps, those are slider over rubber dome.
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Offline Mattr567

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Re: Alps Appreciation Thread
« Reply #299 on: Mon, 21 December 2015, 19:39:16 »
Well. I looked in my basement today and found this from my grandparent's old computer.
A year ago I'd probably think nothing of it but now I know how lucky I am to find this. How much is something like this worth? I have never experienced ALPS until now and I gotta say it ain't half bad.

Thats not Alps. Its slider over rubber dome.
Wang 725-3770 SKCM Brown, 1995
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