Rubber Dome Gateway 7000985 ALPS Plate mod

[abrahamstechnology]

I was looking through Goodwill when I found this, the switching mechanism was pretty awful and mushy KeyTronic rubber domes, however I noticed the barrelplate was a separate piece and wasn't curved like some rubber dome boards with separate barrelplates, so I figured it would be fairly easy to make a mechanical interior. These boards are fairly common on Ebay as well, plus there aren't many Alps boards around with media keys so this would be fairly unique.

The only thing a bit weird about this board is the profile of the case, probably similar to that of an AEKII with an insanely tall f-key row. The original keycaps had longer stems to compensate, so I'll probably 3D print stem adapters or something.

I'm working on a PCB next.

[Techno Trousers]

Pardon my ignorance, but how will the media keys be integrated in with a new pcb? Interesting mod!

[abrahamstechnology]

I'm gluing microswitches under the buttons then wiring them to the microcontroller. The PCB will only hold the main switches and Teensy++

[Maledicted]

Cool. Good idea. I think my aunt and uncle had one of these keyboards. They may yet have it.

[rxc92]

but WHY 
That bezel should be considered a war crime.

[Maledicted]

but WHY 
That bezel should be considered a war crime.

Not digging the hideous mid 90s aesthetic? That's part of the charm. Just like how I almost modded an XB1 into an 80s VCR chassis, since it already looked as bad as one.