Author Topic: [IC] ALPS ansi key cap set (07-25 update) (Read 55783 times)

jdcarpe · « **Reply #150 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 10:45:32 »

Plates we can get, no problem. The_Beast is our man.

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #151 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 11:02:28 »

Actually looking at the exploded drawing that was posted I believe there is an acrylic plate as part of the case.

MTManiac · « **Reply #152 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 14:35:41 »

Quote from: SpAmRaY on Wed, 17 July 2013, 06:18:11

I like #2 can we call it batman!

only if they throw a couple batman keys up
I would have to buy multiple sets
heck I'm still going to probably buy multiple sets

abdulmuhsee · « **Reply #153 on:** Sun, 29 September 2013, 17:51:48 »

Wondering if this is going to happen or not, but I'm definitely interested.

There are two reasons that a more "normal" color scheme might be a bit better:

1. There is literally no way (currently) to purchase new ALPS keycaps apart from buying a new-old-stock board with pad-printed ones. If there were already many options, blue might be nice, but it seems strange as the only option.

2. ALPS boards are not created equal, especially in the spacebar department. I use 101 layouts, which have a longer spacebar than those with Windows keys, and with the spacebar provided (with the cherry stuff going on), I would have no way to stabilize it. In other words, I would be using a stock white spacebar which would stick out like a sore thumb among the blue and grey.

No matter what happens, I would have to use at least a few keys from a different board, whether it be the spacebar, slightly different caps lock, or even the alt and ctrl keys; the ALPS diaspora will make it very difficult for many to match such a specific color scheme.

calavera · « **Reply #154 on:** Sun, 29 September 2013, 18:46:57 »

Currently on hold since I'm extremely busy with life and won't have free time for a month or two.

1. I might go with the alternative color choice instead. Nothing's set in stone.

2. main obstacle and currently working for a partial solution in providing custom stab wires that should work with most stabilizer positions on the space bar. This might take awhile.

Never meant to cover EVERY alps board in the world. That's the reason why I have this IC thread so people with different alps board can chime in with detailed info. So far only a few helped but I had to do most of the estimates and measuring myself. If you have a funky 10x spacebar with 1x size control and 2.5x caps lock...etc you're **** out of luck, chances are SP doesn't have the molds to make them anyway.

So I'll just try to cover "mainstream" ones only.

Hyde · « **Reply #155 on:** Sun, 29 September 2013, 21:47:23 »

Hmmmmmm the color scheme is pretty cool. I like it !!!

Though judging by the spacebar stabilizer stems and bottom row layout, it seems like it will not work with any of the Matias keyboards.

It's the only ALPS keyboard I have.

MOZ · « **Reply #156 on:** Mon, 21 October 2013, 18:10:02 »

Expressing interest in a set or two.

nourathar · « **Reply #157 on:** Thu, 24 October 2013, 16:16:04 »

would certainly be interested to buy a set, like the colours !

sprit · « **Reply #158 on:** Thu, 24 October 2013, 16:51:00 »

I am in ! definitely !

ovrskeek · « **Reply #159 on:** Thu, 24 October 2013, 17:23:55 »

In for a set

nourathar · « **Reply #160 on:** Fri, 25 October 2013, 05:19:25 »

actually,
after some time pondering this, I thought that what is really missing for me from the Alps-universe are blank keycaps. If they exist, I have never seen them, and I would love to have some.

Any chance that could be an extra option ?
For me personally I do not care much if the modifiers and enter and such are blank, it is mostly the alphanumeric keys I care about, so that would effectively be one one-unit key per row, since for the rest they would be all identical...

calavera · « **Reply #161 on:** Sun, 27 October 2013, 01:12:34 »

So anyone else want black alphas?

moogle · « **Reply #162 on:** Sun, 27 October 2013, 01:29:53 »

nourathar · « **Reply #163 on:** Sun, 27 October 2013, 16:35:53 »

Hi calavera,

for the blanks I would prefer the gray from this set, or perhaps the blue, so that is still nicely goes together with the rest of the set. Thanks for considering this option !

ciao,

J.

calavera · « **Reply #164 on:** Mon, 28 October 2013, 14:51:18 »

Quote from: moogle on Sun, 27 October 2013, 01:29:53

will this key cap set be compatible with a kingsaver?

Yes and no. The Kingsaver has a unique sized Backspace, \, enter, and right shift. They're slightly longer than the standard sizes. They should still fit since the mounting is the same I believe but you'll have some gaps.

Quote from: nourathar on Sun, 27 October 2013, 16:35:53

Hi calavera,

for the blanks I would prefer the gray from this set, or perhaps the blue, so that is still nicely goes together with the rest of the set. Thanks for considering this option !

ciao,

J.

we'll see how it goes. If there isn't enough interest (at least 50 MOQ to make it reasonably priced) I don't think it will happen this time around.

esoomenona · « **Reply #165 on:** Mon, 28 October 2013, 14:52:31 »

Can we move this to the GB stage now?

moogle · « **Reply #166 on:** Tue, 29 October 2013, 18:50:22 »

kaotikb · « **Reply #167 on:** Fri, 08 November 2013, 22:34:32 »

I am in for a set if we get to the group buy stage.

drumflavah · « **Reply #168 on:** Sat, 04 January 2014, 08:05:22 »

When do you think this project will be up and running?

calavera · « **Reply #169 on:** Sat, 04 January 2014, 10:30:12 »

If everyone's okay with spacebar and possibly left shift not fitting, we could just get this thing rolling and explore custom stabilizer options at a later time. I'll have more free time this month so will update when I can.

codyeatworld · « **Reply #170 on:** Sat, 04 January 2014, 10:45:00 »

Either way I will join in, but I'd rather receive a complete set all at once.

Have you looked into tai hao? (I remember reading they do alps, and their legends look exactly like most alps keyboards)

terrpn · « **Reply #171 on:** Sat, 04 January 2014, 10:46:37 »

Quote from: calavera on Sat, 04 January 2014, 10:30:12

If everyone's okay with spacebar and possibly left shift not fitting, we could just get this thing rolling and explore custom stabilizer options at a later time. I'll have more free time this month so will update when I can.

beggars are not choosy..........

my vote is to move forward. you have made it clear with all the various alps configurations not all are applicable $:-\$

whenever you might find time at your convenience...........lets roll

Puddsy · « **Reply #172 on:** Sat, 04 January 2014, 11:47:57 »

Let's get this going, please

the legends on my ducky are starting to wear off

Elrick · « **Reply #173 on:** Sat, 04 January 2014, 20:52:42 »

Quote from: terrpn on Sat, 04 January 2014, 10:46:37

beggars are not choosy..........

my vote is to move forward. you have made it clear with all the various alps configurations not all are applicable $:-\$

You bet. I know I should of read everything from the beginning, but this is just a question (if it's been answered yet, sorry to repeat) - Would these double-shot ALPs key-set work within a MATIAS keyboard, especially the TKL version?

Just thought how brilliant this Group Buy would be for any owners of Matias boards (with their 'superior' version of an alps switch)

.

Pacifist · « **Reply #174 on:** Sat, 04 January 2014, 21:01:10 »

just make sure that there's a 40% setup

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #175 on:** Mon, 06 January 2014, 07:58:10 »

Quote from: Pacifist on Sat, 04 January 2014, 21:01:10

just make sure that there's a 40% setup

You have a 40% ALPS board?

jacobolus · « **Reply #176 on:** Mon, 13 January 2014, 22:19:59 »

[comment deleted; I thought this was about DSA caps]

megarat · « **Reply #177 on:** Wed, 05 March 2014, 23:15:19 »

I just came across this thread, and am interested in joining as well. Is it still going forward?

Depending on the cost, I would probably be interested in four (yes, four (4)) sets.

calavera · « **Reply #178 on:** Mon, 10 March 2014, 09:13:59 »

Was supposed to move forward earlier beginning this year but stuff came up and I may be leaving the US for good in a few months. Space bar and shift key stabilizer issue is still up in the air and given the length it takes for a group buy and everything that's involved (organizing, payment, ordering/packing..etc) I'm not sure there's enough time to finish this.

kaotikb · « **Reply #179 on:** Tue, 18 March 2014, 16:47:30 »

Quote from: calavera on Mon, 10 March 2014, 09:13:59

Was supposed to move forward earlier beginning this year but stuff came up and I may be leaving the US for good in a few months. Space bar and shift key stabilizer issue is still up in the air and given the length it takes for a group buy and everything that's involved (organizing, payment, ordering/packing..etc) I'm not sure there's enough time to finish this.

That is too bad. I was looking forward to this.

MOZ · « **Reply #180 on:** Tue, 18 March 2014, 17:05:04 »

If we use Sp, they can handle a lot of the logistics, with their new setup

BlueBär · « **Reply #181 on:** Wed, 19 March 2014, 16:32:27 »

Does anybody know what kind of stabilizers sprit PCB + plate will accept?

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #182 on:** Wed, 19 March 2014, 16:40:10 »

Quote from: BlueBär on Wed, 19 March 2014, 16:32:27

Does anybody know what kind of stabilizers sprit PCB + plate will accept?

Dell AT101W IIRC.

BlueBär · « **Reply #183 on:** Wed, 19 March 2014, 19:03:12 »

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Wed, 19 March 2014, 16:40:10

Dell AT101W IIRC.

Wouldn't a Cherry/Costar combination work? I don't have a Costar board but I have two Alps boards now and by the looks of it, the cap inserts should be compatible with Costar stabs.

jacobolus · « **Reply #184 on:** Wed, 19 March 2014, 19:11:33 »

Quote from: BlueBär on Wed, 19 March 2014, 19:03:12

I don't have a Costar board but I have two Alps boards now and by the looks of it, the cap inserts should be compatible with Costar stabs.

Which “Alps” keyboards do you have? There are two styles of stabilizers I’ve seen used on keyboards with Alps switches and other Alps-mount switches. Most common is the “Alps”-style stabilizer, and less common is the “Costar”-style stabilizer.

It sounds from your description like your boards/keycaps use the Costar-style stabilizers. That means Signature Plastics’ Alps keycaps (ignoring problems w/ weird-shaped enter keys, etc.) will work great for you. Unfortunately, most people with Alps keyboards have the Alps-style stabilizer, and SP’s stabilized keycaps are not usable on those boards.

Some keyboards use both. For instance, I believe Matias uses Costar-style stabilizers on the spacebar, but Alps-style stabilizers on other keys. I’ve also seen keyboards with Alps-style stabilizers everywhere but on a “bigass” enter key.

BlueBär · « **Reply #185 on:** Wed, 19 March 2014, 19:24:34 »

Just took a quick pic of it.

I'm sorry I didn't read through the whole thread, what problems are there with enter keys? I want to help getting this thing rolling.

jacobolus · « **Reply #186 on:** Wed, 19 March 2014, 19:25:58 »

Quote from: BlueBär on Wed, 19 March 2014, 19:24:34

Just took a quick pic of it.

Ah, okay. Yes, you have the Alps-style stabilizer. It’s not compatible with Costar-style stabilizers or their inserts.

However, it looks like your plate also might have cutouts to fit the little Costar-style stabilizer clips. So you might be able to use either one.

Quote

what problems are there with enter keys?

It seems like every Alps keyboard uses a different shaped enter key. :-)

BlueBär · « **Reply #187 on:** Wed, 19 March 2014, 19:33:30 »

Quote from: jacobolus on Wed, 19 March 2014, 19:25:58

However, it looks like your plate also might have cutouts to fit the little Costar-style stabilizer clips. So you might be able to use either one.

That plate is thin, plastic, broken and overall absolutely terrible

)

Quote from: jacobolus on Wed, 19 March 2014, 19:25:58

It seems like every Alps keyboard uses a different shaped enter key. :-)

Ah yeah noticed that. Hmm.

Would it be possible to create an adapter to make them fit Costar stabs? I mean the inserts are tiny, maybe making a mold for an adapter wouldn't cost an insane amount?

jacobolus · « **Reply #188 on:** Wed, 19 March 2014, 21:09:20 »

Quote from: BlueBär on Wed, 19 March 2014, 19:33:30

Would it be possible to create an adapter to make them fit Costar stabs? I mean the inserts are tiny, maybe making a mold for an adapter wouldn't cost an insane amount?

I’m also curious about this. What you’d actually want is an Alps-style stabilizer insert which fit into a Cherry MX mount (Costar stabilizer mount), assuming the goal is to use SP caps on existing Alps boards/plates.

BlueBär · « **Reply #189 on:** Wed, 19 March 2014, 21:37:07 »

Ok I just measured, the stem of my inserts is 2x3x4mm. Now I need measurements from some Costar inserts (I don't have any) and I can make a 3D model of an adapter that then somebody can print at Shapeways.

agodinhost · « **Reply #190 on:** Thu, 20 March 2014, 20:23:29 »

Quote from: Matt3o on Wed, 17 July 2013, 17:12:45

enough dolch, go for something original

what do you think of...

Show Image

GOSH!
Awesome colors dude!
Simple but really cool

BlueBär · « **Reply #191 on:** Thu, 20 March 2014, 20:33:45 »

Still need the measurements btw

Magna224 · « **Reply #192 on:** Fri, 21 March 2014, 05:58:15 »

Ill take one set if they're done in the color combo in OP. I have ordered sprits case and getting a PCB for my blue alps when he does the Gb for that. My color combo is white+black+blue and that keycaps set would look great on it.

hydrospell · « **Reply #193 on:** Fri, 21 March 2014, 09:27:12 »

+1 alps caps ftw

BlueBär · « **Reply #194 on:** Sat, 22 March 2014, 11:55:10 »

I had another idea: instead of making an adaper insert for Costar stabilizers, we could also make an adapter slider for Cherry stabilizers. It should definately work with PCB mounted stabs, will have to double check with plate mounted stabs.

jacobolus · « **Reply #195 on:** Sat, 22 March 2014, 21:25:02 »

Quote from: BlueBär on Sat, 22 March 2014, 11:55:10

I had another idea: instead of making an adaper insert for Costar stabilizers, we could also make an adapter slider for Cherry stabilizers. It should definately work with PCB mounted stabs, will have to double check with plate mounted stabs.

Can you explain what you’re trying to do? I thought the goal was to make keycaps with cherry MX shaped stabilizer insert mounts fit on existing Alps keyboards.

christopher24745 · « **Reply #196 on:** Sat, 22 March 2014, 22:24:09 »

I would buy set #1

BlueBär · « **Reply #197 on:** Sun, 23 March 2014, 07:38:27 »

Quote from: jacobolus on Sat, 22 March 2014, 21:25:02

Can you explain what you’re trying to do? I thought the goal was to make keycaps with cherry MX shaped stabilizer insert mounts fit on existing Alps keyboards.

Yeah sorry, this was more related to PCBs/keyboards I guess. A stabilizer insert adapter is probably more useful.

terrpn · « **Reply #198 on:** Sun, 20 April 2014, 15:40:57 »

i hope this does not die......... $:-\$

just an 89 ansi set would be great

i know is got to be others looking for some alps love

Grim Fandango · « **Reply #199 on:** Mon, 28 July 2014, 17:08:23 »

I also hope this does not die and we will see the GB stage.

Since there are currently no other options for Alps sets (other than taking them from other keyboards) I think this will appeal to a lot of people. Also, for this same reason I think a more neutral set, like the GTF/GC

More

would be the a great option. I will definitely buy more than one set if this gets made (it goes with anything). I love that scheme.

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Author Topic: [IC] ALPS ansi key cap set (07-25 update) (Read 55783 times)