[GB] Alps DCS Infinity modifier kit (Over)

[CPTBadAss]

Shouldve said before that I got my modifiers the other day. Waiting for some down time so I can clean and swap caps onto some boards . Thanks for the GB Badwrench! The caps are looking great.

[U47]

They look awesome! Had some damage pulling the Massdrop DSA off (stems stuck in two switches, three switches pulled to the point of not working) but am getting these on this weekend. Thank you, Badwrench!

Those DSA blanks are brutal. It doesn't help that the Infinity plates are too thick for Alps switches to properly clip into place (this is not an issue with Cherry switches). When I first removed them I irreparably broke two Matias switches. Had to buy replacements from mechanicalkeyboards.com.

Pretty much why I'm in BlueNalgene's GB.  The Infinity is great but there's definitely room for improvement.

Wow. I wasn't aware of this. I was hoping the Infinity would get another drop so I could try Matias Alps, but this sounds like Infinity 2.0.

Infinity is not a bad MX board, mechanically. But the Alps bit is kind of an afterthought. Firmware-wise, I'd rather have hasu's TMK over anything else, so Alps Party is a no-brainer.

TMK's firmware is substantially more powerful than the stock Infinity fw. It's a shame they (for whatever reason) used an ARM chip on their board — I have nothing but nightmares trying to get TMK to work on it. Alps Party should relieve my suffering (and the boss HHKB plate).

[Applet]

Got my caps today, thanks a lot!  I don't have my alps-board at home, but I'll post some pics once I get my hands on it

[JaccoW]

Got them today!




I only forgot to take a picture with my purple dolly before packing everything back up. XP

[getf]

Thanks for putting this awesome group buy together Badwrench.   

Although I do no own an infinity, I appreciate you including the standard right shift and backspace.

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I am being forced to sell my set,  if anyone is interested in purchasing my set at cost, please let me know. 

Infinity kit + Optional Modifier kit. 

[olijuice]

I am being forced to sell my set,  if anyone is interested in purchasing my set at cost, please let me know. 

Infinity kit + Optional Modifier kit.

I would be interested. Did you receive both sets or just the Cherry set?

[HoffmanMyster]

Thanks for putting this awesome group buy together Badwrench.   

Although I do no own an infinity, I appreciate you including the standard right shift and backspace.

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I am being forced to sell my set,  if anyone is interested in purchasing my set at cost, please let me know. 

Infinity kit + Optional Modifier kit.

If you have the items on hand, you should make a Classifieds post.  Selling spots in a group buy is reserved for selling a set before the GB has shipped and you'd like to transfer the order on the GB organizer's end. 

[terrpn]

Dell AT101 with Alps Infinity and Olivetti

Waiting on my Cherry stabs for mods, so I just used the Olivetti caps for now.

Everything but the Caps Lock..............not to bad.

Thank all who made this possible

[henz]

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

[zombimuncha]

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

I'm still waiting on mine. USPS tracking says it's delivered - I *assume* this means it was delivered to a Customs office somewhere, and after an indeterminate amount of time they'll send me a note saying how much tax + fees I need to pay.

[henz]

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

I'm still waiting on mine. USPS tracking says it's delivered - I *assume* this means it was delivered to a Customs office somewhere, and after an indeterminate amount of time they'll send me a note saying how much tax + fees I need to pay.

i have already gotten a slip to pick them up, when i go to pick it up they say its on its way. But when i call the post office they say that it cant be tracked and i have gotten a slip because the package was too big to put into my mailbox IE the package is chilling somewhere else or the pickup point forgot to scan it.

[Badwrench]

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

I'm still waiting on mine. USPS tracking says it's delivered - I *assume* this means it was delivered to a Customs office somewhere, and after an indeterminate amount of time they'll send me a note saying how much tax + fees I need to pay.

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

I'm still waiting on mine. USPS tracking says it's delivered - I *assume* this means it was delivered to a Customs office somewhere, and after an indeterminate amount of time they'll send me a note saying how much tax + fees I need to pay.

i have already gotten a slip to pick them up, when i go to pick it up they say its on its way. But when i call the post office they say that it cant be tracked and i have gotten a slip because the package was too big to put into my mailbox IE the package is chilling somewhere else or the pickup point forgot to scan it.

Hmmm, let me know what happens.  I will keep an eye out.  So far no packages returned. 

[henz]

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

I'm still waiting on mine. USPS tracking says it's delivered - I *assume* this means it was delivered to a Customs office somewhere, and after an indeterminate amount of time they'll send me a note saying how much tax + fees I need to pay.

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

I'm still waiting on mine. USPS tracking says it's delivered - I *assume* this means it was delivered to a Customs office somewhere, and after an indeterminate amount of time they'll send me a note saying how much tax + fees I need to pay.

i have already gotten a slip to pick them up, when i go to pick it up they say its on its way. But when i call the post office they say that it cant be tracked and i have gotten a slip because the package was too big to put into my mailbox IE the package is chilling somewhere else or the pickup point forgot to scan it.

Hmmm, let me know what happens.  I will keep an eye out.  So far no packages returned.

Now i have to eat my words, i got them today. Seems they sent a mail bag to some other place. Mistake fixed

[Badwrench]

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

I'm still waiting on mine. USPS tracking says it's delivered - I *assume* this means it was delivered to a Customs office somewhere, and after an indeterminate amount of time they'll send me a note saying how much tax + fees I need to pay.

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

I'm still waiting on mine. USPS tracking says it's delivered - I *assume* this means it was delivered to a Customs office somewhere, and after an indeterminate amount of time they'll send me a note saying how much tax + fees I need to pay.

i have already gotten a slip to pick them up, when i go to pick it up they say its on its way. But when i call the post office they say that it cant be tracked and i have gotten a slip because the package was too big to put into my mailbox IE the package is chilling somewhere else or the pickup point forgot to scan it.

Hmmm, let me know what happens.  I will keep an eye out.  So far no packages returned.

Now i have to eat my words, i got them today. Seems they sent a mail bag to some other place. Mistake fixed

Ok, cool. 

zombimuncha, let me know as well how yours goes. 

[getf]

Any plans to do any other GB's Badwrench?  This was one of the smoothest buys i've been a part of. 

[Badwrench]

Any plans to do any other GB's Badwrench?  This was one of the smoothest buys i've been a part of.

Not any time in the near future.  It is a ton of work even for a small one and my Wife does not like losing me to my office during the minimal amount of time we get to spend together.

Thank you though, I appreciate hearing that.   

[zombimuncha]

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

I'm still waiting on mine. USPS tracking says it's delivered - I *assume* this means it was delivered to a Customs office somewhere, and after an indeterminate amount of time they'll send me a note saying how much tax + fees I need to pay.

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

I'm still waiting on mine. USPS tracking says it's delivered - I *assume* this means it was delivered to a Customs office somewhere, and after an indeterminate amount of time they'll send me a note saying how much tax + fees I need to pay.

i have already gotten a slip to pick them up, when i go to pick it up they say its on its way. But when i call the post office they say that it cant be tracked and i have gotten a slip because the package was too big to put into my mailbox IE the package is chilling somewhere else or the pickup point forgot to scan it.

Hmmm, let me know what happens.  I will keep an eye out.  So far no packages returned.

Now i have to eat my words, i got them today. Seems they sent a mail bag to some other place. Mistake fixed

Ok, cool. 

zombimuncha, let me know as well how yours goes.

Is mine gonna be the last to arrive? I got a customs fee card in the mail yesterday, so the caps should be here tomorrow-ish with any luck.

[Badwrench]

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

I'm still waiting on mine. USPS tracking says it's delivered - I *assume* this means it was delivered to a Customs office somewhere, and after an indeterminate amount of time they'll send me a note saying how much tax + fees I need to pay.

There seems to be some issues with my shipment, im not able to get them from the post office, they will most likely be returned to sender. (

I'm still waiting on mine. USPS tracking says it's delivered - I *assume* this means it was delivered to a Customs office somewhere, and after an indeterminate amount of time they'll send me a note saying how much tax + fees I need to pay.

i have already gotten a slip to pick them up, when i go to pick it up they say its on its way. But when i call the post office they say that it cant be tracked and i have gotten a slip because the package was too big to put into my mailbox IE the package is chilling somewhere else or the pickup point forgot to scan it.

Hmmm, let me know what happens.  I will keep an eye out.  So far no packages returned.

Now i have to eat my words, i got them today. Seems they sent a mail bag to some other place. Mistake fixed

Ok, cool. 

zombimuncha, let me know as well how yours goes.

Is mine gonna be the last to arrive? I got a customs fee card in the mail yesterday, so the caps should be here tomorrow-ish with any luck.

Nope.  I still have 2 orders that have not shipped.  Buyers aren't responding to pm's or paypal. 

[olijuice]

If there's some timeout period for them to reply and one of them is a single order with optional modifiers I'd be willing to step in and pay.

[Badwrench]

If there's some timeout period for them to reply and one of them is a single order with optional modifiers I'd be willing to step in and pay.

Sorry, they have already paid for the set.  I separated the shipping for international orders so that I could bill them the correct amount that it cost me. 

[zombimuncha]

They're here! They're finally here!



Thanks Badwrench!



edit: do u even stab, bro?


Anybody got like a walkthru or something for making new balance bars for these?

[E3E]

Welp, I decided to finally put the Cherry mods on my Infinity, also with OG Dell AT101 thick PBT caps for that finishing touch. I have orange Alps in the board now as opposed to the blue Alps it used to have.

When Alpine Winter comes around, I'll be switching over to that thin ABS and blue alps again.




The matching profile definitely looks heaps better. I liked the AEK caps, but they just look a little off next to DCS. 

[E3E]

They're here! They're finally here!

(Attachment Link)

Thanks Badwrench!



edit: do u even stab, bro?
(Attachment Link)

Anybody got like a walkthru or something for making new balance bars for these?

It's not too difficult! For caps with Cherry stabilizer mounts, wire around half the height of typical Alps-stab wire works well. That's what I found after bending my own. For trial and error, I just used paperclips (and they work fine, haha) but using music wire is usually the way to do it, or rebending and snipping the old wire.

[Badwrench]

They're here! They're finally here!

(Attachment Link)

Thanks Badwrench!



edit: do u even stab, bro?
(Attachment Link)

Anybody got like a walkthru or something for making new balance bars for these?

Oops, I meant to do that.  Sorry.  I will pick up some wire and do a photo tutorial soon. 

[Frizer]

Received with thanks! Now just waiting for the plate and this should make for an interesting build.

Swedish Fish tho....very clever....v e r y  c l e v e r

[sean]

They're here! They're finally here!

(Attachment Link)

Thanks Badwrench!



edit: do u even stab, bro?
(Attachment Link)

Anybody got like a walkthru or something for making new balance bars for these?

Oops, I meant to do that.  Sorry.  I will pick up some wire and do a photo tutorial soon.

This will be most appreciated by me.

[Badwrench]

They're here! They're finally here!

(Attachment Link)

Thanks Badwrench!



edit: do u even stab, bro?
(Attachment Link)

Anybody got like a walkthru or something for making new balance bars for these?

Oops, I meant to do that.  Sorry.  I will pick up some wire and do a photo tutorial soon.

This will be most appreciated by me.

Sorry for the lateness of this, but I don't get a lot of time to tinker.  Had a free morning so I thought I should get this knocked out. 

Note that these measurements are only for the V60 as I don't have any other ansi alps boards.  The infinity is already set up for the costar stabs.

RT shift:  SP caps are 24mm center to center for the cruciform stabilizer mounts.  The V60 wire mounts are 40mm at the outside edge.  What this means is that the wire is going to have to be bent back on itself to make a trapezoid shape.  One thing I highly reccomned is the use of the larger costar stabs over the shorty ones.  This will give you a bit more wiggle room in the height of the wire.  I have mine at 14mm with the larger inserts, but with the smaller ones you will need to be at 13mm or you will get a little binding as the key bottoms out. 


For the other stabilized keys, just bend the sides to get the correct height of 13mm (this way you are good with either style of insert).  Make sure that you leave 14mm or more clearance for the switch between the tops tabs of the wire. 

[Badwrench]

Also, is there anyone that has not received their set?  I have not had any return packages, but still would like to know, thanks. 

[Applet]

Here is my board. I'm only using a few of the keycaps on my current alps-board. I'll build a HHKB-style later on where I will be using most of the keycaps

[jswill]

Also, is there anyone that has not received their set?  I have not had any return packages, but still would like to know, thanks.

I still haven't received mine yet

[zombimuncha]

Sorry for necro, but it's like 2 months later and I still didn't figure out exactly what kind of wire to buy for my Alps stabs. Any suggestions / links?
I guess I need to get something that's 19AWG == 20SWG guage, but what about the hardness? Also is it possible to get a sensible amount for just one keyboard? The smallest packages I'm finding online are like 6 foot long, and curled up meaning I would need to find a way to straighten it first....
 

[E3E]

Sorry for necro, but it's like 2 months later and I still didn't figure out exactly what kind of wire to buy for my Alps stabs. Any suggestions / links?
I guess I need to get something that's 19AWG == 20SWG guage, but what about the hardness? Also is it possible to get a sensible amount for just one keyboard? The smallest packages I'm finding online are like 6 foot long, and curled up meaning I would need to find a way to straighten it first....
 

Man, I've used paper clips before! As long as you get a solid wire, you should be okay. I know I saved a particular gauge of piano wire that was perfect for Costar and Alps stabs. I'll have to try and find it. Yeah, it's going to be hard to find the wire not curled up, maybe try searching for "rods" instead of wire.

EDIT: here's a good resource!

I think you're going to want wire around 1mm. Let me measure my Costar and Alps wires for ya real quick.

Costar: 1.29 mm (this came off a vintage Alps NTC)

Alps: 1 mm

[zombimuncha]

Thanks E3, I had a go with a paperclip a while back, but it didn't turn out so well. Guess I'll have another try...

[E3E]

Thanks E3, I had a go with a paperclip a while back, but it didn't turn out so well. Guess I'll have another try...

Not a problem, good sir. I used paper clips on my FAME keyboard when I couldn't find any Alps wire (I now have a bunch more than I need, lol), and I got the wire to work fine! It's tricky though, especially if you're using a mix of Costar and Alps (I had to at first because the caps were ridiculously inconsistent and used both cruciform stab mounts and Alps), since the height for each is pretty different, and like Badwrench pointed out, some keys need specially bent wire because of the spacing of the mounts in relation to the stab clips in the plate (if we're talking about cruciform mount).
 
Good luck!

[jdcarpe]

Thanks E3, I had a go with a paperclip a while back, but it didn't turn out so well. Guess I'll have another try...

Not a problem, good sir. I used paper clips on my FAME keyboard when I couldn't find any Alps wire (I now have a bunch more than I need, lol), and I got the wire to work fine! It's tricky though, especially if you're using a mix of Costar and Alps (I had to at first because the caps were ridiculously inconsistent and used both cruciform stab mounts and Alps), since the height for each is pretty different, and like Badwrench pointed out, some keys need specially bent wire because of the spacing of the mounts in relation to the stab clips in the plate (if we're talking about cruciform mount).
 
Good luck!

What diameter wire did you use for bending your Alps stab wires? 0.039 inch music wire?

[E3E]

Thanks E3, I had a go with a paperclip a while back, but it didn't turn out so well. Guess I'll have another try...

Not a problem, good sir. I used paper clips on my FAME keyboard when I couldn't find any Alps wire (I now have a bunch more than I need, lol), and I got the wire to work fine! It's tricky though, especially if you're using a mix of Costar and Alps (I had to at first because the caps were ridiculously inconsistent and used both cruciform stab mounts and Alps), since the height for each is pretty different, and like Badwrench pointed out, some keys need specially bent wire because of the spacing of the mounts in relation to the stab clips in the plate (if we're talking about cruciform mount).
 
Good luck!

What diameter wire did you use for bending your Alps stab wires? 0.039 inch music wire?

Well, I used paper clips on my FAME as a temporary fix, and I had costar wire from my NTC to use with my Infinity. Regarding the fame: I ended up getting enough vintages that were salvaged for parts that I did not have to use any homemade wire.  
 
However, I was going to use that exact diameter, and I think it'd work without a hitch.

[jdcarpe]

I was going to use that exact diameter, and I think it'd work without a hitch.

I will go ahead and order some 0.039 inch wire and a Dubro bender. I'll be sure to let you all know how it works.

[zombimuncha]

I was going to use that exact diameter, and I think it'd work without a hitch.

I will go ahead and order some 0.039 inch wire and a Dubro bender. I'll be sure to let you all know how it works.

Yeah, that DuBro thing is like £50 over here, vs $10 USD. I'm not too keen on the 1000% transatlantic markup!

[E3E]

I was going to use that exact diameter, and I think it'd work without a hitch.

I will go ahead and order some 0.039 inch wire and a Dubro bender. I'll be sure to let you all know how it works.

Yeah, that DuBro thing is like £50 over here, vs $10 USD. I'm not too keen on the 1000% transatlantic markup!

It's possible to use pliers, but instead of using the pliers alone to force the wire to bend, I'd use something with a 90 degree angle as a jig to bend the wires around with the pliers.

[zombimuncha]

I was going to use that exact diameter, and I think it'd work without a hitch.

I will go ahead and order some 0.039 inch wire and a Dubro bender. I'll be sure to let you all know how it works.

Yeah, that DuBro thing is like £50 over here, vs $10 USD. I'm not too keen on the 1000% transatlantic markup!

It's possible to use pliers, but instead of using the pliers alone to force the wire to bend, I'd use something with a 90 degree angle as a jig to bend the wires around with the pliers.

I figure I'll get something like this, if I ever graduate beyond paperclips
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Proops-Wire-Bender/dp/B00AQIQALO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449779390&sr=8-1&keywords=wire+bender

[E3E]

I was going to use that exact diameter, and I think it'd work without a hitch.

I will go ahead and order some 0.039 inch wire and a Dubro bender. I'll be sure to let you all know how it works.

Yeah, that DuBro thing is like £50 over here, vs $10 USD. I'm not too keen on the 1000% transatlantic markup!

It's possible to use pliers, but instead of using the pliers alone to force the wire to bend, I'd use something with a 90 degree angle as a jig to bend the wires around with the pliers.

I figure I'll get something like this, if I ever graduate beyond paperclips
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Proops-Wire-Bender/dp/B00AQIQALO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449779390&sr=8-1&keywords=wire+bender

That's a classy little thing, I like it!

Good luck with getting those wires bent.

[Badwrench]

I just used a pair of hobby needle nose pliers for mine.  The wires I used were salveged out of an old rubber dome. 

[Spaceman1200]

 

[E3E]

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 :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Holy ****, get this cap a doctor!

If you still have the stem, get some plastic weld epoxy or some strong super glue! If you don't have the stem, you can always transplant one from an old Alps key cap you don't care for (9u space bar anyone?).

[Spaceman1200]

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 :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Holy ****, get this cap a doctor!

If you still have the stem, get some plastic weld epoxy or some strong super glue! If you don't have the stem, you can always transplant one from an old Alps key cap you don't care for (9u space bar anyone?).

Sadly the stem was so tight in the matias switch, it wouldn't even budge, i've got plenty of stem candidates like left over tao-hai's.

[E3E]

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 :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Holy ****, get this cap a doctor!

If you still have the stem, get some plastic weld epoxy or some strong super glue! If you don't have the stem, you can always transplant one from an old Alps key cap you don't care for (9u space bar anyone?).

Sadly the stem was so tight in the matias switch, it wouldn't even budge, i've got plenty of stem candidates like left over tao-hai's.

Sounds good! Yeah, an old Apple IIc I salvaged switches from has a broken cap and the stem was incredibly difficult to pop out. :( 
 
What I use for the stem transplants is a nice pair of flush cutters to cut around the stem I want, then I use a dremel with a sanding wheel attachment to get down to the stem and get everything smooth, then I adjust the height manually from there until it's aligned with the other caps.

For setting the stem, I've used some plast-aid pool repair stuff that bonds well with ABS, though you could use anything from super glue to epoxy putty. Just be careful and use a pair of tweezers to set the stem.

 Something that isn't an instant bond might be a good idea so you can adjust it before it sets.

[Badwrench]

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Pm me

[Spaceman1200]

Just so you guys know, Badwrench was a total bro and sent me a replacement cap, free of charge!

[E3E]

Just so you guys know, Badwrench was a total bro and sent me a replacement cap, free of charge!

Badwrench is an awesome guy!

[stoic-lemon]

Just so you guys know, Badwrench was a total bro and sent me a replacement cap, free of charge!

Goodwrench!