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geekhack Community => geekhack Media => Topic started by: Evo_Spec on Mon, 12 October 2015, 00:43:24

Title: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Evo_Spec on Mon, 12 October 2015, 00:43:24
So i noticed we have many "post your ____" threads but i don't recall if we have a thread for ALPS boards yet?

(http://i.imgur.com/f1L7h6X.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8nH4k50.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sXJEC37.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: stoic-lemon on Mon, 12 October 2015, 01:03:10
Yeah I would like to see more Alps board showcased. What's the story with that colourful number you have there?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Evo_Spec on Mon, 12 October 2015, 01:32:19
Yeah I would like to see more Alps board showcased. What's the story with that colourful number you have there?

Uhh so this was originally esoomenona's board (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35672.msg1034865#msg1034865) and he ended up giving it away for the cost of shipping in the free stuff thread and neverused picked it up. I commented wanting it for my daughter in case neverused backed out for some reason and neverused ended up seeing my message and ended up graciously sending it to me after esoomenona sent it to him.

Unless you were asking about the board itself? in that case i have no idea but it's called the kidboard so whatever info you can find about it will be more than i know.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zombimuncha on Mon, 12 October 2015, 01:56:18
Why is there a fox on the R key? Is it a rabbit pretending to be a fox so as not be noticed by the other foxes, or did the fox already catch the rabbit, and has taken his place for ... unspecified reasons?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 12 October 2015, 05:19:31
That is a very nice keyboard, you are very lucky :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: stoic-lemon on Mon, 12 October 2015, 07:24:37
Yeah I would like to see more Alps board showcased. What's the story with that colourful number you have there?

Uhh so this was originally esoomenona's board (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35672.msg1034865#msg1034865) and he ended up giving it away for the cost of shipping in the free stuff thread and neverused picked it up. I commented wanting it for my daughter in case neverused backed out for some reason and neverused ended up seeing my message and ended up graciously sending it to me after esoomenona sent it to him.

Unless you were asking about the board itself? in that case i have no idea but it's called the kidboard so whatever info you can find about it will be more than i know.
Ah, that is cool that you managed to snag that well travelled board.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: njbair on Wed, 14 October 2015, 21:55:48
Here's some.

(http://i.imgur.com/AEitMSu.jpg)
Unitek K-258 I recently bought from Ebay. It came with these crazy colored caps.

(http://i.imgur.com/mSwHx5V.jpg)
Infinity 60% with Matias Quiet Clicks, Tai Hao WoB and Badwrench DCS mods in a TEX acrylic case.

(http://i.imgur.com/sEuJx2Z.jpg)
Filco Zero with Tai Hao Dolch.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 14 October 2015, 22:06:21
Evo_Spec, you have one of my grail boards :(
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Evo_Spec on Wed, 14 October 2015, 22:24:34
Evo_Spec, you have one of my grail boards :(

This thing is pretty damn sexy. Considering i got this for free i may just pass it on after my daughter is done with it but that may take years.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Wed, 14 October 2015, 22:43:21
Evo_Spec, you have one of my grail boards :(

This thing is pretty damn sexy. Considering i got this for free i may just pass it on after my daughter is done with it but that may take years.
Dibs! It'll work great for the MA52!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: koalapear on Thu, 15 October 2015, 00:50:12
Here's mine!  ;D

(http://i.imgur.com/6esXBpp.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/LRLagwV.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/OhZbGdC.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/vxxZnge.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Yoe on Thu, 15 October 2015, 03:36:35
Ok, I'll just post the one in front of me atm. My daily driver at work: orange alps modded AEKII, orange leds and orange dyed keys. Love it so very very much! (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/15/9db03a01eebf6a750106f498ffbfd7ff.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sth on Thu, 15 October 2015, 04:08:33
Ok, I'll just post the one in front of me atm. My daily driver at work: orange alps modded AEKII, orange leds and orange dyed keys. Love it so very very much!
Show Image
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/15/9db03a01eebf6a750106f498ffbfd7ff.jpg)


iDye Poly? i think i might dye one of my AEK sets for my next alps60 board.

PS you should join us in IRC, we can always use more euro timezone people  ;D
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: stoic-lemon on Thu, 15 October 2015, 05:13:13
Ok, I'll just post the one in front of me atm. My daily driver at work: orange alps modded AEKII, orange leds and orange dyed keys. Love it so very very much!
Show Image
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/15/9db03a01eebf6a750106f498ffbfd7ff.jpg)


Oh yeah, I remember that one. Can you link to the post you made about that? I too want one.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zombimuncha on Thu, 15 October 2015, 08:18:36
[attachimg=1]

V80-MTS-C w/ TaiHao Dolch
(just ignore that nasty FC660M in the background)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jbondeson on Thu, 15 October 2015, 08:51:13
My V60-MQC with Olivetti (home/work)

(http://i.imgur.com/U7OzDSQ.jpg)

And my MidWest Micro Elite with Monterey Blues on my CNC/3D Printer machine

(http://i.imgur.com/u7aMbq8.jpg)

I also have a half dozen older apple keyboards in various states of dissassembly that will be soon remixed into 60% and other fun creations.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: ideus on Thu, 15 October 2015, 08:53:03
(Attachment Link)

V80-MTS-C w/ TaiHao Dolch
(just ignore that nasty FC660M in the background)

Why is the FC660M nasty?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zombimuncha on Thu, 15 October 2015, 08:54:31
(Attachment Link)

V80-MTS-C w/ TaiHao Dolch
(just ignore that nasty FC660M in the background)

Why is the FC660M nasty?

It's not really, but this is the Alps thread, so let's just pretend it doesn't exist ;-)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: njbair on Thu, 15 October 2015, 09:38:16
Forgot to post this bad boy earlier.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/440/19335195338_36ece31f45_k.jpg)
Custom Alps 60% Keyboard (https://flic.kr/p/vszVWS) by Nick Bair (https://www.flickr.com/photos/njbair/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: DanielT on Thu, 15 October 2015, 09:49:38
My TMK Alps 60% board, it has prototype Nr.7 PCB inside, love the board, black Alps with Dell caps and plate cut from the Dell plate:
(http://i.imgur.com/fmnSptT.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Yoe on Fri, 16 October 2015, 07:44:39
Ok, I'll just post the one in front of me atm. My daily driver at work: orange alps modded AEKII, orange leds and orange dyed keys. Love it so very very much!
Show Image
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/15/9db03a01eebf6a750106f498ffbfd7ff.jpg)


Oh yeah, I remember that one. Can you link to the post you made about that? I too want one.

This could be thread you are referring to: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49407.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49407.0)


Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: bcredbottle on Fri, 16 October 2015, 07:50:07
Ergodox w/ Matias Click switches

(http://i.imgur.com/MCvDx2L.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/ST2qWzx.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: stoic-lemon on Fri, 16 October 2015, 07:54:41
Ok, I'll just post the one in front of me atm. My daily driver at work: orange alps modded AEKII, orange leds and orange dyed keys. Love it so very very much!
Show Image
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/15/9db03a01eebf6a750106f498ffbfd7ff.jpg)


Oh yeah, I remember that one. Can you link to the post you made about that? I too want one.

This could be thread you are referring to: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49407.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49407.0)




Thank you!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: terrpn on Sat, 17 October 2015, 21:06:06
(http://i.imgur.com/qxIpqMF.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Hzza on Sun, 18 October 2015, 17:07:05
Cross posting this a bit because I'm super stoked with it. R2 Hasu Alps64 pcb, orange alps, PT ISO caps.

(http://i.imgur.com/GvNDY16.jpg)

We only have tonight though, going to take it apart tomorrow to fix some flaws in the plate (like the fact the screw holes are the wrong size :'().
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Jokrik on Sun, 25 October 2015, 06:13:41
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/659/21836946584_d5678f530d_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/zgE4r3)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/743/22433658726_a7cc58363d_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Abonaq)

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/612/22271689000_681b681a9b_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/zW5ecW)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: njbair on Sun, 25 October 2015, 06:48:38
Show Image
Show Image
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/659/21836946584_d5678f530d_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/zgE4r3)


(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/743/22433658726_a7cc58363d_h.jpg)

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zW5ecW](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/612/22271689000_681b681a9b_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Abonaq)

Filco Zero owners FTW!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Kola93 on Sun, 25 October 2015, 22:06:37
These are all really cool keyboards. It's a shame ALPS is no longer as common as it once was.

I'm having a difficult time deciding whether to use Blue or Green alps for a 60% build. Any suggestions? ^-^
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: CPTBadAss on Sun, 25 October 2015, 22:08:59
Show Image
Show Image
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/659/21836946584_d5678f530d_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/zgE4r3)


(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/743/22433658726_a7cc58363d_h.jpg)

[url=https://flic.kr/p/zW5ecW](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/612/22271689000_681b681a9b_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Abonaq)

Filco Zero owners FTW!

BROTHERS!!  <3

These are all really cool keyboards. It's a shame ALPS is no longer as common as it once was.

I'm having a difficult time deciding whether to use Blue or Green alps for a 60% build. Any suggestions? ^-^

Whynotboth.png

Seriously though, really depends on if you like linear or clicky more.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Kola93 on Sun, 25 October 2015, 22:13:38
Whynotboth.png

Seriously though, really depends on if you like linear or clicky more.

Haha, it's a very difficult decision, I like both switches and I see benefits for both!

With Blues, it would be the ultimate productive/work typing machine, alienating the local Starbucks crowd as I click click click away.

With Greens, it would be the ultimate gaming keyboard, making sure that I have the early actuation advantage that comes with ALPS.

Really though, both sounds about right, haha. ^-^
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: neverused on Sun, 25 October 2015, 22:37:26
Evo_Spec, you have one of my grail boards :(

This thing is pretty damn sexy. Considering i got this for free i may just pass it on after my daughter is done with it but that may take years.
I was happy to see her using it, made it worth it. I'm sorry it took so long to ship, back to back FDA and ISO audits can such up your life quickly.

Glad I could effectively proxy it for you!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: neverused on Sun, 25 October 2015, 22:39:16
Why is there a fox on the R key? Is it a rabbit pretending to be a fox so as not be noticed by the other foxes, or did the fox already catch the rabbit, and has taken his place for ... unspecified reasons?
That "fox" has two big front teeth...
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zombimuncha on Mon, 26 October 2015, 01:40:00
Why is there a fox on the R key? Is it a rabbit pretending to be a fox so as not be noticed by the other foxes, or did the fox already catch the rabbit, and has taken his place for ... unspecified reasons?
That "fox" has two big front teeth...
Yeah you're right. Maybe it's supposed to be a bat?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 26 October 2015, 04:53:59
These are all really cool keyboards. It's a shame ALPS is no longer as common as it once was.

I'm having a difficult time deciding whether to use Blue or Green alps for a 60% build. Any suggestions? ^-^

Matias use a switch based on Alps in their keyboards.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 30 October 2015, 17:02:57
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/620/22429598910_39ffcbaf6d.jpg)

Cross posted (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42336.msg1914954#msg1914954) because I really like this shot. Yoe made me an Alps logo pin <3. Kingsaver custom with SKCM Blue Alps switches, Wang 724/Acer 6131 caps in TW layout.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 30 October 2015, 21:55:31
My V60-MQC with Olivetti (home/work)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/U7OzDSQ.jpg)


And my MidWest Micro Elite with Monterey Blues on my CNC/3D Printer machine

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/u7aMbq8.jpg)


I also have a half dozen older apple keyboards in various states of dissassembly that will be soon remixed into 60% and other fun creations.
Ooo Ooo--I remember Midwest Micro!  Can't believe how many quality keyboards there were out there, even on the PC compatibles in that era...

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Fri, 30 October 2015, 22:18:35
I was wondering if an Alps thread existed! Some crossposts of my own are coming up.  :-X

Did someone want potatoes!? :D

(http://i.imgur.com/6Qol2Le.jpg)

Test driving some very immaculate Green Alps pulled out of a practically untouched board without solder because I'm devilishly DARING. They work fine. :)

(http://i.imgur.com/cQaP4mF.jpg)

The "plate" is dampened with sorbothane and definitely cuts down a bit on the notorious ping of Alps switches. It is also much quieter in general than it was without the sorbothane.

Those grey strips are silicone foam and they notoriously TORE the clear coat off my paint job the last time I tried using them. I can't believe I put the stuff on again, but it really does give the Infinity some fantastic grip.


My Infinity just reminds me of snow, Christmas, and sleighs every time I look at it.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Evo_Spec on Sat, 31 October 2015, 04:34:30
Show Image
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/620/22429598910_39ffcbaf6d.jpg)


Cross posted (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42336.msg1914954#msg1914954) because I really like this shot. Yoe made me an Alps logo pin <3. Kingsaver custom with SKCM Blue Alps switches, Wang 724/Acer 6131 caps in TW layout.
Awesome shot! I really like the caps!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: getf on Sat, 31 October 2015, 20:22:17
Seeing this thread makes me miss my quiet click v60 :(

(http://i.imgur.com/rxbZMD1.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Tue, 17 November 2015, 10:04:45
Filco Zero with SKCL Greens. Need to find a white spacebar and matching modifier keys  :)

(http://i.imgur.com/884iLO2.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: FrostyToast on Tue, 17 November 2015, 10:15:40
Filco Zero with SKCL Greens. Need to find a white spacebar and matching modifier keys  :)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/884iLO2.jpg)


IIRC those alphas are Tai Hao doubleshots and you should probably wait for those Tai Hao ALPS caps to pop up on MassDrop again.
The profile and text would match perfectly.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Tue, 17 November 2015, 10:30:28
IIRC those alphas are Tai Hao doubleshots and you should probably wait for those Tai Hao ALPS caps to pop up on MassDrop again.
The profile and text would match perfectly.  :thumb:

Are these the caps your talking about? https://www.massdrop.com/buy/alps-keycaps

Mechanicalkeyboards.com has them in stock, i was going to buy two sets of Olivette but was a bit hesitant because the dark blue font on the Olivette might not match well.

Does Tai Hao make any more flavors of Alps keycap sets?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 17 November 2015, 10:39:40
Does Tai Hao make any more flavors of Alps keycap sets?

I think they have the capability to make more colors but they haven't released more than what MK and MD have.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 17 November 2015, 10:52:14
Here's some of mine :):

My original Blue Alps board that I bricked. :X

(http://i.imgur.com/OcdcWfY.jpg)

My Infinity that re-purposed those parts:

(http://i.imgur.com/uDUpeAx.jpg)

And then of course, the two boards I've restored which are my current favorites as far as vintages go,

Dell AT101:

(http://imgur.com/sziMPvR.jpg)

Retrobrighted and sanded and repainted the plate with a similar color to the original:

(http://i.imgur.com/1HJjzj4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FXYsQbw.jpg)
Umph. Those coils~
(http://i.imgur.com/ebdEfyr.jpg)


And my beloved FAME TH-5539 with blue alps:

After my NTC 6151N died, I needed something else to fill my heart, and it's odd how similar this board turned out to be. Metal back, Blue Alps, and even the PCB... It has positions for MX and Alps just like the NTC.

(http://i.imgur.com/MOeVxEs.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pUgg5Vx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8jJ4lKH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/36hlRGK.jpg)

Those stains are bromine, not just grease or something. D: Also, those pics are from the reseller, hehe.

Modified to ANSI layout, added a vintage Samsung sticker from a Chicony 5161 :D

(http://i.imgur.com/jDthZpE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NgznzMM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CrCFItM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/50gJy8m.jpg)

I definitely went past restoration with this one and personalized it, but I'm very happy with it! It was a ridiculous board. Half quality and half crap--it originally had pad-printed caps, NO stabilizers whatsoever mounted. So I had to add all the inserts and wires myself. The Big Ass Enter wasn't stabilized at the top, so I cut a hole in the plate and noticed an extra position beneath that spot. Yeah I didn't check that before hand, lol. The quality part comes from the overall build quality though. It's very solid and unlike a lot of similar boards (AT101, Chicony 5161), it has brass threaded inserts instead of just screws boring into plastic.

Then I wired up the key above the enter key to function as a "|\" key, and rewired the original "|\" key to the side of the short right shift to be another pause break key. Which, if I ever use one of those USB-ready soarer's converters, I'll make an FN key. :D
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: bcredbottle on Tue, 17 November 2015, 10:59:14
Here's some of mine :):

My original Blue Alps board that I bricked. :X

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/OcdcWfY.jpg)


My Infinity that re-purposed those parts:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/uDUpeAx.jpg)


And then of course, the two boards I've restored which are my current favorites as far as vintages go,

Dell AT101:

Show Image
(http://imgur.com/sziMPvR.jpg)


Retrobrighted and sanded and repainted the plate with a similar color to the original:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/1HJjzj4.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/FXYsQbw.jpg)

Umph. Those coils~
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/ebdEfyr.jpg)



And my beloved FAME TH-5539 with blue alps:

After my NTC 6151N died, I needed something else to fill my heart, and it's odd how similar this board turned out to be. Metal back, Blue Alps, and even the PCB... It has positions for MX and Alps just like the NTC.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/MOeVxEs.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/pUgg5Vx.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/8jJ4lKH.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/36hlRGK.jpg)


Those stains are bromine, not just grease or something. D: Also, those pics are from the reseller, hehe.

Modified to ANSI layout, added a vintage Samsung sticker from a Chicony 5161 :D

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/jDthZpE.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/NgznzMM.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/CrCFItM.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/50gJy8m.jpg)


I definitely went past restoration with this one and personalized it, but I'm very happy with it! It was a ridiculous board. Half quality and half crap--it originally had pad-printed caps, NO stabilizers whatsoever mounted. So I had to add all the inserts and wires myself. The Big Ass Enter wasn't stabilized at the top, so I cut a hole in the plate and noticed an extra position beneath that spot. Yeah I didn't check that before hand, lol. The quality part comes from the overall build quality though. It's very solid and unlike a lot of similar boards (AT101, Chicony 5161), it has brass threaded inserts instead of just screws boring into plastic.

Then I wired up the key above the enter key to function as a "|\" key, and rewired the original "|\" key to the side of the short right shift to be another pause break key. Which, if I ever use one of those USB-ready soarer's converters, I'll make an FN key. :D

 :eek:
Those Salmons, that plate... :thumb:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 17 November 2015, 11:03:46
Here's some of mine :):

My original Blue Alps board that I bricked. :X

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/OcdcWfY.jpg)


My Infinity that re-purposed those parts:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/uDUpeAx.jpg)


And then of course, the two boards I've restored which are my current favorites as far as vintages go,

Dell AT101:

Show Image
(http://imgur.com/sziMPvR.jpg)


Retrobrighted and sanded and repainted the plate with a similar color to the original:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/1HJjzj4.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/FXYsQbw.jpg)

Umph. Those coils~
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/ebdEfyr.jpg)



And my beloved FAME TH-5539 with blue alps:

After my NTC 6151N died, I needed something else to fill my heart, and it's odd how similar this board turned out to be. Metal back, Blue Alps, and even the PCB... It has positions for MX and Alps just like the NTC.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/MOeVxEs.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/pUgg5Vx.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/8jJ4lKH.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/36hlRGK.jpg)


Those stains are bromine, not just grease or something. D: Also, those pics are from the reseller, hehe.

Modified to ANSI layout, added a vintage Samsung sticker from a Chicony 5161 :D

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/jDthZpE.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/NgznzMM.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/CrCFItM.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/50gJy8m.jpg)


I definitely went past restoration with this one and personalized it, but I'm very happy with it! It was a ridiculous board. Half quality and half crap--it originally had pad-printed caps, NO stabilizers whatsoever mounted. So I had to add all the inserts and wires myself. The Big Ass Enter wasn't stabilized at the top, so I cut a hole in the plate and noticed an extra position beneath that spot. Yeah I didn't check that before hand, lol. The quality part comes from the overall build quality though. It's very solid and unlike a lot of similar boards (AT101, Chicony 5161), it has brass threaded inserts instead of just screws boring into plastic.

Then I wired up the key above the enter key to function as a "|\" key, and rewired the original "|\" key to the side of the short right shift to be another pause break key. Which, if I ever use one of those USB-ready soarer's converters, I'll make an FN key. :D

 :eek:
Those Salmons, that plate... :thumb:

Haha. Alps are so pretty. :D
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Tue, 17 November 2015, 11:09:03
I think they have the capability to make more colors but they haven't released more than what MK and MD have.

Ill pick up a set of Olivette then, the colors of the caps themselves are perfect, i just wish the font was black.

@E3E Wow nice work, the extra key next to the short right shift is awesome, i wish more boards had that. The blue paint makes the SKCM Blues look even better  :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sean on Tue, 17 November 2015, 11:18:09
Jelly of the Filco's
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 17 November 2015, 11:21:43
I think they have the capability to make more colors but they haven't released more than what MK and MD have.

Ill pick up a set of Olivette then, the colors of the caps themselves are perfect, i just wish the font was black.

@E3E Wow nice work, the extra key next to the short right shift is awesome, i wish more boards had that. The blue paint makes the SKCM Blues look even better  :)

Thank you! Yes, I love short right shifts, haha. Almost all of my main keyboards have them. Your Filco Zero is quite nice by the way, as sean mentioned. xD I notice many people putting SKCL Green Alps in Filco Zeros.

One of the few and coveted Alps TKLs. :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: TieuNgu on Tue, 17 November 2015, 22:34:25
May I ask what keycap options do we have for ALPS right now?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: njbair on Tue, 17 November 2015, 22:58:11
May I ask what keycap options do we have for ALPS right now?

You can get the 104-key Tai-Hao Dolch and Olivetti sets on MechanicalKeyboards.com. I just sold off the last remaining spots in my Alpine Winter GB, but maybe someone will be selling their extra sets once they start shipping in late December/early January.

Other than that, you'll have to harvest caps from old keyboards.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zombimuncha on Wed, 18 November 2015, 06:00:25
May I ask what keycap options do we have for ALPS right now?

You can get the 104-key Tai-Hao Dolch and Olivetti sets on MechanicalKeyboards.com. I just sold off the last remaining spots in my Alpine Winter GB, but maybe someone will be selling their extra sets once they start shipping in late December/early January.

Other than that, you'll have to harvest caps from old keyboards.

And you can get Matias ABS sets from Keyboardco, or direct from Matias. They also have some PBT caps in the pipeline but haven't been released yet.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: bcredbottle on Wed, 18 November 2015, 06:12:41
May I ask what keycap options do we have for ALPS right now?

You can get the 104-key Tai-Hao Dolch and Olivetti sets on MechanicalKeyboards.com. I just sold off the last remaining spots in my Alpine Winter GB, but maybe someone will be selling their extra sets once they start shipping in late December/early January.

Other than that, you'll have to harvest caps from old keyboards.

And you can get Matias ABS sets from Keyboardco, or direct from Matias. They also have some PBT caps in the pipeline but haven't been released yet.

And OLKB has Alps DSA http://ortholinearkeyboards.com/keycaps/dsa-keycaps


EDIT: Wait whoa holy **** OEM too? http://ortholinearkeyboards.com/keycaps/oem-keycaps
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Wed, 18 November 2015, 12:07:16
May I ask what keycap options do we have for ALPS right now?

You can get the 104-key Tai-Hao Dolch and Olivetti sets on MechanicalKeyboards.com. I just sold off the last remaining spots in my Alpine Winter GB, but maybe someone will be selling their extra sets once they start shipping in late December/early January.

Other than that, you'll have to harvest caps from old keyboards.

And you can get Matias ABS sets from Keyboardco, or direct from Matias. They also have some PBT caps in the pipeline but haven't been released yet.

And OLKB has Alps DSA http://ortholinearkeyboards.com/keycaps/dsa-keycaps


EDIT: Wait whoa holy **** OEM too? http://ortholinearkeyboards.com/keycaps/oem-keycaps

****, I could go for some black OEM blanks, but do they offer anything that'd fit a standard ANSI layout?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: SJHL on Wed, 18 November 2015, 17:47:32
May I ask what keycap options do we have for ALPS right now?

You can get the 104-key Tai-Hao Dolch and Olivetti sets on MechanicalKeyboards.com. I just sold off the last remaining spots in my Alpine Winter GB, but maybe someone will be selling their extra sets once they start shipping in late December/early January.

Other than that, you'll have to harvest caps from old keyboards.

And you can get Matias ABS sets from Keyboardco, or direct from Matias. They also have some PBT caps in the pipeline but haven't been released yet.

And OLKB has Alps DSA http://ortholinearkeyboards.com/keycaps/dsa-keycaps


EDIT: Wait whoa holy **** OEM too? http://ortholinearkeyboards.com/keycaps/oem-keycaps

This is news to me, thanks!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: cgbuen on Wed, 18 November 2015, 20:27:46
Mini Tactile Pro with Matias Clickies https://www.instagram.com/p/-E3tpFnGTI/

(https://instagram.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12237233_1665248593758297_534591554_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: SamirD on Thu, 19 November 2015, 10:30:28
Mini Tactile Pro with Matias Clickies https://www.instagram.com/p/-E3tpFnGTI/

Show Image
(https://instagram.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12237233_1665248593758297_534591554_n.jpg)

Pretty!  How do you like it?  Have you tried it in comparison to other alps or cherry/bs?

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zombimuncha on Thu, 19 November 2015, 13:43:51
Mini Tactile Pro with Matias Clickies https://www.instagram.com/p/-E3tpFnGTI/

Show Image
(https://instagram.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12237233_1665248593758297_534591554_n.jpg)


That reminds me, I need to try my Matias caps on the V80...
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: cgbuen on Fri, 20 November 2015, 02:56:08
It's pretty cool. Its click is way more fun than MX Blues', for sure.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zombimuncha on Fri, 20 November 2015, 04:38:21
It's pretty cool. Its click is way more fun than MX Blues', for sure.
QFT
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zombimuncha on Fri, 20 November 2015, 10:53:22
[attach=1]

I like the sound of the Matias stock keycaps better than the TaiHao doubleshots. They're lower pitched and less annoying. I think the same was true of the stock KBP caps (which I suspect are also from TaiHao, but not doubleshot)

Mini review of the TaiHao doubleshots:
* more durable
* slightly better feel (can't feel the legends)
* worse sound
* don't really look exactly like they're meant to. The colours are a little bit off compared to the sets they're supposed to be copies of. Slightly disappointing.
* cheap!
* overall 7/10, glad I got them otherwise I wouldn't know all this.

So... how do thick PBT caps sound on clicky Alps switches, compared to thin ABS?

I find this weird because they're all ABS, and the doubleshots are definitely thicker so I was expecting a lower pitched sound, not higher.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Fri, 20 November 2015, 18:03:39
X-post from Post your Korean keyboard:


(http://i.imgur.com/asP0zn5.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/KSMiHxL.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/baz3rzQ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/j3z0TsQ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/CbRNsUP.jpg)

:)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jbondeson on Fri, 20 November 2015, 18:09:45
So so so so very jelly over here!

Love all your alps boards E3E!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Fri, 20 November 2015, 18:11:06
So so so so very jelly over here!

Love all your alps boards E3E!

Aww, haha. Thanks man. Alps are so nice. :) It's nice to have boards that you've put a lot of work into.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sean on Sat, 21 November 2015, 00:42:16
So so so so very jelly over here!

Love all your alps boards E3E!

Aww, haha. Thanks man. Alps are so nice. :) It's nice to have boards that you've put a lot of work into.

I need to play around with some greens and yellows. Really nice kb!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sat, 21 November 2015, 01:38:31
I need to play around with some greens and yellows. Really nice kb!

Thanks. :D If I was some PCB wizard like skullydazed or could rig my own backlighting setup, it'd be a lot easier, but I had to use a Duck Eagle PCB since the fact it is MX + Alps meant it had LED positions meant for the Cherry switches which I could rig to use for this purpose.

To get this working for Alps, well... I had to hand drill LED holes in the bottom housing of every switch since linear alps don't have LED holes unless it's a switch used for an indicator light. It was worth the effort though. I haven't seen any documented cases of complicated linears being used with whole board backlighting, so it sounded like a really fun project to do!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sean on Sat, 21 November 2015, 10:28:34
I need to play around with some greens and yellows. Really nice kb!

Thanks. :D If I was some PCB wizard like skullydazed or could rig my own backlighting setup, it'd be a lot easier, but I had to use a Duck Eagle PCB since the fact it is MX + Alps meant it had LED positions meant for the Cherry switches which I could rig to use for this purpose.

To get this working for Alps, well... I had to hand drill LED holes in the bottom housing of every switch since linear alps don't have LED holes unless it's a switch used for an indicator light. It was worth the effort though. I haven't seen any documented cases of complicated linears being used with whole board backlighting, so it sounded like a really fun project to do!

That's really cool! I would have loved to see that on making stuff together ;)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sat, 21 November 2015, 10:54:50
I need to play around with some greens and yellows. Really nice kb!

Thanks. :D If I was some PCB wizard like skullydazed or could rig my own backlighting setup, it'd be a lot easier, but I had to use a Duck Eagle PCB since the fact it is MX + Alps meant it had LED positions meant for the Cherry switches which I could rig to use for this purpose.

To get this working for Alps, well... I had to hand drill LED holes in the bottom housing of every switch since linear alps don't have LED holes unless it's a switch used for an indicator light. It was worth the effort though. I haven't seen any documented cases of complicated linears being used with whole board backlighting, so it sounded like a really fun project to do!

That's really cool! I would have loved to see that on making stuff together ;)

I've been keeping a photo log of everything so far! I'll post a thread once the hammer case comes in. :D So excited for that.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: frosty on Sat, 21 November 2015, 11:20:16
X-post from Post your Korean keyboard:


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/asP0zn5.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/KSMiHxL.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/baz3rzQ.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/j3z0TsQ.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/CbRNsUP.jpg)


:)

my god can you hook me up with some green alps please.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sat, 21 November 2015, 11:41:54
X-post from Post your Korean keyboard:


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/asP0zn5.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/KSMiHxL.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/baz3rzQ.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/j3z0TsQ.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/CbRNsUP.jpg)


:)

my god can you hook me up with some green alps please.

Sadly, I don't have enough for another 60%, but I do have some brown linear alps (which are very seldom seen) and some yellow linears. Brown and yellow are actually the same exact weight as I measured last night. The difference is that yellows use a short contact plate while browns use a long contact plate. This makes the browns feel a bit smoother, I think.

Greens are pretty much like MX reds. I weighed around 45g actuation and 50g bottom out.

Yellows and linear Browns = 60g actuation 70g bottom out
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: frosty on Sat, 21 November 2015, 14:04:59
X-post from Post your Korean keyboard:


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/asP0zn5.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/KSMiHxL.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/baz3rzQ.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/j3z0TsQ.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/CbRNsUP.jpg)


:)

my god can you hook me up with some green alps please.

Sadly, I don't have enough for another 60%, but I do have some brown linear alps (which are very seldom seen) and some yellow linears. Brown and yellow are actually the same exact weight as I measured last night. The difference is that yellows use a short contact plate while browns use a long contact plate. This makes the browns feel a bit smoother, I think.

Greens are pretty much like MX reds. I weighed around 45g actuation and 50g bottom out.

Yellows and linear Browns = 60g actuation 70g bottom out

what about the smoothness of these green alps? aren't they tiers above mx reds
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sat, 21 November 2015, 23:23:02
X-post from Post your Korean keyboard:


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/asP0zn5.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/KSMiHxL.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/baz3rzQ.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/j3z0TsQ.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/CbRNsUP.jpg)


:)

my god can you hook me up with some green alps please.

Sadly, I don't have enough for another 60%, but I do have some brown linear alps (which are very seldom seen) and some yellow linears. Brown and yellow are actually the same exact weight as I measured last night. The difference is that yellows use a short contact plate while browns use a long contact plate. This makes the browns feel a bit smoother, I think.

Greens are pretty much like MX reds. I weighed around 45g actuation and 50g bottom out.

Yellows and linear Browns = 60g actuation 70g bottom out

what about the smoothness of these green alps? aren't they tiers above mx reds

Yep! They are very smooth and indeed very high above any Cherry linears, in my opinion, though well-lubed vintage MX blacks are very pleasant. Good condition Green Alps are smoother than any modern MX by far and just as smooth as lubed vintages. It's pretty shocking. It's important to note that they have less travel than MX though, so the feel is a bit different.

The linear browns I have are very smooth too. It's a shame that they are so rare though. It makes one think that they could potentially be some incredible switch, but no. They are just as smooth as greens, but they don't feel as special. Kind of the direct equivalent to MX Black where Greens are to red. Same actuation, but both are 10g less at bottom out than their MX counter part.

If I could assume, I'd say that browns were offered as a heavier alternative to Green SKCL Alps since they seemed to be produced around the same time.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sat, 21 November 2015, 23:37:52
Sorry for the double post:

Just wanted to share the twins.

(http://puu.sh/lufWt/4858308947.JPG)

Both built on Duck Eagle PCBs specifically so they could use backlighting if desired. Funny thing, I just noticed (thanks to Mattr567) the V60 MTS PCB potentially allows for in-switch LEDs, and I went through all the trouble to get these thinking there was no other offering.

I'll post a full build log in the following days when the Hammer case comes in. I'm typing this on the ANSI 6.25u one with no case using a mixture of blues for the alphas and oranges everywhere else since I traded my stock away for the greens and brown linears, lol.

The Eagle doesn't support the standard ANSI 104 key layout for ALPS and seemed intended for Dell AT101 "101 ANSI" layout.

I drilled out the positions for to allow for 104 ANSI though on both PCBs. Both also have holtite sockets that allow for hotswapping. The switches are so tight though, that it's very unpleasant to pull one out of the plate/pcb. I'm gonna have to try and find some pair of rubber-nosed pliers or forceps that I can use to get a good hold onto them.

Yep, caps come off without an issue, if you couldn't have guessed, hehe.  :)

Of course, the areas with multiple layouts like the bottom row are not as well supported by the plate, so the switches have more play in those areas. It's not very noticeable, though the caps can look crooked if the switch is jarred. It shouldn't be a problem when mounted in a case though. I feel fortunate to have the DCS mods because that made this possible. Good thing the next Alps caps drops are going to be DCS so that means full compatibility. I had to do a stem swap on a triumph adler 7u space bar I got (thank you eksuen) from the free stuff thread) so it would fit on the board.



I didn't even intend on having two of these, but when one offer for a Duck PCB fell through, I took up another user's offer, and then the original offer came back and so I ended up with two. Then Leandre said that the factory was making two CF plates and I was like "Oh gooood, now I HAAAAVE to buy them."
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Sun, 22 November 2015, 18:05:43
@ E3E Wow backlit Alps omg those look perfect very very impressive.  I would be nervous drilling SKCL Greens, did the LEDs work right away when installed or was there anything extra involved other than drilling the switches?

Also very interesting the V60 MTS PCB allows for in-switch LEDs, do you think they would light up when installed or would something firmware sided be involved?  I ended up ordering a second Z-150 with Greens, so i might attempt to add LEDs to them if it would work with a V60 MTS PCB.



Olivetti keycaps arrived yesterday and they blend in nicely with the Cyrillic caps, i would say its complete for now :)

(http://i.imgur.com/OarGeQv.jpg)

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: cryptokey on Sun, 22 November 2015, 18:20:40
This thread really makes me want to try some Alps/Matias switches.... Anybody in Toronto who is offering test drives?  I touch yours, you touch mine?  ;)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sun, 22 November 2015, 18:27:01
@ E3E Wow backlit Alps omg those look perfect very very impressive.  I would be nervous drilling SKCL Greens, did the LEDs work right away when installed or was there anything extra involved other than drilling the switches?

Also very interesting the V60 MTS PCB allows for in-switch LEDs, do you think they would light up when installed or would something firmware sided be involved?  I ended up ordering a second Z-150 with Greens, so i might attempt to add LEDs to them if it would work with a V60 MTS PCB.



Olivetti keycaps arrived yesterday and they blend in nicely with the Cyrillic caps, i would say its complete for now :)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/OarGeQv.jpg)


Thanks, Luigi. :)

Yeah, I used a little pin vise hand tool with a miniature drill bit to drill the underside of the switches. Even though I eyed them up as best as I could, some weren't perfectly aligned with the LED holes and I had to widen the holes a bit more. I probably should have used a bigger diameter bit.

Yeah, that's it! I just bought some 2x5x7mm LEDs and slipped them in the sockets and they worked just fine. No other hassles! I grinded down the flanges of the LEDs to make them easier to insert and remove, but I've just found that this isn't necessary. I thought it'd be difficult to remove or insert them without taking care of the flange, but testing this with a switch from my Z-150, I now see that it works fine with a flange. Just a little bit tighter fitting.

I'm not sure. Apparently the V60 and V60MTS run on the same firmware, so it should be possible to get the LEDs working without much of a challenge.

Oh, what were you using your first Z-150 again? :D

Also, that Olivette looks perfect with your Cyrillic caps. Is that board using the blue alps from the Bulgarian Chicony 5161?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jdcarpe on Sun, 22 November 2015, 18:41:33
Finally got around to building my hasu Alps64 today.

(http://i.imgur.com/5iIGRJo.jpg)


Plate from nubbinator's AEKII plate buy (my design), with dampened cream Alps, and keycaps from the AEKII. Imsto R2 alu case.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Sun, 22 November 2015, 18:47:25
Thanks, Luigi. :)

Yeah, I used a little pin vise hand tool with a miniature drill bit to drill the underside of the switches. Even though I eyed them up as best as I could, some weren't perfectly aligned with the LED holes and I had to widen the holes a bit more. I probably should have used a bigger diameter bit.

Yeah, that's it! I just bought some 2x5x7mm LEDs and slipped them in the sockets and they worked just fine. No other hassles! I grinded down the flanges of the LEDs to make them easier to insert and remove, but I've just found that this isn't necessary. I thought it'd be difficult to remove or insert them without taking care of the flange, but testing this with a switch from my Z-150, I now see that it works fine with a flange. Just a little bit tighter fitting.

I'm not sure. Apparently the V60 and V60MTS run on the same firmware, so it should be possible to get the LEDs working without much of a challenge.

Oh, what were you using your first Z-150 again? :D

Also, that Olivette looks perfect with your Cyrillic caps. Is that board using the blue alps from the Bulgarian Chicony 5161?

Thats fantastic they worked right away, im certainly going to try that mod :D  Great news if the V60 and V60 MTS use the same firmware, time for me to order a thin drill bit and see if it works.

I used my first Z-150 with green alps on my Filco Zero thats pictured above.  The blue alps Bulgarian Chicony 5161 should arrive tomorrow, i thought it was going to arrive yesterday but it didnt.  I'm gong to order two V60 MTS boards and put the blue alps in one of them, then with my second Z-150 that i just ordered im going to use the green alps and do the LED mod to them for the second V60 MTS.



@ jdcarpe  Nice hasu Alps64, wish i didnt miss that buy. I want that case, nice shade of blue.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Lurch on Sun, 22 November 2015, 19:20:31
Finally got around to building my hasu Alps64 today.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/5iIGRJo.jpg)



Plate from nubbinator's AEKII plate buy (my design), with dampened cream Alps, and keycaps from the AEKII. Imsto R2 alu case.

*drool*
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sun, 22 November 2015, 19:40:20
Thanks, Luigi. :)

Yeah, I used a little pin vise hand tool with a miniature drill bit to drill the underside of the switches. Even though I eyed them up as best as I could, some weren't perfectly aligned with the LED holes and I had to widen the holes a bit more. I probably should have used a bigger diameter bit.

Yeah, that's it! I just bought some 2x5x7mm LEDs and slipped them in the sockets and they worked just fine. No other hassles! I grinded down the flanges of the LEDs to make them easier to insert and remove, but I've just found that this isn't necessary. I thought it'd be difficult to remove or insert them without taking care of the flange, but testing this with a switch from my Z-150, I now see that it works fine with a flange. Just a little bit tighter fitting.

I'm not sure. Apparently the V60 and V60MTS run on the same firmware, so it should be possible to get the LEDs working without much of a challenge.

Oh, what were you using your first Z-150 again? :D

Also, that Olivette looks perfect with your Cyrillic caps. Is that board using the blue alps from the Bulgarian Chicony 5161?

Thats fantastic they worked right away, im certainly going to try that mod :D  Great news if the V60 and V60 MTS use the same firmware, time for me to order a thin drill bit and see if it works.

I used my first Z-150 with green alps on my Filco Zero thats pictured above.  The blue alps Bulgarian Chicony 5161 should arrive tomorrow, i thought it was going to arrive yesterday but it didnt.  I'm gong to order two V60 MTS boards and put the blue alps in one of them, then with my second Z-150 that i just ordered im going to use the green alps and do the LED mod to them for the second V60 MTS.



@ jdcarpe  Nice hasu Alps64, wish i didnt miss that buy. I want that case, nice shade of blue.

Looks like you've got a lot planned! Definitely post your V60 builds! I'd love to see some more backlit Alps :D

Yeah, I definitely need some more blues after my trades. There's someone who I know who says they'll be in town in May and they've got a board for me, so... Long wait, but that works.

Ya know, when I first got into the idea of doing a hotswappable Alps build, I thought I'd want create a stock of every Alps switch for fun, but... I'm quickly learning that I might just rather hover around my absolute favorites now. Blue Alps, Green Alps, and Orange Alps. The last switch types I have to try that may or may not surprise me are Amber Alps (which I have a board for coming in soon :D ) and Brown Tactile Alps.

Other than that, I haven't tried black alps, white alps, or green tactile alps. I feel like none of them will be all that great compared to my favorites though.

Can anyone with a V80MTS confirm if it too has LED hole positions?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sean on Sun, 22 November 2015, 21:03:39
@ E3E Wow backlit Alps omg those look perfect very very impressive.  I would be nervous drilling SKCL Greens, did the LEDs work right away when installed or was there anything extra involved other than drilling the switches?

Also very interesting the V60 MTS PCB allows for in-switch LEDs, do you think they would light up when installed or would something firmware sided be involved?  I ended up ordering a second Z-150 with Greens, so i might attempt to add LEDs to them if it would work with a V60 MTS PCB.



Olivetti keycaps arrived yesterday and they blend in nicely with the Cyrillic caps, i would say its complete for now :)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/OarGeQv.jpg)


Oh my... That looks amazing

Edit: The board looks so cool I managed to put my comment within the quote!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Yoe on Mon, 23 November 2015, 01:47:26
Finally got around to building my hasu Alps64 today.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/5iIGRJo.jpg)



Plate from nubbinator's AEKII plate buy (my design), with dampened cream Alps, and keycaps from the AEKII. Imsto R2 alu case.

Looks awesome! Love that blue alu case. Makes me wanna dip those modifiers in Dylon Multi-purpose dye, Kingfisher Blue… ;)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zombimuncha on Mon, 23 November 2015, 03:42:41

Can anyone with a V80MTS confirm if it too has LED hole positions?

I'll be bringing it home from work this week (now that I've finished zealioing the 660m) so I can crack it open and take a look...
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 23 November 2015, 03:49:11
Finally got around to building my hasu Alps64 today.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/5iIGRJo.jpg)



Plate from nubbinator's AEKII plate buy (my design), with dampened cream Alps, and keycaps from the AEKII. Imsto R2 alu case.

That is very nice indeed!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Mon, 23 November 2015, 22:30:42
Oh my... That looks amazing

Edit: The board looks so cool I managed to put my comment within the quote!

Thanks im extremely happy with how it turned out, i was very lucky to find someone selling Russian Cyrillic Alps caps  :)

Looks like you've got a lot planned! Definitely post your V60 builds! I'd love to see some more backlit Alps :D

Yeah, I definitely need some more blues after my trades. There's someone who I know who says they'll be in town in May and they've got a board for me, so... Long wait, but that works.

Ya know, when I first got into the idea of doing a hotswappable Alps build, I thought I'd want create a stock of every Alps switch for fun, but... I'm quickly learning that I might just rather hover around my absolute favorites now. Blue Alps, Green Alps, and Orange Alps. The last switch types I have to try that may or may not surprise me are Amber Alps (which I have a board for coming in soon :D ) and Brown Tactile Alps.

Other than that, I haven't tried black alps, white alps, or green tactile alps. I feel like none of them will be all that great compared to my favorites though.

Can anyone with a V80MTS confirm if it too has LED hole positions?

Certainly a lot, im going to work on the first V60 with blue alps then after the second V60 with green alps + LEDs

The only alps ive tried is the stock Fukka switchs in the Filco Zero which i couldnt stand, SKCL Greens, and as of today SKCM Blues. The Chicony arrived today and it is very very yellowed and the plate had a bunch of dust on it, the SKCM Blues are much nicer than MX Blues, but its still hard to decide if i prefer blues or greens more, they both are great. I already desoldered all the switches and am waiting for the V60 to arrive.  :)

Im going to retrobright the keycaps and casing tomorrow, ill use the keycaps from it on my V60 and pickup another Olivetti set to match it with.

I want to try SKCM Greens but havent been able to find any.  Ill probably try SKCM Whites then SKCM Oranges next.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jonathanyu on Mon, 23 November 2015, 22:36:29
(http://i.imgur.com/Muh8m7e.jpg?1)

Found my first alps board last Friday as a surprise! White alps switches in it, probably the best clicky switches I have tried so far.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Mon, 23 November 2015, 23:34:05
Oh my... That looks amazing

Edit: The board looks so cool I managed to put my comment within the quote!

Thanks im extremely happy with how it turned out, i was very lucky to find someone selling Russian Cyrillic Alps caps  :)

Looks like you've got a lot planned! Definitely post your V60 builds! I'd love to see some more backlit Alps :D

Yeah, I definitely need some more blues after my trades. There's someone who I know who says they'll be in town in May and they've got a board for me, so... Long wait, but that works.

Ya know, when I first got into the idea of doing a hotswappable Alps build, I thought I'd want create a stock of every Alps switch for fun, but... I'm quickly learning that I might just rather hover around my absolute favorites now. Blue Alps, Green Alps, and Orange Alps. The last switch types I have to try that may or may not surprise me are Amber Alps (which I have a board for coming in soon :D ) and Brown Tactile Alps.

Other than that, I haven't tried black alps, white alps, or green tactile alps. I feel like none of them will be all that great compared to my favorites though.

Can anyone with a V80MTS confirm if it too has LED hole positions?

Certainly a lot, im going to work on the first V60 with blue alps then after the second V60 with green alps + LEDs

The only alps ive tried is the stock Fukka switchs in the Filco Zero which i couldnt stand, SKCL Greens, and as of today SKCM Blues. The Chicony arrived today and it is very very yellowed and the plate had a bunch of dust on it, the SKCM Blues are much nicer than MX Blues, but its still hard to decide if i prefer blues or greens more, they both are great. I already desoldered all the switches and am waiting for the V60 to arrive.  :)

Im going to retrobright the keycaps and casing tomorrow, ill use the keycaps from it on my V60 and pickup another Olivetti set to match it with.

I want to try SKCM Greens but havent been able to find any.  Ill probably try SKCM Whites then SKCM Oranges next.

What attracted you to greens? Just curious. :) They seem similar to Alps Salmon with their short plate and spring weight. If the tactile leaf really is different, then that's the only difference. D:

I just swapped the mods for my ANSI 104 Eagle to be SKCL browns and they actually feel much nicer than I thought while mounted. I've now learned to never judge a switch until it's mounted on a board. It's very smooth! The SKCL greens are like a pitfall which feels amazing. Browns are like opening a parachute right before you touch down, haha. They are  equally as smooth.

Made a little video.

Alps SKCM blues on alphas, Oranges on number stripe since my left over stock of loose blues was only enough for the alphas themselves. Plan on filling all the missing spots with Amber SKCM and putting orange springs in them if the really are too heavy.

feature=youtu.be

Here's a little typing video! I also made a sleeved carbon fiber cable (real CF, and it was only around 9 dollars for 4 yards of it :D).

Carbon fiber is apparently good at dampening high frequency vibrations so the spring ping that I usually hear with blue alps was practically silent here. On the infinity with its stainless plate and the vintages I've had with metal backs and steel plates, it pinged all over the place. I even took the time to lube every single Green Alps spring on my other Duck Eagle so there would be no spring ping at all (before realizing this quality of carbon fiber). D:

Caps seemed to have straightened themselves out too as they were crooked in the last photo. :D

EDIT: I really need to make a build log! Once the Hammer case comes in, I shall!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Mon, 23 November 2015, 23:54:43
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Tue, 24 November 2015, 01:02:32
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/vXFjRJB.jpg)

We have the same board haha. What switches does yours have? Mine has Acer Blacks. I really need to retrobright mine. Hopefully one day i can use these caps on a 60% Alps ISO build.
(http://i.imgur.com/drPUrrl.jpg)


What attracted you to greens? Just curious. :) They seem similar to Alps Salmon with their short plate and spring weight. If the tactile leaf really is different, then that's the only difference. D:

I just swapped the mods for my ANSI 104 Eagle to be SKCL browns and they actually feel much nicer than I thought while mounted. I've now learned to never judge a switch until it's mounted on a board. It's very smooth! The SKCL greens are like a pitfall which feels amazing. Browns are like opening a parachute right before you touch down, haha. They are  equally as smooth.

Made a little video.

Alps SKCM blues on alphas, Oranges on number stripe since my left over stock of loose blues was only enough for the alphas themselves. Plan on filling all the missing spots with Amber SKCM and putting orange springs in them if the really are too heavy.

feature=youtu.be

Here's a little typing video! I also made a sleeved carbon fiber cable (real CF, and it was only around 9 dollars for 4 yards of it :D).

Carbon fiber is apparently good at dampening high frequency vibrations so the spring ping that I usually hear with blue alps was practically silent here. On the infinity with its stainless plate and the vintages I've had with metal backs and steel plates, it pinged all over the place. I even took the time to lube every single Green Alps spring on my other Duck Eagle so there would be no spring ping at all (before realizing this quality of carbon fiber). D:

Caps seemed to have straightened themselves out too as they were crooked in the last photo. :D

EDIT: I really need to make a build log! Once the Hammer case comes in, I shall!

I mainly was interested in greens because the leaf is different than others in Alps and i havent really heard much about them.

From the description it sounds like i might like SKCL browns a lot, they seem to be also extremely rare though.

The typing video sounds great it will be even better once your Hammer case arrives :D and OMG does the Duck board support reactive LED? That is seriously the ultimate alps board.  I didnt know real carbon fiber plates was a thing, did you have it custom made? Although i dont mind the ping at all, my Zero has very slight ping.



Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 24 November 2015, 01:34:00
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/vXFjRJB.jpg)

We have the same board haha. What switches does yours have? Mine has Acer Blacks. I really need to retrobright mine. Hopefully one day i can use these caps on a 60% Alps ISO build.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/drPUrrl.jpg)


Blacks? I think the one you have might be the Acer 6311, is that a possibility? I know there are "Acer" switches that look very similar to Black SKCM but are actually some kind of membrane switch.  :confused:


Quote
I mainly was interested in greens because the leaf is different than others in Alps and i havent really heard much about them.

From the description it sounds like i might like SKCL browns a lot, they seem to be also extremely rare though.

Yeah, that is a pretty intriguing aspect of those along with SKCM browns. I wonder how the greens feel! In my own little made up rarity tier for Alps I've made in my head, SKCL browns and SKCM greens are practically on the same level. Then Amber and SKCM brown, blue, green, yellow, then SKCM orange and salmon, then dampened cream and ivory, then SKCM white and finally SKCM blacks. I guess? It might not be totally true, but it seems that way.

I still think greens are more unique feeling compared to any other linear switch I've felt. Browns are kind of like blacks, but with a shorter throw. They are pleasant!

Since SKCL yellow are the same weight but with short plates, you could either just use them or pop their springs into SKCL greens for some "ghetto SKCL browns" if you really wanted to!

Quote
The typing video sounds great it will be even better once your Hammer case arrives :D and OMG does the Duck board support reactive LED? That is seriously the ultimate alps board.  I didnt know real carbon fiber plates was a thing, did you have it custom made? Although i dont mind the ping at all, my Zero has very slight ping.

Yeah, I had to modify the board to support the ANSI 104 layout though, since the Eagle totally underestimates the Alps compatibility and doesn't include short right shift + 1 or the 6.25u bottom row or Cherry-style stepped Caps Lock. The stepped caps lock we usually see with Alps is in-between the non-stepped and Cherry-stepped. It's not as far to the left. The Eagle supports this and non-stepped. I'd imagine if we got some stepped Caps Lock keys from SP, they would be Cherry-style stepped and so that needed to be added.

Er, I'm blabbering again! Either way, I'm super happy the modified board works well!

Haha, thanks. It's definitely probably the ultimate Alps 60% PCB to use for now! I love all the lighting options on Duck boards.

Yep, the CF plates are real CF. I got them from Leandre! He was really awesome to deal with. He's running a GB now! Just be wary that to use the plate, you need Cherry stabs and caps that can work with them.

This means most Alps caps won't work, so you'd have to either stem swap (I had to do this for the 7u space bar and the 6.25u one came from my Olivette Tai Hao Alps set), or get a keyset from SP.

So sorry for all this writing; I get passionate when it comes to Alps and my personal projects. :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Tue, 24 November 2015, 07:32:00
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: ideus on Tue, 24 November 2015, 07:35:55
Finally got around to building my hasu Alps64 today.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/5iIGRJo.jpg)



Plate from nubbinator's AEKII plate buy (my design), with dampened cream Alps, and keycaps from the AEKII. Imsto R2 alu case.


What sizes are the modifiers?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jbondeson on Tue, 24 November 2015, 08:09:06

Finally got around to building my hasu Alps64 today.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/5iIGRJo.jpg)



Plate from nubbinator's AEKII plate buy (my design), with dampened cream Alps, and keycaps from the AEKII. Imsto R2 alu case.


What sizes are the modifiers?

AEK II bottom row is 1.5, 1.25, 1.5, 6.5, 1.5, 1.25, 1.5

Frankly the most sensible bottom row I've seen. Split the right shift and it'd be perfect.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jdcarpe on Tue, 24 November 2015, 08:10:42

Finally got around to building my hasu Alps64 today.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/5iIGRJo.jpg)



Plate from nubbinator's AEKII plate buy (my design), with dampened cream Alps, and keycaps from the AEKII. Imsto R2 alu case.


What sizes are the modifiers?

AEK II bottom row is 1.5, 1.25, 1.5, 6.5, 1.5, 1.25, 1.5

Frankly the most sensible bottom row I've seen. Split the right shift and it'd be perfect.

Yes, I really like that bottom row sizing. If only there were more 6.5-unit Alps spacebars in my life. :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: SamirD on Tue, 24 November 2015, 15:42:42
It's pretty cool. Its click is way more fun than MX Blues', for sure.
Interesting.  Thank you for sharing!  :thumb:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Wed, 25 November 2015, 10:51:19
Blacks? I think the one you have might be the Acer 6311, is that a possibility? I know there are "Acer" switches that look very similar to Black SKCM but are actually some kind of membrane switch.  :confused:


Yeah, that is a pretty intriguing aspect of those along with SKCM browns. I wonder how the greens feel! In my own little made up rarity tier for Alps I've made in my head, SKCL browns and SKCM greens are practically on the same level. Then Amber and SKCM brown, blue, green, yellow, then SKCM orange and salmon, then dampened cream and ivory, then SKCM white and finally SKCM blacks. I guess? It might not be totally true, but it seems that way.

I still think greens are more unique feeling compared to any other linear switch I've felt. Browns are kind of like blacks, but with a shorter throw. They are pleasant!

Since SKCL yellow are the same weight but with short plates, you could either just use them or pop their springs into SKCL greens for some "ghetto SKCL browns" if you really wanted to!
Quote
The typing video sounds great it will be even better once your Hammer case arrives :D and OMG does the Duck board support reactive LED? That is seriously the ultimate alps board.  I didnt know real carbon fiber plates was a thing, did you have it custom made? Although i dont mind the ping at all, my Zero has very slight ping.
Yeah, I had to modify the board to support the ANSI 104 layout though, since the Eagle totally underestimates the Alps compatibility and doesn't include short right shift + 1 or the 6.25u bottom row or Cherry-style stepped Caps Lock. The stepped caps lock we usually see with Alps is in-between the non-stepped and Cherry-stepped. It's not as far to the left. The Eagle supports this and non-stepped. I'd imagine if we got some stepped Caps Lock keys from SP, they would be Cherry-style stepped and so that needed to be added.

Er, I'm blabbering again! Either way, I'm super happy the modified board works well!

Haha, thanks. It's definitely probably the ultimate Alps 60% PCB to use for now! I love all the lighting options on Duck boards.

Yep, the CF plates are real CF. I got them from Leandre! He was really awesome to deal with. He's running a GB now! Just be wary that to use the plate, you need Cherry stabs and caps that can work with them.

This means most Alps caps won't work, so you'd have to either stem swap (I had to do this for the 7u space bar and the 6.25u one came from my Olivette Tai Hao Alps set), or get a keyset from SP.

So sorry for all this writing; I get passionate when it comes to Alps and my personal projects. :)


Mine is the Acer Blacks Acer 6312, it has a membrane sheet under it, its not completely horrible though.  I only bought it because it had ISO Alps keycaps, it also has a very interesting Nordic + Bulgarian Cyrillic layout, ive never seen that combination before.

It seems like SKCM Green and browns are the rarest. SKCL Greens are my favorite switch at the moment, although that might change once i get the SKCM Blues in the V60 mounted in a aluminum case.  The next alps switches ill try are Whites then Orange because their easier to find. Will try and keep an eye open for SKCM Greens haha.

Ah nice i saw Leandre GB, i didnt think at first they would work with Alps though. How would i go about doing a stem swap?  Where can one buy a keyset from SP?

No worries Alps talk is the most interesting. I doubt i will find anything more interesting than Alps keyboard related stuff. I think its much more fun than MX.


I just started to Retro bright the Chicony case and keycaps, im using the advice given from this thread: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36719.0 and my second Z-150 should arrive in the mail in an hour or two, so ill be desoldering all those switches today. The V60 hopefully will arrive Friday then i can install the SKCM Blues and try them out in a aluminum case.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Wed, 25 November 2015, 18:29:47
More
Mine is the Acer Blacks Acer 6312, it has a membrane sheet under it, its not completely horrible though.  I only bought it because it had ISO Alps keycaps, it also has a very interesting Nordic + Bulgarian Cyrillic layout, ive never seen that combination before.

It seems like SKCM Green and browns are the rarest. SKCL Greens are my favorite switch at the moment, although that might change once i get the SKCM Blues in the V60 mounted in a aluminum case.  The next alps switches ill try are Whites then Orange because their easier to find. Will try and keep an eye open for SKCM Greens haha.

Ah nice i saw Leandre GB, i didnt think at first they would work with Alps though. How would i go about doing a stem swap?  Where can one buy a keyset from SP?

No worries Alps talk is the most interesting. I doubt i will find anything more interesting than Alps keyboard related stuff. I think its much more fun than MX.


I just started to Retro bright the Chicony case and keycaps, im using the advice given from this thread: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36719.0 and my second Z-150 should arrive in the mail in an hour or two, so ill be desoldering all those switches today. The V60 hopefully will arrive Friday then i can install the SKCM Blues and try them out in a aluminum case.

ISO is definitely a cool layout I've been wanting to try. I think the enter looks pretty classy, but I'll have to wait before I can build any 60% with it. The V60 and Hasu PCB seem to accept ISO though! I love anything non-standard, which... Ironically for me, has led me to give my second Eagle PCB a standard ANSI layout since almost all of my keyboards are non-standard. XD I think ANSI 60% looks rather charming. It seems like Cyrillic is whole lot more common to see on Alps boards than it is on Cherry for some reason. Great find though, getting Nordic + Bulgarian Cyrillic! So weird!

Yep, I'd say SKCM Greens and Browns SKCLs would make a good couple, because they sure are about as elusive as the other. Amber and Brown SKCM aren't often seen in builds, but they aren't all that rare. Since they come in computers/luggables, their prices can sometimes be way too high for many to bother with. Blues and Greens and such aren't super rare, just desirable (with good reason) and either snatched up quick or are way too high priced.

Yeah, Greens are definitely my favorite linear, hands down. The feel is just so light, which I looove. Very nice for times when my joints need a rest. Blues are also nice and light and have similar qualities though I believe Greens are the absolute lightest Alps switch. Blues are a touch heavier than Orange SKCM. Orange, Green, and Blue are probably my favorites. Brown SKCL is pretty nice, but eh. 
 
Amber SKCM is really weird. It's smooth like Blue SKCM, but it has this HUGE tactile bump that pretty much encompasses all the resistance in the switch before the resistance breaks and it's a clean drop down. The click itself is different. It's louder and I really don't know what to think of it. On my Alps build, the carbon fiber + sorbothane beneath the PCB really diminishes the sound of the keys clacking, so you almost just notice the clicks. 
 
Oranges feel very similar to blues, but just without the click, which makes them a good switch if you want to try and get a feel for blue alps without the crazy price. The click is half the fun though!

The CF plate and universal plate design by JDCarpe can, in general, mount Alps switches. The problem lies in the stabilizers as universal designs do not allow for plate-mounted stabilization. Maybe if someone made PCB-stabs that act as a mounting base for costar or alps-style stabs, then this wouldn't be a problem. The only reason I even went for this is because I was fortunate enough to buy in a position on the Alps DCS modifier group buy (thanks Badwrench and Geniekid). Though honestly, with enough patience and attention to detail, stem swapping isn't too hard. I had to do it for every space bar I've used on my Alps builds thus far. 
 
Oh, are you keeping the Chicony then? What switches were you going to mount in the PCB after you strip it of its blues? :P Blues are heavenly. I really think that they are hard to beat. Even the more obscure and curious of Alps switches really don't compare. Amber are good, but they don't have all the pleasant qualities blues have. The heavy tactility gives me mixed feelings and the click isn't as pleasant to me. I'm very torn on whether or not to keep or trade them for more blues.

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Wed, 25 November 2015, 18:49:25
Some hot potato glam shots of my Hammer case and the different Eagle layouts mounted in each one. Thanks so much to JDCarpe for reaching out to me regarding this case. I absolutely ADORE it. 
 
(http://i.imgur.com/yyOFATm.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/TmsTuup.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/s79vXI9.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/q15Xgqc.jpg)

I sleeved the cable with real carbon fiber. Kinda scary having to cut some of the stuff, since I know it's TERRIBLE to breathe, though maybe that's just CF composite, but I was still a tad bit wary, haha.

Gonna write up a build log tonight at somepoint. This is gonna be a loooong one!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zombimuncha on Thu, 26 November 2015, 13:05:32

Can anyone with a V80MTS confirm if it too has LED hole positions?

I'll be bringing it home from work this week (now that I've finished zealioing the 660m) so I can crack it open and take a look...

Here are a few photos of my V80MTS pcb. I don't really know what I'm looking for re: LED hole positions, so I'll just leave these here...
[attach=1]
[attach=2][attach=3][attach=4][attach=5]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Thu, 26 November 2015, 14:23:20

Can anyone with a V80MTS confirm if it too has LED hole positions?

I'll be bringing it home from work this week (now that I've finished zealioing the 660m) so I can crack it open and take a look...

Here are a few photos of my V80MTS pcb. I don't really know what I'm looking for re: LED hole positions, so I'll just leave these here...
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Haha, aww yeeeah! Thanks for these, man.

It seems like the V80MTS does indeed have LED positions just like the V60MTS. Why is this never mentioned in and advertising? Why is it even included? I'm guessing they just modified the positions on the original design to accept Alps while removing the stem well holes? I dunno, but it's both awesome yet quirky that they do indeed of LED positions.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 26 November 2015, 14:42:46

Can anyone with a V80MTS confirm if it too has LED hole positions?

I'll be bringing it home from work this week (now that I've finished zealioing the 660m) so I can crack it open and take a look...

Here are a few photos of my V80MTS pcb. I don't really know what I'm looking for re: LED hole positions, so I'll just leave these here...
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Haha, aww yeeeah! Thanks for these, man.

It seems like the V80MTS does indeed have LED positions just like the V60MTS. Why is this never mentioned in and advertising? Why is it even included? I'm guessing they just modified the positions on the original design to accept Alps while removing the stem well holes? I dunno, but it's both awesome yet quirky that they do indeed of LED positions.
Pretty sure those will accept MX switches as well as Alps. One PCB to rule them all.

If they used my switch holes in the plate, the plate could accept MX or Alps, as well.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Thu, 26 November 2015, 14:56:06

Can anyone with a V80MTS confirm if it too has LED hole positions?

I'll be bringing it home from work this week (now that I've finished zealioing the 660m) so I can crack it open and take a look...

Here are a few photos of my V80MTS pcb. I don't really know what I'm looking for re: LED hole positions, so I'll just leave these here...
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Haha, aww yeeeah! Thanks for these, man.

It seems like the V80MTS does indeed have LED positions just like the V60MTS. Why is this never mentioned in and advertising? Why is it even included? I'm guessing they just modified the positions on the original design to accept Alps while removing the stem well holes? I dunno, but it's both awesome yet quirky that they do indeed of LED positions.
Pretty sure those will accept MX switches as well as Alps. One PCB to rule them all.

If they used my switch holes in the plate, the plate could accept MX or Alps, as well.

I was wondering that too, but I kept getting the feeling this was untrue for the V60/80s. I love me some MXAlps PCBs though. :D
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jdcarpe on Sat, 05 December 2015, 16:20:16
Dyed my modifiers today. Still need to retr0brite my spacebar, and get a spacebar stabilizer wire for it. The alphas could use a bath, as well.

(http://imgur.com/pCtDT5z.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: digi on Sat, 05 December 2015, 16:21:47
Dyed my modifiers today. Still need to retr0brite my spacebar, and get a spacebar stabilizer wire for it. The alphas could use a bath, as well.

Show Image
(http://imgur.com/pCtDT5z.jpg)


Dope mang! :thumb: Can't wait to build mine.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sean on Sat, 05 December 2015, 16:37:54
Dyed my modifiers today. Still need to retr0brite my spacebar, and get a spacebar stabilizer wire for it. The alphas could use a bath, as well.

Show Image
(http://imgur.com/pCtDT5z.jpg)


They came out very nicely, what was the dye?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jdcarpe on Sat, 05 December 2015, 16:42:59
Dyed my modifiers today. Still need to retr0brite my spacebar, and get a spacebar stabilizer wire for it. The alphas could use a bath, as well.

Show Image
(http://imgur.com/pCtDT5z.jpg)


They came out very nicely, what was the dye?
Thank you!

I used Rit liquid for synthetics, in Sapphire Blue. I put about a 1/3 of the bottle with a few cups of filtered water, in a saucepan, once the water was boiling. I did a test with some spare caps to see how long to dye them. About 2.5 minutes was the best match to the case. I did them in batches, using one of those gold coffee filter baskets to prevent the caps from lying on the bottom of the pan. Agitated throughout the process.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: trenzafeeds on Sat, 05 December 2015, 20:41:02
Dyed my modifiers today. Still need to retr0brite my spacebar, and get a spacebar stabilizer wire for it. The alphas could use a bath, as well.

Show Image
(http://imgur.com/pCtDT5z.jpg)


Quite nice, the spacebar does look a bit out of place though...
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sean on Sat, 05 December 2015, 21:41:12
Dyed my modifiers today. Still need to retr0brite my spacebar, and get a spacebar stabilizer wire for it. The alphas could use a bath, as well.

Show Image
(http://imgur.com/pCtDT5z.jpg)


They came out very nicely, what was the dye?
Thank you!

I used Rit liquid for synthetics, in Sapphire Blue. I put about a 1/3 of the bottle with a few cups of filtered water, in a saucepan, once the water was boiling. I did a test with some spare caps to see how long to dye them. About 2.5 minutes was the best match to the case. I did them in batches, using one of those gold coffee filter baskets to prevent the caps from lying on the bottom of the pan. Agitated throughout the process.

I'm trying to find a dye that will match nicely with sniper grey cerakote. I honestly don't even know if that color would even be possible with the dies available... I'm thinking maybe a mix of blue and black would do it and just hope it doesn't come out purple or brown.

Edit: Or if I can successfully dye something grey, that would work if I add a tinge of blue.

...On an off topic note I don't think I have ever used the word 'tinge' in conversation before.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sat, 05 December 2015, 22:33:52
Dyed my modifiers today. Still need to retr0brite my spacebar, and get a spacebar stabilizer wire for it. The alphas could use a bath, as well.

Show Image
(http://imgur.com/pCtDT5z.jpg)


They came out very nicely, what was the dye?
Thank you!

I used Rit liquid for synthetics, in Sapphire Blue. I put about a 1/3 of the bottle with a few cups of filtered water, in a saucepan, once the water was boiling. I did a test with some spare caps to see how long to dye them. About 2.5 minutes was the best match to the case. I did them in batches, using one of those gold coffee filter baskets to prevent the caps from lying on the bottom of the pan. Agitated throughout the process.

I'm trying to find a dye that will match nicely with sniper grey cerakote. I honestly don't even know if that color would even be possible with the dies available... I'm thinking maybe a mix of blue and black would do it and just hope it doesn't come out purple or brown.

Edit: Or if I can successfully dye something grey, that would work if I add a tinge of blue.

...On an off topic note I don't think I have ever used the word 'tinge' in conversation before.

I think I picked up the same RIT series dye that JD used, albeit in a different color. It might work for your build!

(http://puu.sh/lL19u/367ebc3ed4.JPG)

I have been meaning to dye some thin AT101 PBT caps (not my baby's caps) but I haven't gotten around to it (as you can see, I've been too lazy to even open the package :P ). Truth be told, I think I'd like more colors than just black or "graphite" though.

I thought of mixing blue or "sapphire" with "graphite" to come up with some steely grayish blue, but I've been too lazy to pick up more colors. Good luck in finding what you need! :D
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 05 December 2015, 23:12:51
Dyed my modifiers today. Still need to retr0brite my spacebar, and get a spacebar stabilizer wire for it. The alphas could use a bath, as well.

Show Image
(http://imgur.com/pCtDT5z.jpg)


That has come out particularly well :)

Nice match to the case too!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sean on Sat, 05 December 2015, 23:44:18
Dyed my modifiers today. Still need to retr0brite my spacebar, and get a spacebar stabilizer wire for it. The alphas could use a bath, as well.

Show Image
(http://imgur.com/pCtDT5z.jpg)


They came out very nicely, what was the dye?
Thank you!

I used Rit liquid for synthetics, in Sapphire Blue. I put about a 1/3 of the bottle with a few cups of filtered water, in a saucepan, once the water was boiling. I did a test with some spare caps to see how long to dye them. About 2.5 minutes was the best match to the case. I did them in batches, using one of those gold coffee filter baskets to prevent the caps from lying on the bottom of the pan. Agitated throughout the process.

I'm trying to find a dye that will match nicely with sniper grey cerakote. I honestly don't even know if that color would even be possible with the dies available... I'm thinking maybe a mix of blue and black would do it and just hope it doesn't come out purple or brown.

Edit: Or if I can successfully dye something grey, that would work if I add a tinge of blue.

...On an off topic note I don't think I have ever used the word 'tinge' in conversation before.

I think I picked up the same RIT series dye that JD used, albeit in a different color. It might work for your build!

Show Image
(http://puu.sh/lL19u/367ebc3ed4.JPG)


I have been meaning to dye some thin AT101 PBT caps (not my baby's caps) but I haven't gotten around to it (as you can see, I've been too lazy to even open the package :P ). Truth be told, I think I'd like more colors than just black or "graphite" though.

I thought of mixing blue or "sapphire" with "graphite" to come up with some steely grayish blue, but I've been too lazy to pick up more colors. Good luck in finding what you need! :D

That's exactly what I'm going for! If you end up doing that post some pics for me ;)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sat, 05 December 2015, 23:48:58
That's exactly what I'm going for! If you end up doing that post some pics for me ;)

Will do, good sir! :D You mean the blue grey mix, right?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sean on Sun, 06 December 2015, 00:03:45
That's exactly what I'm going for! If you end up doing that post some pics for me ;)

Will do, good sir! :D You mean the blue grey mix, right?

Blue grey mix, yep yep yep
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zombimuncha on Sun, 06 December 2015, 05:56:57

Can anyone with a V80MTS confirm if it too has LED hole positions?

I'll be bringing it home from work this week (now that I've finished zealioing the 660m) so I can crack it open and take a look...

Here are a few photos of my V80MTS pcb. I don't really know what I'm looking for re: LED hole positions, so I'll just leave these here...
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Haha, aww yeeeah! Thanks for these, man.

It seems like the V80MTS does indeed have LED positions just like the V60MTS. Why is this never mentioned in and advertising? Why is it even included? I'm guessing they just modified the positions on the original design to accept Alps while removing the stem well holes? I dunno, but it's both awesome yet quirky that they do indeed of LED positions.
Pretty sure those will accept MX switches as well as Alps. One PCB to rule them all.

If they used my switch holes in the plate, the plate could accept MX or Alps, as well.

I was wondering that too, but I kept getting the feeling this was untrue for the V60/80s. I love me some MXAlps PCBs though. :D

So... if I can track down some SMD LEDs, and learn how to do SMD soldering, I could just bung them in there and they would work? Is that what you guys are saying?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sun, 06 December 2015, 06:43:21

Can anyone with a V80MTS confirm if it too has LED hole positions?

I'll be bringing it home from work this week (now that I've finished zealioing the 660m) so I can crack it open and take a look...

Here are a few photos of my V80MTS pcb. I don't really know what I'm looking for re: LED hole positions, so I'll just leave these here...
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Haha, aww yeeeah! Thanks for these, man.

It seems like the V80MTS does indeed have LED positions just like the V60MTS. Why is this never mentioned in and advertising? Why is it even included? I'm guessing they just modified the positions on the original design to accept Alps while removing the stem well holes? I dunno, but it's both awesome yet quirky that they do indeed of LED positions.
Pretty sure those will accept MX switches as well as Alps. One PCB to rule them all.

If they used my switch holes in the plate, the plate could accept MX or Alps, as well.

I was wondering that too, but I kept getting the feeling this was untrue for the V60/80s. I love me some MXAlps PCBs though. :D

So... if I can track down some SMD LEDs, and learn how to do SMD soldering, I could just bung them in there and they would work? Is that what you guys are saying?

We aren't quite sure yet! Why don't you try be our first test subject? :P Mattr567 should be able to tell us eventually, since he seems to be on the forefront of using a V60 for backlit Alps.   
 
I bet it'll work with no issue though... I hope!

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: ctm on Sun, 13 December 2015, 15:05:42
I am so envy of those who got TMK ALPS64 rev A that has individual hand-written serial number by hasu. Rev B does not have serial number  :( but still, I absolutely love my TMK ALPS64 ;D
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: wakko on Sun, 13 December 2015, 16:03:34
My Alps64
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sun, 13 December 2015, 16:09:19
My Alps64

I could have sworn I've seen this board 3 times already from three different people, lol. This dye scheme and those AEK/AEKII caps are very popular! Looks good, man. :)

EDIT: Oh yeah, at the time, the only aftermarket plate available was the AEK plate. Still, the blue and white dye job. I keep seeing it! Haha.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: rm-rf on Sun, 13 December 2015, 16:12:59
those blue modifiers on those boards look great.
i am unable to decide if i want to dye mine though.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: stoic-lemon on Sun, 13 December 2015, 17:11:42
How does the dye come out on a spacebar? Anyone tried that yet?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sun, 13 December 2015, 17:25:17
How does the dye come out on a spacebar? Anyone tried that yet?

Many people don't try dyeing ABS because it has lower temperature tolerances than PBT, but I've seen RIT DyeMore used for other things made out of ABS before, so I'm sure it can be done.

I'd imagine it'd just have to be done in quick dunks until you reach the desired intensity. :o
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: wakko on Sun, 13 December 2015, 18:36:51

My Alps64

I could have sworn I've seen this board 3 times already from three different people, lol. This dye scheme and those AEK/AEKII caps are very popular! Looks good, man. :)

EDIT: Oh yeah, at the time, the only aftermarket plate available was the AEK plate. Still, the blue and white dye job. I keep seeing it! Haha.

Not a whole lot of options for alps boards. Hopefully that'll change. AEK caps are nice pbt, if you don't mind the font, and easily obtained.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sun, 13 December 2015, 18:40:37

My Alps64

I could have sworn I've seen this board 3 times already from three different people, lol. This dye scheme and those AEK/AEKII caps are very popular! Looks good, man. :)

EDIT: Oh yeah, at the time, the only aftermarket plate available was the AEK plate. Still, the blue and white dye job. I keep seeing it! Haha.

Not a whole lot of options for alps boards. Hopefully that'll change. AEK caps are nice pbt, if you don't mind the font, and easily obtained.

Yeah, I actually have a set! They are very nice caps, that's for sure. Yeah, the Alps world is pretty limited at the moment, but we've been expanding it lately. :D
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: ideus on Sun, 13 December 2015, 18:41:58
My Alps64


Did you dye sub the modifiers?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jdcarpe on Sun, 13 December 2015, 18:55:34
Once I get my new plates in, I'm changing to a different layout where I can use my Tai Hao WoB double shots with the modifiers from Badwrench.

I don't like PBT much at all, and the AEK II caps have centered nubs on the D and K keys. *shudder*
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sun, 13 December 2015, 19:04:12
Once I get my new plates in, I'm changing to a different layout where I can use my Tai Hao WoB double shots with the modifiers from Badwrench.

I don't like PBT much at all, and the AEK II caps have centered nubs on the D and K keys. *shudder*

It's strange, I actually don't care much for PBT on Alps either. I did use PBT on Cherry, but only sparingly, using Gateron blanks to fill out the non-standard keys on the Octagon (other spots filled with thin PBT from some random G80) while I was waiting on my Jukebox SA caps, so I don't have much of an opinion of PBT on Cherry.

I keep coming back to this description of ABS feeling "warmer" while PBT feels "colder," but I don't really know how to put it into words. It could be that PBT is more dense and harder, but I really don't know.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: wakko on Mon, 14 December 2015, 07:51:05

My Alps64


Did you dye sub the modifiers?

I dyed the modifiers.

Yea the homing keys are irritating. Enh I've gotten used to it.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Mon, 14 December 2015, 19:09:56
My TEX grey non-lip case arrived today and im extremely impressed with the quality, it matches my grey Ducky Mini perfectly :).  I got my V60 mounted in it, the case makes the switches feel and sound so much better than the stock V60 case. I have a new daily driver :D  Just need to get some keycaps for it now.

I also soldered a single LED to the V60 just to test if it would light up and work with breathing mode like the MX V60, but i noticed the V60 MTS doesnt come with resistors installed.

(http://i.imgur.com/kOmMgCR.jpg)

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Mon, 14 December 2015, 21:26:09
My TEX grey non-lip case arrived today and im extremely impressed with the quality, it matches my grey Ducky Mini perfectly :).  I got my V60 mounted in it, the case makes the switches feel and sound so much better than the stock V60 case. I have a new daily driver :D  Just need to get some keycaps for it now.

I also soldered a single LED to the V60 just to test if it would light up and work with breathing mode like the MX V60, but i noticed the V60 MTS doesnt come with resistors installed.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/kOmMgCR.jpg)


That looks epic, man! Glad to finally see it put together. Did you have to do any drilling for the plate?

Looks like getting one of these backlit will be a bit of a process, but I'm looking forward to seeing it happen! SMD resistors eh? If you don't mind burning out an LED, you can always test one without any resistors to see if it even lights up :P
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Mon, 14 December 2015, 21:57:24
My TEX grey non-lip case arrived today and im extremely impressed with the quality, it matches my grey Ducky Mini perfectly :).  I got my V60 mounted in it, the case makes the switches feel and sound so much better than the stock V60 case. I have a new daily driver :D  Just need to get some keycaps for it now.

I also soldered a single LED to the V60 just to test if it would light up and work with breathing mode like the MX V60, but i noticed the V60 MTS doesnt come with resistors installed.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/kOmMgCR.jpg)


That looks epic, man! Glad to finally see it put together. Did you have to do any drilling for the plate?

Looks like getting one of these backlit will be a bit of a process, but I'm looking forward to seeing it happen! SMD resistors eh? If you don't mind burning out an LED, you can always test one without any resistors to see if it even lights up :P

Thanks im really happy with this case, TEX is awesome and got it shipped to me really fast.  I didnt have to do any drilling :) I used the same method that czarek did, i put the left screw in first, then put the board in, tightened the left screw, and slid the board all the way to the left(a good amount of pressure was required) then i installed and tightened the right screw and slid the board in the center, after i removed the spacebar and installed the third screw. The only downside to this method is it takes a bit of patience to do and a very thin flat head screw driver.

I will still drill the V60 plate when i desolder the SKCM Blues and swap them into the Hasu PCB once i get all the parts prepared for it.

I did solder a LED, but it didnt light up at all, probably because there wasnt any resistors, im going to email KBP and ask them what resistors they use on the MX V60 then buy some and install them.
(http://i.imgur.com/NBfXoiF.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 15 December 2015, 06:58:53
My TEX grey non-lip case arrived today and im extremely impressed with the quality, it matches my grey Ducky Mini perfectly :).  I got my V60 mounted in it, the case makes the switches feel and sound so much better than the stock V60 case. I have a new daily driver :D  Just need to get some keycaps for it now.

I also soldered a single LED to the V60 just to test if it would light up and work with breathing mode like the MX V60, but i noticed the V60 MTS doesnt come with resistors installed.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/kOmMgCR.jpg)


That looks epic, man! Glad to finally see it put together. Did you have to do any drilling for the plate?

Looks like getting one of these backlit will be a bit of a process, but I'm looking forward to seeing it happen! SMD resistors eh? If you don't mind burning out an LED, you can always test one without any resistors to see if it even lights up :P

Thanks im really happy with this case, TEX is awesome and got it shipped to me really fast.  I didnt have to do any drilling :) I used the same method that czarek did, i put the left screw in first, then put the board in, tightened the left screw, and slid the board all the way to the left(a good amount of pressure was required) then i installed and tightened the right screw and slid the board in the center, after i removed the spacebar and installed the third screw. The only downside to this method is it takes a bit of patience to do and a very thin flat head screw driver.

I will still drill the V60 plate when i desolder the SKCM Blues and swap them into the Hasu PCB once i get all the parts prepared for it.

I did solder a LED, but it didnt light up at all, probably because there wasnt any resistors, im going to email KBP and ask them what resistors they use on the MX V60 then buy some and install them.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/NBfXoiF.jpg)


Yeah, I was thinking that might be an outcome as well! Do let us know what you hear back from KBP, since I would love to try this out eventually on a V60 or V80.

And hey, maybe you should look into hex M2 screws for your v60! My Hammer case came with some phillips screws, but I prefer the hex screws because of the diminutive size of the driver; it makes it real easy to access the screws and it gets a good grip on them! Magnetize the tip, and it'll be even better. :D
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: ctm on Fri, 18 December 2015, 18:47:57
My TMK ALPS64 in KBP V60 case.
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Fri, 18 December 2015, 18:56:59
My TMK ALPS64 in KBP V60 case.
(Attachment Link)

The sleeper!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Tue, 29 December 2015, 01:35:09
The second Cyrillic caps arrived, they are in perfect condition and match my other set. Very glad i got them, going to pickup a second Olivette set to complete the modifiers. I have another Cyrillic set coming soon in ISO, im going to cut the plate from the board and use it to complete my Alps64.

(http://i.imgur.com/tCe24CZ.jpg)

I also bought a NTC KB-6251 with Green linear Hua-Jie AK switches in QWERTZ layout, interested in comparing them side by side with SKCL Greens.

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 29 December 2015, 01:50:09
The second Cyrillic caps arrived, they are in perfect condition and match my other set. Very glad i got them, going to pickup a second Olivette set to complete the modifiers. I have another Cyrillic set coming soon in ISO, im going to cut the plate from the board and use it to complete my Alps64.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/tCe24CZ.jpg)


I also bought a NTC KB-6251 with Green linear Hua-Jie AK switches in QWERTZ layout, interested in comparing them side by side with SKCL Greens.

You're like a Russian Cyrillic demi-god, man. The fact you found practically unused caps in the Alps world itself speaks to your otherwordly powers. If you ever happen upon some unused PBT caps, hook me up! :P

Seriously though, looking good! They're gonna look fantastic with Olivette. :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Tue, 29 December 2015, 02:19:37
The second Cyrillic caps arrived, they are in perfect condition and match my other set. Very glad i got them, going to pickup a second Olivette set to complete the modifiers. I have another Cyrillic set coming soon in ISO, im going to cut the plate from the board and use it to complete my Alps64.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/tCe24CZ.jpg)


I also bought a NTC KB-6251 with Green linear Hua-Jie AK switches in QWERTZ layout, interested in comparing them side by side with SKCL Greens.

You're like a Russian Cyrillic demi-god, man. The fact you found practically unused caps in the Alps world itself speaks to your otherwordly powers. If you ever happen upon some unused PBT caps, hook me up! :P

Seriously though, looking good! They're gonna look fantastic with Olivette. :)
Спасибо :) i try as much as possible, more Cyrillic is always awesome. Almost all my Cherry boards have Cyrillic except two. Both sets were from slider over dome boards, the ISO set has some type of clone switches with a Costar sticker on the back of the board, cant wait to receive it and open it up. I think Cyrillic Alps PBT dyesub caps exist but they are ultra rare, ill always be searching for more Cyrillic stuff :)

I got lucky and found 25 SKCM Blues to use with the leftover 39 Blues i have for a Duck Eagle kit im going to buy soon. The kit doesnt include the Alps plate though, but i can always buy any ANSI Alps board and cut the plate to size. Also need to find a Alu case for my Alps64 build, I certainly have a lot of projects ahead of me haha.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: bocahgundul on Tue, 29 December 2015, 02:23:19
How do you guys managed to find all these good stuff? damn I'm so jealous
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: lishi on Tue, 29 December 2015, 11:50:47
Daily Driver at work  ;D

Matias Quiet Clicks with Hasu Alps64 PCB in a Tex Acrylic case

Been thinking of retrobrighting the spacebar, but I don't really mind the yellowing

(http://i.imgur.com/U8ExaaZ.jpg)

Bonus: Printed out a label for the back too

(http://i.imgur.com/PFSNqcP.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Tue, 29 December 2015, 11:52:07
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sean on Tue, 29 December 2015, 12:18:51
Daily Driver at work  ;D

Matias Quiet Clicks with Hasu Alps64 PCB in a Tex Acrylic case

Been thinking of retrobrighting the spacebar, but I don't really mind the yellowing

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/U8ExaaZ.jpg)


Bonus: Printed out a label for the back too

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/PFSNqcP.jpg)


I love the label on the back :p. It looks like a modern apple keyboard with Alps styled switches if they were to be made today, probably due to the acrylic case.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Hypersphere on Tue, 29 December 2015, 12:45:34
KBP V60MTS-C with dye-sub PBT caps from an IBM 5140 "portable" computer keyboard.

[attachimg=1]

The mods and spacebar are blank black ABS from Matias.

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 29 December 2015, 14:47:03
KBP V60MTS-C with dye-sub PBT caps from an IBM 5140 "portable" computer keyboard.

(Attachment Link)

The mods and spacebar are blank black ABS from Matias.

Ahh yes, the IBM 5140 caps are great. I've been thinking about dyeing mine, but I'm not sure. They're in really good condition.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Hypersphere on Wed, 30 December 2015, 07:57:45
@E3E: I wouldn't want to dye the IBM 5140 caps. They look so great just as they are. However, if you try this, I hope that you have an extra set just in case the dye job does not work out well. If you do try it and it works out, please post your result!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Tue, 05 January 2016, 00:27:40
Got my ABS M1 SKBM black switches earlier today(basically a fullsize Filco Zero) The switches are pretty nice, although im going to swap them all out with SKCL greens. Im also going to swap the ABS M1 case out for a Majestouch2 case to make it look like an actual fullsize Filco Zero  :)) Still deciding on what keycaps to use, will probably use more Cyrillic haha.
(http://i.imgur.com/oRqQyWI.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: WinterIsle on Tue, 12 January 2016, 04:27:07
I think I got this half year ago

(http://i.imgur.com/SnyCmNX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GKCXWDs.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 12 January 2016, 05:22:55
Just restored this little Korean gem:

(http://i.imgur.com/9GhHZpI.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/IsYPF2v.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/qpfRZJ5.jpg)

Fuzzy pics are terrible, sorry bout that. :P Put on PBT from the Dell AT101 and put the original Leading Edge caps on the AT101 since I never use it.

It's a fantastic board, but I find that I can't pull myself away from my Hammer for too long before I miss how it feels!

The Leading Edge DC-3014 is a sick keyboard though. It's pretty much a Blue Alps Model M.  Full plastic case but really solid build quality, bottom mounted plate (as opposed to mounted to the top case), and it even has a rubber dampening pad that the PCB rests on.

Daewoo really thought of so many things with this one. It's not my favorite looks wise, but I always wanted one. Took a long time to track it down! Got it from an old member for $89. :)

Needed some love, but it's quite nice, especially with PBT! I replaced the original logo as well as the cable with one from the DC-2014, since the cable on the 3014 was janked up and the logo was fading. I think it worked out well!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: bocahgundul on Tue, 12 January 2016, 05:56:55
How do you clean the yellowed keycaps bro? Retrobrite? Can you share with me the tutorial.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 12 January 2016, 06:20:46
How do you clean the yellowed keycaps bro? Retrobrite? Can you share with me the tutorial.

Yeah, sure. I find that it's much more... carefree to retrobright caps in sunny weather than indoors with a strong UV light like I do, or maybe I just do it for too long.

Either way, I have a medium-sized / large cardboard box that I have lined with the shiny side of aluminum foil, then I cut the top to allow it to be raised so I can examine the inside, I rest a UV lamp in the entrance of the box and then cover it. It's not the most flawless or best way of doing it, but it works okay. I'd recommend this for cases only.

For caps, I would implore you to use the liquid form of H2O2 and soak the caps in it using a clear plastic container, shining the UV down at it through the open area. This would just be mainly set and forget since they'll be immersed. It's too easy to stain caps using the hair salon developer creme solution.  I've gotten streaks on some caps using it. No streaks when used outside in the sun, but definitely when I used the artificial light indoors.

I used Matt3o's recommened recipe of 4 parts H2O2 creme developer to 1 part water, and 1/2 parts Oxygen bleach, like oxyclean. I use some home cleaning stuff that is already in a liquid form.

Outside, you might get away with spraying and leaving for an hour before respraying, but do it for 30 minutes if you want to be safe.

Indoors, 30 minutes is best, but if you're careful, you can do an hour. I'd recommend washing the stuff off during every respray so it doesn't dry on the plastic, or else you will have to be really sure that you sprayed the plastic down well to keep the creme moist.

Yeah, it's an annoying process. My Leading Edge board took two days. Around 16 + hours of retrobrighting and it wasn't even that bad. The Dell AT101 was worse and it cleared up faster.  :eek:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: bocahgundul on Tue, 12 January 2016, 06:36:56
How do you clean the yellowed keycaps bro? Retrobrite? Can you share with me the tutorial.

Yeah, sure. I find that it's much more... carefree to retrobright caps in sunny weather than indoors with a strong UV light like I do, or maybe I just do it for too long.

Either way, I have a medium-sized / large cardboard box that I have lined with the shiny side of aluminum foil, then I cut the top to allow it to be raised so I can examine the inside, I rest a UV lamp in the entrance of the box and then cover it. It's not the most flawless or best way of doing it, but it works okay. I'd recommend this for cases only.

For caps, I would implore you to use the liquid form of H2O2 and soak the caps in it using a clear plastic container, shining the UV down at it through the open area. This would just be mainly set and forget since they'll be immersed. It's too easy to stain caps using the hair salon developer creme solution.  I've gotten streaks on some caps using it. No streaks when used outside in the sun, but definitely when I used the artificial light indoors.

I used Matt3o's recommened recipe of 4 parts H2O2 creme developer to 1 part water, and 1/2 parts Oxygen bleach, like oxyclean. I use some home cleaning stuff that is already in a liquid form.

Outside, you might get away with spraying and leaving for an hour before respraying, but do it for 30 minutes if you want to be safe.

Indoors, 30 minutes is best, but if you're careful, you can do an hour. I'd recommend washing the stuff off during every respray so it doesn't dry on the plastic, or else you will have to be really sure that you sprayed the plastic down well to keep the creme moist.

Yeah, it's an annoying process. My Leading Edge board took two days. Around 16 + hours of retrobrighting and it wasn't even that bad. The Dell AT101 was worse and it cleared up faster.  :eek:
Thank you for the answer bro Now what I need is order all this stuff
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 12 January 2016, 06:38:55
How do you clean the yellowed keycaps bro? Retrobrite? Can you share with me the tutorial.

Yeah, sure. I find that it's much more... carefree to retrobright caps in sunny weather than indoors with a strong UV light like I do, or maybe I just do it for too long.

Either way, I have a medium-sized / large cardboard box that I have lined with the shiny side of aluminum foil, then I cut the top to allow it to be raised so I can examine the inside, I rest a UV lamp in the entrance of the box and then cover it. It's not the most flawless or best way of doing it, but it works okay. I'd recommend this for cases only.

For caps, I would implore you to use the liquid form of H2O2 and soak the caps in it using a clear plastic container, shining the UV down at it through the open area. This would just be mainly set and forget since they'll be immersed. It's too easy to stain caps using the hair salon developer creme solution.  I've gotten streaks on some caps using it. No streaks when used outside in the sun, but definitely when I used the artificial light indoors.

I used Matt3o's recommened recipe of 4 parts H2O2 creme developer to 1 part water, and 1/2 parts Oxygen bleach, like oxyclean. I use some home cleaning stuff that is already in a liquid form.

Outside, you might get away with spraying and leaving for an hour before respraying, but do it for 30 minutes if you want to be safe.

Indoors, 30 minutes is best, but if you're careful, you can do an hour. I'd recommend washing the stuff off during every respray so it doesn't dry on the plastic, or else you will have to be really sure that you sprayed the plastic down well to keep the creme moist.

Yeah, it's an annoying process. My Leading Edge board took two days. Around 16 + hours of retrobrighting and it wasn't even that bad. The Dell AT101 was worse and it cleared up faster.  :eek:
Thank you for the answer bro Now what I need is order all this stuff

No problem! It can be a PITA to source all the things needed for this maddening hobby lol
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Defect on Thu, 14 January 2016, 14:05:16
From my album:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71457.0

60% Duck V2 in blue aluminium, fully programmable

(http://i.imgur.com/yeMWW9bh.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/D7uj494h.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Thu, 14 January 2016, 15:12:37
From my album:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71457.0

60% Duck V2 in blue aluminium, fully programmable

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/yeMWW9bh.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/D7uj494h.jpg)


Defintiely one of the inspirations when I was building my Infinity and my Hammer Alps (Duck Eagle w/ hotswappable switches and LEDs)

Younger brother Eagle says hi:

(http://i.imgur.com/JxBHauE.jpg)

It might seem unusual to see the layout it has (short shift + 1), since it isn't natively supported by the Eagle or Duck Mini v2 when it comes to Alps.

That's because I took a drill to it. :3

Both of my Eagle PCBs can use well, every layout the MX version can, including the 6.25u bottom row, short shift + 1, and all Caps Lock stepping positions and non-stepped!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: pr0ximity on Tue, 19 January 2016, 20:22:34
Teaser of my newly restored Zenith, I'm calling him "Donatello"

(http://i.imgur.com/FPpdc0t.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 19 January 2016, 20:44:30
Teaser of my newly restored Zenith, I'm calling him "Donatello"

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/FPpdc0t.jpg)


Hey! Did you end up liking the Zenith after all? Jeez, the green hue these have is far more vivid than any I've seen.  :eek:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: pr0ximity on Tue, 19 January 2016, 20:47:54
Teaser of my newly restored Zenith, I'm calling him "Donatello"

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/FPpdc0t.jpg)


Hey! Did you end up liking the Zenith after all? Jeez, the green hue these have is far more vivid than any I've seen.  :eek:
I'll let you know once it's all soldered back together and running So far it feels nice, I've added dampening and lubed the ends of the springs after disassembling and cleaning the switches. I'll post a little build log once I have some time to sort through some of the pictures. I love the layout so I'm hoping cleaning it up and tuning it will have the results I'm hoping for!

The white balance is a bit off in that picture, realized after I posted it. They're not terribly vivid, but I think they look nice matched with the purple plate.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: deductivemonkee on Tue, 19 January 2016, 20:50:31
Tmk alps64 with mtsc switches. Cap from bcredbottle fits like a charm. Can't say I'm looking forward to removing caps to unscrew and put into new case  :-\
[attachimg=1]
Really need to finish that cable too.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Thu, 21 January 2016, 01:37:47
(http://i.imgur.com/n8z5wxz.jpg)
This board is heavy  :cool:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Thu, 21 January 2016, 01:54:00
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/n8z5wxz.jpg)

This board is heavy  :cool:

Such a nice board. <3
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Thu, 21 January 2016, 02:10:35
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/n8z5wxz.jpg)

This board is heavy  :cool:

Such a nice board. <3
Thanks  :D It certainly has come a long way, and the case made it complete. It also improved the typing feel a lot.  My Blue Alps board should arrive tomorrow or the next day, so i might have replica of this board in the next few days but with Blue Alps, although if its in good condition i might not desolder it.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Thu, 21 January 2016, 05:32:57
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/n8z5wxz.jpg)

This board is heavy  :cool:

Such a nice board. <3
Thanks  :D It certainly has come a long way, and the case made it complete. It also improved the typing feel a lot.  My Blue Alps board should arrive tomorrow or the next day, so i might have replica of this board in the next few days but with Blue Alps, although if its in good condition i might not desolder it.

Wait, didn't you already have the Chicony 5161 with blue Alps? :D Which one is this that you speak of? Damn, you got two of these cases AND Filco Zeros? You mad man! What is this case exactly?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Thu, 21 January 2016, 05:58:28
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/n8z5wxz.jpg)

This board is heavy  :cool:

Such a nice board. <3
Thanks  :D It certainly has come a long way, and the case made it complete. It also improved the typing feel a lot.  My Blue Alps board should arrive tomorrow or the next day, so i might have replica of this board in the next few days but with Blue Alps, although if its in good condition i might not desolder it.

Wait, didn't you already have the Chicony 5161 with blue Alps? :D Which one is this that you speak of? Damn, you got two of these cases AND Filco Zeros? You mad man! What is this case exactly?
The board i thought was a Chicony 5161 is actually an OEMMAX MCK-101-A  :)) I have an Acer KB-101AS that should be here in about 8 hours. I bought my second Filco Zero on Jan 6th, it was $98 so i had to buy it hahaha. The case is the Vortex TKL aluminum case, i had to remove the ferrite bead from the stock cable and sand down the plate about 0.5mm to make the Filco Zero fit, without doing that the case would not close 100% flat.  I have a feeling the Acer KB-101AS might be too nice to take the switches from though.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 21 January 2016, 06:25:03
Huh that's good to know that you can put a Filco Zero into a Vortex TKL case....maybe I should do that with mine haha.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: njbair on Thu, 21 January 2016, 10:16:03
Huh that's good to know that you can put a Filco Zero into a Vortex TKL case....maybe I should do that with mine haha.

That's not good to know. It's just going to cost me more money!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Thu, 21 January 2016, 11:18:47
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/n8z5wxz.jpg)

This board is heavy  :cool:

Such a nice board. <3
Thanks  :D It certainly has come a long way, and the case made it complete. It also improved the typing feel a lot.  My Blue Alps board should arrive tomorrow or the next day, so i might have replica of this board in the next few days but with Blue Alps, although if its in good condition i might not desolder it.

Wait, didn't you already have the Chicony 5161 with blue Alps? :D Which one is this that you speak of? Damn, you got two of these cases AND Filco Zeros? You mad man! What is this case exactly?
The board i thought was a Chicony 5161 is actually an OEMMAX MCK-101-A  :)) I have an Acer KB-101AS that should be here in about 8 hours. I bought my second Filco Zero on Jan 6th, it was $98 so i had to buy it hahaha. The case is the Vortex TKL aluminum case, i had to remove the ferrite bead from the stock cable and sand down the plate about 0.5mm to make the Filco Zero fit, without doing that the case would not close 100% flat.  I have a feeling the Acer KB-101AS might be too nice to take the switches from though.

There are far too many blue Alps boards that I have that I consider too nice to take apart for their switches. Only F AT or F XT layout 84 key blue Alps boards are ones I have no remorse for (sorry DC-2014).

Nice find on the Acer though, as that one is quite coveted! Where'd you happen upon that one, good sir?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Thu, 21 January 2016, 16:07:28
Huh that's good to know that you can put a Filco Zero into a Vortex TKL case....maybe I should do that with mine haha.

Ya and it certainly does improve the typing feel, its a PITA to sand the edge of the plate down though with the board still attached, i taped the whole board up before doing it.  Removing the ferrite bead was easy though, i just crushed it with some pliers then opened up the heatshrink to remove it.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/n8z5wxz.jpg)

This board is heavy  :cool:

Such a nice board. <3
Thanks  :D It certainly has come a long way, and the case made it complete. It also improved the typing feel a lot.  My Blue Alps board should arrive tomorrow or the next day, so i might have replica of this board in the next few days but with Blue Alps, although if its in good condition i might not desolder it.

Wait, didn't you already have the Chicony 5161 with blue Alps? :D Which one is this that you speak of? Damn, you got two of these cases AND Filco Zeros? You mad man! What is this case exactly?
The board i thought was a Chicony 5161 is actually an OEMMAX MCK-101-A  :)) I have an Acer KB-101AS that should be here in about 8 hours. I bought my second Filco Zero on Jan 6th, it was $98 so i had to buy it hahaha. The case is the Vortex TKL aluminum case, i had to remove the ferrite bead from the stock cable and sand down the plate about 0.5mm to make the Filco Zero fit, without doing that the case would not close 100% flat.  I have a feeling the Acer KB-101AS might be too nice to take the switches from though.

There are far too many blue Alps boards that I have that I consider too nice to take apart for their switches. Only F AT or F XT layout 84 key blue Alps boards are ones I have no remorse for (sorry DC-2014).

Nice find on the Acer though, as that one is quite coveted! Where'd you happen upon that one, good sir?
Very true, only reason i took apart my MCK-101 was because the plate was rusted and it was so yellowed that it was almost orange. I sanded the plate down and its nice and silver looking now, i dont think im going to paint it because the silver looks nice. I just need to retrobright the case and decide what switches to put into it, im thinking either Green, Orange, or White.

I got the board from Ebay, ohaimark from DT posted it, if he never posted it i would have never known about it. Huge thanks to him!!!!!!  It was $125(buy it now) + $23 for shipping, which is great considering the prices Blue Alps boards have been selling for on Ebay recently.

The Acer KB-101AS arrived and this board is NICE, there is no way im ever going to take the switches from this.  Its one of the most solid boards ive used. Most importantly the switches in this board are mint and feel perfect, there is some yellowing and the keycaps and board need to be cleaned a bit, but there are no cracks or dents on the case so thats good.  Its the same as the one Chyros has, with angled DIN connector, his is labeled KB-101A and mine is KB-101AS anyone know what the difference could be?

(http://i.imgur.com/DVQfGfL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JNDw3ib.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2jToKaZ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/95Kkb6F.jpg)

I wonder if theres a place that i could pay to add red dyesub Russian Cyrillic legends to the keycaps.


Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: digi on Thu, 21 January 2016, 16:08:55
Huh that's good to know that you can put a Filco Zero into a Vortex TKL case....maybe I should do that with mine haha.

Ya and it certainly does improve the typing feel, its a PITA to sand the edge of the plate down though with the board still attached, i taped the whole board up before doing it.  Removing the ferrite bead was easy though, i just crushed it with some pliers then opened up the heatshrink to remove it.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/n8z5wxz.jpg)

This board is heavy  :cool:

Such a nice board. <3
Thanks  :D It certainly has come a long way, and the case made it complete. It also improved the typing feel a lot.  My Blue Alps board should arrive tomorrow or the next day, so i might have replica of this board in the next few days but with Blue Alps, although if its in good condition i might not desolder it.

Wait, didn't you already have the Chicony 5161 with blue Alps? :D Which one is this that you speak of? Damn, you got two of these cases AND Filco Zeros? You mad man! What is this case exactly?
The board i thought was a Chicony 5161 is actually an OEMMAX MCK-101-A  :)) I have an Acer KB-101AS that should be here in about 8 hours. I bought my second Filco Zero on Jan 6th, it was $98 so i had to buy it hahaha. The case is the Vortex TKL aluminum case, i had to remove the ferrite bead from the stock cable and sand down the plate about 0.5mm to make the Filco Zero fit, without doing that the case would not close 100% flat.  I have a feeling the Acer KB-101AS might be too nice to take the switches from though.

There are far too many blue Alps boards that I have that I consider too nice to take apart for their switches. Only F AT or F XT layout 84 key blue Alps boards are ones I have no remorse for (sorry DC-2014).

Nice find on the Acer though, as that one is quite coveted! Where'd you happen upon that one, good sir?
Very true, only reason i took apart my MCK-101 was because the plate was rusted and it was so yellowed that it was almost orange. I sanded the plate down and its nice and silver looking now, i dont think im going to paint it because the silver looks nice. I just need to retrobright the case and decide what switches to put into it, im thinking either Green, Orange, or White.

I got the board from Ebay, ohaimark from DT posted it, if he never posted it i would have never known about it. Huge thanks to him!!!!!!  It was $125(buy it now) + $23 for shipping, which is great considering the prices Blue Alps boards have been selling for on Ebay recently.

The Acer KB-101AS arrived and this board is NICE, there is no way im ever going to take the switches from this.  Its one of the most solid boards ive used. Most importantly the switches in this board are mint and feel perfect, there is some yellowing and the keycaps and board need to be cleaned a bit, but there are no cracks or dents on the case so thats good.  Its the same as the one Chyros has, with angled DIN connector, his is labeled KB-101A and mine is KB-101AS anyone know what the difference could be?

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/DVQfGfL.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/JNDw3ib.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2jToKaZ.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/95Kkb6F.jpg)


I wonder if theres a place that i could pay to add red dyesub Russian Cyrillic legends to the keycaps.




Beautiful board
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Thu, 21 January 2016, 16:21:16
Huh that's good to know that you can put a Filco Zero into a Vortex TKL case....maybe I should do that with mine haha.

Ya and it certainly does improve the typing feel, its a PITA to sand the edge of the plate down though with the board still attached, i taped the whole board up before doing it.  Removing the ferrite bead was easy though, i just crushed it with some pliers then opened up the heatshrink to remove it.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/n8z5wxz.jpg)

This board is heavy  :cool:

Such a nice board. <3
Thanks  :D It certainly has come a long way, and the case made it complete. It also improved the typing feel a lot.  My Blue Alps board should arrive tomorrow or the next day, so i might have replica of this board in the next few days but with Blue Alps, although if its in good condition i might not desolder it.

Wait, didn't you already have the Chicony 5161 with blue Alps? :D Which one is this that you speak of? Damn, you got two of these cases AND Filco Zeros? You mad man! What is this case exactly?
The board i thought was a Chicony 5161 is actually an OEMMAX MCK-101-A  :)) I have an Acer KB-101AS that should be here in about 8 hours. I bought my second Filco Zero on Jan 6th, it was $98 so i had to buy it hahaha. The case is the Vortex TKL aluminum case, i had to remove the ferrite bead from the stock cable and sand down the plate about 0.5mm to make the Filco Zero fit, without doing that the case would not close 100% flat.  I have a feeling the Acer KB-101AS might be too nice to take the switches from though.

There are far too many blue Alps boards that I have that I consider too nice to take apart for their switches. Only F AT or F XT layout 84 key blue Alps boards are ones I have no remorse for (sorry DC-2014).

Nice find on the Acer though, as that one is quite coveted! Where'd you happen upon that one, good sir?
Very true, only reason i took apart my MCK-101 was because the plate was rusted and it was so yellowed that it was almost orange. I sanded the plate down and its nice and silver looking now, i dont think im going to paint it because the silver looks nice. I just need to retrobright the case and decide what switches to put into it, im thinking either Green, Orange, or White.

I got the board from Ebay, ohaimark from DT posted it, if he never posted it i would have never known about it. Huge thanks to him!!!!!!  It was $125(buy it now) + $23 for shipping, which is great considering the prices Blue Alps boards have been selling for on Ebay recently.

The Acer KB-101AS arrived and this board is NICE, there is no way im ever going to take the switches from this.  Its one of the most solid boards ive used. Most importantly the switches in this board are mint and feel perfect, there is some yellowing and the keycaps and board need to be cleaned a bit, but there are no cracks or dents on the case so thats good.  Its the same as the one Chyros has, with angled DIN connector, his is labeled KB-101A and mine is KB-101AS anyone know what the difference could be?

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/DVQfGfL.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/JNDw3ib.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2jToKaZ.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/95Kkb6F.jpg)


I wonder if theres a place that i could pay to add red dyesub Russian Cyrillic legends to the keycaps.

Check and see if it has NKRO. Perhaps the S might stand for that sort of thing, or maybe it doesn't have an AT/XT switch and is AT only? Does this one have a switch? I'm not sure what services would be available for dyesubbing ABS, but keep an eye out for Acer 6011 boards. Close relatives of the KB101, and same ANSI layout in some configurations. There are PBT versions you could likely send out for dyesubbing. Originative does dyesubbing for $3 per cap; you could talk to them about it.

Where'd you happen upon this one by the way?

And yes, everyone has seen this board because of Chyros.  :))
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Thu, 21 January 2016, 16:45:30
Beautiful board

Thanks this is certainly my all time favorite vintage board, going to have to get used to a fullsize board again though.

Huh that's good to know that you can put a Filco Zero into a Vortex TKL case....maybe I should do that with mine haha.

Ya and it certainly does improve the typing feel, its a PITA to sand the edge of the plate down though with the board still attached, i taped the whole board up before doing it.  Removing the ferrite bead was easy though, i just crushed it with some pliers then opened up the heatshrink to remove it.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/n8z5wxz.jpg)

This board is heavy  :cool:

Such a nice board. <3
Thanks  :D It certainly has come a long way, and the case made it complete. It also improved the typing feel a lot.  My Blue Alps board should arrive tomorrow or the next day, so i might have replica of this board in the next few days but with Blue Alps, although if its in good condition i might not desolder it.

Wait, didn't you already have the Chicony 5161 with blue Alps? :D Which one is this that you speak of? Damn, you got two of these cases AND Filco Zeros? You mad man! What is this case exactly?
The board i thought was a Chicony 5161 is actually an OEMMAX MCK-101-A  :)) I have an Acer KB-101AS that should be here in about 8 hours. I bought my second Filco Zero on Jan 6th, it was $98 so i had to buy it hahaha. The case is the Vortex TKL aluminum case, i had to remove the ferrite bead from the stock cable and sand down the plate about 0.5mm to make the Filco Zero fit, without doing that the case would not close 100% flat.  I have a feeling the Acer KB-101AS might be too nice to take the switches from though.

There are far too many blue Alps boards that I have that I consider too nice to take apart for their switches. Only F AT or F XT layout 84 key blue Alps boards are ones I have no remorse for (sorry DC-2014).

Nice find on the Acer though, as that one is quite coveted! Where'd you happen upon that one, good sir?
Very true, only reason i took apart my MCK-101 was because the plate was rusted and it was so yellowed that it was almost orange. I sanded the plate down and its nice and silver looking now, i dont think im going to paint it because the silver looks nice. I just need to retrobright the case and decide what switches to put into it, im thinking either Green, Orange, or White.

I got the board from Ebay, ohaimark from DT posted it, if he never posted it i would have never known about it. Huge thanks to him!!!!!!  It was $125(buy it now) + $23 for shipping, which is great considering the prices Blue Alps boards have been selling for on Ebay recently.

The Acer KB-101AS arrived and this board is NICE, there is no way im ever going to take the switches from this.  Its one of the most solid boards ive used. Most importantly the switches in this board are mint and feel perfect, there is some yellowing and the keycaps and board need to be cleaned a bit, but there are no cracks or dents on the case so thats good.  Its the same as the one Chyros has, with angled DIN connector, his is labeled KB-101A and mine is KB-101AS anyone know what the difference could be?

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/DVQfGfL.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/JNDw3ib.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2jToKaZ.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/95Kkb6F.jpg)


I wonder if theres a place that i could pay to add red dyesub Russian Cyrillic legends to the keycaps.

Check and see if it has NKRO. Perhaps the S might stand for that sort of thing, or maybe it doesn't have an AT/XT switch and is AT only? Does this one have a switch? I'm not sure what services would be available for dyesubbing ABS, but keep an eye out for Acer 6011 boards. Close relatives of the KB101, and same ANSI layout in some configurations. There are PBT versions you could likely send out for dyesubbing. Originative does dyesubbing for $3 per cap; you could talk to them about it.

Where'd you happen upon this one by the way?

And yes, everyone has seen this board because of Chyros.  :))
It doesnt have NKRO, just tested it, only four keys register on the asdf row.
(http://i.imgur.com/tfCAOkL.jpg)
Mine has the same three position style AT/XT switch also.  Oh awesome  :D :D :D :D, can Originative dyesub ABS caps? If so and they can copy the Cyrillic legends used on the enjoypbt caps then im totally fine paying $3 per cap for that.

I got the board from Ebay, ohaimark from DT posted it, because of Chyros's review of the Acer KB-101A i bought it instantly before even asking the seller to remove a cap since someone probably would of have bought it before me if i waited for the seller to respond.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Thu, 21 January 2016, 17:38:59
It doesnt have NKRO, just tested it, only four keys register on the asdf row.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/tfCAOkL.jpg)

Mine has the same three position style AT/XT switch also.  Oh awesome  :D :D :D :D, can Originative dyesub ABS caps? If so and they can copy the Cyrillic legends used on the enjoypbt caps then im totally fine paying $3 per cap for that.

I got the board from Ebay, ohaimark from DT posted it, because of Chyros's review of the Acer KB-101A i bought it instantly before even asking the seller to remove a cap since someone probably would of have bought it before me if i waited for the seller to respond.

I'm not sure about ABS, but like I've said, Acer has boards with the same ANSI layout in their 6011 series and even 6311 series that can be PBT, so if you find a set, you can possibly have those sent to Originative IMSTO (my bad, I mixed these two up) and have them dye sub them for you, but I don't know if this is something you can really do.  http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=93

I'd definitely shoot them an email about it if you are interested. :)

It seems like board was won by a $125 bid, if this is the same one. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acer-kb-101as-vintage-keyboard-/111868643247?hash=item1a0be407af%3Ag%3A2kIAAOSwJkJWjtQK&nma=true&si=k6ICFVEof38ltWuPPmm7Zfn9SZ0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)

So that's weird. Did you send them an offer outside of the auction?

Perhaps the AS could be toward something on the PCB that's different? I know my FAME has a layout that allows for an ISO enter, though this is not supported on the plate (this is what I used to ANSI mod it).
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Thu, 21 January 2016, 17:51:16
It doesnt have NKRO, just tested it, only four keys register on the asdf row.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/tfCAOkL.jpg)

Mine has the same three position style AT/XT switch also.  Oh awesome  :D :D :D :D, can Originative dyesub ABS caps? If so and they can copy the Cyrillic legends used on the enjoypbt caps then im totally fine paying $3 per cap for that.

I got the board from Ebay, ohaimark from DT posted it, because of Chyros's review of the Acer KB-101A i bought it instantly before even asking the seller to remove a cap since someone probably would of have bought it before me if i waited for the seller to respond.

I'm not sure about ABS, but like I've said, Acer has boards with the same ANSI layout in their 6011 series and even 6311 series that can be PBT, so if you find a set, you can possibly have those sent to Originative IMSTO (my bad, I mixed these two up) and have them dye sub them for you, but I don't know if this is something you can really do.  http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=93

I'd definitely shoot them an email about it if you are interested. :)

It seems like board was won by a $125 bid, if this is the same one. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acer-kb-101as-vintage-keyboard-/111868643247?hash=item1a0be407af%3Ag%3A2kIAAOSwJkJWjtQK&nma=true&si=k6ICFVEof38ltWuPPmm7Zfn9SZ0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)

So that's weird. Did you send them an offer outside of the auction?

Perhaps the AS could be toward something on the PCB that's different? I know my FAME has a layout that allows for an ISO enter, though this is not supported on the plate (this is what I used to ANSI mod it).

Ill have to try and find some of those boards then, getting a set dyesubed is certainly something i want to do. If IMSTO will do it, im 100% fine with paying $3 per cap.


This was the listing here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111868643247
The same seller, strange though, because it was 100% listed as buy it now, no bidding was required. I cant stand bidding, so i always send offers outside of the auction if something isnt listed as buy it now :D

Later tonight im going to open up the board and take some pictures of the PCB

Edit: Opened up the board, there was no model numbers or anything on the back of the PCB. It did have this nice backing though.
(http://i.imgur.com/q0lXHlK.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Tue, 26 January 2016, 00:16:47
x-post from the general photography thread.  :)

Is it normal to not love Alps right away?  :-X

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1467/23992765303_3d06e8f04a_k.jpg)
Hasu Alps (https://flic.kr/p/Cyacei) by HoffmanMyster (https://www.flickr.com/photos/99522542@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: itzmeluigi on Tue, 26 January 2016, 00:40:05
x-post from the general photography thread.  :)

Is it normal to not love Alps right away?  :-X

Show Image
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1467/23992765303_3d06e8f04a_k.jpg)

Hasu Alps (https://flic.kr/p/Cyacei) by HoffmanMyster (https://www.flickr.com/photos/99522542@N03/), on Flickr
That looks great!  What switches does it have?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Tue, 26 January 2016, 00:51:23
x-post from the general photography thread.  :)

Is it normal to not love Alps right away?  :-X

Show Image
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1467/23992765303_3d06e8f04a_k.jpg)

Hasu Alps (https://flic.kr/p/Cyacei) by HoffmanMyster (https://www.flickr.com/photos/99522542@N03/), on Flickr
That looks great!  What switches does it have?

Thanks! It's got Matias quiet clicks in it. I like the tactility of them, but they feel too tactile for their own good (read: they are too light).  :-/  Maybe it just because I need to adjust? I'm coming from 45g Topre at the moment.

Also, they don't seem to be entirely consistent with the tactility, but maybe that's just me imagining things.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sean on Tue, 26 January 2016, 01:02:44
Also, they don't seem to be entirely consistent with the tactility, but maybe that's just me imagining things.

If you hit a key at the very bottom edge it will make a slight clicky noise. This is actually something that I have observed with Alps cream switches so I guess it has something to do with the click leaf.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jacobolus on Tue, 26 January 2016, 01:10:43
Quote from: HoffmanMyster
Is it normal to not love Alps right away?  :-X
[...]
It's got Matias quiet clicks in it. I like the tactility of them, but they feel too tactile for their own good (read: they are too light).  :-/  Maybe it just because I need to adjust? I'm coming from 45g Topre at the moment.

Also, they don't seem to be entirely consistent with the tactility, but maybe that's just me imagining things.
First, some people don’t like any Alps-style switches ever. For instance, Dorkvader, who is a buckling spring and hall effect fan.

They’re very different from Topre switches. Topre has a kind of “rounded” tactile feel, without any clear sharp snap point. Matias quiet switches are much crisper, with a huge drop in force after the tactile point. Topre switches also give you some bounce on the upstroke from the dome un-buckling, something Matias switches don’t do.

The dampers in Matias quiet switches make them a bit spongey at bottom out, and combined with the lack of sound that’s something some people dislike. You could try typing on someone’s board with undamped switches to see if that makes a difference, though if you like Topre that part is probably not a big deal.

Also, Matias switches are pretty wobbly front to back, much more than complicated Alps switches, and will click slightly differently depending on the press angle (e.g. if you press down on different keycap corners you’ll get slightly different sound/feel). Some people can’t get over the wobble, but it doesn’t really bother me personally.

Personally I don’t like typing on any Topre boards, so I’m the probably the wrong person to ask though. :-)

Haven’t you tried typing on people’s Alps keyboards at Keycon and other meetups? What did you think then?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 26 January 2016, 06:36:40
My 26 year old Korean daily driver:

(http://i.imgur.com/PLuKVN2.jpg)

My mythical biblical bae from the Taiwanese land of key caps these days:

(http://i.imgur.com/OIPpVn7.jpg)

The OTHER Focus keyboard, and one of my dream boards:

(http://i.imgur.com/x2n28aw.jpg)

And of course, my soul mate in the keyboard world:

(http://i.imgur.com/j0C2igQ.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 26 January 2016, 06:40:25
The Acer KB-101AS arrived and this board is NICE, there is no way im ever going to take the switches from this.  Its one of the most solid boards ive used. Most importantly the switches in this board are mint and feel perfect, there is some yellowing and the keycaps and board need to be cleaned a bit, but there are no cracks or dents on the case so thats good.  Its the same as the one Chyros has, with angled DIN connector, his is labeled KB-101A and mine is KB-101AS anyone know what the difference could be?

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/DVQfGfL.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/JNDw3ib.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2jToKaZ.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/95Kkb6F.jpg)


I wonder if theres a place that i could pay to add red dyesub Russian Cyrillic legends to the keycaps.

Damn that's a great find. I'm really digging that keyboard. So happy to see people enjoying the boards instead of stripping em for the SKCM Blues. I'm pretty guilty for stripping boards I should have left alone but I will say for my Blues, I grabbed em out of some random Clone XT board.

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 26 January 2016, 06:48:29
The Acer KB-101AS arrived and this board is NICE, there is no way im ever going to take the switches from this.  Its one of the most solid boards ive used. Most importantly the switches in this board are mint and feel perfect, there is some yellowing and the keycaps and board need to be cleaned a bit, but there are no cracks or dents on the case so thats good.  Its the same as the one Chyros has, with angled DIN connector, his is labeled KB-101A and mine is KB-101AS anyone know what the difference could be?

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/DVQfGfL.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/JNDw3ib.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2jToKaZ.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/95Kkb6F.jpg)


I wonder if theres a place that i could pay to add red dyesub Russian Cyrillic legends to the keycaps.

Damn that's a great find. I'm really digging that keyboard. So happy to see people enjoying the boards instead of stripping em for the SKCM Blues. I'm pretty guilty for stripping boards I should have left alone but I will say for my Blues, I grabbed em out of some random Clone XT board.

Yeah, the Leading Edge DC-2014 makes a good candidate for blue stripping as does the NEC APC H410. I'm pretty sure the latter is XT too. Can't readily use either of them. I definitely agree though; it's sad to see people buy blue Alps boards, even rare boards, just to strip them of their switches and then toss away 20+ years of history. I still don't trash the shells of boards I've stripped either. I keep all the components in a bag in my closet. Ya never know! My DC-2014 aided in the restoration of my DC-3014. :D

So much better to use them and only strip the more common boards if you really are itching for a custom with the switches!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Tue, 26 January 2016, 08:21:14
Quote from: HoffmanMyster
Is it normal to not love Alps right away?  :-X
[...]
It's got Matias quiet clicks in it. I like the tactility of them, but they feel too tactile for their own good (read: they are too light).  :-/  Maybe it just because I need to adjust? I'm coming from 45g Topre at the moment.

Also, they don't seem to be entirely consistent with the tactility, but maybe that's just me imagining things.
First, some people don’t like any Alps-style switches ever. For instance, Dorkvader, who is a buckling spring and hall effect fan.

They’re very different from Topre switches. Topre has a kind of “rounded” tactile feel, without any clear sharp snap point. Matias quiet switches are much crisper, with a huge drop in force after the tactile point. Topre switches also give you some bounce on the upstroke from the dome un-buckling, something Matias switches don’t do.

The dampers in Matias quiet switches make them a bit spongey at bottom out, and combined with the lack of sound that’s something some people dislike. You could try typing on someone’s board with undamped switches to see if that makes a difference, though if you like Topre that part is probably not a big deal.

Also, Matias switches are pretty wobbly front to back, much more than complicated Alps switches, and will click slightly differently depending on the press angle (e.g. if you press down on different keycap corners you’ll get slightly different sound/feel). Some people can’t get over the wobble, but it doesn’t really bother me personally.

Personally I don’t like typing on any Topre boards, so I’m the probably the wrong person to ask though. :-)

Haven’t you tried typing on people’s Alps keyboards at Keycon and other meetups? What did you think then?

I have tried many Alps boards at various KeyCons and meetups (and have another of my own, as mentioned).  My experience with Alps was very cautious at first since I really didn't like anything about them, but then as I tried more and more boards I found variations I like and the switch in general grew on me.  I have never used Matias switches before, at least not knowingly, that I can recall. 

The different actuation/pressure points of Alps switches have always thrown me, so maybe that's a major contributing factor here.  I'll just need to give the board some time and see how it goes.  :thumb:

Oh and I'm definitely a fan of clicky switches in general (I love the worn blues in my Dolch board), so I don't think my aversion is solely because I'm used to Topre vs clicky switches.  But maybe it is Topre vs clicky/tactile Alps?

Regardless, I'm excited for this first foray into the world of custom Alps.  :D
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 26 January 2016, 09:10:08
Quote from: HoffmanMyster
Is it normal to not love Alps right away?  :-X
[...]
It's got Matias quiet clicks in it. I like the tactility of them, but they feel too tactile for their own good (read: they are too light).  :-/  Maybe it just because I need to adjust? I'm coming from 45g Topre at the moment.

Also, they don't seem to be entirely consistent with the tactility, but maybe that's just me imagining things.
First, some people don’t like any Alps-style switches ever. For instance, Dorkvader, who is a buckling spring and hall effect fan.

They’re very different from Topre switches. Topre has a kind of “rounded” tactile feel, without any clear sharp snap point. Matias quiet switches are much crisper, with a huge drop in force after the tactile point. Topre switches also give you some bounce on the upstroke from the dome un-buckling, something Matias switches don’t do.

The dampers in Matias quiet switches make them a bit spongey at bottom out, and combined with the lack of sound that’s something some people dislike. You could try typing on someone’s board with undamped switches to see if that makes a difference, though if you like Topre that part is probably not a big deal.

Also, Matias switches are pretty wobbly front to back, much more than complicated Alps switches, and will click slightly differently depending on the press angle (e.g. if you press down on different keycap corners you’ll get slightly different sound/feel). Some people can’t get over the wobble, but it doesn’t really bother me personally.

Personally I don’t like typing on any Topre boards, so I’m the probably the wrong person to ask though. :-)

Haven’t you tried typing on people’s Alps keyboards at Keycon and other meetups? What did you think then?

I have tried many Alps boards at various KeyCons and meetups (and have another of my own, as mentioned).  My experience with Alps was very cautious at first since I really didn't like anything about them, but then as I tried more and more boards I found variations I like and the switch in general grew on me.  I have never used Matias switches before, at least not knowingly, that I can recall. 

The different actuation/pressure points of Alps switches have always thrown me, so maybe that's a major contributing factor here.  I'll just need to give the board some time and see how it goes.  :thumb:

Oh and I'm definitely a fan of clicky switches in general (I love the worn blues in my Dolch board), so I don't think my aversion is solely because I'm used to Topre vs clicky switches.  But maybe it is Topre vs clicky/tactile Alps?

Regardless, I'm excited for this first foray into the world of custom Alps.  :D

Well, it's actually pretty fascinating to see that you're on a bit of an uphill at odds with Alps. I haven't seen this too often, but then we are in a state of Alps hysteria right now, haha. I can certainly understand why you might not like Alps. The lower travel distance is very odd compared to Cherry. I was noting this as I was comparing my vintage MX blacks to my Alps SKCL green and SKCL brown switches. The reduced travel distance is definitely something that can't be overlooked.

I also do not like the Alps tactile switches as much as the linear and clicky varieties. Alps SKCM orange switches are pretty much the only kind I enjoy, and I've tried salmon and brown tactiles. Amber Alps were also very tactile, at least on my Hammer board with a CF plate. I do believe the setup increased the feeling of tactility though.

Still, oranges are the only tactiles I like, and even then, they are quite under green SKCL brown SKCL and blue SKCM for me.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Tue, 26 January 2016, 09:22:48
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 26 January 2016, 10:39:32
I don't like blue alps as much as model f or even cherry blue.  Brown alps seem promising though need to get around to making something with them

Brown linear Alps are fantastic too, if only just a heavier Green linear Alps, though they are insanely hard to find.

Brown tactiles are okay, I guess. Really meh to me. I do love blue Alps, but I think green SKCL take the cake for me.

Which is ironic, since I have had over 700 switches worth of blue Alps with the boards I've owned and trades I've made.

I hardly have any Green SKCL in reserves compared to that, lol.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Tue, 26 January 2016, 10:42:55
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jacobolus on Tue, 26 January 2016, 20:25:18
My experience with Alps was very cautious at first since I really didn't like anything about them, but then as I tried more and more boards I found variations I like and the switch in general grew on me.
Any that you can remember liking in particular?

Personally, I wouldn’t use Matias quiet click or cream Alps switches anywhere except an open office setting with coworkers who insisted against keyboard noise. I like them okay, but I really appreciate audio feedback when typing.

If you’re going for tactile, perhaps get a cheap Apple M0116 with orange Alps switches as a donor board.

Or if you want something closer to a 55g Topre feel on the downstroke, brown Alps have a more “rounded” type of tactile feel (but are too stiff for me personally).

Quote
Oh and I'm definitely a fan of clicky switches in general (I love the worn blues in my Dolch board),
You might try clicky SMK (“Monterey blue”) switches, which are not quite like Alps or Alps clone switches, but take Alps-compatible keycaps. My personal opinion is that these are sort of "the concept of Cherry MX blue but done right.” To use these in a custom board you’d need an MX plate with square holes and either hand wiring or a custom PCB on the back.

Complicated blue Alps switches are also very nice, a much more elegant soft clicky switch than either of those, with in particular a really nice sound.

Another switch you might be interested in, though it’s substantially different than Alps SKCM (“complicated Alps”) is the Alps plate spring switch. You can find them in IBM P70 or P75 luggables. I really like them. These have a coil spring over a buckling plate spring similar to IBM beam spring switches or Marquardt switches, but not as stiff. This results in a snappy upstroke when the plate spring unbuckles, somewhat similar to the upstroke when a Topre dome unbuckles but more tactile.  However, if you want to make a custom board out of them you’ll need to design a new PCB or chop the one they come in down to size (the latter might be easier as they’re a huge pain in the ass to desolder, with four bent-down leads per switch).
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: FLFisherman on Tue, 26 January 2016, 20:27:37
Does an Alps number pad count?

(http://i.imgur.com/G1LvG0v.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: bocahgundul on Tue, 26 January 2016, 20:30:26
Does an Alps number pad count?

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/G1LvG0v.jpg)

Is that the rare alpsulator?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: FLFisherman on Tue, 26 January 2016, 20:31:01
Does an Alps number pad count?

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/G1LvG0v.jpg)

Is that the rare alpsulator?

Not sure I'd call it "rare", but it is an alpsulator.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: jacobolus on Tue, 26 January 2016, 20:31:08
Ah yes, the “Alpsulator”. https://encrypted.google.com/search?q=alpsulator%20site%3Ageekhack.org
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Tue, 26 January 2016, 23:42:38
My experience with Alps was very cautious at first since I really didn't like anything about them, but then as I tried more and more boards I found variations I like and the switch in general grew on me.
Any that you can remember liking in particular?

Personally, I wouldn’t use Matias quiet click or cream Alps switches anywhere except an open office setting with coworkers who insisted against keyboard noise. I like them okay, but I really appreciate audio feedback when typing.

If you’re going for tactile, perhaps get a cheap Apple M0116 with orange Alps switches as a donor board.

Or if you want something closer to a 55g Topre feel on the downstroke, brown Alps have a more “rounded” type of tactile feel (but are too stiff for me personally).

Quote
Oh and I'm definitely a fan of clicky switches in general (I love the worn blues in my Dolch board),
You might try clicky SMK (“Monterey blue”) switches, which are not quite like Alps or Alps clone switches, but take Alps-compatible keycaps. My personal opinion is that these are sort of "the concept of Cherry MX blue but done right.” To use these in a custom board you’d need an MX plate with square holes and either hand wiring or a custom PCB on the back.

Complicated blue Alps switches are also very nice, a much more elegant soft clicky switch than either of those, with in particular a really nice sound.

Another switch you might be interested in, though it’s substantially different than Alps SKCM (“complicated Alps”) is the Alps plate spring switch. You can find them in IBM P70 or P75 luggables. I really like them. These have a coil spring over a buckling plate spring similar to IBM beam spring switches or Marquardt switches, but not as stiff. This results in a snappy upstroke when the plate spring unbuckles, somewhat similar to the upstroke when a Topre dome unbuckles but more tactile.  However, if you want to make a custom board out of them you’ll need to design a new PCB or chop the one they come in down to size (the latter might be easier as they’re a huge pain in the ass to desolder, with four bent-down leads per switch).

This is all very helpful advice, thank you!  :thumb:

As for Alps boards that I have enjoyed, I had a pleasant enough time typing on CPTBadAss' Kingsaver with Blue Alps.  This is one of the boards that was "meh" at first due to the different actuation/click point as compared to MX, but has grown on me quite a bit.  I do not think it was enjoyable enough to pay the premium that Blue Alps fetch on eBay, but it's nice.
I also liked the M0116 (at least I think that's what it was, it's Jerue's I believe) that I tried at the NC meetup, so perhaps I will just seek out one of those to play around with.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 30 January 2016, 23:44:49
Does an Alps number pad count?

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/G1LvG0v.jpg)


https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53158.0

;)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: BlueNalgene on Fri, 19 February 2016, 13:28:40
A x-post from the GB thread so more people can revel in my glory.

And now it is time for me to do my little reveal.

My GB has been built upon some lies.

It was never about the Alps, and it was never about me.

So why did I do it?



...to make the best Christmas present ever.


So here is how the con went down.  It was the middle of August when I was trying to stay on top of the game.  I was racking my brain, trying to figure out a great Christmas gift idea for the girlfriend.  You see, last year she got me a Tom Baker scarf.  Never heard of it?  There is a whole website (http://www.doctorwhoscarf.com/) dedicated to researching the colors and lengths used to replicate this iconic bit of knit extravagance.  And she didn't just go on Etsy and pay a few hundred $$$ for some subpar knockoff.  No, she hand-knit the entire thing.  She had secretly knit every day for months on the bus, between work, at home, this 18 foot monstrosity.  It was genius.  I refused to be outdone.

So I decided to give her this gift.

In the middle of August, I put feelers out to a few select individuals about making this happen.  The next day, the IC was up.  After a month of ****ering over the details, the GB went live on Sept. 23rd.  At the end of that month, I realized I would need stabilizers to complete my goal, so I started a SECOND IC/GB to raise interest.  By the 5th of October, I was shutting down the entries.  I had a deadline to make, and I didn't have time to let stragglers hold me back.  I started the ordering process before I had all of the invoices paid, risking my own cash to front the bill and keep things moving full steam.  Things started rolling in during the last half of November.  By December, I didn't have any room left in my living room.  I spent hours getting everything sorted and taken care of before finally building my boards.

(http://i.imgur.com/TR1aCit.jpg)

Some folks politely suggested when I first started running this that I was overstepping my bounds by making a catch-all GB for first time.  I quietly assured them that I was competent, not revealing my true motives.  I had to get all of the parts built for my boards by December.  I couldn't wait for someone else to run a plate buy while someone else ran the PCB buy, leaving me hoping that everything turned out ok.  I had to take fate into my own hands.  I had to be the collected resource.

I spent a lot of time doing the extracurricular projects for this GB.  I made cute little photoshopped headers to advertise the sale.  I sculpted and produced a limited run of caps from scratch so people could get excited about a little contest to encourage them to participate.  I made sure to answer as many questions as possible as soon as possible, so much that my advisor started getting frustrated by the time I was spending on this, rather than my research.  I had to have the support of the participants.  I needed to draw you in.

The girlfriend knew I was working on this.  I couldn't hide it from her.  I was spending hours of my time making sure everything went smoothly.  But she never knew.  I placated her with lies about how I was doing this for selfish keyboard greed.  I told her about every move I made save the most critical ones.  She never saw it coming.  I told her I was making the board blue because it was related to my screenname, not that I made them blue because it is her favorite color.  I got a little Cherry switch tester early on and had her tell me about which switch she liked most.  I used that information to choose to make an Alps board.  She didn't know that they were a thing, and she didn't know that she was describing qualities about the switches she liked which happened to match the Alps peculiarities. 

(http://i.imgur.com/Nvhl34f.jpg)

I took more time than I expected when etching the cases.  Each hand scrawled engraving needed to have something personal to connect each board, his and hers, to each other.  A half-heart outlined as yin on one side; a half-heart shaded in as yang on the other.  Names.  A cat snuggling a tufted titmouse, myself and my ornithologist respectively.  Little symbols that have meaning only to us.  For her I doodled and practiced to get them just the way I wanted.

(http://i.imgur.com/PSdium1.jpg)

The reveal to her when she unwrapped it was worth it all.  The box contained her keyboard, but not her gift.

"The keyboard wasn't her gift?", you ask yourself.

No.

Like Helen of Troy, her gift was something more than a golden apple trinket.

I raised an army for her.




So there you have it.  My big reveal.  All of you were pawns in my game all along.  I can look back and say this now, because I took pains to make sure the only thing I gained from this was the support of my minions.  I took no profit.  I took no easy path.  I hope no one feels too betrayed by this.  I may not be the Alps crusader you assumed or the GB messiah I strove to be, but I still hope you enjoyed the ride.

I'm typing on my half of the whole now.  I really do like it.  I get a special sort of joy every time I use it.  I have even been writing more because I enjoy the board so much. 

(http://i.imgur.com/ww7iAFA.jpg)

To all of you, thanks for helping me achieve my goal.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 19 February 2016, 13:34:39
More
A x-post from the GB thread so more people can revel in my glory.

And now it is time for me to do my little reveal.

My GB has been built upon some lies.

It was never about the Alps, and it was never about me.

So why did I do it?



...to make the best Christmas present ever.


So here is how the con went down.  It was the middle of August when I was trying to stay on top of the game.  I was racking my brain, trying to figure out a great Christmas gift idea for the girlfriend.  You see, last year she got me a Tom Baker scarf.  Never heard of it?  There is a whole website (http://www.doctorwhoscarf.com/) dedicated to researching the colors and lengths used to replicate this iconic bit of knit extravagance.  And she didn't just go on Etsy and pay a few hundred $$$ for some subpar knockoff.  No, she hand-knit the entire thing.  She had secretly knit every day for months on the bus, between work, at home, this 18 foot monstrosity.  It was genius.  I refused to be outdone.

So I decided to give her this gift.

In the middle of August, I put feelers out to a few select individuals about making this happen.  The next day, the IC was up.  After a month of ****ering over the details, the GB went live on Sept. 23rd.  At the end of that month, I realized I would need stabilizers to complete my goal, so I started a SECOND IC/GB to raise interest.  By the 5th of October, I was shutting down the entries.  I had a deadline to make, and I didn't have time to let stragglers hold me back.  I started the ordering process before I had all of the invoices paid, risking my own cash to front the bill and keep things moving full steam.  Things started rolling in during the last half of November.  By December, I didn't have any room left in my living room.  I spent hours getting everything sorted and taken care of before finally building my boards.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/TR1aCit.jpg)


Some folks politely suggested when I first started running this that I was overstepping my bounds by making a catch-all GB for first time.  I quietly assured them that I was competent, not revealing my true motives.  I had to get all of the parts built for my boards by December.  I couldn't wait for someone else to run a plate buy while someone else ran the PCB buy, leaving me hoping that everything turned out ok.  I had to take fate into my own hands.  I had to be the collected resource.

I spent a lot of time doing the extracurricular projects for this GB.  I made cute little photoshopped headers to advertise the sale.  I sculpted and produced a limited run of caps from scratch so people could get excited about a little contest to encourage them to participate.  I made sure to answer as many questions as possible as soon as possible, so much that my advisor started getting frustrated by the time I was spending on this, rather than my research.  I had to have the support of the participants.  I needed to draw you in.

The girlfriend knew I was working on this.  I couldn't hide it from her.  I was spending hours of my time making sure everything went smoothly.  But she never knew.  I placated her with lies about how I was doing this for selfish keyboard greed.  I told her about every move I made save the most critical ones.  She never saw it coming.  I told her I was making the board blue because it was related to my screenname, not that I made them blue because it is her favorite color.  I got a little Cherry switch tester early on and had her tell me about which switch she liked most.  I used that information to choose to make an Alps board.  She didn't know that they were a thing, and she didn't know that she was describing qualities about the switches she liked which happened to match the Alps peculiarities. 

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Nvhl34f.jpg)


I took more time than I expected when etching the cases.  Each hand scrawled engraving needed to have something personal to connect each board, his and hers, to each other.  A half-heart outlined as yin on one side; a half-heart shaded in as yang on the other.  Names.  A cat snuggling a tufted titmouse, myself and my ornithologist respectively.  Little symbols that have meaning only to us.  For her I doodled and practiced to get them just the way I wanted.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/PSdium1.jpg)


The reveal to her when she unwrapped it was worth it all.  The box contained her keyboard, but not her gift.

"The keyboard wasn't her gift?", you ask yourself.

No.

Like Helen of Troy, her gift was something more than a golden apple trinket.

I raised an army for her.




So there you have it.  My big reveal.  All of you were pawns in my game all along.  I can look back and say this now, because I took pains to make sure the only thing I gained from this was the support of my minions.  I took no profit.  I took no easy path.  I hope no one feels too betrayed by this.  I may not be the Alps crusader you assumed or the GB messiah I strove to be, but I still hope you enjoyed the ride.

I'm typing on my half of the whole now.  I really do like it.  I get a special sort of joy every time I use it.  I have even been writing more because I enjoy the board so much. 

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/ww7iAFA.jpg)


To all of you, thanks for helping me achieve my goal.

BlueNalgene is a confirmed scammer....and I've never been so happy to be scammed. JK, what a cute story and wonderful builds. Thanks for the great GBs
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Venatorious on Sun, 21 February 2016, 23:10:36
Scheming nalgene? What's going on?

Also, here is my brown alps videowriter
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Mon, 22 February 2016, 01:05:14
Scheming nalgene? What's going on?

Also, here is my brown alps videowriter
(Attachment Link)

Didn't know brown alps came in anything other than IBM 5140s. How much was it if you don't mind me asking? I'd love a cheaper way to get brown alps.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Venatorious on Mon, 22 February 2016, 07:23:11
I got it for 20$ at a discount electronics store that is now out of business.

Yeah brown alps reminds me of a topre board I tried but more defined.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Mon, 22 February 2016, 09:47:57
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Venatorious on Mon, 22 February 2016, 13:30:45
Not sure yet, I have another one so I have enough switches for a TKL.

I really want an Orion v2 but not sure where to start
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: CPTBadAss on Mon, 22 February 2016, 13:34:01
Scheming nalgene? What's going on?

Also, here is my brown alps videowriter
(Attachment Link)

Didn't know brown alps came in anything other than IBM 5140s. How much was it if you don't mind me asking? I'd love a cheaper way to get brown alps.

Today I learned: Brown Alps aren't limited to IBM 5140s and the other boards listed here (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCM_Brown#Keyboards).
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Venatorious on Mon, 22 February 2016, 13:47:07
Oh huh I thought it was already covered.  Looks like I need to do some work on the wiki.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Tue, 23 February 2016, 06:12:05
Scheming nalgene? What's going on?

Also, here is my brown alps videowriter
(Attachment Link)

Didn't know brown alps came in anything other than IBM 5140s. How much was it if you don't mind me asking? I'd love a cheaper way to get brown alps.

Today I learned: Brown Alps aren't limited to IBM 5140s and the other boards listed here (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCM_Brown#Keyboards).

Some early 80s Texas Instruments keyboards had either tactile or linear brown Alps as well.

It is starting to seem like the Xerox 6085 keyboards, an older brother to the Xerox Docutech (for tactile green Alps) keyboards have brown tactile Alps as well.

There's a brown tactile TI keyboard on TaoBao right now. It's got a good portion of its caps broken off, so you'll have to perform some surgery to get them out of the Alps sliders and who knows what state the switches are in, but you would get around 100 of them. Cheap price if not for EMS shipping.

(https://gd2.alicdn.com/imgextra/i2/725692091/TB2UzRbkXXXXXXRXXXXXXXXXXXX_!!725692091.jpg)

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.127.hv3oyU&id=526983266788&ns=1&abbucket=20#detail

Also note the strange cap profile. Is that a match to the AEK profile I wonder? Very nice, but disgusting yellow, condition in general, and the F and J keys have the oddest kind of home row indentifiers ever.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Venatorious on Tue, 23 February 2016, 08:05:44
Holy crap imma get that.  I dont really want to slaughter the video writer.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 28 February 2016, 02:18:05
Scheming nalgene? What's going on?

Also, here is my brown alps videowriter
(Attachment Link)

Didn't know brown alps came in anything other than IBM 5140s. How much was it if you don't mind me asking? I'd love a cheaper way to get brown alps.

Today I learned: Brown Alps aren't limited to IBM 5140s and the other boards listed here (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCM_Brown#Keyboards).

Some early 80s Texas Instruments keyboards had either tactile or linear brown Alps as well.

It is starting to seem like the Xerox 6085 keyboards, an older brother to the Xerox Docutech (for tactile green Alps) keyboards have brown tactile Alps as well.

There's a brown tactile TI keyboard on TaoBao right now. It's got a good portion of its caps broken off, so you'll have to perform some surgery to get them out of the Alps sliders and who knows what state the switches are in, but you would get around 100 of them. Cheap price if not for EMS shipping.

Show Image
(https://gd2.alicdn.com/imgextra/i2/725692091/TB2UzRbkXXXXXXRXXXXXXXXXXXX_!!725692091.jpg)


https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.127.hv3oyU&id=526983266788&ns=1&abbucket=20#detail

Also note the strange cap profile. Is that a match to the AEK profile I wonder? Very nice, but disgusting yellow, condition in general, and the F and J keys have the oddest kind of home row indentifiers ever.

Nice yellow keycaps :)

Also interesting FJ markers.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sun, 28 February 2016, 05:54:44
Nice yellow keycaps :)

Also interesting FJ markers.

They're so yellow, it looks like they were designed to be that color. :P
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 29 February 2016, 03:34:49
Nice yellow keycaps :)

Also interesting FJ markers.

They're so yellow, it looks like they were designed to be that color. :P

Only in that one picture though.  The rest of the pictures just make them look yellowed, not yellow.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sun, 06 March 2016, 00:59:13
Just starting on the final stretch of restoring these puppies:

(http://puu.sh/nwaby/a03c90e360.JPG)

I'll wait until I'm done to post more pictures. Trying not to go crazy, haha. I've got a few more to go!

(http://puu.sh/nwyOL/7e56706b10.JPG)

They have these lovely switches in them. :)

(http://puu.sh/nwyVB/44b19712db.JPG)

For every one of these boards, I've done this: taken apart each switch to blast the housings with compressed air JUST to make sure there's no dirt in there.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Venatorious on Sun, 06 March 2016, 16:39:19
Please E3E, I'm on the edge here.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: pr0ximity on Sun, 13 March 2016, 16:26:18
Think I can finally call this finished, now that it has a new badge (thanks E3E!) and some GH caps (thanks JD!)

This board had a ridiculous amount of ping when I got it, so I not only lubed the springs after cleaning out the switches, but took a page out of the Model F book and cut neoprene foam to fit between the PCB and plate. No more ping and it retains the flex it has due to the way the plate is mounted to the top of the case that was lost when I had padded the case with dampening foam. I've been slacking on putting a small build log together, but I might get to that eventually.

(http://i.imgur.com/9S1d1ek.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/01lCG3G.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/qTbY6mo.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/gicUmAT.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/2Xdod1q.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Sun, 13 March 2016, 16:37:31
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Sun, 13 March 2016, 16:48:13
Think I can finally call this finished, now that it has a new badge (thanks E3E!) and some GH caps (thanks JD!)

This board had a ridiculous amount of ping when I got it, so I not only lubed the springs after cleaning out the switches, but took a page out of the Model F book and cut neoprene foam to fit between the PCB and plate. No more ping and it retains the flex it has due to the way the plate is mounted to the top of the case that was lost when I had padded the case with dampening foam. I've been slacking on putting a small build log together, but I might get to that eventually.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/9S1d1ek.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/01lCG3G.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/qTbY6mo.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/gicUmAT.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2Xdod1q.jpg)


looks like that was a lot of work!  Really nice!

Looks like all that work paid off though, board looks amazing.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sun, 13 March 2016, 19:15:27
Think I can finally call this finished, now that it has a new badge (thanks E3E!) and some GH caps (thanks JD!)

This board had a ridiculous amount of ping when I got it, so I not only lubed the springs after cleaning out the switches, but took a page out of the Model F book and cut neoprene foam to fit between the PCB and plate. No more ping and it retains the flex it has due to the way the plate is mounted to the top of the case that was lost when I had padded the case with dampening foam. I've been slacking on putting a small build log together, but I might get to that eventually.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/9S1d1ek.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/01lCG3G.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/qTbY6mo.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/gicUmAT.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2Xdod1q.jpg)


Cool man! Nice to see the finishing touches on that restoration/personalization. What did you paint the plate with? :D

Also, what was your source for the neoprene foam? That's a fantastic idea. Did you cut that all out by hand? How does one go about that process?

Yeah, the cool thing about any metal-backed boards is that they're typically always top-mounted like that because the metal portion is usually just a simple stamped sheet, so it has no stand-offs. I'm not sure which I like more, top or bottom mounted PCBs, but I definitely like metal-backed vintages. :)

Do you use this one a lot, pr0xy?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: pr0ximity on Sun, 13 March 2016, 20:08:11


Think I can finally call this finished, now that it has a new badge (thanks E3E!) and some GH caps (thanks JD!)

This board had a ridiculous amount of ping when I got it, so I not only lubed the springs after cleaning out the switches, but took a page out of the Model F book and cut neoprene foam to fit between the PCB and plate. No more ping and it retains the flex it has due to the way the plate is mounted to the top of the case that was lost when I had padded the case with dampening foam. I've been slacking on putting a small build log together, but I might get to that eventually.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/9S1d1ek.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/01lCG3G.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/qTbY6mo.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/gicUmAT.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2Xdod1q.jpg)


Cool man! Nice to see the finishing touches on that restoration/personalization. What did you paint the plate with? :D

Also, what was your source for the neoprene foam? That's a fantastic idea. Did you cut that all out by hand? How does one go about that process?

Yeah, the cool thing about any metal-backed boards is that they're typically always top-mounted like that because the metal portion is usually just a simple stamped sheet, so it has no stand-offs. I'm not sure which I like more, top or bottom mounted PCBs, but I definitely like metal-backed vintages. :)

Do you use this one a lot, pr0xy?

I used a purple Krylon rust protector spraypaint for the plate. Normally I use Rustoleum, but they didn't have a purple I liked. It worked pretty alright, tough to know if the few spots that didn't get great coverage were due to the paint or my inadequate surface prep.

The neoprene is the EPDM mix often recommended for IBM foam replacement from McMaster Carr: http://www.mcmaster.com/#8647k102/=xtbelw I used an exacto knife and used the unpainted plate as a stencil on the foam, it matched things up surprisingly well to my pleasant surprise. Can't really speak to how effective the foam is vs. just the lube on the springs, but something there worked well :)

It's in my work rotation, I've been trying to use a different board every other week or so. Had this one in the office for closer to a month :) Really fantastic, totally sold me on Green SKCL Alps. The doubleshot keycaps also sound and feel great, though they were surprisingly thin. I'm a sucker for ABS though.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: bocahgundul on Wed, 16 March 2016, 05:06:33
Think I can finally call this finished, now that it has a new badge (thanks E3E!) and some GH caps (thanks JD!)

This board had a ridiculous amount of ping when I got it, so I not only lubed the springs after cleaning out the switches, but took a page out of the Model F book and cut neoprene foam to fit between the PCB and plate. No more ping and it retains the flex it has due to the way the plate is mounted to the top of the case that was lost when I had padded the case with dampening foam. I've been slacking on putting a small build log together, but I might get to that eventually.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/9S1d1ek.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/01lCG3G.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/qTbY6mo.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/gicUmAT.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2Xdod1q.jpg)

That's just awesome man
how's the feel of the green alps now?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Wed, 16 March 2016, 22:09:39
Think I can finally call this finished, now that it has a new badge (thanks E3E!) and some GH caps (thanks JD!)

This board had a ridiculous amount of ping when I got it, so I not only lubed the springs after cleaning out the switches, but took a page out of the Model F book and cut neoprene foam to fit between the PCB and plate. No more ping and it retains the flex it has due to the way the plate is mounted to the top of the case that was lost when I had padded the case with dampening foam. I've been slacking on putting a small build log together, but I might get to that eventually.

It's beautiful - great work man.  :thumb:  Also really nice pictures.  :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: koalapear on Thu, 24 March 2016, 16:09:55
My production Monarch in Burnt Bronze with SKCM Blues  ;D

(http://i.imgur.com/2g1EjGZ.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Thu, 24 March 2016, 16:37:28
My production Monarch in Burnt Bronze with SKCM Blues  ;D

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2g1EjGZ.jpg)


ITSHAPPENING.gif

Despite not being a part of the buy myself, I'm excited to see this one finally come together. Great work, pear man!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Pemdas on Fri, 25 March 2016, 04:00:14
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1680/26021756695_b18fdcdda4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FDsiFv)
Finished board (https://flic.kr/p/FDsiFv) by thosepeoples (https://www.flickr.com/photos/86496414@N00/), on Flickr

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1691/25996040286_8c48288a00_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FBbv69)
Booty Shot (https://flic.kr/p/FBbv69) by thosepeoples (https://www.flickr.com/photos/86496414@N00/), on Flickr


It's finished.... My Orion v2 w/ SKCL greens and a SKCL yellow on spacebar :cool: :cool:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Fri, 25 March 2016, 04:57:42
Show Image
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1680/26021756695_b18fdcdda4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FDsiFv)

Finished board (https://flic.kr/p/FDsiFv) by thosepeoples (https://www.flickr.com/photos/86496414@N00/), on Flickr

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1691/25996040286_8c48288a00_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FBbv69)
Booty Shot (https://flic.kr/p/FBbv69) by thosepeoples (https://www.flickr.com/photos/86496414@N00/), on Flickr


It's finished.... My Orion v2 w/ SKCL greens and a SKCL yellow on spacebar :cool: :cool:

Brotherman, tell me you like it more than Cherry! DO IT NAAAAO!  :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: >:D >:D >:D

Looking good though. Got some caps from a beige SGI Granite, eh? Where are the extra arrow keys from that you used for the 1u spaces on the bottom row? :D

And nice touch with the Zenith sticker! You've resurrected the ZKB-2 with the Orion v2!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: bocahgundul on Fri, 25 March 2016, 05:06:50
Show Image
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1680/26021756695_b18fdcdda4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FDsiFv)

Finished board (https://flic.kr/p/FDsiFv) by thosepeoples (https://www.flickr.com/photos/86496414@N00/), on Flickr

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1691/25996040286_8c48288a00_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FBbv69)
Booty Shot (https://flic.kr/p/FBbv69) by thosepeoples (https://www.flickr.com/photos/86496414@N00/), on Flickr


It's finished.... My Orion v2 w/ SKCL greens and a SKCL yellow on spacebar :cool: :cool:
Really really beautiful mane!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: S1llyC0ne on Fri, 25 March 2016, 05:23:07


Show Image
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1680/26021756695_b18fdcdda4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FDsiFv)


(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1691/25996040286_8c48288a00_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FBbv69)


Dayum !
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160325/59c1487e7a17e37c57bdf3ac4fee863a.jpg)
Dat keyboard...
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: lolpes on Fri, 25 March 2016, 05:39:40
This will be mine soon but with the Tai-Hao Aruz switch :3

(http://i.imgur.com/3WVl9gz.jpg)

Mainly got it for the awesome caps!

(http://i.imgur.com/jOXLSoW.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: bocahgundul on Fri, 25 March 2016, 05:41:48
This will be mine soon but with the Tai-Hao Aruz switch :3

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/3WVl9gz.jpg)


Mainly got it for the awesome caps!

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/jOXLSoW.jpg)

The keycaps is really thick mane
The thickest keycaps I've ever seen that use alps mount
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: SJHL on Fri, 25 March 2016, 10:48:13
Show Image
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1680/26021756695_b18fdcdda4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FDsiFv)

Finished board (https://flic.kr/p/FDsiFv) by thosepeoples (https://www.flickr.com/photos/86496414@N00/), on Flickr

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1691/25996040286_8c48288a00_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FBbv69)
Booty Shot (https://flic.kr/p/FBbv69) by thosepeoples (https://www.flickr.com/photos/86496414@N00/), on Flickr


It's finished.... My Orion v2 w/ SKCL greens and a SKCL yellow on spacebar :cool: :cool:

That badge is a nice touch!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Pemdas on Fri, 25 March 2016, 14:19:56
Brotherman, tell me you like it more than Cherry! DO IT NAAAAO!  :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: >:D >:D >:D

Looking good though. Got some caps from a beige SGI Granite, eh? Where are the extra arrow keys from that you used for the 1u spaces on the bottom row? :D

And nice touch with the Zenith sticker! You've resurrected the ZKB-2 with the Orion v2!

Definitely enjoying the alps linears more than any clicky cherry switch I've used :thumb: but I'm not too sure if I prefer them over linear cherries. Pretty even in my book so far. I do feel like there's a bit more travel on the alps switches which feels really nice. The 1u keys are just from a random chicony keyboard I had, I want to make a couple blanks or something though cause it looks a little weird with the arrow keys.



Dayum !
Show Image
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160325/59c1487e7a17e37c57bdf3ac4fee863a.jpg)

Dat keyboard...

Really really beautiful mane!

That badge is a nice touch!

Thanks guys! I really to get that badge to embedded to make it look nicer but I can wait on that.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: appleonama on Fri, 25 March 2016, 14:22:39
This will be mine soon but with the Tai-Hao Aruz switch :3

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/3WVl9gz.jpg)


Mainly got it for the awesome caps!

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/jOXLSoW.jpg)


ohhh thats sick didn't know they made double shot alps
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Venatorious on Fri, 25 March 2016, 22:15:45
It's finished.... My Orion v2 w/ SKCL greens and a SKCL yellow on spacebar :cool: :cool:

Damn that logo is pretty fuggin sick  :rolleyes:

 
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: bocahgundul on Fri, 25 March 2016, 23:00:31
This will be mine soon but with the Tai-Hao Aruz switch :3

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/3WVl9gz.jpg)


Mainly got it for the awesome caps!

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/jOXLSoW.jpg)


ohhh thats sick didn't know they made double shot alps
Doubleshot alps are not rare but thick doubleshot alps are rare.

Most alps board is thin double shot caps which is really cheap feeling
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: xtrafrood on Sat, 26 March 2016, 16:21:29
My production Monarch in Burnt Bronze with SKCM Blues  ;D

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2g1EjGZ.jpg)

I really like this keyboard! Maybe I'll see one in the future  :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: BlueNalgene on Wed, 13 April 2016, 16:05:46
I finally got around to taking some pictures of my kb45p build.  I'm using my GF's Alpine Winter set on it currently.  I will make the switch to a set of Dell AT101W caps after she returns from the far distant lands of Canadia and I can put on her nice caps for her.

(http://i.imgur.com/P4mdrvW.jpg)

My plates are painted.  The top plate, which is mostly covered by the caps, has a black and dark blue enamel coating I added with an airbrush.  I put a topcoat of nitrocellulose on it to give it the texture I like.  I had airbrush issues while painting the last coat, so I had to switch to spray paint.  For this I instead used a coat of solid dark blue spray paint, then dustings of white and baby blue to give it a speckled finish that catches the light well.  After that I put the same nitrocellulose coating on the paint, and this caused some issues.

(http://i.imgur.com/8pd4uvd.jpg)

As you can see, the nitrocellulose dissolved the spray paint and left it with very obvious brush strokes when I put on the clear coat.  At first, I was pretty pissed about this.  Over time and use, I have relented.  The strong brush strokes give it a shapeless quality I sort of enjoy.  Additionally, since this is my de facto travel board, I'm not mortified when it gets the occasional ding or scuff. 

Overall, it is the perfect travel board.  It weighs in at 296.00 g, making it super light for carrying.  Considering my 60% I'm using right now weighs >1kg, this is a big difference.  I use it with one of those convenient OTG USB cable so I am able to use my Nexus 10 like a laptop for writing and editing on the go or with it plugged into my phone, text with the GF.

My current complaints with the board are mostly layout related.  The lack of an apostrophe key really messes me up.  Many a text with the GF has been sent too soon because I press Enter when I only intended to use a contraction.  Other layout issues, such as the HHKB arrow key locations, are fixable with custom programming.  As such, they aren't worth mentioning.  However, I am not able to reprogram yet, as the ARM architecture on this board seems to be tripping me up.  I don't have much/any experience working outside of AVR, and my skills in that are novice at best.  Between issues with the gcc toolchain not behaving on Windows and some 32-bit errors on my 64-bit linux box, the reprogramming just hasn't happened yet.  Hopefully it will soon.

Thanks again to Flabbergast for this little creation.  I'm glad I could help with the plates to make this cute little board happen.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 11 May 2016, 19:27:34
(http://i.imgur.com/p291HVR.jpg)

From first to last. The F row on this contains the first Alps novelties ever made as far as I can tell on geekhack as well as the latest.

Escape through F10 are from booper's cmykeydelic sale (http://omniclectic.com/blog/57-cmykeydelic-sale) which went down a couple weeks ago.

F11 and F12 came off a geekhack spacesaver (https://web.archive.org/web/20130425061614/http://5k177keyboards.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/the-geek-hack-space-saver-available-now) which as far as I can tell, was one of the earliest GBs on geekhack which included custom stuff. Came with a canvas bag and some Alps doubleshots (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42602.0), which were definitely the first Alps novelties ever made....I think lol.

Plus the board just looks lovely ;).
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Badwrench on Wed, 11 May 2016, 19:36:31
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/p291HVR.jpg)


From first to last. The F row on this contains the first Alps novelties ever made as far as I can tell on geekhack as well as the latest.

Escape through F10 are from booper's cmykeydelic sale (http://omniclectic.com/blog/57-cmykeydelic-sale) which went down a couple weeks ago.

F11 and F12 came off a geekhack spacesaver (https://web.archive.org/web/20130425061614/http://5k177keyboards.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/the-geek-hack-space-saver-available-now) which as far as I can tell, was one of the earliest GBs on geekhack which included custom stuff. Came with a canvas bag and some Alps doubleshots (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42602.0), which were definitely the first Alps novelties ever made....I think lol.

Plus the board just looks lovely ;).

Great looking board CPT!  Very jealous of all the custom alps love.  I wish I could find a set of those green caps from the OG buy, love the shade of green.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 11 May 2016, 19:38:34
Great looking board CPT!  Very jealous of all the custom alps love.  I wish I could find a set of those green caps from the OG buy, love the shade of green.

I'd give you a set of the green caps but they were absurdly hard to track down :(. Thanks for the kind words too bud :).
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Wed, 11 May 2016, 20:44:45
(http://i.imgur.com/l5STyc2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cBnBh8C.jpg)

My big heavyweight blue Alps Orion v2. Hotswap modded as well.

(http://i.imgur.com/xKpfApV.jpg)

Also hand cut a copper plate for my Orion v2 as well~

(http://i.imgur.com/w1ICPPN.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/8WvS2CH.jpg)

I really need to make a build log.

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 11 May 2016, 20:53:04
Build log please E3E  :eek:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: stoic-lemon on Thu, 12 May 2016, 18:16:46
If be really interested in a build log of that too.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: romevi on Thu, 12 May 2016, 18:23:07
Hot tamale, E3E.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: spwath on Tue, 31 May 2016, 14:49:06
Apple Adjustable Keyboard with ALPS SKFS
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Moistgun on Tue, 31 May 2016, 15:20:13
Sadly, this guy doesn't see much use anymore.  :'(

(https://i.imgur.com/nQvPafW.jpg)

Its the bottom one for those unaware.
the only pic I have of the sweet sweet board.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: romevi on Tue, 31 May 2016, 15:52:37
Sadly, this guy doesn't see much use anymore.  :'(

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/nQvPafW.jpg)


Its the bottom one for those unaware.
the only pic I have of the sweet sweet board.

That bottom one is the one that caught my eye, too. Looks lovely. What switches?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Moistgun on Tue, 31 May 2016, 15:55:14
Sadly, this guy doesn't see much use anymore.  :'(

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/nQvPafW.jpg)


Its the bottom one for those unaware.
the only pic I have of the sweet sweet board.

That bottom one is the one that caught my eye, too. Looks lovely. What switches?
Thanks bud,  It's click modded damp creams.

Sent from my local payphone

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: reaper on Tue, 31 May 2016, 16:03:53
I only have 2 Alps boards left.  GHSS and Filco Zero.  GHSS is basically a vintage SIIG Minitouch with some customizations made available to members of Geek Hack some years back (2010 IIRC) by didjamatic via his website (5k177).  It has built in numpad layer and dedicated arrow keys. 

Excerption from his blog:

"The original, Vintage SIIG Minitouch is one of the smallest, if not the smallest fully mechanical keyboard ever made.  Not to be confused with the later made Minitouch Plus which is not a mechanical keyboard.  The Original, Vintage SIIG Minitouch is incredibly well built, very sturdy and houses ALPS-style micro switches that Northgate and Vintage keyboard fans have touted for decades.  These particular switches provide very tactile response and a distinct audible click that is very clean compared to many variations of ALPS switches.  These don't have the "frictiony" feel that many sliders have."

Geek Hack Space Saver


(http://i.imgur.com/gAYjUAz.jpg)


Filco Zero is well, it's a Filco. lol  Oh and it's discontinued.  :) 

From Keyboardco:

The Zero Series "Tenkeyless" has the same reduced footprint 87 key form as Majestouch models, but instead uses clicky XM white mechanical switches. N-key Rollover is standard functionality and this board has textured keycaps.
N-key Rollover allows multiple simultaneous key presses to be recognized by your computer. True N-key Rollover works only with the included PS/2 adapter. Using the USB connection will limit the N-key Rollover function to 6 keys at a time.  USB with PS/2 adapter (PS/2 must be used for full N-key Rollover).
(http://i.imgur.com/414XzPl.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Tue, 31 May 2016, 21:43:51
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: tintoret on Tue, 31 May 2016, 21:54:34
Sadly, this guy doesn't see much use anymore.  :'(

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/nQvPafW.jpg)


Its the bottom one for those unaware.
the only pic I have of the sweet sweet board.

That bottom one is the one that caught my eye, too. Looks lovely. What switches?
Thanks bud,  It's click modded damp creams.

Sent from my local payphone

What do you think of them? I pulled some to click mod for a 60% (if I can get a plate), but have been thinking about maybe using something else.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Moistgun on Tue, 31 May 2016, 22:07:26
Sadly, this guy doesn't see much use anymore.  :'(

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/nQvPafW.jpg)


Its the bottom one for those unaware.
the only pic I have of the sweet sweet board.

That bottom one is the one that caught my eye, too. Looks lovely. What switches?
Thanks bud,  It's click modded damp creams.

Sent from my local payphone

What do you think of them? I pulled some to click mod for a 60% (if I can get a plate), but have been thinking about maybe using something else.
I like em alot! I know they're not popular among Alps enthusiasts though. 

Sent from my local payphone

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Tue, 31 May 2016, 23:06:59
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: romevi on Tue, 31 May 2016, 23:11:38
I only have 2 Alps boards left.  GHSS and Filco Zero.  GHSS is basically a vintage SIIG Minitouch with some customizations made available to members of Geek Hack some years back (2010 IIRC) by didjamatic via his website (5k177).  It has built in numpad layer and dedicated arrow keys. 

Excerption from his blog:

"The original, Vintage SIIG Minitouch is one of the smallest, if not the smallest fully mechanical keyboard ever made.  Not to be confused with the later made Minitouch Plus which is not a mechanical keyboard.  The Original, Vintage SIIG Minitouch is incredibly well built, very sturdy and houses ALPS-style micro switches that Northgate and Vintage keyboard fans have touted for decades.  These particular switches provide very tactile response and a distinct audible click that is very clean compared to many variations of ALPS switches.  These don't have the "frictiony" feel that many sliders have."

Geek Hack Space Saver


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/gAYjUAz.jpg)



Filco Zero is well, it's a Filco. lol  Oh and it's discontinued.  :) 

From Keyboardco:

The Zero Series "Tenkeyless" has the same reduced footprint 87 key form as Majestouch models, but instead uses clicky XM white mechanical switches. N-key Rollover is standard functionality and this board has textured keycaps.
N-key Rollover allows multiple simultaneous key presses to be recognized by your computer. True N-key Rollover works only with the included PS/2 adapter. Using the USB connection will limit the N-key Rollover function to 6 keys at a time.  USB with PS/2 adapter (PS/2 must be used for full N-key Rollover).
  • 87 Key US ANSI Layout
  • XM White key switches with clicky mechanical feel, 3.5mm travel, 20 million actuations
  • Blue LEDs
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/414XzPl.jpg)


nice.  I soon will show off my LZ GH with SKCM brown alps

****ing sorry I've said this so much.  If hat bothers you you have way to much to complain about.

Did you quote the right text?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Tue, 31 May 2016, 23:13:09
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: reaper on Tue, 31 May 2016, 23:14:17
^ Haha it's all good.  ;)  I was about to say you have nothing to be sorry about. lol  Oh and can't wait to see that LZ GH.  :thumb:
Title: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Tue, 31 May 2016, 23:16:51
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Wed, 01 June 2016, 00:07:00
(http://i.imgur.com/D84I9O3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LH7VZ8s.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9dPaqgHg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CZeCBbN.jpg)

Thank you to Spamray for the MXAlps Leeku 3000 PCB!  :thumb:

Don't think he ever checks the Alps threads though, haha.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Venatorious on Wed, 01 June 2016, 08:31:06
 :eek: :-X  >:D

how do you keep doing it E3E?  That is the coolest NCR adaptation I have ever seen.

Also are those FAME caps?  I would love a set of those.  I guess you were the guy that Dra sent them to?

I never noticed the little wrist incline on the NCR case... Looks nice.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Wed, 01 June 2016, 11:48:27
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Wed, 01 June 2016, 13:23:41
:eek: :-X  >:D

how do you keep doing it E3E?  That is the coolest NCR adaptation I have ever seen.

Also are those FAME caps?  I would love a set of those.  I guess you were the guy that Dra sent them to?

I never noticed the little wrist incline on the NCR case... Looks nice.

Aww thanks, man. :D Yeah, it was one hell of a grind to get this done especially thanks to the fact Alps pretty much needs a plate let alone the fact I had to cut out slots for Cherry PCB-mount stabs to come through. This was all done with an Acer 6011 plate; it matched up perfectly with the PCB. The NCR cases don't seem like they were meant to be used with plates, so it took a lot of modding and cutting at the internal framework of the case to get the PCB and plate to fit.  :-X

I actually didn't plan on this until the last second when the PCB became available to me. I actually wanted the PCB since way back around last Christmas or a bit before even, but it wasn't until alienman's mini GB for modern Leeku 3000 PCBs (which are only Cherry compatible) when Spamray gave me the clear to finally buy the MXAlps 3000 PCB he had. Mine's in black though. All the ones I see around here from that revision were red. I don't mind though. :)

Yep, that's the FAME cap set mixed with a few stem-modded keys from an OG Cherry doubleshot set to complete an ANSI layout in Cherry profile for Alps. :) Yeah, all of the G80-3000 series seems to have the case design you speak of, but don't quote me on that. Photek is far more qualified than I am in that area. :P And yeah, Dra mentioned it in one of the threads.

Oh yeah, and the space bar is a stem-modded Gateron PBT space bar like the one I'm using on my Eagle in my display pic. The original didn't work because its stab placement is not spaced out enough to accommodate the Cherry 7u stab positioning. I had to modify the space bar so it would have a snappy feel.

Used the rest of my flashy gold-plated stab wires that I had on hand for this board, haha.

Is the |\ key from the fame or the cherry ?

The pipe key is actually from an OG Cherry doubleshot set, yep! Alpha colors blend in well. I wonder if any Cherry sets perfectly match the FAME's mod colors.

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: bazh on Sun, 05 June 2016, 04:52:36
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160605/50f6412b153653960d31e89bad1df689.jpg)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Mon, 27 June 2016, 18:55:37
(http://puu.sh/pIpdJ/effa8b32fc.JPG)

SGI Winter :P Mint SGI PBT caps with a bold font mixed with AW mods

I think this is the cap set I'm happiest with on the FMJ so far. I like the boldness of the SGI font; something about it just fits the look well in my eyes. It reminds me of my old infinity that has since been sold.

(http://i.imgur.com/aYdRanc.jpg)

Using Brown SKCM though, I just don't like the feel of SP DCS on the Alphas. Fine for the mods, but not for the brunt of the typing, imo. They just don't sound or feel as good as quality PBT.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Mon, 27 June 2016, 19:19:05
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alh84001 on Sun, 02 October 2016, 02:32:43
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/CZeCBbN.jpg)


(This thread has died down a bit, so time to bump it.)

I simply love how LEDs are discernible on F and J keys. Might even be useful in dark :D
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alh84001 on Sun, 02 October 2016, 02:33:22
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/CZeCBbN.jpg)


(This thread has died down a bit, so time to bump it.)

I simply love how LEDs shine through F and J keys. Might even be useful in dark :D
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sun, 02 October 2016, 03:08:02
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/CZeCBbN.jpg)


(This thread has died down a bit, so time to bump it.)

I simply love how LEDs shine through F and J keys. Might even be useful in dark :D

Me too! Some might be annoyed by the lightbleed, but I think it's really neat on the keys! Having backlit Alps just feels cool tbh. Taking a retro switch and lighting them up is awesome.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 10 October 2016, 04:30:20
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/CZeCBbN.jpg)


(This thread has died down a bit, so time to bump it.)

I simply love how LEDs are discernible on F and J keys. Might even be useful in dark :D

Should have bumped it with a picture - this is the media section, after all :p
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Hypersphere on Mon, 10 October 2016, 08:25:28
Recently, I was lucky to find two Leading Edge DC-3014 boards in rapid succession. I've installed an internal converter and micro-USB connector on each of them.
[attach=1]
For the moment, I am keeping the stock keycaps and case finish on one, but I've painted the case and changed keycaps on the other (SGI Granite dye-sub PBT alphas along with caps from a Tai-Hao DS WoB set and blank black keys and spacebar from Matias).
[attach=2]
The logo badge on the red one was scratched when I received it; I might replace it with a badge from an extra DC-2014 case.

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Mon, 10 October 2016, 10:21:16
Recently, I was lucky to find two Leading Edge DC-3014 boards in rapid succession. I've installed an internal converter and micro-USB connector on each of them.
(Attachment Link)
For the moment, I am keeping the stock keycaps and case finish on one, but I've painted the case and changed keycaps on the other (SGI Granite dye-sub PBT alphas along with caps from a Tai-Hao DS WoB set and blank black keys and spacebar from Matias).
(Attachment Link)
The logo badge on the red one was scratched when I received it; I might replace it with a badge from an extra DC-2014 case.

I'm impressed both by your acquisition of two of them so quickly after one another and by your work here! 
 
Very well done, Hypersphere! Seems like you've gotten the dye work down pat for keyboard cases and those USB mods look pretty clean. I take it the side-routed cable of the standard board wasn't your thing either. Luckily, it works well for my set up, as it's on the left, but I know it's a bit impractical for most setups.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Hzza on Fri, 04 November 2016, 06:33:59
New Apple tribute Alps64 I just finished this morning.

(http://i.imgur.com/3TG6Ojm.jpg)

Big thanks to emdude for helping out with the plate design.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alh84001 on Sun, 06 November 2016, 20:32:12
Mixing apples with oranges
(http://i.imgur.com/s6Po0rW.jpg?1)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Sun, 06 November 2016, 20:58:42
Mixing apples with oranges
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/s6Po0rW.jpg?1)


Yo, alh, your boards are losing weight.  :eek:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: romevi on Sun, 06 November 2016, 21:00:58
Mixing apples with oranges
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/s6Po0rW.jpg?1)


I freaking love this image.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alh84001 on Mon, 07 November 2016, 03:12:03
Yo, alh, your boards are losing weight.  :eek:

This is nothing, wait till I get A2S4500 :)

Edit:
Or there's another way :) Layout is different though :(
(http://i.imgur.com/GvmUM7N.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Mattr567 on Wed, 23 November 2016, 21:11:30
Mmm
(http://i.imgur.com/cs7wzCr.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alh84001 on Thu, 24 November 2016, 01:22:46
Candilicous.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: childofthehorn on Sun, 08 January 2017, 00:04:01
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170108/cc09f3f3028ce0693a6ce00ffc32f1d8.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170108/d39bf86a217d63df1553868d6b7a0a73.jpg)

My first custom Alps build.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zombimuncha on Sun, 08 January 2017, 05:13:34
Alu case + wood plate? Wut? Tell more!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: childofthehorn on Sun, 08 January 2017, 20:47:20
Infinity PCB, custom cut plate (done myself on laser cutter), Lambo case, Alpine Winter keycaps, Matias QC switches.

Plate is 1.6mm acrylic with 10mil thick Cherry Wood veneer (stained/laquered). Stabs are costar.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Mon, 09 January 2017, 17:03:45
SKCM Salmon Wang & SKCM Blue Panasonic Business Partner

I don't like the salmon switches nearly as much as I like SKCM browns in my 5140 so I'll probably try to trade them for more browns.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Mon, 09 January 2017, 17:28:58
Alps, why do you play with my heart so.

I've been hunting for these caps since forever ago, and now I finally have them, but high pros just don't work with the height of the Orion. These'll go on my 60s or Mira, I guess.

Looks nice though! Spherical dye-subbed PBT with homing scoops. Great stuff. :D

(http://i.imgur.com/gC0em4R.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Stw97U4.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: OfTheWild on Mon, 16 January 2017, 21:28:24
New Apple tribute Alps64 I just finished this morning.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/3TG6Ojm.jpg)


Big thanks to emdude for helping out with the plate design.

I have one of those helpers too!

(http://i.imgur.com/SS4DSXY.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Hypersphere on Wed, 18 January 2017, 16:33:49
Anyone here old enough to remember the song, "Don't it make my brown eyes blue"?

This is about "Don't it make my brown Alps blue" -- turning your Brown Alps Blue -- by swapping components rather than desoldering and resoldering.

Receptor board: Alps64 with stainless steel plate and SKCM Brown Alps.

[attach=1]
Brown Alps in the Alps64 with Stainless Steel Plate

Donor board: NTC 6151 with SKCM Blue Alps.

Process: Remove top housings, sliders, springs, and tactile/click leaves from receptor and donor switches. Ultrasonic cleaning of donor switch tops. No cleaning necessary for the other components. Replace the switch tops, sliders, tactile assembly, and springs from the Brown Alps with the corresponding parts from the Blue Alps switches.

[attach=2]
Alps64 with Blue Alps Components; Spacebar Slider is from a Matias Quiet Switch

Tools: Wire keycap puller (not shown). Small screwdriver -- for pressing wire stabilizers into clips and for applying an opposing force to stabilizer wires when replacing stabilized keycaps. Forceps (tweezers) -- for peeling 0.15 mm polyurethane foam from clear plastic backing -- the foam is placed under the spacebar stabilizer clips to deaden the sound of spacebar impact. Small powerful magnet -- for picking up springs and tactile/click leaves. Small LED flashlight -- for illuminating the undersides of stabilized keycaps to aid in placing the stabilizer wires. Plastic spudger -- for removing old self-stick foam from underneath spacebars. Trident tool -- for removing Alps switch tops. Toothpick -- for picking up and positioning springs.

[attach=3]
Tools

Rationale: My Alps64 with stainless steel plate and SKCM Brown Alps switches has amazing tactility but it can become tiring during long typing sessions. Although I bottom-out my keystrokes, I like to have a subtle click that coincides closely with actuation. I didn't want to desolder the switches, so I decided to do a top-mod to replace Brown Alps components with Blue Alps components. I will get more use out of the Alps64 than I would have gotten from the NTC 6151 because I much prefer the small form factor and ANSI layout of the Alps64. Moreover, the Alps64 is completely programmable and I have it set up to mimic the HHKB configuration.

Result: A transformed keyboard! The switches now sound and feel like Blue Alps. Indeed, they should be virtually identical to Blue Alps given that all the top-loaded components are from Blue Alps and the fact that Brown Alps have long switchplates.

[attach=4]
Finished Alps64 Keyboard with Stainless Steel Plate, TEX Aluminum Case, IBM 5140 Alphas, Matias Mods, and SP Esc

Don't it make my Brown Alps Blue? Yep, I think so! Typing on them now ....
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alh84001 on Wed, 18 January 2017, 16:39:28
I don't have such a magnet so I use the LED light for when spring(s) inevitably drop to the floor :)

Where did the brown components go?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Hypersphere on Wed, 18 January 2017, 16:58:04
Sometimes I search in vain with my LED flashlight for switch components that inevitably fall to the floor. There seems to be some kind of rift in the space-time continuum that sends these bits and pieces to a parallel universe.

I'm saving the brown components in case I want to reverse the process. I haven't quite decided if I prefer the much lighter feel of the brown to blue transformants. However, if I do decide to part with the brown bits, XMIT has already spoken for them.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Wed, 18 January 2017, 17:25:06
Oh god, I lost a spring for one of the Xerox DocuTechs I was restoring, a spring to a bamboo SKCM Green switch, and the instant I felt like I couldn't find it, I immediately ordered a Dell AT101W since bamboo blacks share the same springs as bamboo SKCM Greens.

I ended up finding the spring later.

 :blank:

There seems to be some kind of rift in the space-time continuum that sends these bits and pieces to a parallel universe.

Too true, too true.

I'm saving the brown components in case I want to reverse the process. I haven't quite decided if I prefer the much lighter feel of the brown to blue transformants. However, if I do decide to part with the brown bits, XMIT has already spoken for them.

It's a shame. I love the feeling of SKCM Brown, but they can be quite fatiguing switches. With the Alps PBT sphericals I have recently acquired, both SKCM Brown and SKCM Green feel delightful. It's in my opinion that tactile switches go best with PBT key caps, so that combined with the spherical high profile shape and sculpting is very nice. It really focuses your feel into every press.

I haven't typed for long enough with the new caps to determine if they help at all. I generally wasn't too bothered by SKCM Brown, but I'm not invincible either. There were times that they were just too much for me. In a high profile keyboard case without a wrist rest and a lot of rigidity because of the case and plate, they can be pretty unforgiving.

This is part of the reason I'm really eager to get a converter made for my Xerox boards, because the switches feel perfect in them, just as they should with a lot less of a fatigue aspect.

I felt this more so with SKCM Green when I had been experimenting with spring swapping in the Greens, but they're close enough for me to say it applies to both.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alh84001 on Wed, 18 January 2017, 17:44:22
That reminds me of this one time that I lost a space invaders spring. It just shot out of the switch, and I looked everywhere. I finally gave up and decided that F24 key will be sacrificed at the altar of keyboard-space-time gods. I found it peeking at me innocuosly couple of days later on the blanket on my bed. The same bed I feverishly moved around and looked inside of and under, and the same blanket I took off the bed and shaked a few times. There's no logical explanation for it. Except maybe for it to get stuck in my clothes or something. So that's the first thing I do now, stay still and check the clothes :)

@Hypersphere luckily I got another batch of 60-odd SKCM Browns coming in. I was asking more because I know you always play around with the Alps parts :)

@E3E pine spring is different from bamboo SKCM greens? and I always forget if it's the same with tactile leaf as well.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Wed, 18 January 2017, 17:49:29
That reminds me of this one time that I lost a space invaders spring. It just shot out of the switch, and I looked everywhere. I finally gave up and decided that F24 key will be sacrificed at the altar of keyboard-space-time gods. I found it peeking at me innocuosly couple of days later on the blanket on my bed. The same bed I feverishly moved around and looked inside of and under, and the same blanket I took off the bed and shaked a few times. There's no logical explanation for it. Except maybe for it to get stuck in my clothes or something. So that's the first thing I do now, stay still and check the clothes :)

@Hypersphere luckily I got another batch of 60-odd SKCM Browns coming in. I was asking more because I now you always play around with the Alps parts :)

@E3E pine spring is different from bamboo SKCM greens? and I always forget if it's the same with tactile leaf as well.

Haha, yes. Exactly. Sometimes things turn up at the least expected moments, like when you AREN'T looking for them, and then they surprise the hell out of you.
 
Yep, the return springs are different. The bamboos use the shorter springs that you only start seeing during the bamboo era. They look identical to bamboo SKCM Black springs.

The leaf springs are the same between pine and bamboo SKCM Green (they aren't the same as SKCM Black). Sliders have different colors between pine and bamboo. The pine ones have this deeper, more vivid yet translucent shade of green, and the bamboo ones have this more minty seafoam green color.

I believe the bottoms also change between bamboo and pine, even if they both have short switch plates. A lot of cosmetic differences along with the lack of slits.

(http://i.imgur.com/pf9VrcSg.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RTb1l4P.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Wed, 18 January 2017, 17:53:25
I also want to say that pine SKCM Green sliders, for some reason, have the MX Clear effect on key caps. They are held very tightly, and I only really notice this on my pine Xeroxes. It's always a bit scary to remove or change the caps because of how much you have to pull.

I would not use wire pullers with these because you will put gouges in the bottom of the caps if you do.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alh84001 on Wed, 18 January 2017, 18:02:49
I wish I had those problems  :))

Too bad the spring is different, as I already thought about making ghetto pine greens by putting bamboo spring into browns :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Wed, 18 January 2017, 18:09:42
I wish I had those problems  :))

Too bad the spring is different, as I already thought about making ghetto pine greens by putting bamboo spring into browns :)

Haha. Well, I will say that pine greens and browns are not far off. Greens are a bit lighter, but the overall is very similar. I feel like if you blind tested a Xerox 6085 with browns and a Xerox 6085 or docutech with greens with someone who's never used greens but has tried browns before, I think they would not be able to pick them out easily from browns.

If you mean return springs, they don't affect the weight on these switches (brown/green) because of the tactile leaf being what gives most of the resistance in the press.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alh84001 on Wed, 18 January 2017, 18:34:40
Haha, and I just mentioned that to someone else about an hour ago, that lighter springs don't necessarily mean much difference in browns.

So, if tactile leaves are the same and springs are not having much of an impact, what is the main cause of difference between pine and bamboo? Slider material?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Wed, 18 January 2017, 18:43:11
Haha, and I just mentioned that to someone else about an hour ago, that lighter springs don't necessarily mean much difference in browns.

So, if tactile leaves are the same and springs are not having much of an impact, what is the main cause of difference between pine and bamboo? Slider material?

Yeah, lighter springs are pretty ineffective in tactile browns and greens, sadly.

Nope, when talking about pine vs bamboo SKCM Green, it's almost certainly the slits in the top housing; if you put pine housings on bamboos, they will feel practically identical.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alh84001 on Thu, 19 January 2017, 01:20:34
So, SKCM Brown + bamboo top case + black bamboo spring = ghetto bamboo green? Damn, I wish I hadn't sold my SKCM black board :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Thu, 19 January 2017, 01:38:05
So, SKCM Brown + bamboo top case + black bamboo spring = ghetto bamboo green? Damn, I wish I hadn't sold my SKCM black board :)

Essentially, but you'd have to do some serious modding on the top to accept the SKCM Brown tactile assembly as it won't fit into the SKCM Black top. This is because SKCM Brown had a symmetrical top half that could accept the contact switch plate and the assembly (which is the same size as the switch plate).

So you'd have to do some serious modding to get that to work.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alh84001 on Thu, 19 January 2017, 02:36:52
Damn, I completely forgot that. Thanks Alps! :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Hypersphere on Sun, 22 January 2017, 09:31:11
Haha, and I just mentioned that to someone else about an hour ago, that lighter springs don't necessarily mean much difference in browns.

So, if tactile leaves are the same and springs are not having much of an impact, what is the main cause of difference between pine and bamboo? Slider material?

Yeah, lighter springs are pretty ineffective in tactile browns and greens, sadly.

Nope, when talking about pine vs bamboo SKCM Green, it's almost certainly the slits in the top housing; if you put pine housings on bamboos, they will feel practically identical.
Yep, I agree. I first noticed the pine/bamboo difference when I got a Northgate Omnikey 101 with SKCM white Alps in pristine condition. I was surprised that the board had clattering keys, almost like those in my V60 with Matias Click switches. It turned out that the new Northgate had bamboo white switches. I replaced the bamboo tops with pine tops and the sound was transformed -- it sounded like my older Northgate with pine white switches. Apparently, the slits in pine switches create a little cantilevered plastic spring in the switch top that partially absorbs the shock of the return stroke of the slider, thereby attenuating the return-stroke "clack" (well, at least that's a theory).


Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: FearsomeCubedWarrior on Tue, 24 January 2017, 04:55:10
Just my nooby first MK which accidentally happened to be Datadesk MAC-101E with fake (?) white ALPS switches. Some were damaged during storage, so I've ordered 120 Matias quiet ones and swapped all old switches with them. Also used AliExpress Teensy 2.0 for ADB-USB adapter (thanks, hasu (https://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=3412)!).
Unfortunatelly, ] keycap is lost somewhere, but I hope to find it someday.

Recently ordered TMK Alps 64 PCB to reuse old white alps (most of them are still functional) and now in desperate search for new ALPS compatible keycaps. Yes, I know about Alpine Winter, but I'm late for GB and 130USD for 60% DCS is waaay too much for me now.

(http://i.imgur.com/faD978m.jpg)

more pics here (http://imgur.com/a/2EDMm)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Tue, 28 February 2017, 11:31:24
SKCM blue Alpsulator

(http://i.imgur.com/2u33FBT.png)

PSA: taking apart an Alpsulator is not recommended, you have to almost break it to get the pcb out
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: tjweir on Tue, 28 February 2017, 12:37:13
I just finished this Alps board up.

It's a split spacebar, green Alps, KMAC Mini inspired board.

(http://i.imgur.com/bRtXNMp.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: OfTheWild on Tue, 28 February 2017, 17:46:06
SKCM blue Alpsulator

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2u33FBT.png)


PSA: taking apart an Alpsulator is not recommended, you have to almost break it to get the pcb out

That came out awesome though!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Tue, 28 February 2017, 18:04:55
SKCM blue Alpsulator

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2u33FBT.png)


PSA: taking apart an Alpsulator is not recommended, you have to almost break it to get the pcb out

That came out awesome though!

Thanks, but seriously, the plate is held in with 2 screws and 5 really tight snap tabs that you have to pry out/ bend the case until they all snap out. That being said, the swap was totally worth it, SKCM blues are smoother and crisper than the white clones it comes with.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: h1ggs on Tue, 28 February 2017, 18:41:14
Finished this alps64 build a little while ago, but finally got around to setting up the firmware..

(http://i.imgur.com/qfvrUDZ.jpg)

Alps64 PCB
SGI Bigfoot keycaps + plate
Matias QC switches
Royal Glam case

I truly love this board though, growing up around early days CG I've always had a place in my heart for SGI. This was the dream project that got me into the hobby and I'm super happy to be using it daily.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Hypersphere on Tue, 28 February 2017, 19:26:12
Finished this alps64 build a little while ago, but finally got around to setting up the firmware..

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/qfvrUDZ.jpg)


Alps64 PCB
SGI Bigfoot keycaps + plate
Matias QC switches
Royal Glam case

I truly love this board though, growing up around early days CG I've always had a place in my heart for SGI. This was the dream project that got me into the hobby and I'm super happy to be using it daily.
Congratulations on your project! Looks good!

I once had an SGI octane in my lab; it was my first molecular modeling workstation, runing Irix (of course!).
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: h1ggs on Tue, 28 February 2017, 19:32:34
Finished this alps64 build a little while ago, but finally got around to setting up the firmware..

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/qfvrUDZ.jpg)


Alps64 PCB
SGI Bigfoot keycaps + plate
Matias QC switches
Royal Glam case

I truly love this board though, growing up around early days CG I've always had a place in my heart for SGI. This was the dream project that got me into the hobby and I'm super happy to be using it daily.
Congratulations on your project! Looks good!

I once had an SGI octane in my lab; it was my first molecular modeling workstation, runing Irix (of course!).

Molecular modeling sounds awesome.. We had an Inidigo 2 when I was growing up, my dad used it for product modeling and CAD stuff - I was just a kid but I still remember :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: OfTheWild on Tue, 28 February 2017, 19:39:39
I guess i forgot to post this in here but here was my V80 swapped dampened creams project: http://imgur.com/a/ZieWC

(http://i.imgur.com/PUWfbou.jpg)

Absolutely infuriating desoldering project but totally worth it in the end. Would do it again.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: smithyithy on Sat, 04 March 2017, 11:37:05
Although technically Matias, not ALPS, I'm happy with how this came out.

KBParadise V60 in Matias Clicky flavour. High-profile aluminium case, Alpine Winter DCS caps:

(http://i.imgur.com/gtdvMbS.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Hypersphere on Sat, 04 March 2017, 12:53:13
Although technically Matias, not ALPS, I'm happy with how this came out.

KBParadise V60 in Matias Clicky flavour. High-profile aluminium case, Alpine Winter DCS caps:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/gtdvMbS.jpg)

Sharp looking V60MTS-C! What brand of alu case did you use? What's lurking in the background with the split spacebar?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: smithyithy on Sat, 04 March 2017, 14:27:54
Although technically Matias, not ALPS, I'm happy with how this came out.

KBParadise V60 in Matias Clicky flavour. High-profile aluminium case, Alpine Winter DCS caps:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/gtdvMbS.jpg)

Sharp looking V60MTS-C! What brand of alu case did you use? What's lurking in the background with the split spacebar?

Thanks! I'm not sure what brand the case is to be honest, it may just be a Chinese one, but it feels good and the quality is great. Got it from MechBoards.co.uk:

(http://i.imgur.com/dOesVNr.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/ykRij59.jpg)

Although it's not visible in the photo, the DIP switches are all accessible and the Mini USB port lines up perfectly. I was only able to use 3 of the cases mounting points due to the design of the plate/PCB, but it seems to sit securely, allbeit with a slight recess around the plate. I padded the case with wrapping foam too to dampen the sound, it's a noticeable improvement from before.

The board in the background is my MiniVan, which I got a couple of months ago, absolutely love it. It came built, with MOD-L switches. I rearranged some caps and programmed and flashed my own layout / layers, which was a good first experience.

(http://i.imgur.com/qEjOjxL.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Mattr567 on Wed, 08 March 2017, 22:38:49
(http://i.imgur.com/38Auico.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Mechboards on Thu, 09 March 2017, 03:44:47
Thanks! I'm not sure what brand the case is to be honest, it may just be a Chinese one, but it feels good and the quality is great. Got it from MechBoards.co.uk:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/dOesVNr.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/ykRij59.jpg)


Although it's not visible in the photo, the DIP switches are all accessible and the Mini USB port lines up perfectly. I was only able to use 3 of the cases mounting points due to the design of the plate/PCB, but it seems to sit securely, allbeit with a slight recess around the plate. I padded the case with wrapping foam too to dampen the sound, it's a noticeable improvement from before.

The board in the background is my MiniVan, which I got a couple of months ago, absolutely love it. It came built, with MOD-L switches. I rearranged some caps and programmed and flashed my own layout / layers, which was a good first experience.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/qEjOjxL.jpg)


Looks good :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sundin on Thu, 09 March 2017, 16:47:47
First alps board!

(http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/558357IMG3001.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: OfTheWild on Thu, 09 March 2017, 19:14:22
wow thats a beautiful looking vea! Love those browns. i need to get some.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Thu, 09 March 2017, 19:57:18
First alps board!

Show Image
(http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/558357IMG3001.jpg)


I didn't know the VE.A PCB supported alps, I would've bought one had I known.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: E3E on Thu, 09 March 2017, 20:03:28
First alps board!

Show Image
(http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/558357IMG3001.jpg)


I didn't know the VE.A PCB supported alps, I would've bought one had I known.

Aww, that's a shame. It does! I didn't get one, but yep, it does indeed. I'm actually working on hot swap modding one for Alps switches for a customer of mine this week.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Thu, 09 March 2017, 23:24:28
First alps board!

Show Image
(http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/558357IMG3001.jpg)


I didn't know the VE.A PCB supported alps, I would've bought one had I known.

Aww, that's a shame. It does! I didn't get one, but yep, it does indeed. I'm actually working on hot swap modding one for Alps switches for a customer of mine this week.

In the end it's probably a good thing, I have 9 keyboards now and I'm working on a few more, the last thing I need is to buy a several hundred dollar custom. That being said, if they run again I'll probably buy one if I have the cash.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: h1ggs on Fri, 31 March 2017, 21:02:10
Bigfoot // Littlefoot
(https://i.imgur.com/YsG0PBt.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: svatech on Sun, 02 April 2017, 00:15:12
Today  installed new switches into a dell AT101w. i chose to install brown alps switches because i ran across an old at&t terminal keyboard that had brown alps switches. i thought that they felt better than the black ones that were in it originally.

 [attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Hypersphere on Sun, 02 April 2017, 08:22:59
Today  installed new switches into a dell AT101w. i chose to install brown alps switches because i ran across an old at&t terminal keyboard that had brown alps switches. i thought that they felt better than the black ones that were in it originally.

(Attachment Link)
That's quite an understatement! Black Alps are arguably the worst-feeling switches in the Alps lineup, whereas brown Alps have a unique tautness and pronounced tactility. The only drawback to brown Alps is that some people find them too stiff for prolonged typing sessions. In any event, you've made an excellent swap. Enjoy your transformed Dell!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Mon, 03 April 2017, 16:05:34
Today  installed new switches into a dell AT101w. i chose to install brown alps switches because i ran across an old at&t terminal keyboard that had brown alps switches. i thought that they felt better than the black ones that were in it originally.

(Attachment Link)
That's quite an understatement! Black Alps are arguably the worst-feeling switches in the Alps lineup, whereas brown Alps have a unique tautness and pronounced tactility. The only drawback to brown Alps is that some people find them too stiff for prolonged typing sessions. In any event, you've made an excellent swap. Enjoy your transformed Dell!

IMO SKCM Browns are the best tactile alps switch, everything else has either been too light or not tactile enough for me.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: SJHL on Wed, 12 April 2017, 18:10:20
(http://i.imgur.com/Vgr9HPd.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: digi on Wed, 12 April 2017, 20:12:12
 :D

(http://i.imgur.com/SdzDqnf.jpg)

Picture taken with my $9 million dollar Nikon (Galaxy S1)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Thu, 13 April 2017, 11:36:45
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Vgr9HPd.jpg)


When I finally build a board with my SKCM Browns I want it to look this good.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: SJHL on Thu, 13 April 2017, 12:24:30
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Vgr9HPd.jpg)


When I finally build a board with my SKCM Browns I want it to look this good.

You wont regret it!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Thu, 11 May 2017, 06:55:54
SKCM Blue V60 with a mix of caps from vintage boards, at some point I'll look for more compatible sets but this'll work for now. The caps are a bit stained and I need to clean them but I was too excited to do that before putting them on.

(https://i.imgur.com/AkLPVDs.jpg)

Afaik the only KBK that's been swapped over to Alps

(https://i.imgur.com/Cl6z8bi.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: OfTheWild on Thu, 11 May 2017, 16:05:19
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Vgr9HPd.jpg)


When I finally build a board with my SKCM Browns I want it to look this good.

you got me hooked on those browns at the asheville meet... i've been searching since and haven't been able to find any  :'(  I've got a alps plate and pcb coming for my LZ CLS thats going to get browns (or greens) and most likely a clean set of SGI granite caps - eventually.  :thumb: I do have a set of Orange from an AEK that might suffice. I do love the Salmon minivan i have but its definitely got that irritating "off-center press sticky switch thing".
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Thu, 11 May 2017, 16:13:11
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Vgr9HPd.jpg)


When I finally build a board with my SKCM Browns I want it to look this good.

you got me hooked on those browns at the asheville meet... i've been searching since and haven't been able to find any  :'(  I've got a alps plate and pcb coming for my LZ CLS thats going to get browns (or greens) and most likely a clean set of SGI granite caps - eventually.  :thumb: I do have a set of Orange from an AEK that might suffice. I do love the Salmon minivan i have but its definitely got that irritating "off-center press sticky switch thing".
Oranges are fine but they're no replacement for SKCM Browns.

Blame CPT, he's the one that introduced me to Alps.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: OfTheWild on Thu, 11 May 2017, 21:46:43
Yeah true. I'm going to get them cleaned up and see how they go.
CPT, miss that dude's antics... I wonder what he's been up to this year.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Sat, 13 May 2017, 01:48:06
Yeah true. I'm going to get them cleaned up and see how they go.
CPT, miss that dude's antics... I wonder what he's been up to this year.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=70769.msg2378704#msg2378704

He's around, just not really active on GH anymore.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: kekstee on Wed, 17 May 2017, 18:34:48
Well, first Alps board, ended up with Salmons.

(http://i.imgur.com/v4sQ5oc.jpg)

Vortex alu case, Alps64 PCB and the AEK parts. Plate cut down and painted, switches ultrasoniced and dry-lubed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: airs on Mon, 22 May 2017, 18:11:35
(http://i.imgur.com/kMletx8.jpg)

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Mon, 22 May 2017, 18:32:46
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Mon, 22 May 2017, 21:08:35
I blame CPTBADASS for hyping SKCM blues.  Browns I think I just discovered them.  I tried ambers recently but they were really dirty, so I can't say.  IBM still made the best clicky switch
I still really like SKCM blues though, mine feel crisp and buttery smooth. Certainly better than any clicky MX style switch.

I don't think anyone is saying that SKCM blues > Model F BS
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Mon, 22 May 2017, 21:16:28
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zutroy on Tue, 23 May 2017, 07:05:35
Can't believe I'm just now finding this thread. Lots of beautiful boards :thumb:

Here's my "Alps68," AEK layout/caps, damped cream switches, in a Varmilo VA68M grey case.

(http://i.imgur.com/Fc149v1.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/XTW94GC.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: mrduul on Sun, 28 May 2017, 16:35:35
Got some Blue Alps recently.

(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/avcAAOSw5UZZAVnW/s-l1600.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Khers on Tue, 06 June 2017, 15:24:25
.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: alienman82 on Tue, 06 June 2017, 19:27:01
removed.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Khers on Wed, 07 June 2017, 00:39:39
.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: kekstee on Wed, 14 June 2017, 05:54:17
That's so nice Khers. Although I'm surprised to see even a high profile case does such a bad job at covering the top row of keycaps. Don't feel so bad about my low profile one now.

Oh and regarding that, I finally found another AEK with SKCM Orange and German layout. In contrast to the salmon one I slaughtered before this one was in pretty good condition (apart from needing a deep clean) and is now waiting for a second life with some new switches. The orange ones and icon mods went into my Alps64.

[attach=2]

I mean, getting a plate made and going for that HHKB layout would be nice, but after I found a decent function to share escape and ~ on the base layer it's very usable.

[attach=1] [attach=3]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: plugable on Sat, 29 July 2017, 22:08:13
Long time lurker, first time poster. I am most active on r/mechanicalkeyboards as u/thebeephaha but found this thread and wanted to share.

Here's my Alps Brown build:

(http://i.imgur.com/AlVId2S.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/7NXhwjd.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/3321XET.jpg)

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: smithyithy on Sun, 30 July 2017, 05:39:26
That's really cool
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sundin on Sun, 30 July 2017, 07:34:34
Long time lurker, first time poster. I am most active on r/mechanicalkeyboards as u/thebeephaha but found this thread and wanted to share.

Here's my Alps Brown build:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/AlVId2S.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/7NXhwjd.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/3321XET.jpg)

:thumb:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: ctm on Sun, 30 July 2017, 12:30:30
Long time lurker, first time poster. I am most active on r/mechanicalkeyboards as u/thebeephaha but found this thread and wanted to share.

Here's my Alps Brown build:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/AlVId2S.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/7NXhwjd.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/3321XET.jpg)

I recognize that big ass stepped enter from meetup!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: smithyithy on Mon, 14 August 2017, 11:49:19
Swapped the Alpine Winter mods for BadWrench mods on my V60. Also replace the MX-style stab inserts (left) with whatever the ones on the right are called, from a random spare keyset I got off ebay. Massively reduced wobble, which was letting the keyboard down, much better now.

The right shift still isn't perfect as it's using a DIY stab wire, but I do plan to make another one neater and better fitting.

I love this board, the V60 might not be the best board around and the switches are Alps clones, but I've put a fair amount into this and it's just a joy to use..

(http://i.imgur.com/cwTBRZ0.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/KyIXY6G.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/tSElWCb.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/PbV7loe.jpg?1)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: the pokemon kid on Tue, 15 August 2017, 05:13:14
Snip

Nice keycap set! It was good to meet you at the meetup on Saturday!

Here is my board, 85cN Ambers!

(https://i.imgur.com/lBTu3XD.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: smithyithy on Tue, 15 August 2017, 08:27:10
Likewise dude, lovely boards btw!

On the hunt for the rest of my Alps switches now  ;D
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: the pokemon kid on Tue, 15 August 2017, 09:27:50
Likewise dude, lovely boards btw!

On the hunt for the rest of my Alps switches now  ;D

What switches did you need? You said you wanted some oranges?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: smithyithy on Tue, 15 August 2017, 12:12:49
Yeah probably Orange tactiles, I tried Rory's spring-swapped ones before I left and they were perfect
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: the pokemon kid on Tue, 15 August 2017, 14:47:59
Yeah probably Orange tactiles, I tried Rory's spring-swapped ones before I left and they were perfect

I have got 10 or 12 more of those. If you want, I can get some more and spring swap and lube those too. Unless you want to do that yourself?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sundin on Fri, 18 August 2017, 08:08:07
(https://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/751929IMG3426.jpg)
Pray the buddha!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: smithyithy on Fri, 18 August 2017, 13:00:16
The elusive Alps artisan!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Felion on Tue, 29 August 2017, 02:16:55
X-post from Keycap & Keyboard Photography (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43865.msg2482268#msg2482268), but I thought it might fit in here too?
***
My Latest build:
(Cream Damped ALPS, LFK78-pcb, VA69M-ish Alu-Chassi, lots of extra dampening material, DSA Granite ALPS (stem-modded))
(http://i.imgur.com/nB0vVty.jpg)

More pictures in the  Imgur Build-logg (http://imgur.com/a/0EgUf) (and also some glamour photos).

It might be considered "boring" by some: but that's what I was going for (or rather "classic/stylish") :)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: smithyithy on Tue, 29 August 2017, 09:13:28
Just saw that on rmk, fantastic build, very very nice
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: kmba on Thu, 21 September 2017, 07:44:35
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/JhLZFen.jpg)

A little blue number


what's the right shift key from on this..
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: SJHL on Thu, 21 September 2017, 09:06:59
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/JhLZFen.jpg)

A little blue number


what's the right shift key from on this..

Most likely from M0116.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: kmba on Thu, 21 September 2017, 12:46:18
Yes, definitely. Thanks
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: PerniciousPony on Fri, 22 September 2017, 12:05:16
(https://i.imgur.com/vGK4wiR.jpg)

Album (https://imgur.com/a/46CUz)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: JP on Fri, 17 November 2017, 17:20:43
Fat Alps!

Texas Instruments Business-Pro Keyboard from 1985

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

Full post here:
https://imgur.com/a/gl1DS
https://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f64/texas-instruments-low-profile-customizable-layout-fat-brown-alps-t17569.html
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: sncbraxsc2 on Fri, 17 November 2017, 20:52:13
Fat Alps!

Texas Instruments Business-Pro Keyboard from 1985

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

Full post here:
https://imgur.com/a/gl1DS
https://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f64/texas-instruments-low-profile-customizable-layout-fat-brown-alps-t17569.html

I was glued to that thread for like an hour. What an incredible find :D That click sounds delicious too, much more subtle than an skcm blue or white from what I can tell. The doublespring, thick slider, curved plate and pcb... It reminded me of, TI + ALPS's version of the 3270 or F122
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: FearsomeCubedWarrior on Thu, 07 December 2017, 13:07:52
Just a humble submission:
(https://i.imgur.com/GMiRIlR.jpg)

SKCM whites, DSA lightcycle, KBDfans 5° Cyan
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: PainMaster on Fri, 08 December 2017, 04:53:27
it's all ALPS



[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

> Prism v1
[attachimg=4]

> Prism v2
[attachimg=5]

> New Dell (basic)
[attachimg=6]

> New Dell (black)
   OberHofer (Handcraft Wood Keyboard)
[attachimg=7]

> Focus-FK2001
[attachimg=8]

> the Ukraine's cyrillic alps keyboard
   Apple Extend
[attachimg=9]

> Alps Kustom
[attachimg=10]

> IBM 5140
[attachimg=11]

> Frankenstein 18xx -
   Cherry 18xx Housing + Alps SKBM Grey Linear Switch + Apple Extened Keycaps (6 keysets) + Windows Enverment
   This is abnormal concept.
[attachimg=12]

[attachimg=13]

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: JP on Fri, 08 December 2017, 08:33:02
That is an impressive collection of Alps boards.

A couple more of mine.

Prism N5 (BSI branded) portable computer keyboard
[attachimg=1]

Ortek MCK-142 Pro
[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: PainMaster on Fri, 08 December 2017, 21:10:29
That is an impressive collection of Alps boards.

A couple more of mine.

Prism N5 (BSI branded) portable computer keyboard
(Attachment Link)

Ortek MCK-142 Pro
(Attachment Link)


Oh?

There is no Windows key in " Prism " v1.

Is it mixed with v1 and v2 ?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: JP on Fri, 08 December 2017, 22:11:26
That is an impressive collection of Alps boards.

A couple more of mine.

Prism N5 (BSI branded) portable computer keyboard
(Attachment Link)

Ortek MCK-142 Pro
(Attachment Link)


Oh?

There is no Windows key in " Prism " v1.

Is it mixed with v1 and v2 ?

I can't seem to find much online about these Prism keyboards. The Prism N5 was a portable lunch box pc with a keyboard similar to your v1 but has a Windows key. There is an example on Etsy of one that sold long ago and it has the same keyboard as mine except that example is beige instead of black.

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: MMKB on Sun, 17 December 2017, 23:02:30
Think I can finally call this finished, now that it has a new badge (thanks E3E!) and some GH caps (thanks JD!)

This board had a ridiculous amount of ping when I got it, so I not only lubed the springs after cleaning out the switches, but took a page out of the Model F book and cut neoprene foam to fit between the PCB and plate. No more ping and it retains the flex it has due to the way the plate is mounted to the top of the case that was lost when I had padded the case with dampening foam. I've been slacking on putting a small build log together, but I might get to that eventually.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/9S1d1ek.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/01lCG3G.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/qTbY6mo.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/gicUmAT.jpg)


Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2Xdod1q.jpg)


Just realize that I've been staring at this old post for ten minutes.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Tue, 06 February 2018, 14:29:15
SKCM blue swapped v60, mostly Wang keycaps, and all my alps artisans

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: eksuen on Tue, 06 February 2018, 16:42:53
SKCM blue swapped v60, mostly Wang keycaps, and all my alps artisans

(Attachment Link)

Very nice! Is that the V60 I sold you?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Tue, 06 February 2018, 22:20:06
Very nice! Is that the V60 I sold you?

Yep, same board
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: smithyithy on Wed, 07 February 2018, 03:28:11
Finished photo of my latest build:

(https://i.imgur.com/yoFi7rh.jpg?1)

KBDfans Tina-C case in silver; Custom polished copper plate; Alps64 PCB; SKCM Cream - cleaned, linear-modded, un-dampened, dry-lubed, 70cN springs; DCS Alpine Winter
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Taeha Types on Mon, 05 March 2018, 11:36:43
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Taeha Types on Mon, 05 March 2018, 11:39:45
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Taeha Types on Mon, 30 April 2018, 11:36:50

AEK64 w/lubed SKCL Green Alps
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Taeha Types on Tue, 01 May 2018, 04:13:50
[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Taeha Types on Sun, 27 May 2018, 17:55:51
Chicony KB-5160AT

[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Mattheuk9 on Mon, 28 May 2018, 00:20:53
Chicony KB-5160AT

(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)

These are some nice photos dude!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: zacheadams on Sat, 16 June 2018, 14:21:02
[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: mike52787 on Mon, 18 June 2018, 08:08:14
(https://i.imgur.com/pWofh2d.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/3AIR95u.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/f4cFsGI.jpg)


Leading Edge DC-2214 and DC-3014, Blue alps, Ansi, NKRO, Thick doubleshots  :thumb:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Wazazaby on Mon, 18 June 2018, 10:09:56
(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

Dream board
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Joey Quinn on Mon, 18 June 2018, 21:01:56
(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

I love how this board ended up

Also great to know the Perma has a forever home
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: MandrewDavis on Thu, 21 June 2018, 22:22:47
A few years ago, I posted on the Alps Appreciation Thread about the NOS Blue Alps keyboard I won on eBay (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45456.msg2221455#msg2221455). Well, I finally finished it up this week!

Orihalcon tried hard to help me with the Soarer's converter but there was nothing but error codes.  I messaged the owner of the only other documented K-430 on the internet and he said that he could only get it to work with a certain Compaq computer but once that died, he gave to a collector. Even though this is simply a unique Chicony 5160 variant with arrow keys, there is some charm to its yellowing and status as a 30-year-old NOS keyboard which made it worth the work.

I would love for everyone to check out the buildlog but here is the end product - same pictures are in the Imgur album here (https://imgur.com/a/h4ICPmc).

More

(https://i.imgur.com/aDpdeWL.jpg)

Often regarded among the best keyboard switches ever made, blue Alps were manufactured in the late 1980s by Alps Electric. I started looking for blue Alps switches (about two years ago in the summer of 2016 before prices skyrocketed) and soon found this keyboard on a one-day eBay auction of which, I was the only bidder.


(https://i.imgur.com/EZVhjGg.jpg)

The only record of this mysterious Copam K-430 model on the internet was from a user GH user who got rid of it due to the non-standard protocol. With such little documentation, I wasn't 100 percent sure it actually had blue Alps but took a chance since it was NOS and still in original packaging.


(https://i.imgur.com/EGfDGmw.jpg)

It indeed contained Blue Alps! The keyboard felt great to type on but using my DIN-5 AT/XT Soarer's converter, it yielded nothing but error codes.


(https://i.imgur.com/JjjVbK2.jpg)

After sitting in my closet for almost a year, I decided this yellowed dinosaur was worth teaching myself KiCad in order to design a PCB that supports press-fit TE Connectivity Holtite sockets.  Other benefits include full reprogrammability, native USB compatibility and less stress on the delicate switch legs due to the heat that comes with soldering and de-soldering - should I decide to swap them out


(https://i.imgur.com/jjtF7Ht.jpg)

Most modern keyboards follow the widely adopted IBM spacing standard of 0.75” or 19.05mm from center-to-center of each (1 unit) key.  The difficult part was determining the spacing from the function keys and numpad area to the middle portion.  Really wanted to get it right the first time.


(https://i.imgur.com/FDo0dq1.jpg)

After bit of measuring, I was able to determine the additional spacing of ~9.5mm amounting to the equivalent separation of 1.5 units or 28.575mm.


(https://i.imgur.com/Agb5tRg.jpg)

'Measuring' where the new lock LEDs should be located to line up with the lock light windows.
(Picture for illustrative purposes)


(https://i.imgur.com/gePEJtW.jpg)

The 8134-HC-8Px Holtite connector spec-sheet recommends a mounting hole diameter of 2.08mm ±0.05mm so I had a friend send a prototype PCB to test a few different drill sizes.  I settled on 2.00mm, but in retrospect I should have chosen 2.05mm.


(https://i.imgur.com/XfKwfny.jpg)

Using KiCad's Footprint Editor, a footprint was created for each switch using retooled Alps specification sheets from Matias and widening the drill size.  The footprints for diodes, resistors and LEDs were taken from the default KiCad library.


(https://i.imgur.com/7fh5kpL.jpg)

For the brain of this project, I selected the PJRC Teensy++ 2.0 as it utilizes the AT90USB1286 chip and has more EEPROM and I/O compared to ATmega32U4 in the Teensy 2.0. The extra pins will be able to accommodate a 5 x 21 matrix rather than something like a 9 x 10.


(https://i.imgur.com/DqcOlvn.jpg)

The first step in KiCad was creating the component schematic in Eeschema. Each switch, diode, and resistor is laid out and routed accordingly.  Eeschema is also used for associating the individual component drawings with their corresponding PCB footprints.  The resulting .net file will be imported into Pcbnew.


(https://i.imgur.com/JEXkt7t.png)

Importing the .net file from Eeschema will create ratsnest lines that indicate the necessary path of each trace.


(https://i.imgur.com/SujZ6zb.jpg)

In KiCad, custom grid spacing of 19.05mm divided by 8 was used to place each switch and diode footprint. Before I started routing traces, a basic 2D .dxf file was drawn up in AutoCAD then superimposed to double check my switch spacing.


(https://i.imgur.com/kTEvMwm.png)

Provisions were also made so the USB cable would be secured, and Bluetooth could be added in the future.  Later, I came across very similar keyboards presumably manufactured by the same Chicony OEM, so additional support was added to accommodate their slightly different bottom rows.


(https://i.imgur.com/QzvRSZI.png)

Very happy with how my manually routed traces came out as the automatic tool was a tad messy.  The red traces correspond with the top layer and the green traces correspond with the back layer.
I also knew the Teensy would be removed and reinstalled periodically during testing, so its footprint was modified to use smaller Holtite sockets.


(https://i.imgur.com/slkOunc.jpg)

PCBs arrived, the yellow solder mask was chosen since it seemed more fitting for this retrofit project than something like blue or red.


(https://i.imgur.com/W3PftJT.jpg)

All 89 SMD 1n4148 diodes soldered in and tested with a multimeter to ensure they are all orientated correctly.


(https://i.imgur.com/Hfq5ITz.jpg)

Installation of smaller TE Holtite sockets to make the Teensy++ 2.0 hotswappable.


(https://i.imgur.com/EpdlD0l.jpg)

LED SIP sockets soldered in for the lock lights. I chose these since the LED height inside the case can be adjusted by just clipping the legs.


(https://i.imgur.com/72sLyNt.jpg)

Thankfully there were only three 805 SMD resistors to solder in, I didn’t realize they were so small.  Should have chosen a lower resistance than 1k Ohm because the stock LEDs were too dim.


(https://i.imgur.com/3lxrchw.jpg)

I designed the PCB with the possibly of a detachable cable in mind, but it would have required hacking up the case. It was soldered in anyway and later on in the build, this ended up working out.


(https://i.imgur.com/d6fTYue.jpg)

Beginning the socket installation with the number pad area, you can see a few lifted pads. This happened less frequently as time went on.


(https://i.imgur.com/YHzfIXl.jpg)

The heat applied from the soldering iron has discolored the area around the solder pads.  They fit very snug and illustrates the main reason why a 2.05mm drill size would have been better choice.


(https://i.imgur.com/Ubr0FQj.jpg)

In preparation to desolder the switches, all keycaps were removed.


(https://i.imgur.com/OlVw0Ej.jpg)

Adding fresh 63-37 rosin core solder to loosen up what had been sitting for nearly 30 years.


(https://i.imgur.com/qwd3QPl.jpg)

The Japanse-made Engineer solder-sucker is very strong and it's great that the silicon tip can touch the iron directly for better suction.


(https://i.imgur.com/gDj0Gaj.jpg)

Desoldering the LEDs


(https://i.imgur.com/5fUHZT9.jpg)

she gone


(https://i.imgur.com/L9LQQ6t.jpg)

All the switch legs have been desoldered so that the original PCB can simply be peeled back and separated.


(https://i.imgur.com/JpNkjYo.jpg)

GREAT SUCCESS!


(https://i.imgur.com/lal6e0t.jpg)

Peeling the PCB back in that manor allows the switches to removed from the rear so the clips aren't damaged.


(https://i.imgur.com/3RLRsMU.jpg)

Test fit.  The original PCB had only one side etched with small pieces of wire used to jump traces. Highlighted are the screw holes I did not notice during the design phase and needed to be drilled out to help secure the plate to the PCB.


(https://i.imgur.com/pzAVhBY.jpg)

The two screw holes were done with a hand drill.  Luckily there were no traces running through those locations.


(https://i.imgur.com/Q0XLYgj.jpg)

This took forever.


(https://i.imgur.com/ugAqgsI.jpg)

Pressing in the TE holtite sockets using a soldering iron. I found that using a conical, B-shape tip that is set to around 275º C in short periods can help any prevent pads from lifting.


(https://i.imgur.com/KAffJOH.jpg)

At this point, everything was assembled with the plate screwed to the pcb, switches installed and sockets pressed into place.  The lifted traces were easily fixed by bridging the columns with some wire.


(https://i.imgur.com/OKf4fl5.png)

Building the TMK firmware. In these two pictures we are defining the rows, columns, and their corresponding I/O pins on the Teensy.


(https://i.imgur.com/kSQKgeJ.png)

When a switch is pressed, this diode matrix will tell the controller of the input location using coordinates of the two electrical signals.


(https://i.imgur.com/0QNnQJR.png)

Defining the keymap and function layers using the designated TMK keycodes. For me, the ability to remap each key is the biggest benefit of this retrofit. The ACTION_LAYER_TAP_KEY allows the down arrow key to act normally when tapped, but accesses the function layer when held.


(https://i.imgur.com/o8xi9NC.png)

Writing the code for the lock LEDs was the most frustrating part of this entire process. Both the switch matrix and keymap worked flawlessly after flashing the first .hex file though it took many more tries before the LEDs behaved as desired.  Commented out at the bottom is the function written to keep the lock LEDs from turning on while the computer is in sleep mode.


(https://i.imgur.com/9ZmfDlO.jpg)

It’s alive! Each component now sits in its rightful place and functions as it should.  I used it as pictured for a few days and boxed it up.  Using a generic black USB cable while I had the hefty original coiled cable sitting around started to bother me.


(https://i.imgur.com/bzwg6Sl.jpg)

After a few months, I decided to finish this project up for good. The internal connector was cut off and each wire was soldered to the corresponding wire of the USB cable then heatshrinked.


(https://i.imgur.com/KxmpFeW.jpg)

This project box with a panel mount 5-pin AT/XT socket allows the use of the original connector and passively changes the interface, not the protocol. It usually sits out of sight behind my computer.


(https://i.imgur.com/A0SgVMr.jpg)

There is a plastic trim piece that covered the large hole where original cable connector had to fit through the case.  Its clip broke when I initially took it apart but the mini-USB just happens to keep the piece perfectly in place.


(https://i.imgur.com/XDEHejs.jpg)

In order to flash the .hex file, there is a reset button on the Teensy that puts it into bootloader mode. What didn't occur to me, was that once the top is screwed on, the button would no longer be accessible.  I wired this switch (that was originally intended for Bluetooth) to the reset pin on the Teensy.


(https://i.imgur.com/5ElkA6y.jpg)

The goal was always to modify this keyboard as little as possible. A discreet hole was made under one of the case feet to access the external reset switch for flashing new keymaps.


(https://i.imgur.com/ATJNWP4.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/A0SgVMr.jpg)

The switch feel of Blue Alps can truly be appreciated now that the keyboard is operational. Though, the inability to remap backspace to where the backslash sits on a normal ANSI board is a bummer and I'm not yet sure if I prefer them to SKCM Amber. Regardless, it was very rewarding to see this project through and save a rather unique board which others would have certainly harvested the switches from then discarded. Big thanks to the community members that checked my PCB schematic and I hope you enjoyed the read!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: OfTheWild on Fri, 22 June 2018, 21:43:16
wow. That is one impressive project, I love it! Nice job  :thumb:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: ollir_ on Wed, 11 July 2018, 12:34:19
Chicony KB-5160AT


What a beautiful board, and nice photos as well!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: PerniciousPony on Thu, 26 July 2018, 21:26:14
(https://i.imgur.com/1Ws3CuP.jpg)

More
(https://i.imgur.com/h00cJ4K.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: MandrewDavis on Thu, 26 July 2018, 21:37:56
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/1Ws3CuP.jpg)


Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/h00cJ4K.jpg)


Siiick, really wish my set of Alpine winter had the arrow keys. How did you mount the 6.5u spacebar with cherry stabilizers?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: PerniciousPony on Thu, 26 July 2018, 22:19:25
Siiick, really wish my set of Alpine winter had the arrow keys. How did you mount the 6.5u spacebar with cherry stabilizers?

I bent it myself!  I've got a ton of wyse boards that have 10u stab wires.  It usually takes me 2-3 tries to get it right.  I was originally planning on using the 6u spacebar with the build so I could use a full 1.25u bottom row, but the spacing on that 6u bar is nonstandard and wasn't compatible with the plate or pcb iirc.  Somehow I didn't know that Alpine Winter had a 6.5u spacebar and I really didn't want to build it with a 6.25u spacebar as I didn't like the non symmetry of the bottom row with that layout so I ended up building the board with a JIS bottom row.

(https://i.imgur.com/jY18ReA.jpg)

About a week ago I found the 6.5u spacebar and decided to rebuild the board with a more standard bottom row as I couldn't get accustomed to the split spacebar.  The spacing seemed really awkward to me and my thumb would end up pressing almost perfectly between the two spacebars.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: MandrewDavis on Fri, 27 July 2018, 19:02:44
Siiick, really wish my set of Alpine winter had the arrow keys. How did you mount the 6.5u spacebar with cherry stabilizers?

I bent it myself!  I've got a ton of wyse boards that have 10u stab wires.  It usually takes me 2-3 tries to get it right.  I was originally planning on using the 6u spacebar with the build so I could use a full 1.25u bottom row, but the spacing on that 6u bar is nonstandard and wasn't compatible with the plate or pcb iirc.  Somehow I didn't know that Alpine Winter had a 6.5u spacebar and I really didn't want to build it with a 6.25u spacebar as I didn't like the non symmetry of the bottom row with that layout so I ended up building the board with a JIS bottom row.

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/jY18ReA.jpg)


About a week ago I found the 6.5u spacebar and decided to rebuild the board with a more standard bottom row as I couldn't get accustomed to the split spacebar.  The spacing seemed really awkward to me and my thumb would end up pressing almost perfectly between the two spacebars.

Great stuff as always!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: OfTheWild on Tue, 31 July 2018, 23:32:17
Kinda hacked together a Fourier with some Salmon ALPS the other weekend. I need to figure out a cap situation.

(https://i.imgur.com/q50KTfI.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/wUTINCP.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: senter on Fri, 10 August 2018, 21:05:18
(https://i.imgur.com/RmX0yj9.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: efex on Tue, 18 September 2018, 02:49:09
Monterey K110, a lovely 75%
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: PerniciousPony on Wed, 12 December 2018, 10:50:51
(https://i.imgur.com/Uf9wyU8.gif)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: frosty on Wed, 12 December 2018, 21:29:28
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/Uf9wyU8.gif)


neat looking, what case is this? and is that foam dampener on the plate?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Edy on Sun, 17 February 2019, 22:05:13
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/RmX0yj9.jpg)


Where did you get these keycaps from?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Puddsy on Sun, 17 February 2019, 22:12:26
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/Uf9wyU8.gif)


neat looking, what case is this? and is that foam dampener on the plate?

looks like a GSKT-00 and i am about 80% sure that that's some weird plate material (some kind of plastic?) as opposed to foam on the plate
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: PerniciousPony on Sun, 17 February 2019, 22:13:53
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/Uf9wyU8.gif)


neat looking, what case is this? and is that foam dampener on the plate?

looks like a GSKT-00 and i am about 80% sure that that's some weird plate material (some kind of plastic?) as opposed to foam on the plate

It is indeed a GSKT-00 and the plate is ABS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Puddsy on Sun, 17 February 2019, 22:20:33
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/Uf9wyU8.gif)


neat looking, what case is this? and is that foam dampener on the plate?

looks like a GSKT-00 and i am about 80% sure that that's some weird plate material (some kind of plastic?) as opposed to foam on the plate

It is indeed a GSKT-00 and the plate is ABS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

interesting texture on that plate for sure

wonder if it'll attract a lot of dirt

i hope not
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: DocNoc on Wed, 20 February 2019, 20:49:30
My current daily driver
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: futurecrime on Fri, 03 May 2019, 11:49:36
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/Uf9wyU8.gif)


Hard want.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: PerniciousPony on Fri, 03 May 2019, 11:50:56
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/Uf9wyU8.gif)


Hard want.

It’s a wonderful board. I’ll be getting a new camera soon, then I’ll share some typing tests with it and my SMK clueboard!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Hālian on Fri, 10 May 2019, 01:39:44
Matias Quiet Pro with default caps (and a few chattering switches, I'll admit :-X)

(https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/85/42/cViZ81sZ_t.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/cViZ81sZ)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Dumble_Hub on Sun, 09 June 2019, 17:19:50
Not the best pic but whatever.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: JP on Mon, 10 June 2019, 17:53:14
Not the best pic but whatever.

I thought picture would be meh but when opened it's very nice. I like the clean aesthetic.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: GLaDOS on Wed, 31 July 2019, 07:16:41
Linearised AT102W that has really been through the wars.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Sup on Wed, 31 July 2019, 10:24:46
(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

Oof that is looking very nice.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: JP on Wed, 31 July 2019, 11:22:32
Just a few from this year.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

[attachimg=5]

[attachimg=6]

[attachimg=7]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: ProfCalamitus on Wed, 31 July 2019, 11:41:44
Just a few from this year.

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

That is an absolute unit of a board.  Where'd you find it?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: JP on Wed, 31 July 2019, 12:13:25
That is an absolute unit of a board.  Where'd you find it?

Yahoo Auctions Japan.

Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: MMKB on Wed, 31 July 2019, 12:51:18
Is that a Chinese keyboard? I mean a keyboard that outputs Chinese  :eek:
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: JP on Wed, 31 July 2019, 13:16:47
Is that a Chinese keyboard? I mean a keyboard that outputs Chinese  :eek:

It's a Japanese Kanji keyboard with many borrowed Chinese characters!
https://www.japan-experience.com/to-know/some-vocabulary/kanji
https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=21937
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: MMKB on Wed, 31 July 2019, 17:20:47
Is that a Chinese keyboard? I mean a keyboard that outputs Chinese  :eek:

It's a Japanese Kanji keyboard with many borrowed Chinese characters!
https://www.japan-experience.com/to-know/some-vocabulary/kanji
https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=21937

Fascinating. Thanks!
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: cdaman on Tue, 20 August 2019, 11:36:33
Hey guys,

Two years ago when I started this hobby, I found this photo in the old family album and I was determined to find the keyboard within the pictures but couldn't figure it out. So I was asking around and later got information that it called "Datacomp DFK101". So my hunt has begin, trying to find this Datacomp thingy.

Three months ago, I started asking "6664 Mech Keyboard Mod" (A Thai keyboard modder, you can find him on facebook) to help me find and restore this Datacomp DFK101. He happens to have the case laying around in his backyard. He calling up some people to hunting for PCB and vintage black coil so he can put this back for me. It has blue Alps switches and I love the feel and sound of the blue! What do you think? :)

Sorry for my English

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: MMKB on Wed, 21 August 2019, 16:36:27
Great story! Feel happy for you for finding your old keyboard back. Definitely a candidate for Keyboard of the Month: https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=178.0
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Dumble_Hub on Wed, 21 August 2019, 22:30:51
Got some new artisans so I thought I would take some better photos

[attachimg=1][attachimg=2][attachimg=3]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: noisyturtle on Thu, 22 August 2019, 03:23:34
Hey guys,

Two years ago when I started this hobby, I found this photo in the old family album and I was determined to find the keyboard within the pictures but couldn't figure it out. So I was asking around and later got information that it called "Datacomp DFK101". So my hunt has begin, trying to find this Datacomp thingy.

Three months ago, I started asking "6664 Mech Keyboard Mod" (A Thai keyboard modder, you can find him on facebook) to help me find and restore this Datacomp DFK101. He happens to have the case laying around in his backyard. He calling up some people to hunting for PCB and vintage black coil so he can put this back for me. It has blue Alps switches and I love the feel and sound of the blue! What do you think? :)

Sorry for my English

(Attachment Link)

That's awesome you could find this from your childhood. Hardware always means so much more when there is a personal story attached to it.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: 4sStylZ on Thu, 22 August 2019, 11:25:01
My firts build ever :

(https://i.redd.it/pgjd6hkwh9h31.jpg)

https://imgur.com/gallery/hBCB9IV

(already posted on another post but I can’t resist, sorry.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Dumble_Hub on Fri, 23 August 2019, 14:34:51
My firts build ever :

Show Image
(https://i.redd.it/pgjd6hkwh9h31.jpg)


https://imgur.com/gallery/hBCB9IV

(already posted on another post but I can’t resist, sorry.

Love the dying on that. I really want the AEK icon mods.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: 4sStylZ on Sat, 24 August 2019, 02:30:58
Thank you very much.

DYE is very easy with I Poly really.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Tue, 17 September 2019, 18:02:22
Hey guys,

Two years ago when I started this hobby, I found this photo in the old family album and I was determined to find the keyboard within the pictures but couldn't figure it out. So I was asking around and later got information that it called "Datacomp DFK101". So my hunt has begin, trying to find this Datacomp thingy.

Three months ago, I started asking "6664 Mech Keyboard Mod" (A Thai keyboard modder, you can find him on facebook) to help me find and restore this Datacomp DFK101. He happens to have the case laying around in his backyard. He calling up some people to hunting for PCB and vintage black coil so he can put this back for me. It has blue Alps switches and I love the feel and sound of the blue! What do you think? :)

Sorry for my English

(Attachment Link)

That's such a great story.  :)  I'm so glad you were able to track that keyboard down and recreate the memory.  Like noisyturtle said, the personal/nostalgic aspect of hardware is always most meaningful. 
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: futurecrime on Mon, 23 September 2019, 11:43:25
Hey guys,

Two years ago when I started this hobby, I found this photo in the old family album and I was determined to find the keyboard within the pictures but couldn't figure it out. So I was asking around and later got information that it called "Datacomp DFK101". So my hunt has begin, trying to find this Datacomp thingy.

Three months ago, I started asking "6664 Mech Keyboard Mod" (A Thai keyboard modder, you can find him on facebook) to help me find and restore this Datacomp DFK101. He happens to have the case laying around in his backyard. He calling up some people to hunting for PCB and vintage black coil so he can put this back for me. It has blue Alps switches and I love the feel and sound of the blue! What do you think? :)

Sorry for my English

(Attachment Link)

That's awesome.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: kentlamh on Sat, 28 September 2019, 17:38:45
PingJr Alps SKCC Green

(https://i.imgur.com/Vv495Ph.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Rob27shred on Sat, 28 September 2019, 18:12:47
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keybord
Post by: switchnollie on Mon, 30 September 2019, 00:26:51
PingJr Alps SKCC Green

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/Vv495Ph.jpg)


Sweet switches, haven't really seen those before 😎
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: SJHL on Sat, 12 October 2019, 18:09:36
(https://i.imgur.com/Obv12p1.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/mM4yamg.jpg)

Made a blocker for Lunar. Not sure if I want to use it or not yet..
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Dumble_Hub on Sun, 13 October 2019, 19:04:54
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/Obv12p1.jpg)


Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/mM4yamg.jpg)


Made a blocker for Lunar. Not sure if I want to use it or not yet..

Dang that's a really cool board

Where did you get those keycaps from?
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: SJHL on Mon, 14 October 2019, 18:50:09
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/Obv12p1.jpg)


Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/mM4yamg.jpg)


Made a blocker for Lunar. Not sure if I want to use it or not yet..

Dang that's a really cool board

Where did you get those keycaps from?

Thanks! The white caps are from IBM 5140 while the blue ones are from Alpine Winter. I got someone to dye sub the Hangul legends for me.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Sup on Fri, 25 October 2019, 19:35:53
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/378255567426420736/637448161237008385/d21176be-fe23-48c1-96ac-90b0c7ce521f.png?width=570&height=428)

I made my Filco Zero stronger today with a Vortex case. NOS Yellow Alps switches.
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: JP on Thu, 16 January 2020, 08:27:25
Vintage Alps SKCC board I recently bought  ;D

[attachimg=1]

Another SKCC board from last month.

[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: Adieu910 on Mon, 03 February 2020, 18:43:59
Klippe SKCM Orange board that I just got built.
(https://i.imgur.com/0w1Kct8.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/kKE5En7.jpg)
Title: Re: Post your ALPS keyboard
Post by: TacticalCoder on Fri, 17 April 2020, 15:26:15
Here's an oddity (already posted about it a long time ago but not in the "Post your ALPS keyboard" thread)...

It's a split keyboard using white ALPS, called the "SmartBoard" and made by a company called "Darwin Keyboards Ltd.". I've got serial number 7LAD000515 on it. I received that board directly from that company (when I was living in the US in 1998 IIRC).


It has non-staggered keys, a somehow a bit weird layout and very nice and shiny LEDs for the "Caps Lock" and "Num Scroll" keys.

I took a shot with a keycap removed so you can see that it's white ALPS.

Bored during this lockdown I just tried it and it still working!

[attach=1]
[attach=2]

BTW keys are not doubleshot and I don't know: are there doubleshot keys for ALPS boards?