Alps Appreciation Thread

[chyros]

Someone should have convinced me sooner.

Some people read what Chyros says.

LOL xD

[HungerMechanic]

Sad truth is, there was plenty of opportunity to know that Alps tactility is the best.

I knew it not long after getting into keyboards in August last year. It didn't take many searches for 'better MX tactiles' to learn that the best MX 'upgrade' is to Alps. It was confirmed instantly when I attended a meetup.

It was obvious then that I could just skip MX and go straight to ALPS, but I gave Cherry a chance. Still am, by the way. Have Zilents on order.

But Orange / Brown ALPS are the true end-game for tactiles.

[fohat.digs]

Sup.

Nice, another lost brother found! Black Dell bigfoot/Tai-Hao ALPS Dolch crew rise!

Can someone tell me where and/or how to order the alternate CapsLock that will fit the AT101?

I tried Mechanical Keyboards but they are making like they don't know what I am talking about.

Thanks!

[Sup]

Sup.

Nice, another lost brother found! Black Dell bigfoot/Tai-Hao ALPS Dolch crew rise!

Can someone tell me where and/or how to order the alternate CapsLock that will fit the AT101?

I tried Mechanical Keyboards but they are making like they don't know what I am talking about.

Thanks!

Since it's a stepped you can't really buy one online then harvesting it from a other DELL AT101, And yeah Mechanical keyboard reddit is all about Anne pro's and tao hao keycaps not a good place to ask for advice.

[fohat.digs]

Maybe I am mistaken, but I thought I remembered some time back that people were able to buy a CapsLock (and perhaps a space bar) to fit. It was a standalone item that did not come in the regular kit.

[Hak Foo]

Tai-Hao sells one for like USD 1.50 from their web-store, but the postage is something like USD11.

[romevi]

Got a board with orange Alps. Forgot how amazing they are.

[mode]

Got a board with orange Alps. Forgot how amazing they are.

I'm cleaning a set up now, I've only ever used them in somewhat dirty condition, and thus far still prefer the fairly pristine salmons I transplanted into my daily driver ISO AEKII.

Curious to see how much of a difference there is, I'm not expecting the world tbh!

The best reason to be desoldering switches from a vintage board is to replace them with better switches!

[envyy24]

Hey guys, just traveled for 2 hrs (back and forth) to pick up my first ALPS ever!

Dell At102, black alps. As I have researched from the internet, this is not the best alps switch ever. But I have had not much experience with mechanical keyboard anyways, So yeah Im still very excited regardless.

Plus, the keyboard is brand new, sit perfectly in a box and has never bene used before. And I had a good deal on it. So yeah, wth, it is a win for me.
The keyboard is absolutely huge, and I love it XD. Typing on it for a bit (this post right here!), I think the feel is alright. The key feels stiff to me, but at the same time is quite responsive. I am not flying all over the keyboard, but at the same time I am not an superb typist anyways.

I would say though, it is definitely enough for me to put a cherry clone blue switch away immediately. God that thing is awful I can't locate the key at all, plus the noise is unbearable. Overall, this keyboard will be my working keyboard for the time being, the key caps are well put together I can locate them all pretty easy. I have seen a few videos about modding the black alps switch, however I am not too sure if I should do it because hunting a reasonable price one like this already hard enough for me. Do not want to mess anything up.
Anyways, just a newbie in this mechanical kb game, experiencing an alps switch for the first time and is super excited to share it. You all have a great day XD

[fohat.digs]

AT101 gets less respect than it should. After you break it in, you should find that it is a very pleasant workhorse.

That is an early one, if it has PBT caps you should consider yourself especially lucky. Test it with acetone (aka fingernail polish remover) - touch a tiny drop on the inside of a key cap with a toothpick and scratch around a bit. PBT caps will be unharmed, ABS will melt slightly and you will see the scratch.

[chyros]

Very nice, congrats! I maintain an AT101 should be everyone's first board . And NOS is the best stock!

[envyy24]

AT101 gets less respect than it should. After you break it in, you should find that it is a very pleasant workhorse.

That is an early one, if it has PBT caps you should consider yourself especially lucky. Test it with acetone (aka fingernail polish remover) - touch a tiny drop on the inside of a key cap with a toothpick and scratch around a bit. PBT caps will be unharmed, ABS will melt slightly and you will see the scratch.

I also feel that I would absolutely love this keyboard once getting used to it. It is so well design in my opinion, I make noticeably less typo using this than my last one for sure.
Neat, I will test it out just to see. Do they make any difference?

Very nice, congrats! I maintain an AT101 should be everyone's first board . And NOS is the best stock!

Thank you, though I am unsure what is NOS

[DALExSNAIL]

Dunno if this is the appropriate place to ask really, but I'm curious if anyone's tried the sprit alps sprint replacements?

Considering buying some for a board, but his MX springs were never in line with other makers, and stock, as far as weighting goes.

[nevin]

@DALExSNAIL - worth a shot. and really the only way to get lighter alps. i grabbed a set for a build i have planned. i think i remember reading somewhere the initial issues were worked out in the last year or two. obviously the only other option would be to harvest from other switches.

what weight were you thinking of getting?
what switch were you planning to swap them into?

[DALExSNAIL]

@DALExSNAIL - worth a shot. and really the only way to get lighter alps. i grabbed a set for a build i have planned. i think i remember reading somewhere the initial issues were worked out in the last year or two. obviously the only other option would be to harvest from other switches.

what weight were you thinking of getting?
what switch were you planning to swap them into?

Well I was hoping for 45 or 50, but leaning into the 45 a bit more. The problem there is only that I was hoping to swap into quiet clicks, and I'm not sure if the force from those springs would allow a proper return, or if it would get stuck, similar to ergoclears with springs too light.

I'd be open to other suggestions though, as far as alps go, since it's really where I'm least knowledgeable keyboard wise. Really trying to get in the MX cherry silent reds, and cherry browns weight range. Prefer tactile, but don't need super super tactile. For reference my favorite switches are vintage browns lol.

Also dunno how limited swap options are for matias housings. Really trying to avoid desoldering on the Model 01 if I can (and I'm pretty sure I can mod alps without desoldering?)  plus the diffusing from the clear housings is very nice.

[Riverman]

Thank you, though I am unsure what is NOS

It's an abbreviation for New Old Stock.

[nevin]

quiet clicks... they're already a bit lighter (60/35 per their site) than normal dampened alps (usually around 70-ish)

looking at sprits site... says 45 is similar to green linears (which are 50-ish), matias linear & tactiles. but would feel like a heavier weight in a tactile or clicky switch (resistance of contact & tactile leafs)

Please consider additional forces of Contact leaf(5-10cN) & 2nd Leaf(5-15cN)

so, really doubt that you would notice a big difference.

yes, alps can be opened without desoldering. little different than MX but still totally do-able.

funny, your tastes seem to line up with what i was going for with my next project. i actually have 45cn sprit springs, alps green springs, and a bunch of older apple boards (including a dampened white alps AEKII '95)

i could do some experimenting with what i have, but would have time for another week or two.

i am also typing on a board with ergo clears (cherry clear stem/top housing, gateron brown spring/bottom housing) and have had no issues with stems not returning.

[DALExSNAIL]

quiet clicks... they're already a bit lighter (60/35 per their site) than normal dampened alps (usually around 70-ish)

looking at sprits site... says 45 is similar to green linears (which are 50-ish), matias linear & tactiles. but would feel like a heavier weight in a tactile or clicky switch (resistance of contact & tactile leafs)

Please consider additional forces of Contact leaf(5-10cN) & 2nd Leaf(5-15cN)

so, really doubt that you would notice a big difference.

yes, alps can be opened without desoldering. little different than MX but still totally do-able.

funny, your tastes seem to line up with what i was going for with my next project. i actually have 45cn sprit springs, alps green springs, and a bunch of older apple boards (including a dampened white alps AEKII '95)

i could do some experimenting with what i have, but would have time for another week or two.

i am also typing on a board with ergo clears (cherry clear stem/top housing, gateron brown spring/bottom housing) and have had no issues with stems not returning.

I've not had issues with ergos in the past, I've used 62g in all I've used though. Just have heard that a lot of people saying that when using light springs with no lube, they've had issues.

I guess the weighting of the initial bump is really what's getting me maybe, if it drops to 35? It's mostly my right pinky that's having issues, but I do feel fatigue in my other fingers over time in my left hand. My pinky has early signs of trigger finger, so I've been trying to avoid straining it as much as possible really, I just really like tactility tbh. Alps might just be too tactile across the board though because of the design, so I'm hoping I don't have to just swap to linear.

Definitely tell me any results you have on the testing though, I'm going to take this decision a bit slower than normal, as I don't plan on swapping keyboards for the foreseeable future, so wanna get something right early on.

[nevin]

do some searching, see if anyone had swapped in lighter springs into quiet clicks. i'm sure someone did it & posted their findings somewhere out there. or how light you can go in old dampened alps (cream/white). alps will probably have more issues returning with light springs than tactile MX, solely for the design of the alps tactile leaf.

...how low can you go... lol

[treeleaf64]

GUYS my blue alps came in the mail! Even though I don't like clicky switches they are still really good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things I like about Blue Alps

• Click mechanism is way better than anything else
• Weighting is perfect. Lighter than white alps but not too light
• The sound is luxurious. It is like summer rain on a grassy meadow
• The feel is so good!! It's like my hands are punching holes in the keyboard

I am not sure whether to make a custom board out of them. The keyboard they came in is in very bad shape, however, the switches are in good condition. I am planning to ultrasonically clean the switches, and then find something to put them in. Unfortunately, many of the modern day keyboards have extremely thin cases, which is not a good thing. If anyone can find me a thick, roomy, Alps case (preferably 60%) I will be very happy indeed.

tl;dr Blue alps are good switches, someone find me a thick 60% plastic case

[Sintpinty]

Alps are the best!

Wish i could get my hands on a AEK right now , got my paycheck just a few days ago

[envyy24]

GUYS my blue alps came in the mail! Even though I don't like clicky switches they are still really good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things I like about Blue Alps

What is the name of the keyboard, if I may ask?

[mode]

I have a blue alps board in terrible condition, the switches bind and are really scratchy. I tried a manual clean on a few switches but they still kinda sucked so I invested in an ultrasonic bath.

What do people recommend using for fluid?

[d.caminero]

I have a blue alps board in terrible condition, the switches bind and are really scratchy. I tried a manual clean on a few switches but they still kinda sucked so I invested in an ultrasonic bath.

What do people recommend using for fluid?

If they are not too dirty, you can clean them with distilled water (and rinse them after with new distilled water if needed). If they are dirty, just use tap water with some detergent, either the typical green one for ultrasonic cleaners or regular non-scented detergent. If you use regular detergent add a tad of soap. You must rinse them with distilled water after that though.

[TheInverseKey]

I have a blue alps board in terrible condition, the switches bind and are really scratchy. I tried a manual clean on a few switches but they still kinda sucked so I invested in an ultrasonic bath.

What do people recommend using for fluid?

I would clean the bottom housings and then get NOS Pine White top housings and swap the top housings. Now this will make the switches a bit higher pitched but the amount of smoothness that you get back from the new top housings is worth it.

[mode]

I have a blue alps board in terrible condition, the switches bind and are really scratchy. I tried a manual clean on a few switches but they still kinda sucked so I invested in an ultrasonic bath.

What do people recommend using for fluid?

I would clean the bottom housings and then get NOS Pine White top housings and swap the top housings. Now this will make the switches a bit higher pitched but the amount of smoothness that you get back from the new top housings is worth it.

Not sure I can be bothered to get a clean set of whites though. I bought this board cheaply on a whim, as I prefer tactile switches, just wanted to see what blues are like. Cleaning is definitely my next step before any further investment.

[gaunt]

Hello fellow Alps lovers. I've been using an m0116 with Orange Alps for the last year or so which has been a blast, but for my daily driver I really need n-key rollover and I'd prefer a bit more of a standard layout. Now I'm looking for a case for a new build, but I haven't kept a close eye on group buys for a while, and most of what I've seen lately seem to only support Cherry. Are there any interesting upcoming cases that are Alps-compatible? Haven't heard anything about the UEK for a while. I also really liked the look of the Lunar AEK (and would probably prefer a 66% or TKL layout) but unfortunately didn't have the money at the time and now they're quite expensive on the used market.

Would also be interested in non-group buy cases if anyone has some experience with them, think I saw a 66% alu or steel case that was Alps-compatible a few years ago but now I can't remember the name of it for the life of me.

[mode]

Hello fellow Alps lovers. I've been using an m0116 with Orange Alps for the last year or so which has been a blast, but for my daily driver I really need n-key rollover and I'd prefer a bit more of a standard layout. Now I'm looking for a case for a new build, but I haven't kept a close eye on group buys for a while, and most of what I've seen lately seem to only support Cherry. Are there any interesting upcoming cases that are Alps-compatible? Haven't heard anything about the UEK for a while. I also really liked the look of the Lunar AEK (and would probably prefer a 66% or TKL layout) but unfortunately didn't have the money at the time and now they're quite expensive on the used market.

Would also be interested in non-group buy cases if anyone has some experience with them, think I saw a 66% alu or steel case that was Alps-compatible a few years ago but now I can't remember the name of it for the life of me.

The tex case works with the LFKeyboards SMK-TKL pcb, I just finished a build, I had the plate made for it from laserboost.

[Pheyn]

Hey all,

is there any physical difference between skcl yellows & greens? I read that the yellow spring is heavier, but if I throw a green spring in a yellow switch, would there be any actual difference in feel or sound? Thanks

[nevin]

@Pheyn - both are linear, greens a little lighter. if building a new board, just use green if you want something lighter, if it's already built/soldered, sprig swap would get the same effect. also looks like both are of the pine variety (slits).
https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCL/SKCM_series

@gaunt - when looking, check the switch footprint on the pcb, if they look like this they are MX & Alps compatible. a good many PCBs support alps.

photo: Keeb.io - Quefrency (split staggered 60-65%)

[chyros]

Hey all,

is there any physical difference between skcl yellows & greens? I read that the yellow spring is heavier, but if I throw a green spring in a yellow switch, would there be any actual difference in feel or sound? Thanks

yes, there are differences besides the weighting, but they're not that huge if you have pine yellows.

[mode]

I finally finished a project of mine today, assembling an SKCM orange board with nexus sliders, modified original top housings and a set of SA Dasher in a tex aluminium TKL case. I tried the nexus housings, but they suffered from terrible binding.

It works! It's nice to type on, it does have a slight tradeoff, comparing it to an M0116 for reference, off centre keypresses have some resistance to them, so i've started applying a trace of ptfe lube to the modifier keys, the main alphas are just fine.

I'll use it as a daily driver for a few weeks and report my thoughts on it in more detail once I've gotten used to it.

[mode]

I recorded a quick comparison with an M0116 for comparison, the first half is the Apple board, the second is SA Dasher.

[d.caminero]

I finally finished a project of mine today, assembling an SKCM orange board with nexus sliders, modified original top housings and a set of SA Dasher in a tex aluminium TKL case. I tried the nexus housings, but they suffered from terrible binding.

It works! It's nice to type on, it does have a slight tradeoff, comparing it to an M0116 for reference, off centre keypresses have some resistance to them, so i've started applying a trace of ptfe lube to the modifier keys, the main alphas are just fine.

I'll use it as a daily driver for a few weeks and report my thoughts on it in more detail once I've gotten used to it.

After getting the cruciformer I also built a project that's been ongoing for a long time. GMK Yuri in a pearl keyboard with orange alps and nexus sliders. I did use the nexus housings as well, but after seeing the binding issue, I just filed them a bit instead of filing the original housings. Still want to try some with original housings though, I think it changes the feeling quite a bit.

Let us know your impressions!

[mode]

I finally finished a project of mine today, assembling an SKCM orange board with nexus sliders, modified original top housings and a set of SA Dasher in a tex aluminium TKL case. I tried the nexus housings, but they suffered from terrible binding.

It works! It's nice to type on, it does have a slight tradeoff, comparing it to an M0116 for reference, off centre keypresses have some resistance to them, so i've started applying a trace of ptfe lube to the modifier keys, the main alphas are just fine.

I'll use it as a daily driver for a few weeks and report my thoughts on it in more detail once I've gotten used to it.

After getting the cruciformer I also built a project that's been ongoing for a long time. GMK Yuri in a pearl keyboard with orange alps and nexus sliders. I did use the nexus housings as well, but after seeing the binding issue, I just filed them a bit instead of filing the original housings. Still want to try some with original housings though, I think it changes the feeling quite a bit.

Let us know your impressions!

I did the same, but found that something about POM on POM results in a squeeky binding feeling with off axis keypresses, it just didn't feel right. I did 6 switches in a cluster for testing and I just wasn't happy with it. I sacreficed a bamboo dampened white top housing to experiment with and that was so much better I took the plunge with a set of oranges. These feel like alps through and through.

[treeleaf64]

GUYS my blue alps came in the mail! Even though I don't like clicky switches they are still really good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things I like about Blue Alps

What is the name of the keyboard, if I may ask?

This is a late reply The keyboard is unidentifiable, but on the PCB I have found a marking that reads: KB-5161EA

[Rob27shred]

GUYS my blue alps came in the mail! Even though I don't like clicky switches they are still really good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things I like about Blue Alps

What is the name of the keyboard, if I may ask?

This is a late reply The keyboard is unidentifiable, but on the PCB I have found a marking that reads: KB-5161EA

Sounds like a Chicony model no., but I'm no expert on vintage boards so don't take that as gospel.

[mode]

I've cleaned up some SKCM blues and noticed something about them, despite looking perfectly clean they're just not as smooth as my SKCM oranges, a switch I'm significantly more familiar with. They're not bad at all, just the oranges don't stick when pressed off centre at all, even at extreme angles.

I experimented with swapping the sliders as I have a ton of spare from my nexus slider build and to my surprise the slider was what made the difference. I much prefer my blues with orange sliders in.

Looking at them close up, the plastic on the blues is a little more textured. Lube doesn't make a difference, unlubed orange sliders are better than lubed blue ones.

[chyros]

I've cleaned up some SKCM blues and noticed something about them, despite looking perfectly clean they're just not as smooth as my SKCM oranges, a switch I'm significantly more familiar with. They're not bad at all, just the oranges don't stick when pressed off centre at all, even at extreme angles.

I experimented with swapping the sliders as I have a ton of spare from my nexus slider build and to my surprise the slider was what made the difference. I much prefer my blues with orange sliders in.

Looking at them close up, the plastic on the blues is a little more textured. Lube doesn't make a difference, unlubed orange sliders are better than lubed blue ones.

This is a condition thing. Alps switches in good condition don't bind on off-centre keypresses. Most often, in my experience, the part at fault is the slider track in the upper housing. This has the potential to get rough with use, increasing friction. Also in my experience, lubrication only shows very limited success, and is no substitute for buying good-condition switches. As such, your findings are directly in line with mine.

[mode]

I've cleaned up some SKCM blues and noticed something about them, despite looking perfectly clean they're just not as smooth as my SKCM oranges, a switch I'm significantly more familiar with. They're not bad at all, just the oranges don't stick when pressed off centre at all, even at extreme angles.

I experimented with swapping the sliders as I have a ton of spare from my nexus slider build and to my surprise the slider was what made the difference. I much prefer my blues with orange sliders in.

Looking at them close up, the plastic on the blues is a little more textured. Lube doesn't make a difference, unlubed orange sliders are better than lubed blue ones.

This is a condition thing. Alps switches in good condition don't bind on off-centre keypresses. Most often, in my experience, the part at fault is the slider track in the upper housing. This has the potential to get rough with use, increasing friction. Also in my experience, lubrication only shows very limited success, and is no substitute for buying good-condition switches. As such, your findings are directly in line with mine.

Either way, I'm probably going to swap in the orange sliders, kind of annoying not to keep them original, but they do feel that much better.

[Rob27shred]

I've cleaned up some SKCM blues and noticed something about them, despite looking perfectly clean they're just not as smooth as my SKCM oranges, a switch I'm significantly more familiar with. They're not bad at all, just the oranges don't stick when pressed off centre at all, even at extreme angles.

I experimented with swapping the sliders as I have a ton of spare from my nexus slider build and to my surprise the slider was what made the difference. I much prefer my blues with orange sliders in.

Looking at them close up, the plastic on the blues is a little more textured. Lube doesn't make a difference, unlubed orange sliders are better than lubed blue ones.

This is a condition thing. Alps switches in good condition don't bind on off-centre keypresses. Most often, in my experience, the part at fault is the slider track in the upper housing. This has the potential to get rough with use, increasing friction. Also in my experience, lubrication only shows very limited success, and is no substitute for buying good-condition switches. As such, your findings are directly in line with mine.

Either way, I'm probably going to swap in the orange sliders, kind of annoying not to keep them original, but they do feel that much better.

Well SKCM blues & oranges ran at the same time for a bit I believe. Also the major difference between clicky & tactile SKCM ALPS is the secondary leaf (tactile or click leaf), so other than visually for all intents & purposes they are the same as better condition blues.

[Sintpinty]

I've cleaned up some SKCM blues and noticed something about them, despite looking perfectly clean they're just not as smooth as my SKCM oranges, a switch I'm significantly more familiar with. They're not bad at all, just the oranges don't stick when pressed off centre at all, even at extreme angles.

I experimented with swapping the sliders as I have a ton of spare from my nexus slider build and to my surprise the slider was what made the difference. I much prefer my blues with orange sliders in.

Looking at them close up, the plastic on the blues is a little more textured. Lube doesn't make a difference, unlubed orange sliders are better than lubed blue ones.

This is a condition thing. Alps switches in good condition don't bind on off-centre keypresses. Most often, in my experience, the part at fault is the slider track in the upper housing. This has the potential to get rough with use, increasing friction. Also in my experience, lubrication only shows very limited success, and is no substitute for buying good-condition switches. As such, your findings are directly in line with mine.

Either way, I'm probably going to swap in the orange sliders, kind of annoying not to keep them original, but they do feel that much better.

Well SKCM blues & oranges ran at the same time for a bit I believe. Also the major difference between clicky & tactile SKCM ALPS is the secondary leaf (tactile or click leaf), so other than visually for all intents & purposes they are the same as better condition blues.

>_<

I want alps

[nickaster1]

Heya folks, wanna share my little project that came to fruition recently. Featuring the King of Tactiles, Alps SKCM Browns on a FR4 plate. The enclosure is a custom cut, bonded (which failed horrendously at QC but somehow the guy let it slipped), and painted (which also failed, but hey it looks good on pics) acrylic Orion V3. Also leds because Ducks.

[ErgoMacros]

... Also leds because Ducks...

Nicely linearized waterfowl.

[d.caminero]

Show Image

Heya folks, wanna share my little project that came to fruition recently. Featuring the King of Tactiles, Alps SKCM Browns on a FR4 plate. The enclosure is a custom cut, bonded (which failed horrendously at QC but somehow the guy let it slipped), and painted (which also failed, but hey it looks good on pics) acrylic Orion V3. Also leds because Ducks.

How are the browns on an FR4 plate? Specially compared to on a regular aluminium plate. Does the plate drown the tactility bump?

[treeleaf64]

Show Image

Heya folks, wanna share my little project that came to fruition recently. Featuring the King of Tactiles, Alps SKCM Browns on a FR4 plate. The enclosure is a custom cut, bonded (which failed horrendously at QC but somehow the guy let it slipped), and painted (which also failed, but hey it looks good on pics) acrylic Orion V3. Also leds because Ducks.

Reminds me of a yellowed M0116, where the keycaps are all white, while the space and case have yellowed over time :)

[ppCircle]

My new find fk-747 with polish sub legends





More photos: https://imgur.com/a/uxBlQ6n

[Sintpinty]

My new find fk-747 with polish sub legends

Show Image

Show Image

More photos: https://imgur.com/a/uxBlQ6n

Wow, looks nice. However i feel that those keycaps will get old with age

[fohat.digs]

i feel that those keycaps will get old with age

You are obviously going for the Yogi Berra award with these odd syntax structures.

[nickaster1]

Show Image

Heya folks, wanna share my little project that came to fruition recently. Featuring the King of Tactiles, Alps SKCM Browns on a FR4 plate. The enclosure is a custom cut, bonded (which failed horrendously at QC but somehow the guy let it slipped), and painted (which also failed, but hey it looks good on pics) acrylic Orion V3. Also leds because Ducks.

How are the browns on an FR4 plate? Specially compared to on a regular aluminium plate. Does the plate drown the tactility bump?

Not a bit. They make the bottom out very pleasant since the browns have such a violent tactile event. I like soft plates for all kinds of switches since I used to have SKCM Blues on sus and it was painful to type