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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: WhiteRice on Sat, 14 August 2010, 21:47:34

Title: My first keyboard adventure!
Post by: WhiteRice on Sat, 14 August 2010, 21:47:34
So today I took some time to drive around New Jersey looking for some mechanical keyboards.

I was basically driving around and refreshing google maps search on my phone with "computer parts". My efforts eventually led me to this place,

(http://zachwang.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/vintagekeyboardplace.png)

As it turns out this is a residential address. So I called the number and was able to get in contact with the owner of this "vintage electronics store" and met up this afternoon. He took me to this his "warehouse". Basically a house filled with old stuff.

Audio equipment, macs, pcs, you name it. Finally we arrived at a box filled with keyboards. The first few where belkin rubber domes, but just as my heart began to sink I came across several VIP branded keyboards that were mechanical. There were some old compaqs and others ones. Finally when I reached the last keyboard in the box, I picked it up and it was a 1991 Model M. Score!

So I paid him $20 for the model M and one of the VIP keyboards and was off. Looking back I should've haggled for a better price, but live and learn I guess.

(http://zachwang.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/photo_2.jpg)
(http://zachwang.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/photo_5.jpg)
(http://zachwang.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/photo_3.jpg)
(http://zachwang.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/photo_41.jpg)

So now I just have to find a thread on cleaning old keyboards.

Edit: Thread found, I'll try and document my cleaning attempt!
Title: My first keyboard adventure!
Post by: wellington1869 on Sat, 14 August 2010, 21:49:55
really nice adventure!  great story

re: cleaning old keyboards, tons of threads here. search button.
Title: My first keyboard adventure!
Post by: hyperlinked on Sat, 14 August 2010, 22:14:26
You have a very interesting technique for locating old keyboard caches. I'm glad you found what you were after instead of some hidden dungeon of pain and doom.

Here's a recent thread on cleaning Model M's:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=11155
Title: My first keyboard adventure!
Post by: WhiteRice on Sat, 14 August 2010, 22:15:38
Quote from: hyperlinked;212699
Here's a recent thread on cleaning Model M's:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=11155


Thanks guys!
Title: My first keyboard adventure!
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Mon, 16 August 2010, 10:21:11
The Chicony 5160 is an interesting find. I think we haven't seen that on GH before. So strip it naked naked and post some porn for us!

Googled it and found two of them on Asian sites. One with blue (http://bbs.cool3c.com/article/16202), the other with green (http://my3c.com/D5/viewthread.php?tid=4756) Alps. Think about picking up the others, they should be moderately precious as collectors items.
Title: My first keyboard adventure!
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Mon, 16 August 2010, 10:34:55
Quote from: ripster;213074
Those Blues sure look like Whites to me....


Afaik their price tags look quite different though. :biggrin1:
I have no board with blue Alps, so I have no reason to doubt your findings that slider color is the only difference to complicates whites. Anyway, they're rather rare, and if they're the same as old whites, they must be quite good too.
Title: My first keyboard adventure!
Post by: WhiteRice on Mon, 16 August 2010, 11:02:01
Quote from: Mental Hobbit;213072
The Chicony 5160 is an interesting find. I think we haven't seen that on GH before. So strip it naked naked and post some porn for us!

Googled it and found two of them on Asian sites. One with blue (http://bbs.cool3c.com/article/16202), the other with green (http://my3c.com/D5/viewthread.php?tid=4756) Alps. Think about picking up the others, they should be moderately precious as collectors items.


 Mine has orange :3

I have it apart at home. I'll post some pictures after work.
Title: My first keyboard adventure!
Post by: didjamatic on Mon, 16 August 2010, 11:17:16
That Chicony 5160 is friggin awesome!  Excellent find!
Title: My first keyboard adventure!
Post by: WhiteRice on Mon, 16 August 2010, 11:21:45
I found a photo on my phone

(http://zachwang.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/photo.jpg)

Under all the keys it says omron on the plate

I know he had at least one more clicky chicony. There were a few that looked the same but no tactile feel or click.

He had two more model m's too. One from 89 and another which I don't remember the year, but with a square silver logo in the upper right hand corner. He was selling those as part of a full PC set though.
Title: My first keyboard adventure!
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Mon, 16 August 2010, 12:27:54
Omron switches, not Alps, wow. How do they feel?
Title: My first keyboard adventure!
Post by: WhiteRice on Mon, 16 August 2010, 12:41:00
Quote from: Mental Hobbit;213105
Omron switches, not Alps, wow. How do they feel?


I'm no expert but I would say similar to my minitouch
Title: My first keyboard adventure!
Post by: WhiteRice on Mon, 16 August 2010, 19:26:38
Nekkid 5160

(http://zachwang.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/CIMG0836.jpg)

This is the 5160 after a thorough cleaning.

(http://zachwang.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/CIMG0837.jpg)

Ordered the driver to open up the model m, she's due for a good scrubbing.