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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: dorkvader on Mon, 16 January 2012, 01:50:31

Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: dorkvader on Mon, 16 January 2012, 01:50:31
I was browsing, looking for POS keyboards, when I found some used Cherry ML4100's on clearance for $20. I like how they say it's "18.99 if you buy 10 or more". They have 129 in stock.

Here's the link:
http://www.pacificgeek.com/product.asp?ID=21450&C=206&S=1689

Looks like a good deal to me. Maybe I'll finally try ML's. I imagine it'd make a great keyboard to travel with. I think it has a flat profile, so if I can put it into Dvorak, I think I may buy!

Edit: I notice these people also have 129 available:
http://www.chicagocomputershippers.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=300921
$13.09: not bad.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: dreamingftw on Mon, 16 January 2012, 02:46:16
Cheap but shipping is a grip though. I found them on Ebay with free shipping for $20.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PS2-Mini-Footprint-Cherry-ML4100-/260934804267?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc0ed232b#ht_1687wt_1396
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: gilgam on Mon, 16 January 2012, 03:25:15
G84-4100 is a nice flat and small keyboard.
Cherry ML are a bit stiff but you cant type lightly without problems.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: REVENGE on Mon, 16 January 2012, 03:40:47
Nice price. Nice cover too, I would make some $15 offers.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: poxeclipse on Mon, 16 January 2012, 11:54:17
How about this:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/250971174704?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 ?
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: hazeluff on Mon, 16 January 2012, 15:41:05
Quote from: poxeclipse;491769
How about this:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/250971174704?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 ?

Is it me or does it say its currently in the UK. I might bid...
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: dorkvader on Mon, 16 January 2012, 18:57:44
Listing says it's NIB, I say it's worth a shot.

How come ebay.co.uk is so much better than ebay.com?
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: jkercado on Wed, 18 January 2012, 13:10:29
Wow, those are nice prices indeed. I've fallen in love with the little buggers--a brand-new black USB unit I got from eBay for $26 has become my main office keyboard, plus I have a white one I bought from Dante for home use. I'd love to stock up on a couple more, this looks like the ticket for that.

Thanks! :becky:
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: jkercado on Wed, 18 January 2012, 15:00:18
Ordered two for $30 off the eBay auction, with free shipping!
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: poxeclipse on Thu, 19 January 2012, 18:08:31
I have 6 of them (3 used, other 3 pretty new - just started to use 2 of them). I'm looking for some colored ML keycaps, like the now common WASD set.
Couldn't find them, or somebody to make them.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: dorkvader on Thu, 19 January 2012, 19:55:22
Quote from: poxeclipse;494401
I have 6 of them (3 used, other 3 pretty new - just started to use 2 of them). I'm looking for some colored ML keycaps, like the now common WASD set.
Couldn't find them, or somebody to make them.
You'll probably have to DIY your own.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: jkercado on Fri, 20 January 2012, 07:33:48
Quote from: poxeclipse;494401
I have 6 of them (3 used, other 3 pretty new - just started to use 2 of them). I'm looking for some colored ML keycaps, like the now common WASD set.
Couldn't find them, or somebody to make them.

Signature Plastics is making ML doubleshots, the info is here (http://keycapsdirect.com/key-capswhatsnew.php). I asked for samples and they sent me a black on white, and a white on black. The finish on those keys is pretty damn good. I don't know about prices, though. There's an email link in the link I provided so that you can ask any questions.

I might get me two red Esc keys and maybe also a set of red cursor keys.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: woody on Fri, 20 January 2012, 08:52:54
I can join for few ML red Esc keycaps. PM me if you decide to organize something.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: poxeclipse on Fri, 20 January 2012, 09:38:21
I'd love a small set, like WASD,  or didjamatic's GHSS, in green or orange. I talked the Melissa at SP, but the price was really high for a small order.
You can check this company in Arizona: http://www.smartkeyboardsolutions.com.
I talked to Loree there, he was very helpful; they do ML keycaps, but in big runs. He recommended somebody from NY capable of doing engraved ML keycaps.
Here is Loree's  message:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I do 2-shot NO laser wears away to fast.  I have a better idea for you my cost will be too high.

I know a company in New York who actually ENGRAVES in keys and does small amounts anything you need.  Contact them it is so much of a better fit than mine.

They will do the amount you want but a lot cheaper than mine and the wear is a LONG time.

631-467-7795
Fax: 631-467-8310
EMail: ken@arkayengravers.com
       orders@arkayengravers.com

Tell him I sent you and I said hello.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can see, the NY company Loree was talking about is : http://www.arkayengravers.com

Have a look, and let me know, I'm in for some ML keycaps for G84-4100.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: jkercado on Fri, 20 January 2012, 10:04:49
Quote from: poxeclipse;494823
I'd love a small set, like WASD,  or didjamatic's GHSS, in green or orange. I talked the Melissa at SP, but the price was really high for a small order.
You can check this company in Arizona: http://www.smartkeyboardsolutions.com.
I talked to Loree there, he was very helpful; they do ML keycaps, but in big runs. He recommended somebody from NY capable of doing engraved ML keycaps.
Here is Loree's  message:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I do 2-shot NO laser wears away to fast.  I have a better idea for you my cost will be too high.

I know a company in New York who actually ENGRAVES in keys and does small amounts anything you need.  Contact them it is so much of a better fit than mine.

They will do the amount you want but a lot cheaper than mine and the wear is a LONG time.

631-467-7795
Fax: 631-467-8310
EMail: ken@arkayengravers.com
       orders@arkayengravers.com

Tell him I sent you and I said hello.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can see, the NY company Loree was talking about is : http://www.arkayengravers.com

Have a look, and let me know, I'm in for some ML keycaps for G84-4100.

I sent an email to Melissa asking for numbers, no reply yet. What price did she give you?
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: poxeclipse on Fri, 20 January 2012, 10:10:31
Melissa's quotation.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pricing for 2 sets of keycaps for the G84-4100 keyboard is $325 / set plus Shipping and Handling.
Please let me know if you need anything else!

Melissa Petersen
Signature Plastics LLC
E: mpetersen@solutionsinplastic.com
P: 360.366.5044 ext. 400 | F: 360.366.3848

http://www.solutionsinplastic.com | http://www.keycapsdirect.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: jkercado on Fri, 20 January 2012, 10:55:41
Quote from: poxeclipse;494847
Melissa's quotation.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pricing for 2 sets of keycaps for the G84-4100 keyboard is $325 / set plus Shipping and Handling.
Please let me know if you need anything else!

Melissa Petersen
Signature Plastics LLC
E: mpetersen@solutionsinplastic.com
P: 360.366.5044 ext. 400 | F: 360.366.3848

http://www.solutionsinplastic.com | http://www.keycapsdirect.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

](http://www.marsbands.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MINDBLOWN.jpeg)
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: dreamingftw on Fri, 20 January 2012, 11:49:00
I just made an offer for 2x $30.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: poxeclipse on Fri, 20 January 2012, 15:26:59
Now, Melissa said that ONE run is $750, which means the setup for their machinery and processing the keycaps.
They can make 2 sets, or 20 sets, for the same price. So, for an order of 20 sets, it will be $32.50/set.
This was my understanding, but you have to ask Melissa again.
P.S.
1. I don't know what happens if I would order 40 sets: will it be $16.25/set ?
2. Melissa's price was for FULL sets, but I'm looking for a SMALL set, like WASD or GHSS, as I mentioned before. This should reduce the price also.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: REVENGE on Fri, 20 January 2012, 17:09:12
Get a Dolch ML keycap set instead. That stuff looks sharp.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: poxeclipse on Fri, 20 January 2012, 17:44:45
Quote from: REVENGE;495164
Get a Dolch ML keycap set instead. That stuff looks sharp.
Where and how ?
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: REVENGE on Fri, 20 January 2012, 18:31:06
Quote from: poxeclipse;495188
Where and how ?
There's a fairly well known set of vintage doubleshot keycaps produced by Cherry for the Dolch network analyzers / portable computers. The color scheme is white on dark gray for the alphanumerics and white on dark gray-blue / indigo for modifiers. Later on, Dolch switched from Cherry MX to Cherry ML, but the ML keycap retained that color scheme.

You can find it on the Flexpac and later machines.

EDIT: This is the one: http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?9033-DOLCH-PAC-6x-sniffers-and-Cherry-blues&p=169493&viewfull=1#post169493

I think they look great, but ML boards aren't very popular, and I believe they're pad printed.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: jkercado on Fri, 20 January 2012, 22:50:11
Dolch? Educate me. Or do I look in the Wiki?
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: REVENGE on Sat, 21 January 2012, 01:06:36
Quote from: jkercado;495306
Dolch? Educate me. Or do I look in the Wiki?
Not sure about the wiki, Google: Dolch site:geekhack.org
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: woody on Sat, 21 January 2012, 10:11:22
Why a whole 4100 set and not just red ESC?
Lasered 4100s are pretty durable. And cheap.
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: poxeclipse on Sat, 21 January 2012, 10:31:14
Last message I got yesterday from Melissa. This is a quote for sets of {W,A,S,D} keycaps, laser etched of doubleshot.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Set pricing is below. Please note that it does NOT include shipping costs. Keycaps will be shipped in bulk and must all deliver to the same address.
10 sets          $22.75 per set
15 sets          $15.96 per set
20 sets          $12.56 per set

You will need to provide a signature plastics color number when ordering.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!

Melissa

Melissa Petersen
Signature Plastics LLC
E: mpetersen@solutionsinplastic.com
P: 360.366.5044 ext. 400 | F: 360.366.3848
http://www.solutionsinplastic.com | http://www.keycapsdirect.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: Cherry ML4100
Post by: poxeclipse on Sat, 21 January 2012, 10:36:40
Some Dolch keyboards have ML, some have MX. Searching on eBay, I didn't find a separate keyboard, they come with the computer and are pretty expensive.
I asked one seller to sell only the keyboard, he replied YES, but for the same price, $149, with cheaper shipping of course.

The ML keycaps are really nice, as REVENGE mentioned. I'll keep an eye on those Dolch computers.