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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: DamienG on Wed, 23 January 2013, 01:22:47

Title: Intro from Brit living in SF Bay area
Post by: DamienG on Wed, 23 January 2013, 01:22:47

Hi there!

Have used many computers and keyboards in my time my current keyboard favourite is a Topre Realforce 88UB.

Sitting in the closet gathering dust are:

• UK Model M - enclosure too big, keys rattle too much
• DAS II - enclosure too big, feels a bit tinny even with the red o-rings on it
• DAS III - enclosure too big & shiny, feels too stiff

Also had a Mattias Pro which I didn't like that much - US layout and the switches weren't that great. Nice keycaps tho.

My cupboard also has a few retro machines with interesting keyboards. What kind of plastic are the Apple ][ E keycaps made from?

Considering where to take the keyboard obsession next. The Topre is great but the enclosure is too big (prefer the Leopold style)

1. Buy a replacement aluminum enclosure for the Topre (those ones on eBay look great but $440!)
2. Assemble my own keyboard from parts on various group buys. Would need to be tenkeyless, minimal metal enclosure, pbt keycaps, iso layout. Backlit an option.

The big issue with 2. is trying to decide on a new keyswitch. Blues were okay - it's possible that with the right enclosure and caps they might work.

[)amien

Title: Intro from Brit living in SF Bay area
Post by: jwaz on Wed, 23 January 2013, 01:39:01

Welcome to Geekhack and The Bay!

There are a couple of us keyboard nerds out here.

Title: Re: Intro from Brit living in SF Bay area
Post by: hashbaz on Wed, 23 January 2013, 01:41:59

Bay area here as well, welcome!

Title: Re: Intro from Brit living in SF Bay area
Post by: Tym on Wed, 23 January 2013, 01:46:26

Rule number one, don't become an Ex-pat.
Rule number two, don't commit mass genocide.

I put the min that order for a reason....anyhow Welcome To GeekHack!

Title: Re: Intro from Brit living in SF Bay area
Post by: MarkPharaoh on Wed, 23 January 2013, 01:55:34

Bay Area, woowoo

Title: Re: Intro from Brit living in SF Bay area
Post by: DamienG on Wed, 23 January 2013, 02:30:12

Was just mooching around in the aforementioned closet and decided to pop one of the keys of my BBC Micro (they were the official computer of British schools in the 80s)

[attach=1]

Double-shots! Looks like a Cherry MX stem but it doesn't fit :(

Yes, I know - it needs a clean!

[)amien

Title: Re: Intro from Brit living in SF Bay area
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 23 January 2013, 03:12:59

Welcome to Geekhack!

Almost anything with a metal (typically aluminium) case is going to set you back a fair bit.

Title: Re: Intro from Brit living in SF Bay area
Post by: DamienG on Wed, 23 January 2013, 03:26:28

If I was 100% convinced I'm sticking with the Realforce then it wouldn't bother me so much... but I should really try an MX brown first.

[)amien