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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: sameer.wahid on Wed, 20 March 2013, 12:10:31

Title: Apple Extended Keyboard II, sore left pinky finger
Post by: sameer.wahid on Wed, 20 March 2013, 12:10:31
I recently switched away from my MS ergo kb to an Apple Extended Keyboard II. I love the tactile feel, but I'm starting to feel some pain in my left pinky finger. I suppose it's most from tapping the "a" and left shift keys. Anyone know of a way to help solve this problem? (lower the actuation force, inject steroids into my pinky, whatever).
Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard II, sore left pinky finger
Post by: iri on Wed, 20 March 2013, 12:16:35
(http://bomz.org/i/lol/925659-2010.11.14-08.14.47-bomz.org-lol__prikol_shtanga_dlya_palcev.jpg)

seriously, moving to a lighter switch. cherry blues, browns or ergo clears (once you are ready to do the modding).
Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard II, sore left pinky finger
Post by: ishumprod on Wed, 20 March 2013, 12:16:48
iirc that keyboard has yellow or orange ALPs, so i would suggest lubin them. as for how to do so there should be a page on wiki, or maybe someone here will be able to help you


yeah alps :
http://www.google.ch/search?hl=fr&safe=off&biw=320&bih=416&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=ALPS+apple+extended+keyboard+2&btnG=#biv=i%7C3%3Bd%7C-ougfCzoL2FYfM%3A
Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard II, sore left pinky finger
Post by: Burz on Wed, 20 March 2013, 12:36:52
They are cream dampened ALPS (the original AEK used undampened orange).

I know that some people swear by lubing their ALPS switches with RO-59. If I had an AEKII that I loved, that's what I would try.

Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard II, sore left pinky finger
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 20 March 2013, 12:37:13
It probably has "dampened cream" Alps which are not too heavy.

If it is old and dirty, they can get sluggish.

I got some teflon lube for mine, which helped.
Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard II, sore left pinky finger
Post by: Burz on Wed, 20 March 2013, 12:40:18
It probably has "dampened cream" Alps which are not too heavy.

If it is old and dirty, they can get sluggish.

I got some teflon lube for mine, which helped.
Yes, dirt. You'd want to clean the affected switches before lubing them. The good thing about it being the left pinky is you probably only have to service 2 keys.
Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard II, sore left pinky finger
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 20 March 2013, 12:51:20
If you like apple.. get their WIRED full size scissor board... that's really the only good one... 
Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard II, sore left pinky finger
Post by: 1391406 on Wed, 20 March 2013, 13:16:14
If you like apple.. get their WIRED full size scissor board... that's really the only good one... 

I disagree. I have two Apple Extended Keyboard's (M0115) and think they're great. I don't care for the feel (or sound) of the AEK II at all.
Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard II, sore left pinky finger
Post by: ishumprod on Wed, 20 March 2013, 13:54:19
type for an hour or two on the M0116 of m teacher and i have to say alps feel great. nothing to see with scissor
Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard II, sore left pinky finger
Post by: sameer.wahid on Wed, 20 March 2013, 15:25:03
Thanks, I'll look up how to lubricate the switches. They are indeed the cream ALPS. I estimate they have an actuation force of about 75g, much more than I am used to!
Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard II, sore left pinky finger
Post by: simon_C on Wed, 20 March 2013, 17:23:30
yeah i'm gonna say they definitely need lube then, my AEKII was much lighter than that in the keys,
Title: Re: Apple Extended Keyboard II, sore left pinky finger
Post by: sameer.wahid on Sat, 15 June 2013, 07:41:38
Just to follow up, I never did get around to lubricating the switches, but after a few weeks the soreness went away - either I had worked in the switch enough, or my pinky adjusted.