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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: YakMN on Sat, 20 July 2013, 08:50:00

Title: Couple of ebay items with nice retro keycaps (stackpole?)
Post by: YakMN on Sat, 20 July 2013, 08:50:00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rare-Keyboard-Division-Computer-Untested-AS-IS-/390629237938?hash=item5af35124b2

Maybe a canadian layout of some kind, judging by the selection of accented characters? Love the blue keypad.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rare-Stackpole-86-90-0065-Keyboard-Division-Computer-Untested-AS-IS-/390629234460?hash=item5af351171c

59-key layout, with orange keys on the outer edge, black inside. Looks newer to me than the other one. There is a picture there with one of the key caps removed.

I found this link about Stackpole keys, has a kind of cross-section of the key. I had never heard of stackpole before, but...
http://www.techdose.com/repairlog/Fixing-a-Stackpole-Momentary-Keyboard--Key-Pad-Switch/457/page1.html

Title: Re: Couple of ebay items with nice retro keycaps (stackpole?)
Post by: dorkvader on Sat, 20 July 2013, 14:00:17

The first one sort of looks like linear futabas (simplified or complicated I can't tell) to me. The layout looks like it's trying to be a french AZERTY. It's even got the accent mark keycap (looks like a sadface) in light blue!

You know it's not vintage SMK or whatever, as the pins are parallel and also huge.

#2 is definitely what we call stackpole, despite the brand on the PCB, you can tell by the keyswitch. Those "fingers" close as the switch is pressed down. These are somewhat common for keyboards of a certain age, though this example appears to be in excellent shape.

Title: Re: Couple of ebay items with nice retro keycaps (stackpole?)
Post by: UniClown on Sun, 21 July 2013, 00:14:53

I love the 'Q' legend on these.

Title: Re: Couple of ebay items with nice retro keycaps (stackpole?)
Post by: nubbinator on Sun, 21 July 2013, 00:32:03

My favorite is the . . cap.
                            ^