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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: lam47 on Fri, 23 January 2009, 11:41:16

Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: lam47 on Fri, 23 January 2009, 11:41:16: Here is a useful device intended to open an alps switch for swapping internals and mods of that nature.

Sandy has sent these from Okinawa for you lucky forum members to claim as your own.

In the picture you can see on the far left the original item.
It is a pencil used for marking your score during a golf game.
Sandy has carved the plastic into a perfect fit for all Alps switches.

See how I stick it in in the photo.
Push down firmly so the latches on either side disengage.
Then you can pull the top of the switch out. They are stiff but will come with a good tug.
Now you can remove or add a clicking spring or do whatever it is you keyboard nuts do ;)

Also pictured is the 'beetle' the mark 2 of the device made from a wall socket cover. This version requires only one hand and I will be keeping sorry.

I will try and carve the last original pencil into a device so I will have 6 to give away.
No charge just send me your address and I will post it in a card free of charge.

All thanks to Sandy for being a ****ing legend!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/laurie47/DSC00043-3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/laurie47/DSC00045-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/laurie47/DSC00046-3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/laurie47/DSC00047-1.jpg)
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: wellington1869 on Fri, 23 January 2009, 12:50:55: thats pretty brilliant! I want one!
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: lam47 on Fri, 23 January 2009, 13:01:42: Quote from: wellington1869;19297
thats pretty brilliant! I want one!

Send Me a PM with your address and I will get one sent in the morning.

The black one has gone so take your pick from yellow or the green ones.

:)
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: wellington1869 on Fri, 23 January 2009, 18:26:41: pm'ed :) Thanks lam.
And sandy, thanks for the free gifts! Definitely +10 karmic points for each of those :)
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: itlnstln on Sat, 24 January 2009, 09:02:03: Thanks, Sandy!!!
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: lam47 on Sat, 24 January 2009, 09:05:36: Only 1 left! (or 2 not sure if lowpolly wanted it or not, drunk PM :) let me know mate.)
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: cchan on Sat, 24 January 2009, 09:08:38: Thanks Laurie and Sandy! This will speed up the process of possibly modding my several ALPS boards.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: sandy55 on Sat, 24 January 2009, 10:33:33: Just want to know.

Is that pencil in the picture widely used in every countries?

I do not play golf so I do not know if it is well known item among golfers or not.

... and please say thanks to MouseFan ( in your mind ) who designed the Beetle #1.

PS. Beetle #1 is not suitable for green/yellow alps. you know the reason why. #2 is....invincible
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: lowpoly on Sat, 24 January 2009, 11:29:37: Quote from: lam47;19444
Only 1 left! (or 2 not sure if lowpolly wanted it or not, drunk PM :) let me know mate.)

I think i didn't know myself. :) I'm not going to do some serious Alps modding. Better give it to someone who does. Thanks for the offer. :)
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: lam47 on Mon, 26 January 2009, 19:13:06: Just a little bump to say there are now 2 left (cheers lowpolly)
So be quick if you think you have some ALPS modding to do!
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: zwmalone on Mon, 26 January 2009, 20:20:20: I want one! I've got some ALPS surgery to do :D
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: lam47 on Tue, 27 January 2009, 05:13:56: All you need to do is send me your address by PM and the last one is yours.
(dont forget to thank Sandy too)
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: Chloe on Tue, 27 January 2009, 06:11:15: These pencils are great for opening ALPS, thank you Sandy.

It looks like you can get them in Canada too:
http://www.pegcil.com/inside.html
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: sandy55 on Tue, 27 January 2009, 07:52:20: Quote from: Chloe;19822
It looks like you can get them in Canada too:
http://www.pegcil.com/inside.html

Good search. Never had a thought to trace it with molded trade mark *pegcil*. You'd better to move to LA.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: bhtooefr on Tue, 27 January 2009, 11:42:07: Hmm, is it time for a group buy?

2000 pieces for $142. No printing, but...
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: wellington1869 on Wed, 28 January 2009, 15:44:17: so I got a letter from merry old england today. who do I know in england? Oh yeah! Thanks Laurie! :D

it works well, wonder though how long it will last since its made out of plastic and the tips are quite thin. Wish it were made out of aluminum!
(Also I'm trying to 'rock it back and forth' once I've stuck it in the alps switch (to 'rock' the switch out rather than use a pliers). This generally works but prolly will reduce the lifespan of the 'pegcil')
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: lam47 on Wed, 28 January 2009, 19:33:48: Cool glad it got to you.
I have just been using my fingers to pull out the switch from the top.
They are a bit stiff but seem to come out OK.
I dont think the tool is likely to wear out that quick.
You would need to be modding on a daily basis for the plastic to wear down.

I will have a go at rocking out the switch I dont quite see how that works without giving it a go myself.

Hope everyone else got theirs OK too.

Laurie.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: cchan on Wed, 28 January 2009, 22:55:46: I've not received mine yet. I wouldn't put it past my parents to hold it though. Still awaiting (:

--Hayley
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: sandy55 on Wed, 28 January 2009, 23:19:51: Quote from: lam47;20080
I will have a go at rocking out the switch I dont quite see how that works without giving it a go myself.

What do you mean? Are you thinking about easiest way to reassemble whole parts back and put the top casing onto lower part of a switch module ?
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: lam47 on Thu, 29 January 2009, 04:08:21: Quote from: wellington1869;20067

(Also I'm trying to 'rock it back and forth' once I've stuck it in the alps switch (to 'rock' the switch out rather than use a pliers). This generally works but prolly will reduce the lifespan of the 'pegcil')

Its from what Wellington said here. He rocks the tool back and forth to get the top of the switch out.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: xsphat on Thu, 29 January 2009, 04:42:09: Quote from: lam47;20119
HHKB PRO 2 (capacitive)
Macally MK 96 (ALPS I will say no more )
IBM A01 Japanese (Removable BS)
Power User 105 (ALPS real)
Cherry G84 4106 (ML)
Cherry 11900 (Black Cherry)
IBM Space Saver UNI04C6 (BS)
SGI AT-101 (ALPS rubber dampers)
Compaq G80-11802 (brown Cherry)

Wow, nice collection you have going.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: lam47 on Thu, 29 January 2009, 04:46:13: Cheers :) It just kind of happened!
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: sandy55 on Thu, 29 January 2009, 06:23:28: Quote from: wellington1869;20067
it works well, wonder though how long it will last since its made out of plastic and the tips are quite thin. Wish it were made out of aluminum!
(Also I'm trying to 'rock it back and forth' once I've stuck it in the alps switch (to 'rock' the switch out rather than use a pliers). This generally works but prolly will reduce the lifespan of the 'pegcil')

You can sharpen the tips.
You just stick the pegcil in the switch and unlatch leaves then take the stem with your fingers to pull out stem and upper housing together. "Rocking out the switch" is not recommended. So please take my advice, then you can Keep on Rokin' in the ALPS World with one pegcil for at least a year unless you play with it all day long from morning till the end of the day.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 29 January 2009, 07:10:09: Quote from: xsphat;20120
Wow, nice collection you have going.

Definitley some strong work going on there. With the wood work he does, it's like we have our own little New Yankee Workshop happening here.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: zwmalone on Mon, 02 February 2009, 15:33:25: Thanks for the switch tool lam & sandy! It arrived safely here today. Works great!
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: xsphat on Mon, 02 February 2009, 16:30:30: Quote from: itlnstln;20130
Definitley some strong work going on there. With the wood work he does, it's like we have our own little New Yankee Workshop happening here.

Dude, you can't call a Brit a Yank, what's wrong with you?
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: xsphat on Mon, 02 February 2009, 16:49:39: :(

I got the Alps tool in the mail today, and this how it arrived:

(http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/76433/For%20message%20boards%20and%20ebay/Alps%20tool%20%E2%80%94%20broken.JPG)

Oh well, thanks anyway guys. The other piece wasn't in the envelop either.

:(
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: lam47 on Mon, 02 February 2009, 17:56:36: Quote from: xsphat;20629
:(

I got the Alps tool in the mail today, and this how it arrived:

Show Image
(http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/76433/For%20message%20boards%20and%20ebay/Alps%20tool%20%E2%80%94%20broken.JPG)

Oh well, thanks anyway guys. The other piece wasn't in the envelop either.

:(

Oh for fuk sake.
Cant they do anything.
I will try and make you another and add some more card.
Did all the other people get theirs yet? Have had no confirmations.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: wellington1869 on Mon, 02 February 2009, 18:03:24: wow, someone sat on the envelope! :)

I bet one could create the perfect alps remover out of wood, with little 'hooks' on the end (so its a one-step insert-and-pull tool). (And on the other end, a magnet for the reinsertion...). Anyone with a wood-working setup in their basement?
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: xsphat on Mon, 02 February 2009, 18:15:18: Quote from: lam47;20639
Oh for fuk sake.
Cant they do anything.
I will try and make you another and add some more card.
Did all the other people get theirs yet? Have had no confirmations.

Don't worry about it. This is just god telling me I can't mod anything without bricking it. If you want to send me something, a babysitter or a padded room would do nicely today if you can't tell by my tone ...
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: sandy55 on Mon, 02 February 2009, 19:09:33: OK, god telling me sending you another invincible tool called beetle #2 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/laurie47/DSC00047-1.jpg) to force you climbing ALPSs. Do not plug it into your baby's nose. give me your address by PM.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: wellington1869 on Mon, 02 February 2009, 21:28:50: Quote from: sandy55;20651
OK, god telling me sending you another invincible tool called beetle #2 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/laurie47/DSC00047-1.jpg) to force you climbing ALPSs. Do not plug it into your baby's nose. give me your address by PM.

sandy, is that just an AC outlet plug? I think I have a whole bag of those...
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: sandy55 on Mon, 02 February 2009, 22:07:07: Yes, it is. Do you use 2 pin AC outlet in U.S? I thought you use 3 pin type.
Please check the space between 2 blades. If it is 11mm then it will perfect fit to alps upper housing.
Could you show me a picture of your plug?

Attached jpg; left/original shape, right/after sharpened
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: wellington1869 on Mon, 02 February 2009, 22:26:29: Quote from: sandy55;20668
Yes, it is. Do you use 2 pin AC outlet in U.S? I thought you use 3 pin type.
Please check the space between 2 blades. If it is 11mm then it will perfect fit to alps upper housing.
Could you show me a picture of your plug?

Attached jpg; left/original shape, right/after sharpened

yes, the space is exactly 11mm. It looks almost exactly like yours.

however, I'd have to sharpen the tips a little I think. Also there isnt any real way to pull the housing upwards once the tabs are apart. I mean I'd still have to use a second tool (screwdriver or pliers) to get the housing out I think.

Maybe there is a way to shape the stems on this so that there is a little "notch" at the tips of the stems. Maybe they can "catch" the housing once you stick it in (then you'd just have to push straight down to get it in and then pull straight up to get the housing out). That would be ideal... I'll try some experiments once I get some time...
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: Chloe on Mon, 02 February 2009, 22:43:25: If you push the tool down so the tabs are apart you can use two fingers either side to pull upper housing out.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: wellington1869 on Tue, 03 February 2009, 01:51:47: Quote from: Chloe;20674
If you push the tool down so the tabs are apart you can use two fingers either side to pull upper housing out.

yes, but I'm SO lazy, that I want to do it all in one motion :)

(Besides, for me anyway, I've had trouble pulling the housing out with just fingers, I've had to initially push it up at least halfway with another tool before it comes out with fingers. That was my experience on both the dell at101w and the smk85 anyway)
(Also you may have smaller fingers than me :) I cant really get my fingers in there very well without hitting the switches on the left and right of it...)
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: xsphat on Tue, 03 February 2009, 02:22:58: Quote from: sandy55;20668
Yes, it is. Do you use 2 pin AC outlet in U.S? I thought you use 3 pin type.

We do use three pin plugs here but the child safety plugs only have two pins.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 03 February 2009, 06:32:09: Lam, I got mine in the mail the other day, and it arrived safe and sound. Thanks a lot!
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: lam47 on Tue, 03 February 2009, 06:36:14: cool.
I hate the mail at the moment they have been pissing me off for months.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: bhtooefr on Tue, 03 February 2009, 09:37:03: And there's still two-pin outlets in a lot of older houses, the third pin was added on.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: wellington1869 on Tue, 03 February 2009, 13:11:43: I got mine too lammy
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: cchan on Tue, 03 February 2009, 19:06:51: Suppose I should post here. (with the NMB keyboard I bought from xsphat, thanks man!) I received the switch tool in good condition last Friday I believe. Thanks Laurie!
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: lam47 on Tue, 03 February 2009, 19:07:50: cool glad they made it OK.
Just waiting on Webit I think.
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: xsphat on Wed, 04 February 2009, 03:56:14: Quote from: Tales;20744
(with the NMB keyboard I bought from xsphat, thanks man!)

No prob. Not too shabby for a membrane, huh?
Title: Free from Sandy. Alps switch tool.
Post by: cchan on Wed, 04 February 2009, 19:09:05: Yeah, it's pretty nice. It does feel a lot like the black ALPS, except with not as sharp and hard a landing. (I /always/ bottom out keys because I used a rubber dome board for eight years before I saw the light and got my first Model M.)