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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: wrexroad on Wed, 26 February 2014, 00:24:04

Title: Just got my first mechanical board
Post by: wrexroad on Wed, 26 February 2014, 00:24:04
After a few false starts I finally managed to pick up a working Acer 6011 keyboard. The keycaps were pretty badly worn so I also grabbed an ALPS (clone) keyboard which appears to have been made by Acme Portables for Sterling Computers (A monster of a keyboard with an RJ-45 connector).  I think the new caps give a nice look to my new (old) board, but I digress...

Anyway, this thing is absolutely noisy and I now have a growing stack of partially assembled keyboards next to my desk. In other words, my wife sends her regards  :mad:
Title: Re: Just got my first mechanical board
Post by: osi on Wed, 26 February 2014, 06:50:23
Good looking combo there.

Welcome to geekhack!
Title: Re: Just got my first mechanical board
Post by: ideus on Wed, 26 February 2014, 10:58:07
Looking nice with that colors combination.
Title: Re: Just got my first mechanical board
Post by: mougrim on Tue, 04 March 2014, 15:36:13
Yep. Looks nice... but I'd replaced return key. It's out of the picture :(
Title: Re: Just got my first mechanical board
Post by: wrexroad on Wed, 05 March 2014, 12:02:02
Quote from: mougrim on Tue, 04 March 2014, 15:36:13
Yep. Looks nice... but I'd replaced return key. It's out of the picture :(

Yeah, that return key is in bad shape. Unfortunately, the board I pulled all the other keys from had an ISO enter key, so it has to wait for now...
Title: Re: Just got my first mechanical board
Post by: mougrim on Thu, 06 March 2014, 08:50:20
Quote from: wrexroad on Wed, 05 March 2014, 12:02:02
Quote from: mougrim on Tue, 04 March 2014, 15:36:13
Yep. Looks nice... but I'd replaced return key. It's out of the picture :(

Yeah, that return key is in bad shape. Unfortunately, the board I pulled all the other keys from had an ISO enter key, so it has to wait for now...

Yeah... and supply of ANSI return keys for ALPS switches dwindling steadily...
I have one with ALPS switches, but I won't cannibalize it for parts. And it has "big-ass" return key - so it no use for you anyway.

But... maybe you can just have it laser etched? It's not expensive and lasts kinda... forever.
Title: Re: Just got my first mechanical board
Post by: wrexroad on Thu, 06 March 2014, 12:51:50
I don't think it would be worth trying to repair the key because it is actually damaged, not just worn. It is hard (impossible) to see in the picture, but it is not just the ink that is missing. Its almost like a layer of plastic has been removed somehow. It sort of looks like there used to be clear coat that has peeled off in the center of the key. That is not what actually happened, but it is the best way I can explain it. I would need to resurface the key, then get it etched. Then, of course, I would have to laser etch the other keys...
I think I will just bide my time and wait for a good replacement.
Title: Re: Just got my first mechanical board
Post by: mougrim on Thu, 06 March 2014, 13:15:19
Clear it with sandpaper and paint over, then... or wait for replacement :)