geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: snuci on Thu, 12 March 2015, 20:32:44
Title: Vintage Keyboard: What is this key switch called?
Post by: snuci on Thu, 12 March 2015, 20:32:44
I am a vintage computer collector and took apart a keyboard to clean. Does anyone know what type of key switch this is and is it used much?
[attach=1]
Can anyone guess what it's from (it's obviously from a vintage computer)?
Title: Re: Vintage Keyboard: What is this key switch called?
Post by: katushkin on Thu, 12 March 2015, 20:34:58
Wow. That is really interesting. Looking at it I can't even work out how those things go down...
Have you got any pictures of the case you had, or the underside of the caps that go on these switches to maybe help in their identification?
Title: Re: Vintage Keyboard: What is this key switch called?
Post by: nubbinator on Thu, 12 March 2015, 20:36:44
Looks like beam spring (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Beam_spring), but a close up would help.
Edit: I'd also say it looks like it's probably from an IBM 5100 (http://deskthority.net/wiki/File:5100.jpg) and you cropped out part of the keyboard. In fact I'd be willing to bet good odds that that's what it is based on spacebar color, layout, and switches in each row.
Title: Re: Vintage Keyboard: What is this key switch called?
Post by: snuci on Thu, 12 March 2015, 20:47:41
Here is a close up. I already put the keyboard back together so I can't take another. I won't take it apart any further so no back shots (sorry). It is sealed.
[attach=1]
And yes, it's from an IBM 5100. I've never seen anything like this before so thanks for the type.
Title: Re: Vintage Keyboard: What is this key switch called?
Post by: Ludovician on Thu, 12 March 2015, 21:50:32
That’s a very desirable/collectable machine, assuming it’s all in good shape.
Many people really like beam spring keyboards. Not only are the switches quite nice to type on, but the keycaps are among the best ever made, and the keyboards are all quite pretty.
Deskthority, a somewhat more Euro-centric forum than geekhack, in particular has a bunch of huge beam spring fans.
Title: Re: Vintage Keyboard: What is this key switch called?
Post by: snuci on Fri, 13 March 2015, 07:00:31
That’s a very desirable/collectable machine, assuming it’s all in good shape.
Sadly, it is not in good shape but that's why I am restoring it. I've spent many months/years looking for one so I would take anything I could get.
The keyboard actually had a thin black plastic sheet that covered the keyboard plate that was held in place by the key caps. That has since shredded over time so I had to remove each key cap to clean it up and remove what was left of the cover. It must have been for spills. Oddly enough, I find the top of the key caps very small and much more concave than what we see today. It's probably great if you have long finger nails :)
Anyway, here is a blog post of my restoration start (if you're interested): http://vintagecomputer.ca/ibm-5100-before
Title: Re: Vintage Keyboard: What is this key switch called?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 13 March 2015, 07:14:40
Since xwhatsit put out his controller which will allow Beamspring boards to work over USB, there's been a lot of beamspring restoration thread and info put out. For example, here's a post from Halvar about how he restored the contamination shield (http://deskthority.net/photos-f62/ibm-beam-springs-photo-thread-t8539.html#p177088). Apparently the beamspring switches are sensitive to dust and that's why it had that plastic.
I too have been keeping an eye out for a beamspring boards for a while. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying your pictures :)
Title: Re: Vintage Keyboard: What is this key switch called?
Post by: Dihedral on Fri, 13 March 2015, 12:50:00
Interesting board! What are the beamsprings like to type on?