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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: aquapura on Thu, 18 August 2016, 02:19:05

Title: Changing alps from white to X
Post by: aquapura on Thu, 18 August 2016, 02:19:05

Is it possible to replace a keyboard with white alps switches entirely to another color alps switch? I opened up and saw you can take the switch out, But are the other alps switches completely compatible. In other words say i wanted to replace all my white switches with a click blue (assuming i could ever find those) would i just take all the white out and put in the blue or is it more complicated? Sorry for the newbie question

Title: Re: Changing alps from white to X
Post by: klennkellon on Thu, 18 August 2016, 03:31:16

It's totally possible, all SKCM/SKCL or Simplified switches should be electrically compatible with eachother, this also includes Matias. It's as simple as just popping out the old ones and soldering the new ones in.

Title: Re: Changing alps from white to X
Post by: aquapura on Thu, 18 August 2016, 04:24:24

Cool :D

Title: Re: Changing alps from white to X
Post by: aquapura on Thu, 18 August 2016, 08:42:18

Oh wow i didn't know I could swap in new matias switches that's pretty cool....

Title: Re: Changing alps from white to X
Post by: chyros on Thu, 18 August 2016, 08:55:20

Matias and Alps are only one-way compatible, though. IIRC Matias parts fit in Alps but not the other way around.

Also not EVERY combination of Alps parts works, but most do :) . The modular nature of Alps is one of their advantages though :) .

Title: Re: Changing alps from white to X
Post by: aquapura on Thu, 18 August 2016, 08:59:19

Thanks Chyros, what's your person view on them in comparison to the original white alps? Which do you prefer ?

Title: Re: Changing alps from white to X
Post by: chyros on Thu, 18 August 2016, 11:40:14

Quote from: aquapura on Thu, 18 August 2016, 08:59:19

Thanks Chyros, what's your person view on them in comparison to the original white alps? Which do you prefer ?

I don't own a Matias board, just a few loose switches, so I couldn't give a proper answer to that. The general view is, which as far as my Matias tester goes, I agree with, is that Matias switches are more tactile, but Alps are somewhat more satisfying. There's virtually no contest about the typing sound, though - Alps switches sound much better.

Title: Re: Changing alps from white to X
Post by: klennkellon on Thu, 18 August 2016, 15:31:10

Quote from: chyros on Thu, 18 August 2016, 08:55:20

Matias and Alps are only one-way compatible, though. IIRC Matias parts fit in Alps but not the other way around.

Also not EVERY combination of Alps parts works, but most do :) . The modular nature of Alps is one of their advantages though :) .

I found that a spring from an SKCM White switch will work on a Matias switch.

Title: Re: Changing alps from white to X
Post by: fohat.digs on Thu, 18 August 2016, 19:13:36

This is probably my next project.

I have an Omnikey 101 in decent shape but I want to populate it with a nice set of orange Alps. So instead of de-soldering all the switches, I plan to leave them in place and pull the guts out of the switch bodies, and replace them with orange internals that I have thoroughly cleaned and inspected.

My mental debate is whether and how and with what I might lubricate them.
I am leaning towards a dry Teflon that sprays on but dries to a very thin residue.

Title: Re: Changing alps from white to X
Post by: alienman82 on Thu, 18 August 2016, 19:26:15

removed.

Title: Re: Changing alps from white to X
Post by: mike52787 on Thu, 18 August 2016, 19:28:29

Quote from: alienman82 on Thu, 18 August 2016, 19:26:15

I have a question too.  anyway to put an SKCM stem in an SKCL housing?  I need a couple for Lock LEDs


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yeh you just cant have a click leaf of course