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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Ejusdemgeneris on Sat, 31 March 2018, 08:40:23

Title: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: Ejusdemgeneris on Sat, 31 March 2018, 08:40:23
I have recently managed to get an Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard (from a recycling centre) and some blue alps. I plan to swap some of the orange alps switches with the blue ones using the same housing without desoldering. I wonder if it is possible, thank you.
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: Myoth on Sat, 31 March 2018, 08:51:54
All Pine Tactile or Clicky Alps SKCM housings are the same, so yes you can swap them however you like  :)
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: Ejusdemgeneris on Sat, 31 March 2018, 09:06:13
Thank you very much :)
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 31 March 2018, 14:41:41
The important takeaway from all of this is,  Orange is a Superior Color to Blue..

Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: ander on Sun, 01 April 2018, 04:00:01
Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?

Yes, but the Oranges have to use the rear entrance.
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 01 April 2018, 09:38:31
Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?

Yes, but the Oranges have to use the rear entrance.

I'd xpect n-turtle to come in here and say something like,  Some people prefer it. !
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: rich1051414 on Sun, 01 April 2018, 19:10:05
I have recently managed to get an Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard (from a recycling centre) and some blue alps. I plan to swap some of the orange alps switches with the blue ones using the same housing without desoldering. I wonder if it is possible, thank you.
Orange and blue alps share the same everything other than click leaf and spring. I assume the springs are different anyway. Even the sliders are the same, except for the color :)
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: Ejusdemgeneris on Sun, 01 April 2018, 21:02:28
The important takeaway from all of this is,  Orange is a Superior Color to Blue..



I will try them out first and if I don't like them I will swap them back. Thanks though!
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: Blaise170 on Mon, 02 April 2018, 08:31:19
Blue is not only better than orange, but the switches are nicer too!  :p
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: Ejusdemgeneris on Tue, 03 April 2018, 05:32:35
Sorry, but what about the switchplates? Just realised that I cannot swap the switchplates without desoldering the switches. Thank you for responding guys.
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: Torque_635 on Tue, 03 April 2018, 09:43:51
Known as top modding.

Swapping out everything but the switch plate.
I've done this to an AEK II where I had several M0116 keyboards and made an AEK 1.5 ;)
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: rich1051414 on Tue, 03 April 2018, 14:34:33
I can feel a difference in the white and gray switchplates, but I don't know if it is condition dependent or what. The gray ones seem to be felt less than the white ones, from my examples.

Either way, pretty sure blue and orange alps both use gray switchplates.
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: chyros on Tue, 03 April 2018, 14:45:49
Either way, pretty sure blue and orange alps both use gray switchplates.
Most of the time, yes.
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Tue, 03 April 2018, 16:49:36
I can feel a difference in the white and gray switchplates, but I don't know if it is condition dependent or what. The gray ones seem to be felt less than the white ones, from my examples.

It's curious that you should mention that, as I've wondered myself if the white switchplates are what give white Alps its harsher feel.

I removed the switchplate from an Omron B3G-S switch (after I broke it) and it was so much smoother — it felt like a whole new switch afterwards. That demonstrated just how much they do interfere with the feel of the switch.
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: Blaise170 on Wed, 04 April 2018, 08:13:06
I can feel a difference in the white and gray switchplates, but I don't know if it is condition dependent or what. The gray ones seem to be felt less than the white ones, from my examples.

It's curious that you should mention that, as I've wondered myself if the white switchplates are what give white Alps its harsher feel.

I removed the switchplate from an Omron B3G-S switch (after I broke it) and it was so much smoother — it felt like a whole new switch afterwards. That demonstrated just how much they do interfere with the feel of the switch.

B3G-S switchplates are compatible with Alps?
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Wed, 04 April 2018, 18:44:14
No — why would you think that?
Title: Re: Do blue alps and orange alps share the same housing?
Post by: Blaise170 on Wed, 04 April 2018, 19:10:23
No — why would you think that?

Oi I misread, thought you meant that you put an Omron switchplate in an Alps switch since the Omron was broken anyways.