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Author Topic: Lowest force alps  (Read 1469 times)

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Offline dotancohen

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Lowest force alps
« on: Tue, 25 December 2012, 07:11:08 »
I am looking into trying some 30 gram Alps switches, but there seems to be a lack of information on the different types. I would like a clicky, tactile switch. Which colour Alps is click, tactile, and has an actuation pressure between 25-35 grams? Any recommended keyboards to buy them in?

Thanks.
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Offline TotalChaos

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Re: Lowest force alps
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 25 December 2012, 07:48:43 »
I hope you get an answer to your question!  Because I want to know too!

I accidentally found force graphs to about 6 different alps switches a few days ago.  The force curves were similar on all the switches.  And they all required you to input around 60g of force.  But maybe there are/were other alps switches that were not shown in those graphs, I dunno.

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Offline AKIMbO

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Re: Lowest force alps
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 25 December 2012, 08:41:29 »
25-35g is insanely light.  The lightest alps I've tried are green xm's....which still aren't anywhere near 25-35g.  Complicated greens are probably the second lightest....but those are around 50g.
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Offline dorkvader

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Re: Lowest force alps
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 25 December 2012, 13:33:11 »
I don't know about ALPS, but mainly the only thing I've seen that's both tactile, and that low actuation force are microswithces, though you'd have to fabricate your own keyboard, like this guy:
http://mykeyboard.co.uk/microswitch/ (His is 10 cN though you can find microswitches in different forces.)
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Offline rootwyrm

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Re: Lowest force alps
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 25 December 2012, 13:36:39 »
Low force Alps? Hooboy. 30g.. I put that much weight on the keys resting my fingers on them.
But... I've heard legend of simplified knockoffs which were probably around 40g. The secret was cheaping out on the spring. If you can find a sufficient supply of Green XMs, it might be worth experimenting with replacing the spring. No idea where you could source a 40cN spring though. (I think it'd be 40cN for ~30g, no? Desired Actuation + Sprung Weight?)
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Offline dorkvader

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Re: Lowest force alps
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 25 December 2012, 13:41:32 »
Quote from: rootwyrm on Tue, 25 December 2012, 13:36:39
No idea where you could source a 40cN spring though. (I think it'd be 40cN for ~30g, no? Desired Actuation + Sprung Weight?)
You'd have to find a custom spring place, almost certainly.
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Offline rootwyrm

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Re: Lowest force alps
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 25 December 2012, 18:54:50 »
Quote from: dorkvader on Tue, 25 December 2012, 13:41:32
Quote from: rootwyrm on Tue, 25 December 2012, 13:36:39
No idea where you could source a 40cN spring though. (I think it'd be 40cN for ~30g, no? Desired Actuation + Sprung Weight?)
You'd have to find a custom spring place, almost certainly.

Well technically any and all springs are custom at one point in their life.. so I can't imagine there isn't somewhere with a 40cN spring of the appropriate diameter and length. Just no idea where one would even begin to look. The only custom spring shops I know are automotive. :(
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"I remain convinced I am the only person alive who has successfully worn out an IBM Model M mechanically."
Daily Drivers: Adesso 625 (NPKC PBT / Kailh Blue), Rosewill RK9000V2 (KC PBT / MX Brown), 1994 Model M13, Sun Type4, and the rare IBM 1394540.

Offline Vintage

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Re: Lowest force alps
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 25 December 2012, 20:02:13 »
A 30g tactile switch???

I am not sure if the switch would even reset properly, yet alone be pleasant to type on. I'd say the best bet for 30g switches is topre.
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