Big Box 'O AT101Ws

[FletchINKy]

Look what just showed up in the mail all by itself after I bought it? Fake planck for scale


Why can't I hold all these keyboards?

Full disclosure: When I saw this, I actually did one of these;



The best: I put this one back in the bubble wrap. The texture isn't even worn off the keys. It looks like it's been stored, but I don't think it's been used.


The worst:


Full album http://imgur.com/a/VJmv0

I'm interested to know what you guys would do with them? I will have some for my use, but I'd want to make things other people would use. There are lots of crisp ALPS blacks and 10 plates to work with.

I've already set the unused one aside, and I'm using the second best one to type on now. I know the M15 is super rare and super desirable, but I love the sound of this keyboard over the tinny sound of the buckling springs. /heresy

That said, since my daily driver is a split, and I'm used to typing at my home office on the M15, I can already feel my wrists crying out for justice.

I'm going to have to split one while maintaining the integrity of the case and plate as must as possible (so as to maintain this delectable sound). At least when I do, the ribbon cable won't look out of place. This thing screams retro.

So what say you? I know I want to make a tenkeyless, and I've already ordered three teensies, so there will be a few ready for distribution soon.

[Hak Foo]

They have great thick durable plates and that virtually unobtainable-in-ALPS straight ANSI-104 layout, but mediocre switches, caps, and casing.  I wish they'd make a replacement PCB with NKRO and potentially some sort of expansion header.

If I had ten, I'd probably strip a few down to the plate, cut apart the plates, and make a single battleship plate (reminiscent of something like a Focus 9000 or Ortek MCK-142) that had a straight ANSI layout.

[Moistgun]

It would be cool to make it into a split 60 or 70. I dont know how you would preserve the sound when cutting it down the middle.

Then make the arrow, home, and numpad keys into its own standalone  pad for when you want to whip it out and do some data entry.

[FletchINKy]

They have great thick durable plates and that virtually unobtainable-in-ALPS straight ANSI-104 layout, but mediocre switches, caps, and casing.  I wish they'd make a replacement PCB with NKRO and potentially some sort of expansion header.

If I had ten, I'd probably strip a few down to the plate, cut apart the plates, and make a single battleship plate (reminiscent of something like a Focus 9000 or Ortek MCK-142) that had a straight ANSI layout.

I was interested in cutting and re-welding the plates to get different layouts. Mostly to make a grid though... I've never seen a Focus 9000, very cool!

[FletchINKy]

It would be cool to make it into a split 60 or 70. I dont know how you would preserve the sound when cutting it down the middle.

Then make the arrow, home, and numpad keys into its own standalone  pad for when you want to whip it out and do some data entry.

I've heard of a 60%, but never a split 60 or 70. I'm not sure what to do about the spacebar. I'll try to maintain the same supports and case contact after the cut to keep the acoustics as similar as possible, but I know there will be some degradation.

I really like the arrow, home, numpad keys separate!

[Moistgun]

Just thinking of really tiny modular parts to a whole keyboard

[mr67volks]

It would be cool to make it into a split 60 or 70. I dont know how you would preserve the sound when cutting it down the middle.

Then make the arrow, home, and numpad keys into its own standalone  pad for when you want to whip it out and do some data entry.

I have started this and it does loose alot of the xound when the plate is cut. the black alps really get quiet with no case. once i get a case fabbed up ill  redo it.

need to get another teensy though.

also love the keycaps of the at101. 

[FletchINKy]

Just thinking of really tiny modular parts to a whole keyboard

Like a snap fit pieces? Technically, the rows and columns don't need to be connected unless the switches are pressed. You could make all the connections and program them into the IC, then make it a PCI card style fit so when it attaches it completes the connections and registers the keys. I like it. Might not be super solid, but that might just need some more planning...

[Moistgun]

Just thinking of really tiny modular parts to a whole keyboard

Like a snap fit pieces? Technically, the rows and columns don't need to be connected unless the switches are pressed. You could make all the connections and program them into the IC, then make it a PCI card style fit so when it attaches it completes the connections and registers the keys. I like it. Might not be super solid, but that might just need some more planning...

Im Whooshing here a bit, but yeah that sounds very cool!

[FletchINKy]

it does loose alot of the xound when the plate is cut. the black alps really get quiet with no case

I noticed when I cut my plate for a my Split56 project that the sound was really low when mounted (poorly) to pressed cardboard, but now that I'm making more offical and denser layered cases, the sound is returning.



Currently running one side (semi)properly cased and the left side not and the sound difference between right and left side is very noticeable.

I'll try to maintain the integrity of the plate as much as possible after the cut, but acknowledge there will be some impact...

[Moistgun]

This Is great. Keep up the posts w/ pics!