Buying a keyboard from the flea market-need advice

[spale]

Hey keyboard lovers, great to find such a nice forum

I ll try to be short. I just recently built new PC and unfortunately don't have any money for a proper  mechanic keyboard with MX Browns or Blues. I could buy some membrane keyboard, but I wanna try something different in the meantime- some old and cheap mechanical keyboard ( probably from the flea market or second hand shops in Stockholm).

So, can you give me some really basic instructions so I know what to look for, just not to avoid buying an old plastic non-mechanical keyboard. Any switch will do.

I hope my topic is in proper section 

Thank you for help

[fohat.digs]

I don't know about the 2nd-hand situation in your country, but in the US the most common keyboards with mechanical switches are the Dell AT101 (probably 102 in the Euro market) and the original Apple Extended Keyboard (including the AEK2) although the Apples will need ADB-to-USB converter.

You may get lucky and stumble onto an IBM Model M, and don't be afraid if it is dirty or incomplete, they clean up well and are easily repairable.

In Europe, however, you will surely find Cherry keyboards. Look for the G80 models, and avoid other G8x because they will not be mechanical.

[spale]

Thx for answer fohat, I ll remember that Dell 102 is the most common.  I hope I ll get it cheap.
I dont think I ll find Model M, but I ll try my best.

[Khers]

.

[meztek]

Have you ever used a mechanical keyboard?  Do you know what they feel like?  As long as you know what you are looking for and can tell the difference, I usually keep my eye out at any used computer or electronics stores, thrift stores, flea markets, etc.  There's also Craigslist, you could try to find someone nearby who is selling old computer parts and doesn't know what they are selling (as soon as somebody knows a keyboard is mechanical, they ask for much more than they are worth IMO).  Best of luck.

[spale]

Have you ever used a mechanical keyboard?  Do you know what they feel like?  As long as you know what you are looking for and can tell the difference, I usually keep my eye out at any used computer or electronics stores, thrift stores, flea markets, etc.  There's also Craigslist, you could try to find someone nearby who is selling old computer parts and doesn't know what they are selling (as soon as somebody knows a keyboard is mechanical, they ask for much more than they are worth IMO).  Best of luck.

Well I did tried Corsair K70 with MX Reds (at friends house), and it wasn't that good feel, keys were way too light to press. I am sure I need  some "heavier" keys, thats why vintage models should suit me.

Hopefully, I ll find some.

[IvanIvanovich]

In Europe, the thing that would be best to look for for cheap cost is Cherry G80-1000 model or 1500/1501. It is better than 3000 model since it will have NKRO. Most other Cherry G80 model have only 2KRO so they have bad blocking which sucks for gaming in many cases. If you don't mind to buy from German ebay, it's often possible to find them in the 5-20EUR range. These are most likely to come with MX black, which you may like better since they are not too light. Cherry G80-1800 model also have only 2KRO, but I find they are not quite as bad about blocking as 3000. It's possible to get those for very cheap also as they are extremely common.

[Findecanor]

I have been a frequent visitor to flea markets around Stockholm for several years and I have never found any mechanical keyboard. I collect other things than keyboards, otherwise I wouldn't go to as many.
Over five years, I have picked up maybe half a dozen rubber dome keyboards from 10 to 50 SEK each: Key Tronic, BTC, MS ergo, Cherry RS-6000. My best find was a HHKB Lite 2 for 50 SEK.
If the keyboard is dirty, you can usually haggle the price down - the seller would not know that you are going to clean it either way.

The closest to a mechanical I had come was when I met a guy that had half a dozen IBM rubber domes.
Me: "Hello. Do you have any mechanical IBM keyboard by any chance, one of those that makes a click sound when you press a key?"
Seller: "You mean those that make a lot of noise? No, I had but I got rid of those. I didn't think anyone wanted that old junk"
Me: "AAAAARGH!!!"

I have had better luck finding mechanicals at Tradera. I can see a couple of Cherry G80, an Alps and  a clicky IBM keyboard there right now, but the IBM keyboard is overpriced and I expect there to be bidding wars on the Cherry keyboards.
The Cherry G80 series has Cherry MX switches while other Cherry-brand keyboards usually don't have mechanical switches.

[spale]

Thx a lot man, really important input. I guess I ll just have to grab some from auctions then.

[hwood34]

Even if you can't tell if it's mechanical or not by feel (though you should be able to tell if it's rubber dome) just keep a phone handy so you can look up stuff. A key puller can also come in handy

[Findecanor]

I carry a ring-type key puller in my pack pocket, always...

[shut up]

EBay will BS you, Sellers call everything a "clicky keyboard" so if you find something there, run it on this website

If you want to spend about $70, you can get an Adesso Mkb-125b with Mx Blue switches...

[Magna224]

EBay will BS you, Sellers call everything a "clicky keyboard" so if you find something there, run it on this website

Yeah once upon a time I bought a "NMB with hitek switches *like new*" in box and the seller threw some other keyboard in the box. Luckily it was an ANSI forward electronics keyboard with complicated whites and doubleshot caps so I didn't mind. The second time I tried to get a NMB keyboard on ebay I bought a "RT101+ with clicky switches" which turned out to be the rubber dome version. So I've given up getting a NMB keyboard. I wouldn't use it I just want it for my collection. I passed one up at goodwill when I was in high school and it's probably the biggest regret of my life so far.

[fohat.digs]

NMB keyboard on ebay I bought a "RT101+ with clicky switches"

"RT101+"  is a number that has been used and abused many times. That number alone is not enough to go on.