Found 20+ year old keyboards in storage. What type of switches are these?

[illitirit]

So today I was rummaging through a storage area of my house where my dad has kept alot of things in storage for the past 20+ years.  I found a few keyboards but this one in particular interested me.

The switch does not look like anything I have seen before.  I know that cherry mx has a + shape, and topre has a circular shape.

Does anyone know what this is?  It feels a bit like a cherry MX green but with a much heftier click, with a much less noisier click.

Excuse the grime and dirt in the picture lol.  Thats what 20+ years of an item sitting will look like.



any info would be appreciated.

[HPE1000]

white alps

Didn't read that they were clicky. So white alps then?

[illitirit]

white alps

Didn't read that they were clicky. So white alps then?

Hey thanks for the info, yeah they are indeed white alps switches.  I actually really like how they feel and sound lol.  Are these switches not produced anymore?

[HPE1000]

white alps

Didn't read that they were clicky. So white alps then?

Hey thanks for the info, yeah they are indeed white alps switches.  I actually really like how they feel and sound lol.  Are these switches not produced anymore?

I believe the only alps switches being produced anymore are by matias.

[nubbinator]

white alps

Didn't read that they were clicky. So white alps then?

Hey thanks for the info, yeah they are indeed white alps switches.  I actually really like how they feel and sound lol.  Are these switches not produced anymore?

I believe the only alps switches being produced anymore are by matias.

There are many other Alps style switches being produced, Matias Alps are just the most prevalent.  There are XM Alps and various other Alps clones.

[HPE1000]

white alps

Didn't read that they were clicky. So white alps then?

Hey thanks for the info, yeah they are indeed white alps switches.  I actually really like how they feel and sound lol.  Are these switches not produced anymore?

I believe the only alps switches being produced anymore are by matias.

There are many other Alps style switches being produced, Matias Alps are just the most prevalent.  There are XM Alps and various other Alps clones.

Didn't know that. I am definitely lacking when it comes to alps, I need to read up sometime

[jacobolus]

Hey thanks for the info, yeah they are indeed white alps switches.  I actually really like how they feel and sound lol.  Are these switches not produced anymore?

These (clicky “complicated Alps”, product code SKCM) were manufactured in Japan between the mid-1980s (originally with blue sliders, then later white) and the mid-1990s. The ones you have are probably from the early 1990s. Alps stopped making them in the mid-1990s, and switched to selling a simpler and cheaper design (“simplified Alps”, SKBM), made by Forward Electronics (aka Fuhua, Fukka) in Taiwan (or maybe just licensing their name and design to Fuhua, I’m not sure exactly what the arrangement was). Fuhua kept selling simplified Alps switches until just a few years ago (though I think they may have sold the tooling to someone else who may still be making switches?).

Starting in ~1990, there started to be many clone switches which were drop-in replacements for complicated Alps switches, with the same pin locations, switch dimensions, and keycap mount (in particular, see http://deskthority.net/wiki/Four-tab_clone). Most of these aren’t made anymore, but there are a few types still around, though they’re hard to source from the west. Matias (a Canadian company) commissioned a new Alps clone switch a few years ago, with parts made by various Chinese vendors, and sells them internationally for fairly reasonable prices (by keyboard enthusiast standards anyhow). The clicky Matias switch is pretty similar to the white Alps switches you have.

The worldwide experts on all this are Sandy and Mousefan, in Japan (and various other members of the Japanese/Korean keyboard communities), and Daniel Beardsmore, in England, who is mostly on Deskthority, but also here.

[illitirit]

Hey thanks for the info, yeah they are indeed white alps switches.  I actually really like how they feel and sound lol.  Are these switches not produced anymore?

These (clicky “complicated Alps”, product code SKCM) were manufactured in Japan between the mid-1980s (originally with blue sliders, then later white) and the mid-1990s. The ones you have are probably from the early 1990s. Alps stopped making them in the mid-1990s, and switched to selling a simpler and cheaper design (“simplified Alps”, SKBM), made by Forward Electronics (aka Fuhua, Fukka) in Taiwan (or maybe just licensing their name and design to Fuhua, I’m not sure exactly what the arrangement was). Fuhua kept selling simplified Alps switches until just a few years ago (though I think they may have sold the tooling to someone else who may still be making switches?).

Starting in ~1990, there started to be many clone switches which were drop-in replacements for complicated Alps switches, with the same pin locations, switch dimensions, and keycap mount (in particular, see http://deskthority.net/wiki/Four-tab_clone). Most of these aren’t made anymore, but there are a few types still around, though they’re hard to source from the west. Matias (a Canadian company) commissioned a new Alps clone switch a few years ago, with parts made by various Chinese vendors, and sells them internationally for fairly reasonable prices (by keyboard enthusiast standards anyhow). The clicky Matias switch is pretty similar to the white Alps switches you have.

The worldwide experts on all this are Sandy and Mousefan, in Japan (and various other members of the Japanese/Korean keyboard communities), and Daniel Beardsmore, in England, who is mostly on Deskthority, but also here.

Wow what an explanation.  Thanks for that, it was very informative. 

[Novus]

Hey thanks for the info, yeah they are indeed white alps switches.  I actually really like how they feel and sound lol.  Are these switches not produced anymore?

These (clicky “complicated Alps”, product code SKCM) were manufactured in Japan between the mid-1980s (originally with blue sliders, then later white) and the mid-1990s. The ones you have are probably from the early 1990s. Alps stopped making them in the mid-1990s, and switched to selling a simpler and cheaper design (“simplified Alps”, SKBM), made by Forward Electronics (aka Fuhua, Fukka) in Taiwan (or maybe just licensing their name and design to Fuhua, I’m not sure exactly what the arrangement was). Fuhua kept selling simplified Alps switches until just a few years ago (though I think they may have sold the tooling to someone else who may still be making switches?).

Starting in ~1990, there started to be many clone switches which were drop-in replacements for complicated Alps switches, with the same pin locations, switch dimensions, and keycap mount (in particular, see http://deskthority.net/wiki/Four-tab_clone). Most of these aren’t made anymore, but there are a few types still around, though they’re hard to source from the west. Matias (a Canadian company) commissioned a new Alps clone switch a few years ago, with parts made by various Chinese vendors, and sells them internationally for fairly reasonable prices (by keyboard enthusiast standards anyhow). The clicky Matias switch is pretty similar to the white Alps switches you have.

The worldwide experts on all this are Sandy and Mousefan, in Japan (and various other members of the Japanese/Korean keyboard communities), and Daniel Beardsmore, in England, who is mostly on Deskthority, but also here.

You guys have way too much time on Friday :/

[Yslen]

Give them a good clean and get using them

[chyros]

Judging from the inside of that cap and the little rack on top I'm gonna guess that is a Focus FK-9000 or FK-5001. Let me guess, it has a built-in calculator, no? Fun keyboards they are, if they work. The ones with genuine Alps switches (it has to read that on top of the switch, otherwise they're almost certainly clones) are the best versions. White Alps are great switches and very nice to type on, congrats on this very nice find .

[berserkfan]

Considering the many and highly detailed posts Jacobolus makes on alps, I am surprised he does not list himself as an alps expert...

I've been around a bit, and there's no way the other names have ever posted as much info as Jacobolus when it comes to the alps universe.

[fohat.digs]

there's no way the other names have ever posted as much info as Jacobolus when it comes to the alps universe.

Jacobolus is a very intelligent and knowledgeable guy, with a true passion for Alps, but I think that Daniel Beardsmore would surely give him a lively contest, especially in historical minutiae.

PS - regardless of the value of the keyboard itself, those doubleshot caps look highly desirable

[njbair]

What are you going to do with 20 of those? I'm sure you could sell them off here on GH. Depending on your asking price I might buy one.

[ghostjuggernaut]

What are you going to do with 20 of those? I'm sure you could sell them off here on GH. Depending on your asking price I might buy one.

He found 20+ year old keyboards, not 20+ keyboards. 

[njbair]

What are you going to do with 20 of those? I'm sure you could sell them off here on GH. Depending on your asking price I might buy one.

He found 20+ year old keyboards, not 20+ keyboards. 

LOL I initially misread the subject, then realized my mistake but by the time I reached the end and posted my reply I had re-confused myself somehow.

Does anyone else by chance have 20 extra keyboards?

[illitirit]

What are you going to do with 20 of those? I'm sure you could sell them off here on GH. Depending on your asking price I might buy one.

He found 20+ year old keyboards, not 20+ keyboards. 

While I didnt find 20+ keyboards, I did find 9 or 10.

All kind of like the white ALPS one i posted.  I would be surprised if these were actually worth money.  How much would an old ALPS board like this go for?   Do people usually buy these and then take all the switches out and put them in something else?  Or people really like the nostalgic feeling of these old keyboards?

I would imagine it would take me a huge amount of hours to clean 20 years of grime off these keyboards.

[jacobolus]

How much would an old ALPS board like this go for?

In good condition, maybe $40. Brand new in box, maybe $60. Looking like your picture in the OP, more like $20.

Do people usually buy these and then take all the switches out and put them in something else?  Or people really like the nostalgic feeling of these old keyboards?

Different people have different preferences. Certain 20 year old Alps-switch keyboards are really fantastic, and great to use as is. Others have wacky layouts and crappy cases and keycaps, and are mostly useful as switch donors.

Personally, I don’t bother getting keyboards that look likely to have poor-condition (scratchy) switches, unless there’s something else particularly interesting about them.

[chyros]

What are you going to do with 20 of those? I'm sure you could sell them off here on GH. Depending on your asking price I might buy one.

He found 20+ year old keyboards, not 20+ keyboards. 

While I didnt find 20+ keyboards, I did find 9 or 10.

All kind of like the white ALPS one i posted.  I would be surprised if these were actually worth money.  How much would an old ALPS board like this go for?   Do people usually buy these and then take all the switches out and put them in something else?  Or people really like the nostalgic feeling of these old keyboards?

I would imagine it would take me a huge amount of hours to clean 20 years of grime off these keyboards.

Unfortunately, dirt hits Alps switches much worse than it does most other designs. That's why Alps veterans would always be suspicious of dirty boards like these. Also, if I'm correct, these are Fovus keyboards with calculators, right? These tend to have rather nasty problems that result in the keyboard, the calculator or both not working, so anyone should always ask to have it tested before buying. I'd say when tested and working, and new or in great condition, these could fetch $50-60 apiece. What do the others look like?

[illitirit]

What are you going to do with 20 of those? I'm sure you could sell them off here on GH. Depending on your asking price I might buy one.

He found 20+ year old keyboards, not 20+ keyboards. 

While I didnt find 20+ keyboards, I did find 9 or 10.

All kind of like the white ALPS one i posted.  I would be surprised if these were actually worth money.  How much would an old ALPS board like this go for?   Do people usually buy these and then take all the switches out and put them in something else?  Or people really like the nostalgic feeling of these old keyboards?

I would imagine it would take me a huge amount of hours to clean 20 years of grime off these keyboards.

Unfortunately, dirt hits Alps switches much worse than it does most other designs. That's why Alps veterans would always be suspicious of dirty boards like these. Also, if I'm correct, these are Fovus keyboards with calculators, right? These tend to have rather nasty problems that result in the keyboard, the calculator or both not working, so anyone should always ask to have it tested before buying. I'd say when tested and working, and new or in great condition, these could fetch $50-60 apiece. What do the others look like?

I have no idea who made the keyboard.  The only thing it says on the back is "made in taiwan R.O.C"

The keyboards are custom made keyboards back when my dad first started his tech company up.  So little to no information is known about the make of the keyboard to my family because even my dad doesnt remember who he hired to make them.   There is the calculator function on them thats for sure.   Here is a pic of the whole keyboard, I am sorry for blurring the logo, but for privacy sake:



There is a TUBRO function in the middle of the arrow cluster which makes me laugh lol.  NO idea what its for.

edit:  I actually remember as a child those top 4 rectangle cutouts on the top of the keyboard.  They were used for some sort of data cheat sheet.  Like math or some form of f(x) calculations.  Cant remember exactly but I am pretty sure thats what was in there. 

[chyros]

That's a Focus FK-9000 KeyPro. It should read FK-9000 on the back and KeyPro on the top left of the front. I have one of them, but like so many of them, it's completely dead. A shame, because I'd love to get one that actually works someday .

The Turbo key, when used together with a function key, sets the repeat rate for keeping keys pressed down, for 2 characters a second for Turbo+F1 to 130 per second to Turbo+F12.

The data sheets that come with them show shortcuts for the function keys for several DOS-based programmes, such as WordPerfect, DBase, Lotus and some others.

vwestlife had one too that also didn't work:

.

What's your other boards look like? Are they the same model of keyboard? Are they in similar condition? Are you intending to sell them? If they work, I might be interested in picking one up .

[njbair]

That's a Focus FK-9000 KeyPro. It should read FK-9000 on the back and KeyPro on the top left of the front. I have one of them, but like so many of them, it's completely dead. A shame, because I'd love to get one that actually works someday .

The Turbo key, when used together with a function key, sets the repeat rate for keeping keys pressed down, for 2 characters a second for Turbo+F1 to 130 per second to Turbo+F12.

The data sheets that come with them show shortcuts for the function keys for several DOS-based programmes, such as WordPerfect, DBase, Lotus and some others.

vwestlife had one too that also didn't work:

.

What's your other boards look like? Are they the same model of keyboard? Are they in similar condition? Are you intending to sell them? If they work, I might be interested in picking one up .

Wow, it's like an Alps battle station. I definitely would buy one at the $30-$40 mark. Even the double shot keycaps alone make this interesting.

[chyros]

That's a Focus FK-9000 KeyPro. It should read FK-9000 on the back and KeyPro on the top left of the front. I have one of them, but like so many of them, it's completely dead. A shame, because I'd love to get one that actually works someday .

The Turbo key, when used together with a function key, sets the repeat rate for keeping keys pressed down, for 2 characters a second for Turbo+F1 to 130 per second to Turbo+F12.

The data sheets that come with them show shortcuts for the function keys for several DOS-based programmes, such as WordPerfect, DBase, Lotus and some others.

vwestlife had one too that also didn't work:

.

What's your other boards look like? Are they the same model of keyboard? Are they in similar condition? Are you intending to sell them? If they work, I might be interested in picking one up .

Wow, it's like an Alps battle station. I definitely would buy one at the $30-$40 mark. Even the double shot keycaps alone make this interesting.

If you just want some key caps, you can have the doubleshots that I got from the FK-9000 I disassembled . Most, it not all, old Focus keyboards that I know of get these caps though, so it should be pretty easy to get hold of caps like these .

[Hak Foo]

The rumour is that the caps were made by Tai Hao.  They are nice caps, clean lettering and frequently with colour accents (the Esc is often red, for example), but they're sort of frustrating because a few keys won't fit a modern board.

Two things I notice.  The colours in his photo don't look as contrasty as the FK-9000 I have, and the way he covers the logo makes me wonder if it's something other than the generic Key Pro labeling.  There are definitely examples of FK-2001 and 2002 boards with custom logos, so I would be unsurprised to see that Focus did OEM work-- selling the 9000 with his father's brand printed on it, and possibly different keycap colouring (instead of black legends, grey?)

If you open it, the PCB will likely say Focus on it prominently.  Be aware that the case has big long tabs that hold it together, that may snap if you don't open it delicately enough.

[chyros]

and the way he covers the logo makes me wonder if it's something other than the generic Key Pro labeling. 

Yeah, should be his father's company. The back is apparently also different, as it would normally have read more than just "Made in Taiwan".

[jacobolus]

Two things I notice.  The colours in his photo don't look as contrasty as the FK-9000 I have,

I’m guessing the colors are the same. He just has crappy exposure and white balance settings dialed in on his camera, and the board is very dirty.

[Venatorious]

Are these switches worth money by themselves? I am trying to sell a Focus FK 2001 and I am wondering if I could get a better offer if I just soldered out the switches.

[jacobolus]

White Alps? If they’re in NIB flawless condition you might be able to get 30 cents each for them. If they’re from a dirty board, maybe 10 cents each?

Blue Alps are probably about 4–5 times more valuable, because of their rarity.

(I’m just guessing here though. There’s not a big market for loose Alps switches.)

[Venatorious]

Only 10$ for 100 switches?

[Yoe]

Only 10$ for 100 switches?

I would pay at least $15 for a hundred of those ^^ But of course, I'd rather have blue ones. A clicky Alps board is something I want to build eventually.

[jacobolus]

Only 10$ for 100 switches?

Well, I guess it depends on how scratchy they are.

Someone can buy brand new Matias clicky switches for about 25 cents each, and those are very similar feeling to white Alps.