How rare/valuable is an Ancer Research Group keyboard? I am thinking of modding one.

[ajmmin]

I don't know too much about keyboards, but I've been keeping my eyes open for a mechanical one to Steampunk. I found this today at Goodwill for a few bucks. I wasn't surprised when I hadn't heard of the company, but I found it unusual when I couldn't find out too much about them online. There were basically just a couple old auctions for other Ancer models and a few mentions on these forums. I am wondering if it would be a sacrilege to deface this keyboard by modding it, or if I am good to go. Thoughts?

There is still a protective film over the LEDs, and the cord still has the plastic wrap. I don't know how old it is, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was sitting on the Goodwill shelf for 20 years.

[ajmmin]

And I hate having newbie questions like this, but how do I post photos of it? I keep getting the error:  "Post denied. New posts are limited by number of URLs it may contain and checked if it doesn't contain forbidden words."

[Encryptor]

I think you have to get your post count up first.  Maybe to 5?  I think thats when the option appeared for me.

[ajmmin]

Ah. Thanks!

I am about to do a shameful thing. For Science!

[ajmmin]

4

[ajmmin]

5

[ajmmin]

Ok, here are some photos?









Here is a modded board in the same vein I am thinking:

[Encryptor]

What kind of switches does it have?  I love that steampunk keyboard, those keycaps are ~awesome~

[ajmmin]

Yeah, I'm a big fan of the steampunk aesthetic. I really like the wooden spacebar and frame on this one.

I am thinking a wooded spacebar and enter key, with all the others Royal tombstone keys. (I haven't seen anyone do a tombstone mod yet.)

Tombstone keys:



I'm not sure what kind of switches they are. Here is a photo:



Edit: Hmm... that is a little blurry. Let me know if you need a clearer shot, or more information.

[laffindude]

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Identify+That+Vintage+Switch+-+The+Geekhack+Switch+Reference+Wiki#Futaba

[Encryptor]

From the Wiki: Originally Posted by sandy55
re Futaba switch
 It's actually a mechanical switch. You will get strange( or should I say *unpleasant* ) feel with it. You'll get faint tactile feel, and then shortly after tactile feel, clicking ( distracting clanky/klangy/echoey noise as skriefal described ) comes with upwarding a key. I evaluate the switch as "too much self-assertion, lacks Gracefullness"

Perfect for steampunk, haha.

[ajmmin]

From the Wiki: Originally Posted by sandy55
You will get strange( or should I say *unpleasant* ) feel with it. You'll get faint tactile feel, and then shortly after tactile feel, clicking ( distracting clanky/klangy/echoey noise as skriefal described ) comes with upwarding a key. I evaluate the switch as "too much self-assertion, lacks Gracefullness"

Perfect for steampunk, haha.

I can confirm the clicking on the recoil after a stroke. I don't know if I would call it "strange" or "unpleasant," but it is definitely different than what I remember from the Model M's growing up. It's better than the non-mechanical boards I've been using for the last 15 years.

And yes, it does sound perfect for steampunk.

@ripster: Wow... almost 50k posts and photos of Hermione!? I will definitely call you the "#1 Keyboard Expert On The Planet!"