How the heck did i end up with a keyboard collection?

[Glod]

This is a topic on growing keyboard collections

Here is my 2017 Update:

So I have been on Geekhack now for over 5 years, not really active on the forum lately, but 5 years ago i kicked off this hobby with a HHKBPro2 and a RACE and then everything snowballed due to being on geekhack.

I figured I'd give an update on my collection

Current "plug-and-play" collection (ready to plug in and use). another dozen loaned out or not build or broken






1. Unicomp Model PC 122 5250
2. 1989 IBM grey label Model M SSK
3. Keypad - Cherry G80-3700 stock MX Black
4. Cherry G80-11900-USB – Stock MX Black as it should be. With GMK Plum
5. Red GON Nerd60, rev1 "HHKB-like" - Zealios 65g Round 1 with GMK Yuri, Red side lighting, Orange in switch lighting
6. Red GONPad, Very early revision, technically a Aikon Keypad, with ergo clears and no lighting, with GMK Yuri
7. Phantom ANSI125, CHerry brown Stock, Calm Depths SA, Vortex Red Case
8. Keypad - GHPad (red scarf) with MX Black, 68g(Korean Springs) with Solid Aluminum Cast Case, with GMK Hypefuse
9. Satan GH60, with Red IMSTO Plate, MKC Grey Case, Gateron Brown with 68g springs, Krytox Lubed, White Backlighting, with Ducky Doubleshot backlight caps
10. Infinity I.C. ErgoDox with Data Mancer Wood Case, Gateron Brown with 68g springs, Krytox Lubed, White Backlighting, G80-11900 POM Caps with some DSA caps.
11. Atreus62, Wood pattern Vinyl Case, Zealios 65g Round 1, with Mito PuLSE SA Keycaps
12. Atreus with actual wood case, stock gateron brown, Retro DSA Caps
13. TeamWolf "ZHUQUE+" TKL, with Outemu Blue Swithes, with GMK Hyperfuse
14. KBT Race, backlit mod and key caps with lubed MX Red (like butter)
15. PFU HHKBPro2, Piano Style, with Hasu Bluetooth custom controller
16. Acrylic ErgoDox, Black metal top plate, Krytox-mix lubed MX Red (like butter), Granite DSA Caps, Noko wrist wrest

Some of the ones not plug and play include:
3 x un-built Phantoms
Loaned out Pok3r with stock cherry blacks and vortex pure cnc case
2 x Model Ms Loaned Out
Red Scarf II RS96, awaiting LEDs, pretty much plug and play
Unbuilt ErgoDox
Broken "Full Metal" ErgoDox. needs full switch replacement
Orbitouch "Boob" Keyboard
Unbuilt DZ60 (Coming VERY SOON)
4 GH60s that will never come, given up hope
Matias Atreus62, in suitcase
Another G80 trackpad somewhere
Early revision GH36x2, Not broken but just useless without case.
Dell AT101W Beige. Lost
CMStorm  Quickfire TKL with Frosty Flake, Tons of Broken Traces during bad desolder, Needs Hand Wiring

I also mentioned 2 years ago i have a few boards lost in action such as Rosewill RK9000, Adesso MKB-125B, a ErgoDox, and some others

I also have a large collection of keycaps and a small handful of novelties and tons of parts.

Thanks for the loss of thousands of dollars geekhack!

EDIT
Added Red Scarf III RS96 Back to the Working Collection with Robotech set. Brings Number to 17

2015 below

More

SO why not update this? - OP Updated EXACTLY TWO YEARS LATER
I have collected around all my non-destroyed keyboards and keyboard parts
I haven’t cleaned them up yet and some need repairs but at least the picture visualizes things for now
Once I have a few more built and cleaned up I will do like others have done and showcase each keyboard.



I wont go over my keycap collection but its overfiling a tub at this point.

The Glod Collection

Working
1.   CMStorm QFR Rapid with Frosty Flake Controller, 62g(Korean) Krytox-mix Lubed Ergo MX Clear, Stock QFR case
2.   KBT Race, backlit mod and key caps with lubed MX Red (like butter)
3.   KBC Poker X, IMSTO Red Plate, MKC Grey Case, Krytox-mix lubed (like butter) MX Linear Grey with 68g(Korean) springs, has some key registering issues, likely damaged PCB from too much modding.
4.   Acrylic ErgoDox, Black metal top plate, Krytox-mix lubed MX Red (like butter)
5.   Razer 2012 Black widow Tournament with MX Red Switches (custom installed) and ****ty paint job on case
6.   Keypad - GHPad (red scarf) with MX Black, 68g(Korean) springs, No Lube
7.   Orbi Touch booby keyboard
8.   1991 IBM blue label Model M
9.   1995 Lexmark blue label Model M
10.   1989 IBM grey label Model M SSK
11.   Unicomp Model PC 122 5250
12.   PFU HHKBPro2 – Has some controller issues I think but works
13.   Keypad - Cherry G80-3700 stock MX Black
14.   GH36x2 Prototype, No Case, MX Clear with 62g (Korean) springs and Silicone spray lubed (removes grit but is not like butter)
15.   Cherry G80-11900-USB – Stock MX Black as it should be

Needs Repair
16.   Full metal ErgoDox, unfinished spring swap MX Clear, Left hand 62g (Korean) springs and Silicone spray lubed (not like butter), Right hand stock MX Clear un-modded, needs right hand to match left hand, The keyboard I still use though even which the uneven switches
17.   Keypad - Red GONpad – currently has broken KittyPad PCB, needs replacement GONPad PCB swapped in which isn’t finished soldering SMB parts
18.   Red GON Nerd60 HHKB, has stock MX Clear switches with sip sockets, needs switches completely removed as I messed up the switches putting the sip sockets in (its hard to explain other than the sliders get stuck on almost every switch), this is not an easy task because the switches mount so tight inside GON’s cases, needs complete de-soldering of switches and LEDs. Missing a few switch LED resistors. Was going to replace with MX Blue with Heavy (70g+) Korean springs, no sip sockets just white LEDs.
19.   Phantom ANSI125, stock MX Brown switches, a few switches need to be re-soldered as they don’t register, was going to Krytox thick lube with 55g Korean springs. Stock QFR Case

Needs Assembly
20.   Acrylic ErgoDox with Blue Metal Top Plate – Everything soldered except switches, No switch decision made, will likely sell with a huge loss instead of keeping.
21.   Phantom ANSI150 – MK.com white PCB Already have a Red Vortex case ready for it, this was to get MX Black switches stock but may end up getting Gateron Blue switches with 45g Korean springs if I don’t end up building the keyboard any time soon.
22.   Phantom PCB No Plate – Original Group Buy Black PCB, Not sure if I will ever build this, it’s kind of a memento, I wont sell it.
23.   ErgoDox PCB No Case, No Switches, No Diodes, All other parts soldered. Like the black Phantom, I don’t think im going to ever build this and I’m not going to sell them
24.   GHPad (Red Scarf 1) PCB – No plans yet, so cheap no reason to sell

Ordered and Needs Assembly once it arrives
25.   GH60 #1 – Already planned to replace Poker X PCB with GH60 PCB, will inherit all of Poker X parts with a more desirable layout. Will Keep
26.   GH60 #2 – Tex Acrylic Case Ready, No Switch or plate choice made yet, will likely sell on classifies assembled for profit
27.   GH60 #3 – Vortex Silver Aluminum case, will use Stock MX Black switches and NO PLATE
28.   GH60 #4 – will give to a friend
29.   Red Scarf III (lightsaber-clone) – Already planned, No switch choice made but likely some gateron blue mod, my hope is to make this my primary-secondary keyboard so I will build this very high quality and with great care choosing switch.

RIP - Keyboards lost in action, either on purpose for science or accident
1.   Kinesis Freestyle - I have no clue where this is anymore but I found a bunch of its key caps in a box
2.   Adesso MKB-125B – Harvested
3.   Rosewill RK9000, killed during de-soldering, did a really bad paint job on the case and plate, totally embarrassing
4.   Ergodox Assembled PCB, completely stopped working, teensy and expander are like impossible to get off, saving pcb for a rainy day recovery project
5.   Cherry G80-11900-USB – I stepped on the PCB :O I mean its one sided I could do some miracle put together hardwire but **** that ****.

Coming Soon?
1.   Something ALPS
2.   Model F – AT maybe?
3.   Bluetooth 60%
4.   New Ergo Board, the one keyboard to rule them all and get me to sell my entire collection


Original Post that started it all

More

So i bought a HHKBPro2 last August to replace my 2+ year old rubber dome freestyle. Now thanks to geekhack i have like 8 keyboards and i still have 2 ergodox and 2 phantoms incoming and I want to grab 2 GH60s (i guess math says ill end up with 14 keyboards )



i don't even show these off to anyone except traveling to offices with the poker, the rest spend all their time in my home office away from friends and family. Not sure if i should be concerned and tell a doctor (lol)

[IvanIvanovich]

It happens... I only have 16 right now, and 2 more on the way. But I have a much worse and more specific addiction of collection vintage Cherry G80 models.

[CPTBadAss]

Is that a Filco with a GeekHack Badge?

[ApocalypseMaow]

I hear you. I'm on number three (one for each week I've been here) and still looking at getting two GH60s.
First world problems?

[Glod]

first world problems indeed. haha.

Is that a Filco with a GeekHack Badge?

Rosewill RK-9000 from the $25 newegg slip up

It happens... I only have 16 right now, and 2 more on the way. But I have a much worse and more specific addiction of collection vintage Cherry G80 models.

I've been avoiding the classic stuff on purpose; afraid i might go too far haha

[tauburn]

the amount of keyboards you have coming makes no sense. why would you need multiples of the same board

[CPTBadAss]

the amount of keyboards you have coming makes no sense. why would you need multiples of the same board

Multiple layouts! Colemak....QWERTY....etc etc 

[inteli722]

I'll take one of those QFRs off you hands...

JKJK. I'm out of dough due to the Phantom... 

[calavera]

Why not pick a layout and stick with it? And more importantly, why not sell the QWERTY ergodox to people who didn't have the chance to get even one...like ME!!

[tauburn]

the amount of keyboards you have coming makes no sense. why would you need multiples of the same board

Multiple layouts! Colemak....QWERTY....etc etc 

in that case thread starter does need help

[Glod]

the amount of keyboards you have coming makes no sense. why would you need multiples of the same board

1. different layouts
2. different switches
3. in case i mess up building one of them, the don't exactly go on sale all the time, i'd blow a gasket if i screw up the only chance i get.
4. I may sell something
5. i may end up finally with a job that requires me work in a single place, be nice to leave one at the office and not to have to carry my keyboard to work each day

[tauburn]

the amount of keyboards you have coming makes no sense. why would you need multiples of the same board

1. different layouts
2. different switches
3. in case i mess up building one of them, the don't exactly go on sale all the time, i'd blow a gasket if i screw up the only chance i get.
4. I may sell something
5. i may end up finally with a job that requires me work in a single place, be nice to leave one at the office and not to have to carry my keyboard to work each day

if i messed up building something that expensive that would just be the end for me.

[TDub]

I can relate. I started out with a Razer Blackwidow (bad call I know), then found geekhack and deskthority and now I have keyboards everywhere, in various states of disassembly.... (I think I have 12 right now + 2 Ergo Dox and a Phantom on the way and will probably also buy 2 GH60 to replace my 2 Pokers)

[vivalarevolución]

Vintage Apple boards and Alps boards currently are causing additions to my growing keyboard pile.

[remedyhalopc]

I ask myself this question daily when I browse classifieds.

or maybe im answering the question..

[TheSoulhunter]

Welcome to the world of keyboard-insanity...
I ordered MX-switches for 440 Euros this year, and its just February

[swagpiratex]

Yea, it happens. Told myself I'd be happy with one at home and one at work. Somehow I ended up with one at work and four at home.

[BucklingSpring]

I started in early 2000 when I found a stack of NIB IBM M 71G. After playing with one, I recalled using a clicky IBM in the past. So I looked for one and found a M with buckling spring.  From there it only got worst.

Few weeks ago I invited a prospect girl friend to my place. She freaked out when I told her I had a keyboard collection.
She said... "Why would you do something like that? You know what, we have really nothing in common. I don't think we should see each other again."

:-( True story.

[daerid]

Wow. That sucks. My gf loves the fact that I'm into keyboards as much as I am. Can't get her to get a decent one for herself though, no matter how hard I try...

[tricheboars]

I feel it starting.

Why can't I stop looking at keycaps or old cherry boards. Pures are tempting me too. Also cherry greens. Hey is that a vintage apple board with alps? What's topre like?

It's like that in my head.

[sherryton]

What's that keyboard on the top left?  It looks like a split keyboard, but is it mechanical?  Please tell me!

[SmallFry]

Kinesis Freestyle, rubber dome.

[AKIMbO]

Wow. That sucks. My gf loves the fact that I'm into keyboards as much as I am. Can't get her to get a decent one for herself though, no matter how hard I try...

Almost ditto on my end.  My GF stole my RACE LE and has claimed it as her own.  I even gave her some Zelda hearts from techkeys for V-Day and she loved them!

[boost]

Started with a ducky mx browns...then filco mx browns. Then I seen a kmac and it went downhill. Now I got about 6 Koreans, 2 cm storm, ibm ssk, model m, f122....

Damn. Too many keyboards

[Sai]

Started with a ducky mx browns...then filco mx browns. Then I seen a kmac and it went downhill. Now I got about 6 Koreans, 2 cm storm, ibm ssk, model m, f122....

Damn. Too many keyboards

you can sell one to me . 

[Larken]

it tends to really sneak up on you. my final count will be 9, unless something better than the ergodox pops up. I'm hoping that the ergodox would be the answer to all my keyboard needs (split, non-staggered, programmable and ergonomic).

I'm beginning to feel the start of RSI symptoms, so I'm guessing if the ergodox doesn't work out, I might have to go get a kinesis advantage.

somehow when I hang out in geekhack marketplace, I feel like I'm buying keyboard/keycap futures. pay first and half a year or more later, the payout comes. anyone else get the same feeling?

[kaiserreich]

One day you said, I have had enough and I am not buying any more keyboards.
The next thing you know, a great deal comes along, and you continue splashing the cash till your wallet is dry.

[metalliqaz]

like that hhkb

[noisyturtle]

the amount of keyboards you have coming makes no sense. why would you need multiples of the same board

This is my main issue. I want more boards, but I already have 1 of every 'common' switch type (except Topre.)

[BucklingSpring]

why would you need multiples of the same board

NIB NMB's with Space Invader switches is not something you see often. When I saw them - I told myself I'm getting two...
Good RD NMB's at 5$ makes excellent gifts to friends calling about keyboards with drinking problems. I bought 10 - Only one NIB left.
I have absolutely no reasons to explain why I have 5 Unicomps (3 different models)

[Glod]

I mean I am not exactly careful with my stuff, I type like a jackhammer, just another justification for 12 or more boards maybe, not sure if that holds up with mx and topre switches.

whatever...

I should mention that I don't have a collection of anything else in my house but these keyboards, I haven't had a collection of anything since I was a kid, I usually give away or sell to friends stuff I don't use anymore, I'm sure one of these boards will go eventually.

[Grim Fandango]

I also bought several boards. But it was always because there was something I wanted. Now however, I am kind of done since I tried every common switch, have a keyboard customized to my specifications with the keycaps I want, stabilizers I want, switches I want, look I want etc.

[ankit255]

the amount of keyboards you have coming makes no sense. why would you need multiples of the same board

Multiple layouts! Colemak....QWERTY....etc etc 

in that case thread starter does need help

Agreed. Trying too hard to fill a void.

[Capitalistix]

I started in early 2000 when I found a stack of NIB IBM M 71G. After playing with one, I recalled using a clicky IBM in the past. So I looked for one and found a M with buckling spring.  From there it only got worst.

Few weeks ago I invited a prospect girl friend to my place. She freaked out when I told her I had a keyboard collection.
She said... "Why would you do something like that? You know what, we have really nothing in common. I don't think we should see each other again."

:-( True story.

Honestly, a girl that shallow, you are much better off without her, fo'reals man. It's just a hobby, some people collect things, anybody who thinks that is weird, in a bad way, and weird enough to not take interest in another person romantically, unless the hobby consumed them like alcoholism, is never going to be a happy or enjoyable person to be around. I can guarentee there are really nice, amazing, and attractive girls who would dig the fact you are into keyboards, fact.

[fohat.digs]

In my garage, I have a box with about 15-20 bird's nests. One day, I plan to build a box frame to display about a dozen of them.

I'm just saying .....

[tricheboars]

I started in early 2000 when I found a stack of NIB IBM M 71G. After playing with one, I recalled using a clicky IBM in the past. So I looked for one and found a M with buckling spring.  From there it only got worst.

Few weeks ago I invited a prospect girl friend to my place. She freaked out when I told her I had a keyboard collection.
She said... "Why would you do something like that? You know what, we have really nothing in common. I don't think we should see each other again."

:-( True story.

Honestly, a girl that shallow, you are much better off without her, fo'reals man. It's just a hobby, some people collect things, anybody who thinks that is weird, in a bad way, and weird enough to not take interest in another person romantically, unless the hobby consumed them like alcoholism, is never going to be a happy or enjoyable person to be around. I can guarentee there are really nice, amazing, and attractive girls who would dig the fact you are into keyboards, fact.

my woman thought i was weird until i gave her a CM QFR. now she loves blues and loves a good mech board. she still think apple makes good boards though...

[morpheus]

How come that HHKB looks so big? I thought it was supposed to be smaller than most TKL.

[mechanisch]

Well, once you get your first board you realize that you need to try every switch.  Then you rationalize all the different layouts and how having one of each is necessary.  Then, you get into the subtleties like the keycaps, because you've really got to personalize and make everything perfect, right?  This should bring you up to at least a dozen before you realize it :-)

[TDub]

Sounds about right. Don't forget the switch stickers and the lubing..... Seriously if you told me a year ago I would be lubing my keyboard I would have called you crazy.

[ideus]

So now you need a GH girlfriend, haha!



I started in early 2000 when I found a stack of NIB IBM M 71G. After playing with one, I recalled using a clicky IBM in the past. So I looked for one and found a M with buckling spring.  From there it only got worst.

Few weeks ago I invited a prospect girl friend to my place. She freaked out when I told her I had a keyboard collection.
She said... "Why would you do something like that? You know what, we have really nothing in common. I don't think we should see each other again."

:-( True story.

[esoomenona]

I met a girl right before I left California who actually thought it was really interesting and cute that I had a keyboard collection.

[ideus]

How did she look like?

I met a girl right before I left California who actually thought it was really interesting and cute that I had a keyboard collection.

[Batmann]

my guess:

[Bencze]

It is funny to read stories like this. I hope I don't end up like you.
I started a little more than a week ago with QFR mx blues, now I got a Ducky 1087xm with green alps (using it at work atm), a white hpe87 with browns in the mail arriving soon, yesterday bought a decent-ish looking model M... might get a couple cheap ones for donor status for thast one. No hurry now, will have my work cut out with that one, especially if I'll need a bolt mod on it.

I am slowing down now. I do want a SSK actually but it's not realistic, one on ebay for like 250, with shipping and tax it'd be like 400, however nice it is I won't pay 1/4 of my monthly wage for a keyboard. I been only using tenkeyless for a week+ and I am already scared at the thought of a full sized model M, they're huge... ah well.

[ideus]

It makes sense now.

my guess:

Show Image

[Glod]

Wow forgot about this

Since my last post in this thread it's obvious  I have come to terms with my new keyboard hobby and even my wife is starting to embrace it after she saw me built my ergo dox and do all those special mods to it

3 of those keyboards pictured have been gutted for parts, one has been sold, 2 have been added:
-1 QFR rapid gutted for parts and pcb sold
-1 QFR rapid put in vortex case and sold to friend
-1 rosewill 9000 gutted for parts, possible damage to pcb from de soldering means dead for good
-1 Razer tournament stealth gutted for switches, will eventually give away the pcb and case left over
+1 ergodox with lubed reds
+1  ergodox soon to be built with lubed ergo clear

Confirmed to be added to collection:
+/-1 phantom blues (sold to friend upon assembly)
+ 1 phantom lubed reds with numpad mod
+ 3 gh60 various configurations and cases
+/- 1 GH60 (sold to friend upon assembly)
+1 ergo dox blues possibly in my own designed case
+1 mystery IBM buckling spring keyboard from a family member basement find, sound like at f, negotiating acquisition of this keyboard. Hopefully will have pictures soon

Could be added to collection this year:
- Leopold 660 topre
- Type matrix
- New kenesis offering
- buckling spring
- 55g topre
- something old I can restore

not to mention tons of key caps

[Grim Fandango]

Wow forgot about this

Since my last post in this thread it's obvious  I have come to terms with my new keyboard hobby and even my wife is starting to embrace it after she saw me built my ergo dox and do all those special mods to it

3 of those keyboards pictured have been gutted for parts, one has been sold, 2 have been added:
-1 QFR rapid gutted for parts and pcb sold
-1 QFR rapid put in vortex case and sold to friend
-1 rosewill 9000 gutted for parts, possible damage to pcb from de soldering means dead for good
-1 Razer tournament stealth gutted for switches, will eventually give away the pcb and case left over
+1 ergodox with lubed reds
+1  ergodox soon to be built with lubed ergo clear

Confirmed to be added to collection:
+/-1 phantom blues (sold to friend upon assembly)
+ 1 phantom lubed reds with numpad mod
+ 3 gh60 various configurations and cases
+/- 1 GH60 (sold to friend upon assembly)
+1 ergo dox blues possibly in my own designed case
+1 mystery IBM buckling spring keyboard from a family member basement find, sound like at f, negotiating acquisition of this keyboard. Hopefully will have pictures soon

Could be added to collection this year:
- Leopold 660 topre
- Type matrix
- New kenesis offering
- buckling spring
- 55g topre
- something old I can restore

not to mention tons of key caps

Nice

I guess there are two type of people on this board. Some for who it is a real full on hobby like you, and others who just need 1-3 keyboards, but only buy for practical use, maybe spiff things up with a keycap here and there. I would be in the latter group, though every time I stroll through classifieds, there is a real risk of becoming the former lol. I am still scared of what I would do when someone offers to sell a Dolch set...

[Larken]

wow... that escalated rather quickly, Glod.

pretty cool how your wife is embracing your keyboard hobby, lol.

I find my interest in acquiring more boards waning after I got the ergodox, at the final count of 9 keyboards. Most of which I'm starting to distribute among relatives and friends. Can't imagine being interested in anything after the ergodox, unless the new kinesis offering strikes a chord with me. That or maybe when Dox finishes his datahand recreation (sure hope that one happens and is available to purchase and build like the ergodox was)...

[dmreeves]

Excellent collection. I'm limiting myself to one at a time unless I find something exceptionally rare. However having multiple different boards with different switches is something that is a little bit appealing. I better stop now before I get any irrational ideas on how to spend.

[knotra]

Happens to the best of us. Geekhack is like a disease. A good disease and bad disease at the same time.