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Author Topic: Thrift Store Find  (Read 3723 times)

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Offline q120

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Thrift Store Find
« on: Mon, 01 April 2013, 20:23:42 »
A co-worker bought a Das Keyboard and brought it in and I typed on it for 5 minutes and instantly fell in love with it. I started to look up mechanical keyboards and learned about the IBM Model M, and started my hunt at thrift stores. As I was looking through the stack of keyboards, I saw one that looked just like an IBM Model-M, so I hit the key *clack*.  :D

But it isn't a Model-M. It is an NEC APC-H412. I read on another thread that these are pretty rare and have good switches so I consider myself lucky considering I paid a whopping $2 for it. I brought it home, plugged it in, and started typing. Oh that glorious clickiness! This should hold me over until I am ready to buy a WASD Keyboard.

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Offline nsrexler

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 01 April 2013, 21:10:52 »
I don't think I've ever seen that type of keycap mount, do you have any idea what type of switches these are?
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Offline q120

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 01 April 2013, 21:25:43 »
The switches have NEC imprinted onto them but doesn't have any other identifying information as far as I can see. I did a quick Google search and couldn't find a whole lot of information on them....Stand by and I will do some more research on it.
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Offline q120

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 01 April 2013, 21:32:17 »
http://imgur.com/a/Kdu7f#0

They are "NEC Blue", are found on a few keyboards, and have a 2mm activation point and 4mm of travel...That's just about the extent of the info I could find.
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Offline jabar

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 01 April 2013, 23:35:25 »
why a WASD keyboard?
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Offline q120

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 02 April 2013, 10:00:45 »
Quote from: jabar on Mon, 01 April 2013, 23:35:25
why a WASD keyboard?

I like how I can customize them, and a co-worker (different from the one that has the Das Keyboard) has one and absolutely loves it. Is there a reason I should avoid them? I'm certainly willing to entertain other options :)
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Offline drdoooom

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 02 April 2013, 10:48:40 »
where the hell are these thrift stores packed with cheap awesome keyboards!
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 02 April 2013, 10:56:23 »
Quote from: drdoooom on Tue, 02 April 2013, 10:48:40
where the hell are these thrift stores packed with cheap awesome keyboards!

I do a lot of driving for my job and there are at least a dozen thrift stores I pass regularly. I stop in on at least a couple of them most weeks, and walk out empty-handed 98% of the time.

So, that implies that about 50 thrift store stops will net you one good "find" - unless you are lucky enough to stumble on a "virgin" store with clueless staff and customers.

PS - assuming that most people do their housecleaning on the weekends, Mondays might be your best shot
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Offline q120

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 02 April 2013, 11:52:32 »
Quote from: drdoooom on Tue, 02 April 2013, 10:48:40
where the hell are these thrift stores packed with cheap awesome keyboards!

I think I just got very very lucky that time. My wife frequents thrift stores and I have her look every time she goes. Out of maybe 8 visits (1 by me, 7 by her), we've found 1 mechanical keyboard total. I also have an IBM KB-8923, which isn't a mechanical keyboard, but probably the best rubber dome keyboard out there. Just keep looking. Visit every day if you can.
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Offline vipjun

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 02 April 2013, 15:35:50 »
looks very nice.  Would you offer to put it up for sale once you get a WASD keyboard?
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Offline BucklingSpring

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 02 April 2013, 17:01:47 »
Quote from: vipjun on Tue, 02 April 2013, 15:35:50
looks very nice.  Would you offer to put it up for sale once you get a WASD keyboard?

+1

I smell an auction
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Ducky x2 (9008G2 Pro PBT/MX Green and Mini MX Red), Matias x2 (QP and Mini QP Dampened ALPS), Topre RealForce x4 (87U 55g/Digilog case, 103U-UW & 104UG High-Profile x2), Filco Majestouch x2 (TKL MX Blue & V2 AI 104 MX Blue), IBM-M x2 (BS & RD), Unicomp-M x5 (BS black on black x2, BS Ivory x2, QT Ultra-Classic), Deck x4 (Legend MX Black & MX Clear, Hassium & Francium w/ MX Brown), DAS III (MX Blue), KBT Pure Pro 60% (MX Red), NMB-RT8256CW+ x2 (black space invader), XArmor U9BL-S (MX Brown) given for free to someone I hate, CM X2 (Trigger/MX Green + Storm TKL/NovaTouch), TVS GOLD (MX Blue) and a many many more (NMB, DELL, MS, ATT, KeyTronic, Etc...)

Offline Halverson

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Thrift Store Find
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 02 April 2013, 18:14:44 »
Quote from: BucklingSpring on Tue, 02 April 2013, 17:01:47
Quote from: vipjun on Tue, 02 April 2013, 15:35:50
looks very nice.  Would you offer to put it up for sale once you get a WASD keyboard?

+1

I smell an auction

I'll pay the $2 PLUS shipping! :D
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Offline jabar

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 02 April 2013, 18:36:05 »
Quote from: q120 on Tue, 02 April 2013, 10:00:45
I like how I can customize them, and a co-worker (different from the one that has the Das Keyboard) has one and absolutely loves it. Is there a reason I should avoid them? I'm certainly willing to entertain other options :)
no reason to avoid. Unless you really want the customized laser ABS keycaps, there are many many other competitive options out there...
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Leopold FC660C - Max Keyboard Nighthawk X8 - Ducky DK9008 Shine II 78 Edition - Noppoo Choc Mini - Cherry G80-2100HDD - Cherry G80-8113HDPUS - Plu-M87 - Leopold FC700R Ergo Clears - Deck Legend Frost 105 - IBM F PC Keyboard - IBM M 122 (Lexmark) - Apple Extended Keyboard II

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Offline q120

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 02 April 2013, 22:06:28 »
Quote from: vipjun on Tue, 02 April 2013, 15:35:50
looks very nice.  Would you offer to put it up for sale once you get a WASD keyboard?

I might take you up on that offer. Not sure though. I might take it to work and use it there, much to the chagrin of my co-workers. Also, I have noticed in the past day or so since I've had it that the J and A keys don't always work. I think the switches are bad because I have to bottom out those keys sometimes to make them work. Other than that, it works fine.
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Offline longface

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #14 on: Fri, 05 April 2013, 20:15:14 »
Quote from: q120 on Tue, 02 April 2013, 22:06:28
Quote from: vipjun on Tue, 02 April 2013, 15:35:50
looks very nice.  Would you offer to put it up for sale once you get a WASD keyboard?

I might take you up on that offer. Not sure though. I might take it to work and use it there, much to the chagrin of my co-workers. Also, I have noticed in the past day or so since I've had it that the J and A keys don't always work. I think the switches are bad because I have to bottom out those keys sometimes to make them work. Other than that, it works fine.

That means you will need to do a bit of cleaning in the switch.  J and A should not be the first keys to fail, imo.....  Maybe some dirt got into the switches...
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ThinkPads, tennis racquets and now, keyboards

Offline vipjun

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #15 on: Sun, 07 April 2013, 03:18:28 »
maybe try some compressed air / blow first or some cleaner with an sharp edge / toothpick. I've found that mechanical switches are not too easy to assemble back together in working form unless you've done it a couple of times.  Also watch out for the spring bouncing away if you do open the switch!
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http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42360.msg861771#msg861771

Offline q120

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Re: Thrift Store Find
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 09 April 2013, 13:06:15 »
Quote from: vipjun on Sun, 07 April 2013, 03:18:28
maybe try some compressed air / blow first or some cleaner with an sharp edge / toothpick. I've found that mechanical switches are not too easy to assemble back together in working form unless you've done it a couple of times.  Also watch out for the spring bouncing away if you do open the switch!

It seems to have resolved itself. I soaked all of the keys in soapy water when I first got it home, and although I used compressed air to make sure they were dry, I imagine a tiny bit of water could have snuck its way into the switches. The keyboard was shockingly clean for how old it is. I really think somebody used it for like 2 weeks, then tossed it into storage, and then donated it to the thrift store. It is in almost brand new condition. Lucky me, because my wife has checked almost every day at other thrift stores and thus far has found nothing. I hope perseverance will pay off if we keep looking!
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