Alps Appreciation Thread

[fohat.digs]

The W is the black variant.

W means with windows keys.

AT101 and AT102 do not have Windows keys, and all but the very very earliest ones have black Alps, but there are those with salmon Alps which are rare. Some of the very early ones have PBT key caps, but I don't think that there is a consistent relationship between those and the ones with the salmon switches. You can't really go by "old logo" either, although those were more likely to have the early components.

"1" means ANSI and "2" means ISO.

AT101W and AT102W do have Windows keys, have black Alps, and are also available with black cases, which while not rare, they are uncommon.

Last, there were AT101R and AT102R which had rubber domes.

[hanslau]

Does replacing the keycaps risk "dirtying" the switches?

Just got a modified blue Alps keyboard, so crisp and smooth. I switched only the numpad and arrow keycaps with TaiHao Dolch keycaps.

Now when using I realize the keys with the new keycaps feel scratchy, unsmooth. I knew alps were not dust tolerant but just from a keycaps switch? However the keys on the Home, Insert and Scroll Lock sections also feel kinda scratchy, but not to the extent of the TaiHao keys.

So is it just some major coincidence, or did I fck up by changing the keycaps?

[toniwonkanobi]

Anyone know of a 3D-printing (or laser cutting) service which can do custom plates @ 1.2mm (for Alps) in either ABS or POM? I'm having a hard time finding a service :/

[nevin]

both would probably be pretty flimsy at that thickness.
you can sift through the materials ponoko has.
another vendor that's used is big blue saw, check their materials here

[toniwonkanobi]

both would probably be pretty flimsy at that thickness.
you can sift through the materials ponoko has.
another vendor that's used is big blue saw, check their materials here

Totally agree they'd be flimsy. But that's kind of the point weaston offered ABS (in that 1.2mm 1.5mm thickness) for GSKT-00, and with a flex PCB, the more flexible "plate" (lol) makes medium-heavy tactile Alps feel a lot nicer than they would otherwise feel on aluminum (or steel/brass) plates.

[toniwonkanobi]

Not sure if this is the correct place for this, but I have a quandary. I have a line on a Mekanisk Klippe S, which is basically a TOFU60 with sandwich mount. Mekanisk has released `.step` files for the plate, but plate file only accommodates MX switches :/

Is there someone who would be able/willing to take that step file and somehow create a dxf, but with the AT101 layout and Alps switch cutouts instead of MX?

[nevin]

yeah, just wasn't sure if you were planning a one off handwire. soft plates do come in handy for alignment as alps have no fixing pins like pcb-mount mx. there are a bunch of pcbs that are alps/mx but using alps without plate on these type of pcbs is not ideal, unless you want to spend days adjusting alignment of switches.

.... oh, just remembered, there was a comb thing that someone came up with for aligning alps without plate.
... ah, here in this thread https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=99552

as long as you have their plate dimensions, mounting positions, you could add your own layout in the plate with a combination of keyboard layout editor and the swill plate builder...
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/
http://builder.swillkb.com/

[toniwonkanobi]

as long as you have their plate dimensions, mounting positions, you could add your own layout in the plate with a combination of keyboard layout editor and the swill plate builder...

Yeah, that's the hard part, though. I was hoping someone smarter than me could somehow superimpose, say, the file of a regular 60% AT101 layout on top of the Mekanisk sandwich plate file and then have everything work out. But this may not be possible without some trial and error.

[nevin]

will look at the file conversions then.
shouldn't be too difficult to match up, alps is only slightly different than mx

search around and see if you can find an online converter for  .step to dxf, dwg, ...some other more cross compatible file format

[toniwonkanobi]

will look at the file conversions then.
shouldn't be too difficult to match up, alps is only slightly different than mx

search around and see if you can find an online converter for  .step to dxf, dwg, ...some other more cross compatible file format

Sorry, I don't want to misunderstand you. When you say "will look at the file conversions then," are you saying that you'll look at the file conversions, or did you mean to say "Well, look at the file conversions then?" Not sure if you're offering to help, or just advising me to look into myself.

[chyros]

My girlfriend and a friend of us both got me a Dell AT101W for my birthday, I unwrapped it yesterday. I must admit that I like the soft feeling even when compared to my two Buckling Spring  keyboards. I might or might not use it as a daily driver on one of my laptops... hmm. 

If you like linear switches, try linearising a part of it and seeing if you like it. Personally I think linearised black Alps are excellent   (also great for if you get them in bad condition; linearising takes off most of the scratchiness).

[nevin]

will look at the file conversions then.
shouldn't be too difficult to match up, alps is only slightly different than mx

search around and see if you can find an online converter for  .step to dxf, dwg, ...some other more cross compatible file format

Sorry, I don't want to misunderstand you. When you say "will look at the file conversions then," are you saying that you'll look at the file conversions, or did you mean to say "Well, look at the file conversions then?" Not sure if you're offering to help, or just advising me to look into myself.

yes. i'll help. if we can get the step converted, it shouldn't be hard to do.

[toniwonkanobi]

will look at the file conversions then.
shouldn't be too difficult to match up, alps is only slightly different than mx

search around and see if you can find an online converter for  .step to dxf, dwg, ...some other more cross compatible file format

Sorry, I don't want to misunderstand you. When you say "will look at the file conversions then," are you saying that you'll look at the file conversions, or did you mean to say "Well, look at the file conversions then?" Not sure if you're offering to help, or just advising me to look into myself.

yes. i'll help. if we can get the step converted, it shouldn't be hard to do.

Seems like there are some paid applications which allow the conversion. I didn't see a way to do it in AutoCAD Viewer at least.

[nevin]

yeah, i did some initial digging, nothing straight forward in the little time i was looking.

[toniwonkanobi]

yeah, i did some initial digging, nothing straight forward in the little time i was looking.

Sent you a PM. Didn't want to clutter the thread.

[siggie0815]

I do appreciate...



I like the M0118 with salmons the best. Both, keyfeel and sound are just amazing.

The AEK with oranges disappointed me a bit with its pingy reverberant sound, but the keyfeel is amazing as well. However, I'll need a bigger desk if I want to use this one on a regular basis.

The AEK II is also very nice although it cannot compete with the others. The switches are also a bit strange as it has somewhat cream-white dampened hybrid switches. The sliders are definitely white while the top housings and the tactile leafs are from creams.

[nevin]

some of the later variants of the AEKII had dampened white sliders.

.... the elusive M0118... i'm a little jealous.

[siggie0815]

.... the elusive M0118... i'm a little jealous.

There are quite a few of them on eBay (Europe) at the moment...

[m_raggie]

SKCM Blue, Alps 64 in Cadette Case 

[nevin]

Very Nice! 
How does it sound?

[JucheCatgirlTS]

I've build a couple macropads with Alps recently but this is my first board since the AEK that came with the Macintosh SE my parents got shortly after I was born. SKCM Amber, AEK keycaps, ADK64 case. The case is rather roomy so the board has a really nice deep clicky sound.

[nevin]

nice!

[morbid42]

bunch of homemade keyboards...

[4sStylZ]

Hi there,

I released 3D files for my ACK60% ANSI (AEK… but compact) 3D printed keyboard.
That's a underglow tray mount case, with plates, optionnal wristrest…
You can use them to handwire, with postage or alternative controller or use a PCB. Probably ALPS64.





The plate is my best result so far in term of use. it's 7,9 mm thick, and with 100% infill that's rigid and sound proof unlike metal ones. I will probably make an ISO version soon… but's that's a long process for me.

Here are others renders : https://imgur.com/gallery/1CNpsGz
And others information on a dedicated post in the DIY section : https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=111239.0

[nevin]

nice @4sStylZ glad you crossposted. something you put this much into deserves some eyes on it.

[monteyalps]

Not Alps but Alps compatible!

Sony BKE-2010 with omron's. My new 60% build's top row is gonna be saucy 

[nevin]

nice!

[enomooshiki]

Hello,

I am kind of blindly jumping into the world of ALPs... all my keeb friends are telling me not to.. but I want to try , at least.

I've recently picked up a AEK-II and a Focus FK-2001.



What I generally want is to use Alps switches from AEK-II, and use Focus FK-2001 keycaps/layout to build an aluminum TKL

After doing some searches, I thought SMK-TKL pcb would be best way to go about along with Aliexpress aluminum case. But those aren't available anymore.

Does anyone have any suggestions how I would go about doing this?

[nevin]

start by searching for a TKL that has alps support.
even if it doesn't specifically state it in the keyboard kit. you can look at the pcb.
if it has switch footprints like either of the below, it supports alps switches.


the other things to look at is
- support of that specific focus layout (big ass enter, split right shift, etc..)
- stab support, is the focus normal alps (plate mount) stabs? do the focus caps support mx stabilizers (pcb mount)?

you may even find a more common case and get a pcb that fits that case that supports alps. do a little searching, see what you come up with. sure others will be able to make suggestions.
build - (BOM at bottom of post) https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=19491
pcb - https://www.lfkeyboards.com/lfk-tkl/
Delirious's wonderful TX84 build - https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=99552.0

[enomooshiki]

start by searching for a TKL that has alps support.
even if it doesn't specifically state it in the keyboard kit. you can look at the pcb.
if it has switch footprints like either of the below, it supports alps switches.
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

the other things to look at is
- support of that specific focus layout (big ass enter, split right shift, etc..)
- stab support, is the focus normal alps (plate mount) stabs? do the focus caps support mx stabilizers (pcb mount)?

you may even find a more common case and get a pcb that fits that case that supports alps. do a little searching, see what you come up with. sure others will be able to make suggestions.
build - (BOM at bottom of post) https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=19491
pcb - https://www.lfkeyboards.com/lfk-tkl/
Delirious's wonderful TX84 build - https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=99552.0

Thank for that tip. I will definitely look around carefully.

Finding support for split right shift seems to be harder. I've tested that big ass enter key can work without the stabilizer from the way I type.
the Focus comes with normal alps stabs, not MX style. so finding a plate for that could be also difficult. I might even have to make one-off design.

[nevin]

split right shift is actually pretty common, the BAE is a probably less common option that's included. (depends on the maker's intent for the kit though)

some plate resources...
keyboard layout editor & swill's or Ai's plate builder
KLE - not sure this is 100% correct, but it's a start.  http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/be99fa9c95c978d4891db7e09c1d9f07
swill - http://builder.swillkb.com/
ai03 - https://kbplate.ai03.com/
use these to make a new plate, then you'd have to match the outside edge of the plate to the plate that comes with the fancy kit/case. (if your layout is not already supported)

some open source 60% plates (may help with stab locations)
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=82916.0

and check Delirious's post in his TX84: Half plate alps TKL thread about spacebar stab locations (file attached at end of post)
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=99552.msg2729843#msg2729843

did a quick search for focus plates, but didn't come up with anything. though i wouldn't be surprised if there were some floating out there somewhere.

[enomooshiki]

Is LFKeyboards not in business anymore?

I've contacted them few times about re-stocking of SMK-TKL PCB board.. but never heard back from them.

[mode]

Is LFKeyboards not in business anymore?

I've contacted them few times about re-stocking of SMK-TKL PCB board.. but never heard back from them.

Maybe, maybe not, he's very bad at coms.

You could just get this fabricated from jlcpcb https://github.com/4pplet/classyTKL, the total cost won't be all that bad and you can sell the spare.

[Applet]

Is LFKeyboards not in business anymore?

I've contacted them few times about re-stocking of SMK-TKL PCB board.. but never heard back from them.

Maybe, maybe not, he's very bad at coms.

You could just get this fabricated from jlcpcb https://github.com/4pplet/classyTKL, the total cost won't be all that bad and you can sell the spare.

Hey,

Yes, this is one of few (is there others?) open sourced TKL PCB's for SMK switches, but, it's specifically designed for the classyTKL case, I'm not aware of any other case this PCB could fit in. The files for manufacturing is available in releases om the Github-page. Component selections in latest release is made to simplify production and keep the cost down using JLC.

This message was brought to you using a classyTKL with SMK-switches 

[toniwonkanobi]

Anyone here able to help me out? I'm looking for someone who can make a plate file for me.

I purchased a GSKT-00 second-hand, and it came with a stainless steel plate with MX cutouts:



I basically need the same plate (non-stepped Caps Lock, split Backspace, and split Right Shift), but with Alps keyswitch cutouts and stabilizer clip cutouts.

I looked into the swill plate builder, but the custom polygon thing messes with me, because, for some odd reason, the x and y coordinate system doesn't mirror the one we learned about in 8th grade pre-algebra (e.g., where a coordinate with positive x and y values would be in the UR quadrant, etc.).

Anyways, I have a layout:

Code: [Select]

["Esc","!\n1","@\n2","#\n3","$\n4","%\n5","^\n6","&\n7","*\n8","(\n9",")\n0","_\n-","+\n=","~\n`","Del"],
[{w:1.5},"Tab","Q","W","E","R","T","Y","U","I","O","P","{\n[","}\n]",{w:1.5},"|\n\\"],
[{w:1.75},"Control","A","S","D","F","G","H","J","K","L",":\n;","\"\n'",{w:2.25},"Enter"],
[{w:2.25},"Shift","Z","X","C","V","B","N","M","<\n,",">\n.","?\n/",{w:1.75},"Shift",{a:7},""],
[{a:4,w:1.5},"Ctrl","Win",{w:1.5},"Alt",{a:7,w:7},"",{a:4,w:1.5},"Alt","Win",{w:1.5},"Ctrl"]
I can take some measurements, and/or send someone the actual plate if that helps? And I could pay someone for their time!

[nevin]

Does anyone have measurements for the vertical stabilizer placement for a biaxial big-ass-enter? (see below)
I'm trying to help a forum friend with a plate and i've been unsuccessful finding this info.
Or if someone has a plate they can scan, that would work too, no calipers needed.

[toniwonkanobi]

Anyone know who ended up with DJSwayde's SGI Granite keycaps with Hebrew sub legends? 😿

[kizuna]

Hi there,

I released 3D files for my ACK60% ANSI (AEK… but compact) 3D printed keyboard.
That's a underglow tray mount case, with plates, optionnal wristrest…
You can use them to handwire, with postage or alternative controller or use a PCB. Probably ALPS64.

The plate is my best result so far in term of use. it's 7,9 mm thick, and with 100% infill that's rigid and sound proof unlike metal ones. I will probably make an ISO version soon… but's that's a long process for me.

Here are others renders : https://imgur.com/gallery/1CNpsGz
And others information on a dedicated post in the DIY section : https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=111239.0

Wow these look very slick! Good job!

[toniwonkanobi]

Anyone know of a PCB that supports the "60%" portion of the DocuTech JD-2? Those caps are so cool!

[nevin]

found a more straight on view.


and minus the bottom row & left shift looks like "normal" iso? (this is my guess of key sizes)


if you can't find a pcb, do a handwire.

[Applet]

It looks like it might have a non-standard ISO-enter, backspace and r-shift (less wide)? That would make it tricky. Cool caps indeed 

[toniwonkanobi]

and minus the bottom row & left shift looks like "normal" iso? (this is my guess of key sizes)

if you can't find a pcb, do a handwire.

It looks like it might have a non-standard ISO-enter, backspace and r-shift (less wide)? That would make it tricky. Cool caps indeed 

Yeah, it's a weird layout. The ISO enter is definitely smaller than normal. There's a guy on Deskthority who did a "DocuSaver." Made a plate and PCB. Doesn't respond though :/

[nevin]

looking at the post linked above... that was a "dry run". no plate (you can see the green of the pcb as well as the diode pads), and probably not soldered (that's why the key alignment is all wonky).
- yes, all the stepped caps look like they are off center.
- possibly a JIS enter/return?
- and he added extra keys on either side of the spacebar

[toniwonkanobi]

looking at the post linked above... that was a "dry run". no plate (you can see the green of the pcb as well as the diode pads), and probably not soldered (that's why the key alignment is all wonky).
- yes, all the stepped caps look like they are off center.
- possibly a JIS enter/return?
- and he added extra keys on either side of the spacebar

Yeah. Just a dry run. He was so close though! I don't love the UK78 case (although I like this one better than the Fjell-style one), but at least those cool keycaps could have a home.

[toniwonkanobi]

Anyone happen to have some spare Alps [Tai-hao] BAE stabilization pieces?

Looking for the black `\` keycap insert:


 
And also one bi-axial stabilizer wire with Costar stabilizer clips:

[JucheCatgirlTS]

Anyone happen to have some spare Alps [Tai-hao] BAE stabilization pieces?

Looking for the black `\` keycap insert:

<snip>

Not sure about the stab wire, but you can buy this BAE stabilizer here: https://keebmeup.com/index.php?id_product=133&rewrite=smk-style-stabilizer&controller=product

[toniwonkanobi]

Anyone happen to have some spare Alps [Tai-hao] BAE stabilization pieces?

Looking for the black `\` keycap insert:

<snip>

Thanks! Found that after some long searching on the internet.

Not sure about the stab wire, but you can buy this BAE stabilizer here: https://keebmeup.com/index.php?id_product=133&rewrite=smk-style-stabilizer&controller=product

[JucheCatgirlTS]

Anyone happen to have some spare Alps [Tai-hao] BAE stabilization pieces?

Looking for the black `\` keycap insert:

<snip>

Thanks! Found that after some long searching on the internet.

Not sure about the stab wire, but you can buy this BAE stabilizer here: https://keebmeup.com/index.php?id_product=133&rewrite=smk-style-stabilizer&controller=product

I had literally just ordered one for myself so I can use my BAE caps, and a stabilizer barrel for my Alps TKL. The spacebar flops around a bit right now but at least it still works across the entire spacebar ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Jiekebo]

Got this beauty and restored it to former glory. Working like a charm now! Looks like genuine blue Alps to me, but I might be wrong, new to the area 

[_rubik]

Got this beauty and restored it to former glory. Working like a charm now! Looks like genuine blue Alps to me, but I might be wrong, new to the area 
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)

I love that flared pen rail. So many modern boards have dropped this design