Author Topic: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??  (Read 7853 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« on: Mon, 10 March 2014, 17:31:53 »




??
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline Photekq

  • wheat flour zone
  • Posts: 4794
  • Location: North Wales, UK
  • sorry if i was ever an ******* to you
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 10 March 2014, 17:33:36 »
Rubberdome.
https://kbdarchive.org/
github
discord: hi mum#5710

Offline mougrim

  • Posts: 768
  • Location: Ukraine
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 10 March 2014, 17:46:39 »
But worth 5 bucks :)
IBM AT Model F, Vortexgear Race 3, AEKII (Alps Cream Damped), Metoo Zero (modded to Kailh Box Navy)

Offline nilpt

  • Posts: 74
  • Location: Portugal
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 10 March 2014, 17:49:33 »
The second could be an M2. Not my cup of tea, but for $5...  :)
IBM 1391410 / Qume terminal keyboard (teensy 2++)

Offline Computer-Lab in Basement

  • The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3026
  • Location: NCC-1701, USS Enterprise
  • Live long and prosper
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 10 March 2014, 17:51:51 »

But worth 5 bucks :)

x2. Def worth 5 buck.

Also, the keyboard in the second pic looks like an M2, which could be either buckling spring or rubber dome.

The second could be an M2. Not my cup of tea, but for $5...  :)
ninja'ed
tp thread is tp thread
Sometimes it's like he accidentally makes a thread instead of a google search.

IBM Model M SSK | IBM Model F XT | IBM Model F 122 | IBM Model M 122 | Ducky YOTD 2012 w/ blue switches | Poker II w/ Blue switches | Royal Kludge RK61 w/ Blue switches

Offline mougrim

  • Posts: 768
  • Location: Ukraine
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 11 March 2014, 00:44:24 »
So I'd get it. Even if it rubberdome, for 5 bucks... you can re-sell it with profit.
IBM AT Model F, Vortexgear Race 3, AEKII (Alps Cream Damped), Metoo Zero (modded to Kailh Box Navy)

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 11 March 2014, 17:11:51 »

Are these worth getting for 10 bucks?






rubber dome? I like the font :]
« Last Edit: Tue, 11 March 2014, 17:14:24 by babuinix »
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline Pacifist

  • Report me *again* if there are gifs in my sig
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3599
  • Location: Cali
  • on hiatus
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 11 March 2014, 17:13:28 »
Show Image

Show Image


Are these worth getting for 10 bucks? rubber dome? I like the font :]

Those might be orange alps

Offline Computer-Lab in Basement

  • The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3026
  • Location: NCC-1701, USS Enterprise
  • Live long and prosper
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 11 March 2014, 17:16:59 »
Show Image

Show Image


Are these worth getting for 10 bucks? rubber dome? I like the font :]

Those might be orange alps

I think these are too new to be the ALPS variations. The first one might be, but the full-sized one I doubt is ALPS. I could be wrong, but didn't all the ALPS ones come with detachable ADB cables?
tp thread is tp thread
Sometimes it's like he accidentally makes a thread instead of a google search.

IBM Model M SSK | IBM Model F XT | IBM Model F 122 | IBM Model M 122 | Ducky YOTD 2012 w/ blue switches | Poker II w/ Blue switches | Royal Kludge RK61 w/ Blue switches

Offline Pacifist

  • Report me *again* if there are gifs in my sig
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3599
  • Location: Cali
  • on hiatus
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 11 March 2014, 17:20:12 »
Show Image

Show Image


Are these worth getting for 10 bucks? rubber dome? I like the font :]

Those might be orange alps

I think these are too new to be the ALPS variations. The first one might be, but the full-sized one I doubt is ALPS. I could be wrong, but didn't all the ALPS ones come with detachable ADB cables?

I was talking about the first one. OP edited his post in between the time I looked at it and hit quote

Offline mougrim

  • Posts: 768
  • Location: Ukraine
IBM AT Model F, Vortexgear Race 3, AEKII (Alps Cream Damped), Metoo Zero (modded to Kailh Box Navy)

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline Findecanor

  • Posts: 5087
  • Location: Koriko
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 11 March 2014, 18:46:35 »
Show Image

Show Image


Are these worth getting for 10 bucks? rubber dome? I like the font :]

Those might be orange alps
No, both Apple keyboards are rubber dome. The first one is a Apple Keyboard II, not a Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard.
The second is a AppleDesign Keyboard.

One or the other could have Alps-compatible keycaps though, depending on the variation. I don't think the DT Wiki is complete.
There was a thread about a month ago here or on DT about the Alps-compatible variations of the AppleDesign Keyboard.
« Last Edit: Tue, 11 March 2014, 18:50:51 by Findecanor »
🍉

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #13 on: Sat, 22 March 2014, 20:21:27 »


Selling for 5 bucks near my town, the one in the botton got me intrigued, that ps2 cable......

Would it be a IBM ?? The case doesnt match Model M tough...

I emailed the seller for more picures with no avail ...

Any guesses?
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline dustinhxc

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 6744
  • Location: MN
  • IV
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #14 on: Sat, 22 March 2014, 20:29:22 »
Man I like the space where the Windows key usually goes.. I need an IBM BS.

Offline Pacifist

  • Report me *again* if there are gifs in my sig
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3599
  • Location: Cali
  • on hiatus
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #15 on: Sat, 22 March 2014, 21:03:59 »
Show Image


Selling for 5 bucks near my town, the one in the botton got me intrigued, that ps2 cable......

Would it be a IBM ?? The case doesnt match Model M tough...

I emailed the seller for more picures with no avail ...

Any guesses?

probally not.

and next time just ask the sellers to take off a key and take a picture of a switch, or look up model numbers

Offline QuadGMoto

  • Posts: 137
  • Location: Pennsylvania
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #16 on: Sat, 22 March 2014, 21:48:43 »

Are these worth getting for 10 bucks?

Show Image


Show Image

Show Image


rubber dome? I like the font :]

The second one is the Apple Design Keyboard, the rubber dome successor to the Alps based Apple Extended Keyboard II. I hated the thing when it came out because I had been using an original AEK.

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #17 on: Sun, 23 March 2014, 18:49:31 »
and next time just ask the sellers to take off a key and take a picture of a switch, or look up model numbers

What this might be:?






Worth 5 bucks?
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline Pacifist

  • Report me *again* if there are gifs in my sig
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3599
  • Location: Cali
  • on hiatus
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #18 on: Sun, 23 March 2014, 18:50:34 »
and next time just ask the sellers to take off a key and take a picture of a switch, or look up model numbers

What this might be:?

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image


Worth 5 bucks?

I have no fing idea what board that is but the sdl cable alone is worth $5

Offline Daniel Beardsmore

  • Posts: 1874
  • Location: Hertfordshire, England
  • RIP
    • Boring twaddle
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #19 on: Sun, 23 March 2014, 19:01:43 »
Curved backplane, so most likely membrane.
Bore Awards
Most Boring Person on the Planet – 2011 Winner

Offline dorkvader

  • Posts: 6289
  • Location: Boston area
  • all about the "hack" in "geekhack"
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #20 on: Sun, 23 March 2014, 21:38:01 »
I'd say it's worth the $5 for that SDL cable if it's IBM compatible (6 pin).

I have an 8 pin SDL cable and it's so depressing to look at.

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #21 on: Thu, 17 April 2014, 19:26:59 »
I'd say it's worth the $5 for that SDL cable if it's IBM compatible (6 pin).

I have an 8 pin SDL cable and it's so depressing to look at.

Thx , ended up buying it for the cable, in case i need to replace my current one.

Found this cool looking keyboard for sale, might be able to get it for 5/10 bucks.



Anyone knows if its any good? Manufacturer ? rubberdome?

Thx in advance
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline Pacifist

  • Report me *again* if there are gifs in my sig
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3599
  • Location: Cali
  • on hiatus
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #22 on: Thu, 17 April 2014, 19:28:17 »
gonna need better pics than that

looks like a g84, but need better photos. its def not a mech

seriously, ask the seller for the model number, use google, and if its worth anything, itll pop up there

Offline Photekq

  • wheat flour zone
  • Posts: 4794
  • Location: North Wales, UK
  • sorry if i was ever an ******* to you
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #23 on: Thu, 17 April 2014, 19:31:11 »
It's definitely not a G84. Keys are too high profile. It looks almost exactly like a siig minitouch, but the enter key is different.
https://kbdarchive.org/
github
discord: hi mum#5710

Offline ideus

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 8123
  • Location: In the middle of nowhere.
  • Björkö.
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #24 on: Thu, 17 April 2014, 19:37:09 »
It's definitely not a G84. Keys are too high profile. It looks almost exactly like a siig minitouch, but the enter key is different.


The SIIG Mini has the enter key in an L shape.

Offline Pacifist

  • Report me *again* if there are gifs in my sig
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3599
  • Location: Cali
  • on hiatus
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #25 on: Thu, 17 April 2014, 19:43:08 »
It's definitely not a G84. Keys are too high profile. It looks almost exactly like a siig minitouch, but the enter key is different.

hmmm. Was going to say siig until I saw the enter key too

OP, just either ask the seller (for every board youve put here) what the model number is or ask them to take off a cap

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #26 on: Thu, 17 April 2014, 19:47:59 »
Thx all for the imput, ill try and squeeze more info from the seller
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #27 on: Thu, 17 April 2014, 19:49:32 »
It's definitely not a G84. Keys are too high profile. It looks almost exactly like a siig minitouch, but the enter key is different.

hmmm. Was going to say siig until I saw the enter key too

OP, just either ask the seller (for every board youve put here) what the model number is or ask them to take off a cap

Most of these sellers are old people that are not very computer savy, their just trying to get rid of junk and hardly respond the emails, when i ask for more information or pics they just cant be harsed cause its only 5/10 bucks involved anyway... :\
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline Pacifist

  • Report me *again* if there are gifs in my sig
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3599
  • Location: Cali
  • on hiatus
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #28 on: Thu, 17 April 2014, 19:52:48 »
if its that cheap then just buy them

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #29 on: Thu, 17 April 2014, 20:12:18 »
if its that cheap then just buy them

Ill do my best.
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #30 on: Fri, 18 April 2014, 04:44:46 »
Found it on google, its a BTC 5100C , rubber dome.



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823110008

i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline sth

  • 2 girls 1 cuprubber
  • Posts: 3438
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #31 on: Fri, 18 April 2014, 05:01:51 »
Man I like the space where the Windows key usually goes.. I need an IBM BS.

you can do that with your kmac happy...
11:48 -!- SmallFry [~SmallFry@unaffiliated/smallfry] has quit [Ping timeout: 245 seconds] ... rest in peace

Offline tp4tissue

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 13724
  • Location: Official Geekhack Public Defender..
  • OmniExpert of: Rice, Top-Ramen, Ergodox, n Females
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #32 on: Fri, 18 April 2014, 06:01:27 »
The thing about mechanical keyboards is...

$100 is entry fee..

then you do the $200

then the $250

then the $400 + $100 equipment

THEN... eventually, when you transcend simply looking for something to buy.. you build an Ergodox.. and that's the last keyboard you'll ever want...



Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #33 on: Fri, 18 April 2014, 10:51:56 »
Last 2 comments lost me.

Anyway, ended up buying it for 5 bucks.
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline False_Dmitry_II

  • Posts: 1107
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #34 on: Sat, 19 April 2014, 02:22:12 »
The thing about mechanical keyboards is...

$100 is entry fee..

then you do the $200

then the $250

then the $400 + $100 equipment

THEN... eventually, when you transcend simply looking for something to buy.. you build an Ergodox.. and that's the last keyboard you'll ever want...


Show Image


Yeah, my average per mech is prolly below $30 if not $20. Also, ergodox is MX, which I would not bother with. Then again, it's got such a different layout that it seems to me that I would have a problem with rotating to different things.
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Ben Franklin (11 Nov. 1755)

Offline Pacifist

  • Report me *again* if there are gifs in my sig
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3599
  • Location: Cali
  • on hiatus
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #35 on: Sat, 19 April 2014, 02:23:54 »
The thing about mechanical keyboards is...

$100 is entry fee..

then you do the $200

then the $250

then the $400 + $100 equipment

THEN... eventually, when you transcend simply looking for something to buy.. you build an Ergodox.. and that's the last keyboard you'll ever want...


Show Image


Naw, you type on the egdx but collect everything else

Offline maatmouse

  • Posts: 32
  • Location: South Wales, UK
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #36 on: Sat, 19 April 2014, 13:12:41 »
The first one looks like an old IBM model M. From memory, that looks like the real deal..

The Apple one, I'm not sure about. Looks old enough. You would have to touch one to be sure. Nothing quite sounds or feels like a mechanical keyboard.

If you're paying $5 for the lot, then go for it.

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #37 on: Fri, 16 May 2014, 16:22:22 »
Some new finds in the oldies sales, anyone have info about these, switches etc?

386sx16 Commodore keyboard,





Needs a special connector for PS2 , thats big DIM need a small converter right?
 

From a 486 ^^





Haven got much clues about the last 2
« Last Edit: Fri, 16 May 2014, 16:25:51 by babuinix »
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline Findecanor

  • Posts: 5087
  • Location: Koriko
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #38 on: Fri, 16 May 2014, 16:40:35 »
1. Commodore. Probably Mitsumi hybrid switch with buckling rubber sleeve. Definitely not mechanical.
2. BTC 53 series. Foam and foil. If the Esc key is 1.25 wide it is often BTC.
3. Most likely a Fujitsu FKB4804. Likely rubber dome, not sure. Looks like a successor to the FKB4700 where most have Fujitsu Peerless switches.
« Last Edit: Fri, 16 May 2014, 16:42:27 by Findecanor »
🍉

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #39 on: Fri, 16 May 2014, 16:53:35 »
1. Commodore. Probably Mitsumi hybrid switch with buckling rubber sleeve. Definitely not mechanical.
2. BTC 53 series. Foam and foil. If the Esc key is 1.25 wide it is often BTC.
3. Most likely a Fujitsu FKB4804. Likely rubber dome, not sure. Looks like a successor to the FKB4700 where most have Fujitsu Peerless switches.

Much Obliged kind Sir, knew i could count with GeekHack expertees  :D
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline mougrim

  • Posts: 768
  • Location: Ukraine
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #40 on: Sat, 17 May 2014, 02:10:10 »
You always can. You can find all the KB geeks here... well, here and at Deskthority.. although geeks are somewhat overlapping :)
IBM AT Model F, Vortexgear Race 3, AEKII (Alps Cream Damped), Metoo Zero (modded to Kailh Box Navy)

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #41 on: Mon, 19 May 2014, 16:17:41 »
Hello again, anyone know anything about this old PC brand Bull Micral?

Any chance the keyboard is mechanical/any good?

i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline mougrim

  • Posts: 768
  • Location: Ukraine
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #42 on: Mon, 19 May 2014, 23:48:55 »
French clone of IBM PC.

As for keyboard - I don't know. But I think it almost certain rubberdomed.
IBM AT Model F, Vortexgear Race 3, AEKII (Alps Cream Damped), Metoo Zero (modded to Kailh Box Navy)

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #43 on: Tue, 03 June 2014, 13:55:03 »
Finaly the keyboardHunt paid off!

Some oldtimer was selling this package for 100€ (pc+monitor+mouse+keyboard+software)



He lives a bit far off from the city I live in but after some persuation he agreed to sell only the keyboard for 10€.



UK Made, 1991, needs some scrubbing but im happy anyway cause i finaly got my 2nd Model M and can now adventure into painting/dying!
« Last Edit: Tue, 03 June 2014, 13:58:27 by babuinix »
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline fohat.digs

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 6533
  • Location: 35°55'N, 83°53'W
  • weird funny old guy
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #44 on: Tue, 03 June 2014, 15:34:48 »
can now adventure into painting/dying!

That is a Greenock-made spacebar, almost sure to be ABS. Test it before you try to dye it!
"Starting in 2011, the deficits again started to shrink. During Obama’s term  the deficit was reduced by $900 Billion  before finally in 2015 the GOP managed to wrangle a “reconciliation” bill out of Obama where he again cut corporate taxes, as well as made permanent some of George W. Bush’s original tax cuts. This is the year everything reversed. Before this, under Clinton, Bush and Obama the deficit in almost every year was gradually decreasing. The balance we had of taxes and the economy was bringing the deficit down, the money coming in was slowly catching up with the money going out until 2015. Trump’s subsequent tax cut has continued the new trend even after the rest of Bush’s cuts have since expired. Obama had an average GDP of 2.3%, with 11.6 million jobs created and unemployment peaking at 10% in 2009, then falling to 4.3% in 2016. If we had continued on that downward deficit track, we would have again reached balance and another surplus in 2017-2018.
– Frank V Walton 2025-07-01

Offline False_Dmitry_II

  • Posts: 1107
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #45 on: Tue, 03 June 2014, 15:48:42 »
It even looks a bit discolored, so probably. Either spray paint it the same "vinyl dye" as the case, or buy a PBT one from unicomp in order to dye it.
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Ben Franklin (11 Nov. 1755)

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #46 on: Tue, 03 June 2014, 15:56:05 »
can now adventure into painting/dying!

That is a Greenock-made spacebar, almost sure to be ABS. Test it before you try to dye it!

Not sure i fully understand what you said with "greenock-made spacebar" and ABS, but i assume its material / plastic related, being the spacebar might be prone to bend if too much heat is involved?

Sugestions of how to aproach the dying processs to the space bar?

Thx in advance
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline fohat.digs

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 6533
  • Location: 35°55'N, 83°53'W
  • weird funny old guy
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #47 on: Tue, 03 June 2014, 17:13:25 »
Not sure i fully understand what you said with "greenock-made spacebar" and ABS, but i assume its material / plastic related, being the spacebar might be prone to bend if too much heat is involved?

Sugestions of how to aproach the dying processs to the space bar?

Thx in advance

PBT is the plastic that IBM keycaps are made from, and can be dyed quite well.

Apparently it is more difficult to make larger items, such as spacebars, from PBT, so most manufacturers use ABS for spacebars and cases. US-made Model Ms have PBT spacebars, but the 2 Greenocks I have had, both late-1990s, had ABS spacebars. You can test with a dab of acetone (fingernail polish remover, if you have a female around) to see if it melts the surface.

The minimum temperature required to make most water-based dyes "take" is about 185 F or 85 C, and this is just about where ABS starts to soften and deform.

A full boil is much better, and PBT will handle this without a problem.
"Starting in 2011, the deficits again started to shrink. During Obama’s term  the deficit was reduced by $900 Billion  before finally in 2015 the GOP managed to wrangle a “reconciliation” bill out of Obama where he again cut corporate taxes, as well as made permanent some of George W. Bush’s original tax cuts. This is the year everything reversed. Before this, under Clinton, Bush and Obama the deficit in almost every year was gradually decreasing. The balance we had of taxes and the economy was bringing the deficit down, the money coming in was slowly catching up with the money going out until 2015. Trump’s subsequent tax cut has continued the new trend even after the rest of Bush’s cuts have since expired. Obama had an average GDP of 2.3%, with 11.6 million jobs created and unemployment peaking at 10% in 2009, then falling to 4.3% in 2016. If we had continued on that downward deficit track, we would have again reached balance and another surplus in 2017-2018.
– Frank V Walton 2025-07-01

Offline babuinix

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 53
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #48 on: Tue, 03 June 2014, 18:23:23 »
Not sure i fully understand what you said with "greenock-made spacebar" and ABS, but i assume its material / plastic related, being the spacebar might be prone to bend if too much heat is involved?

Sugestions of how to aproach the dying processs to the space bar?

Thx in advance

PBT is the plastic that IBM keycaps are made from, and can be dyed quite well.

Apparently it is more difficult to make larger items, such as spacebars, from PBT, so most manufacturers use ABS for spacebars and cases. US-made Model Ms have PBT spacebars, but the 2 Greenocks I have had, both late-1990s, had ABS spacebars. You can test with a dab of acetone (fingernail polish remover, if you have a female around) to see if it melts the surface.

The minimum temperature required to make most water-based dyes "take" is about 185 F or 85 C, and this is just about where ABS starts to soften and deform.

A full boil is much better, and PBT will handle this without a problem.

Thx a lot for the imput, will test first! :D
i5 3470//GSKILL 8GB RIPJAW X//SEAGATE 1TB//XFX 550W//MSI GTX660 TF OC 2G

Offline mougrim

  • Posts: 768
  • Location: Ukraine
Re: Are these mechanical (or worth getting for cheap ~5bucks) ??
« Reply #49 on: Wed, 04 June 2014, 01:37:36 »
Not sure i fully understand what you said with "greenock-made spacebar" and ABS, but i assume its material / plastic related, being the spacebar might be prone to bend if too much heat is involved?

Sugestions of how to aproach the dying processs to the space bar?

Thx in advance

PBT is the plastic that IBM keycaps are made from, and can be dyed quite well.

Apparently it is more difficult to make larger items, such as spacebars, from PBT, so most manufacturers use ABS for spacebars and cases. US-made Model Ms have PBT spacebars, but the 2 Greenocks I have had, both late-1990s, had ABS spacebars. You can test with a dab of acetone (fingernail polish remover, if you have a female around) to see if it melts the surface.

The minimum temperature required to make most water-based dyes "take" is about 185 F or 85 C, and this is just about where ABS starts to soften and deform.

A full boil is much better, and PBT will handle this without a problem.

Thx a lot for the imput, will test first! :D

It quite yellowed, so it almost certainly ABS. But, as it was mentioned, you can buy good PBT spacebar from Unicomp - and it wil last, literally, forever.
IBM AT Model F, Vortexgear Race 3, AEKII (Alps Cream Damped), Metoo Zero (modded to Kailh Box Navy)