Apple M0110 Keyboard, Stiff Keys, Normal? ALPs vs Mitsumi

[ezrahilyer]

I just converted a M0110 (thank you HASU!) to USB, and I started to type on it only to find that the keys felt very heavy. (Like a heavy Model M) and felt a little rough. I took the caps back off and used a silicone lube to lube the sliders, and some of the roughness left, but they still don't feel as smooth as the salmon alps I have been using lately, and I don't like the heaviness of the keys.
I saw on DT that user: Lowpoly switched the springs out from 60g to 41g by taking springs from a Dell AT keyboard, does anyone else dislike the heaviness of the keys? Is this a common modification?

I also have a M0110A that uses the Mitsumi switches that are very similar to the Alps T mount switches, but they feel much much smoother to me, and a little lighter.

I hate to admit it, but I like the feel of the Mitsumi switches in the M0110a a lot more than I like the T mount Alps in the M0110.

 

[ezrahilyer]

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=66819.0

It is on Ebay, here is my external auction post.

[jacobolus]

Tee alps switches should be extremely smooth when in good condition. As you might expect, some 30 year old keyboards aren’t in perfect shape, and when dust/grit gets into Alps switches they get much less pleasant. I think the best thing to do is clean the sliders and top housings in an ultrasonic cleaner. I’ve had only partial success blasting them with a datavac or putting the parts in a detergent + water soak. Individually wiping the inside top housings out with a q-tip or something might work, I dunno, haven’t tried it.

[ezrahilyer]

Tee alps switches should be extremely smooth when in good condition. As you might expect, some 30 year old keyboards aren’t in perfect shape, and when dust/grit gets into Alps switches they get much less pleasant. I think the best thing to do is clean the sliders and top housings in an ultrasonic cleaner. I’ve had only partial success blasting them with a datavac or putting the parts in a detergent + water soak. Individually wiping the inside top housings out with a q-tip or something might work, I dunno, haven’t tried it.

I am afraid of breaking the small tabs on either side of the switch housing, is there a good way to do this? I will disassemble the switches and clean them internally if that is the problem, but I don't have any replacements right now, so I don't want to end up breaking them.