Author Topic: broken Apple A9M0330  (Read 9275 times)

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Offline arfink

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broken Apple A9M0330
« on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 13:29:02 »
So, a friend of mine was being a bit crazy and was (for reasons he won't fully explain to me) waving my Apple A9M0330 around. It's the keyboard I use with my Apple IIgs, and it's a real nice board. I'm not sure what kind of switch it uses, if it's a cherry or alps or what (probably alps), but they're really nice. And anyways, he has smashed a few keys off, and not just popped them off but the shank is broken off and everything. Superglue won't "take" on the plastic. Any repair ideas?

Otherwise, he's going to get me a replacement. He's a decent guy, and said he'd pay for it. Found a nice one here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Apple-Desktop-Bus-keyboard-m-n-A9M0330_W0QQitemZ150358747486QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item230214695e

If I get the replacement instead of fixing this one, what should I do with the busted one? It's a nice board, hate to chuck it. Maybe use it as a test for dye experiments? Only one or two keys from the tenkey cluster are busted. One broke all the way off, the other is just hanging on by a sliver.

Offline msiegel

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 14:46:48 »
are the keycaps themselves still in good condition?

Filco Zero (Fukka) AEKII sliders and keycaps * Filco Tenkeyless MX brown * IBM F/AT parts: modding
Model F Mod Log * Open Source Generic keyboard controller

Offline arfink

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 15:09:03 »
Other than the broken ones on the numpad, yes. The switches are all 100% working, and the case is still fine too.

Offline msiegel

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 15:12:35 »
hmm, it sounds like you just need a few replacement keycaps. is that right?

Filco Zero (Fukka) AEKII sliders and keycaps * Filco Tenkeyless MX brown * IBM F/AT parts: modding
Model F Mod Log * Open Source Generic keyboard controller

Offline arfink

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 16:21:48 »
Yeah, but these are kinda funky keycaps. Where, besides from another keyboard of the same type, would I get them?

Offline roadblock2thesun

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 16:40:25 »
is this the "apple keyboard II" which does not have mechanical switches?

or the one that looks similar but does have switches?

If it is the first one I might be able to help you out with some new key caps...

Offline msiegel

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 16:41:13 »
i bought an A9M0330 awhile back, mistakenly thinking it had pink or orange ALPS.

you're welcome to whichever number pad keys you need... i'll just mail them to you :)


Filco Zero (Fukka) AEKII sliders and keycaps * Filco Tenkeyless MX brown * IBM F/AT parts: modding
Model F Mod Log * Open Source Generic keyboard controller

Offline msiegel

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 16:43:42 »
Quote from: roadblock2thesun;135354
is this the "apple keyboard II" which does not have mechanical switches?


no, it's this early model:


Filco Zero (Fukka) AEKII sliders and keycaps * Filco Tenkeyless MX brown * IBM F/AT parts: modding
Model F Mod Log * Open Source Generic keyboard controller

Offline ch_123

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 17:02:07 »
I think there's one of those boards lying around in the wondiferous 'back room' of my college computer lab. What switches does it use? It didn't feel mechanical to me the first time I pressed, but hey, I thought the same when I pressed a key on the AEK II for the first time...

Offline msiegel

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #9 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 17:52:09 »
Quote from: ch_123;135360
I think there's one of those boards lying around in the wondiferous 'back room' of my college computer lab. What switches does it use? It didn't feel mechanical to me the first time I pressed, but hey, I thought the same when I pressed a key on the AEK II for the first time...

there's a squishy one that looks similiar:

« Last Edit: Sun, 22 November 2009, 17:56:42 by msiegel »

Filco Zero (Fukka) AEKII sliders and keycaps * Filco Tenkeyless MX brown * IBM F/AT parts: modding
Model F Mod Log * Open Source Generic keyboard controller

Offline ch_123

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #10 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 17:59:38 »
No, I'm pretty sure it was the above one, I have memories of the AT enter and the segmented gaps between the numpad and main body... What switches does it have?

Offline msiegel

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #11 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 18:04:59 »
Quote from: ch_123;135371
No, I'm pretty sure it was the above one, I have memories of the AT enter and the segmented gaps between the numpad and main body... What switches does it have?


they have an alps-like interface with white sliders, but they're not labeled alps...

longer throw than alps, tactile and slightly clicky, with a smoother action. they tend to bind when hit off center though, at least on the old unit i have.

Filco Zero (Fukka) AEKII sliders and keycaps * Filco Tenkeyless MX brown * IBM F/AT parts: modding
Model F Mod Log * Open Source Generic keyboard controller

Offline ch_123

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #12 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 18:10:27 »
OMFG NON ORIGINAL NON COMPLICATED SIMPLIFIED GENUINE FAKES.

Oh Alps... Will I ever understand you?

Offline msiegel

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #13 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 18:12:16 »
this is why i'm converting back to buckling spring XD

Filco Zero (Fukka) AEKII sliders and keycaps * Filco Tenkeyless MX brown * IBM F/AT parts: modding
Model F Mod Log * Open Source Generic keyboard controller

Offline arfink

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #14 on: Sun, 22 November 2009, 21:13:49 »
Well, I could use the 5 and 6 keys from the number pad.

And yes, it's a very nice feel on this keyboard, but mine is in pretty good shape and doesn't have any binding issues. There isn't any "click" that you can hear, but it's got a distinct point at which the switch kinda "gives" and then you know it's been actuated.

I'll send you a PM, and you can get those keys in the mail for me. Thanks so much!

Offline ch_123

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 23 November 2009, 05:21:43 »
Turns out the keyboard I saw was this -



I think it's using Linear Alps. I might 'borrow' it to take a further look.

Offline lowpoly

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #16 on: Mon, 23 November 2009, 05:29:47 »
^^^ That's the Macintosh Plus Keyboard, M0110A. I don't think it has Alps switches.

The smaller Apple keyboard with Alps switches is the M0116:



Smaller version of the Extended I, logo is also in the same place.
« Last Edit: Mon, 23 November 2009, 05:32:49 by lowpoly »

Miniguru thread at GH // The Apple M0110 Today

Offline ch_123

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« Reply #17 on: Mon, 23 November 2009, 05:32:50 »
The one I found was P/N M0110A, made in Ireland (as were most European Alps boards of the day)

Offline PRISONER 24601

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #18 on: Mon, 23 November 2009, 06:18:57 »
I really love my adb keyboard. I just wish i could use it
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.
G80-3000LSCRC-2 (MX), "Ricercar" G86-6241OEUAGSA (MX), MX11800 (MX), AEKII (ALPS), AEK (ALPS) Apple Keyboard A9M0330 (ALPS), IBM Model F XT (Bucking Spring), IBM Space Saver 1391472 (Bucking Spring).

Offline ak_nala

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #19 on: Tue, 24 November 2009, 04:55:01 »
It's actually the first ADB board to reach market.

On the two I have, IIRC it's the close tolerance between the keycaps and the side of the case (and to a lesser extent to each other) that can cause them to bind if hit off-center rather than anything going on with the switches - except for the contribution of the inherent looseness of Alps-style switches, of course. It's especially a problem if the case plastic has warped at the edges at all as some rougher used ones can have.

The case edges essentially come straight up to form the side boundaries of the board in a very minimalist style with not quite enough lip or reinforcement to prevent warping from sun, age, abuse, etc. Also, the design of the keycaps creates a relatively narrow space between each other as well as the board edges with lots of nearly vertical edge surface area to bear against each other that is kind of unforgiving of loose switches, warped or misaligned plastic, etc.

All such issues aside, they are really nice compact boards (an elegant if flawed design) when in good condition with an action similar to, but a bit less refined than, an AEK I.
No matter where you go, there you are...

Offline PRISONER 24601

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #20 on: Tue, 24 November 2009, 08:56:02 »
I'm always surprised at how much travel those little keys have. 's one of the big reasons why I'd like to mod the thing with an internal adb->usb adapter and use it with my notebook. though there's probably not enough room for that.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.
G80-3000LSCRC-2 (MX), "Ricercar" G86-6241OEUAGSA (MX), MX11800 (MX), AEKII (ALPS), AEK (ALPS) Apple Keyboard A9M0330 (ALPS), IBM Model F XT (Bucking Spring), IBM Space Saver 1391472 (Bucking Spring).

Offline chimera15

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broken Apple A9M0330
« Reply #21 on: Tue, 24 November 2009, 09:54:52 »
Quote from: PRISONER 24601;135514
I really love my adb keyboard. I just wish i could use it

Just get a griffin, adb boards are fully pc and mac compatible with griffins.  Love it on my m1242.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Griffin-imate-USB-to-ADB-Adapter-hard-to-find_W0QQitemZ230403682331QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMice?hash=item35a521301b
Alps boards:
white real complicated: 1x modified siiig minitouch kb1903,  hhkb light2 english steampunk hack, wireless siig minitouch hack
white with rubber damper(cream)+clicky springs: 2x modified siig minitouch kb1903 1x modified siig minitouch kb1948
white fake simplified:   1x white smk-85, 1x Steampunk compact board hack
white real simplified: 1x unitek k-258
low profile: 1x mint m1242 in box
black: ultra mini wrist keyboard hack
blue: Japanese hhk2 lite hack, 1x siig minitouch pcb/doubleshot dc-2014 caps. kb1903, 1x modified kb1948 Siig minitouch
rainbow test boards:  mck-84sx