How Durable Are Alps Switches?

[M1NTY]

I recently found a keyboard containing some blue alps switches, and I have been actively using it. This has got me concerned about the durability of these switches.
When pulling off keycaps, I usually used paperclips or even my fingers. However, after hearing that this can potentially damage this keyboard, I stopped. Would it really be possible to damage the switches in the keyboard in this way? Would it be possible to permanently damage the keyboard, or more specifically the switches, by doing this?

I also want to know where I would be able to buy replacement alps blue switches and/or switch stems, just in case . I am aware of the rarity of these switches, but I heard you may be able to buy 1 for a few bucks.

Thank you!

[Puddsy]

Very. Not quite as much as MX, but they can take a beating. They're not so great when you try and swap caps a lot, though.

If you're just using it for ****s n gigs then it's fine. If you want to take it apart and put the switches into something else, that's also fine.

I'd get worried once you start really moving them around.

[Tuntematon]

It is possible to break the switch housing or the solder joints if the key cap is badly stuck on, even when using a key cap puller. Using a tool that isn't right for the job will increase the likelihood of you breaking something. You need to buy a key cap puller! I would recommend getting a cheap one for a couple bucks from China on eBay. Shipping will take about a month. If you want one quicker than that, PM me and I can sell you one cheap too. Where in Canada are you located?

[need]

It's easy to rip the switch apart when removing keycaps, due to the really tight fit of the key stem.

[fohat.digs]

Pull straight up and be careful.

At the minimum, make something like this:

[chyros]

In terms of structural integrity, Alps switches are really robust, not easy to damage at all. However, because the keycaps come out of the factory stuck on REALLY tight and the stem is rather thin, the keycaps can break off inside the slider which is known to occur pretty often during shipping unless it's padded to ****. You can get something similar if you don't use a keypuller to pull off the caps. Also, Alps are disproportionally sensitive to dirt and dust contamination.

[menuhin]

It's easy to rip the switch apart when removing keycaps, due to the really tight fit of the key stem.

This happens to Alps switches, but not that I can recall to any other types of switches. In the MX world, when the fitting is too tight, the cap is the part going to break, and I am not sure if it is a good or bad thing: if a blank and easily available cap breaks, you don't give a dime, and if an modern Matias simplified Alps switch breaks who will care? It's not the same if you break a striped Amber SKCM Alps by a crappy cap, or a single GMK cap rendering your whole keyset missing one / imperfect. The case of breaking the stem of a cap on the MX side usually happens because of the bad fitting due to the manufacturing of the caps.

Also I like vintage Alps switches a lot, but I wonder if I have to compare a newly out of box Alps board to a newly out of box high quality rubber dome (e.g. BTC), without a keyboard dust cover and without any switch cleaning, the consistency and performance of the rubber dome will outlast the Alps board after 6-7 years of usage in a normal office environment.

[chyros]

It's easy to rip the switch apart when removing keycaps, due to the really tight fit of the key stem.

This happens to Alps switches, but not that I can recall to any other types of switches. In the MX world, when the fitting is too tight, the cap is the part going to break, and I am not sure if it is a good or bad thing: if a blank and easily available cap breaks, you don't give a dime, and if an modern Matias simplified Alps switch breaks who will care? It's not the same if you break a striped Amber SKCM Alps by a crappy cap, or a single GMK cap rendering your whole keyset missing one / imperfect. The case of breaking the stem of a cap on the MX side usually happens because of the bad fitting due to the manufacturing of the caps.

Also I like vintage Alps switches a lot, but I wonder if I have to compare a newly out of box Alps board to a newly out of box high quality rubber dome (e.g. BTC), without a keyboard dust cover and without any switch cleaning, the consistency and performance of the rubber dome will outlast the Alps board after 6-7 years of usage in a normal office environment.

BTCs are said to not last that long either, as it happens xD . Although the dozens of BTCs I've found didn't appear to suffer from this issue.

But yes, Alps are great switches, but they're great for a short time only xD .

[menuhin]

It's easy to rip the switch apart when removing keycaps, due to the really tight fit of the key stem.

This happens to Alps switches, but not that I can recall to any other types of switches. In the MX world, when the fitting is too tight, the cap is the part going to break, and I am not sure if it is a good or bad thing: if a blank and easily available cap breaks, you don't give a dime, and if an modern Matias simplified Alps switch breaks who will care? It's not the same if you break a striped Amber SKCM Alps by a crappy cap, or a single GMK cap rendering your whole keyset missing one / imperfect. The case of breaking the stem of a cap on the MX side usually happens because of the bad fitting due to the manufacturing of the caps.

Also I like vintage Alps switches a lot, but I wonder if I have to compare a newly out of box Alps board to a newly out of box high quality rubber dome (e.g. BTC), without a keyboard dust cover and without any switch cleaning, the consistency and performance of the rubber dome will outlast the Alps board after 6-7 years of usage in a normal office environment.

BTCs are said to not last that long either, as it happens xD . Although the dozens of BTCs I've found didn't appear to suffer from this issue.

But yes, Alps are great switches, but they're great for a short time only xD .

Many switches have the design that its stem retracts into the housing when being pressed, the reason that Alps design can be more vulnerable to the environment (e.g. dust) than the Cherry MX design can be better investigated. I am a big fan of Alps' vintage tactile switches and it would be great if such weakness in design can be eliminated by some minor design changes / modification.

Some time ago, I did some search on how long 'rubber' can last (with its physical properties intact) but I couldn't find anything very related to keyboard. Just know that the cheapest normal rubber band (not Silicon made of cause) lasts for only 1-2 years even avoiding UV exposure, ... some other examples are Latex lasts for only 1 time usage, and for Silicon, to see if they can last for a life time, probably can ask those who personally know more about implants, e.g. breast implants.

[chyros]

It's easy to rip the switch apart when removing keycaps, due to the really tight fit of the key stem.

This happens to Alps switches, but not that I can recall to any other types of switches. In the MX world, when the fitting is too tight, the cap is the part going to break, and I am not sure if it is a good or bad thing: if a blank and easily available cap breaks, you don't give a dime, and if an modern Matias simplified Alps switch breaks who will care? It's not the same if you break a striped Amber SKCM Alps by a crappy cap, or a single GMK cap rendering your whole keyset missing one / imperfect. The case of breaking the stem of a cap on the MX side usually happens because of the bad fitting due to the manufacturing of the caps.

Also I like vintage Alps switches a lot, but I wonder if I have to compare a newly out of box Alps board to a newly out of box high quality rubber dome (e.g. BTC), without a keyboard dust cover and without any switch cleaning, the consistency and performance of the rubber dome will outlast the Alps board after 6-7 years of usage in a normal office environment.

BTCs are said to not last that long either, as it happens xD . Although the dozens of BTCs I've found didn't appear to suffer from this issue.

But yes, Alps are great switches, but they're great for a short time only xD .

Many switches have the design that its stem retracts into the housing when being pressed, the reason that Alps design can be more vulnerable to the environment (e.g. dust) than the Cherry MX design can be better investigated. I am a big fan of Alps' vintage tactile switches and it would be great if such weakness in design can be eliminated by some minor design changes / modification.

It would be, as it's Alps' greatest weakness, but much, much tinier modifications than that already caused a massive difference in feel and sound.

Personally, I'd actually much rather like a 100% true recreation of blue Alps. Rather get the real deal and replace them once in a while than take away from that delightful design - even if it has its shortcomings xD .

[M1NTY]

I'm also wondering where I may be able to find replacement alps blue switches. If that isn't possible, would it be possible to buy spare sliders, in case they break?

[M1NTY]

In terms of structural integrity, Alps switches are really robust, not easy to damage at all. However, because the keycaps come out of the factory stuck on REALLY tight and the stem is rather thin, the keycaps can break off inside the slider which is known to occur pretty often during shipping unless it's padded to ****. You can get something similar if you don't use a keypuller to pull off the caps. Also, Alps are disproportionally sensitive to dirt and dust contamination.

I've heard of this happening in other threads as well, but I'm not so worried about this issue. I'm more worried about damaging the internals (Slider, spring, housing, etc). Can this happen by simply pulling off keycaps? I'm sure the slider can break with enough force, but how much force is needed?

[chyros]

I'm also wondering where I may be able to find replacement alps blue switches. If that isn't possible, would it be possible to buy spare sliders, in case they break?

I've seen Alps switches that were completely destroyed, but I've never seen an Alps slider break, so you should be fine.

[Leslieann]

I recently found a keyboard containing some blue alps switches, and I have been actively using it. This has got me concerned about the durability of these switches.
When pulling off keycaps, I usually used paperclips or even my fingers. However, after hearing that this can potentially damage this keyboard, I stopped. Would it really be possible to damage the switches in the keyboard in this way? Would it be possible to permanently damage the keyboard, or more specifically the switches, by doing this?

Alps were what IBM first replaced the Buckling Spring with, and what Apple used for YEARS, there are tons of them still working just fine.

As for damaging them while taking them apart, the same applies to Cherry.
And while I have bent some stems on Cherry this way (and they were fine), I would be on the cautious side doing that to a 25 year old switch.

It's easy to rip the switch apart when removing keycaps, due to the really tight fit of the key stem.

I've ripped Cherries apart the same way.