deskthority

I replaced all the main keys in an Omnikey Ultra with ALPS Green internals. I never use the numeric keypad nor the SFx keys so didn't bother with them, and the odd key I left as white/clicky, like the space bar and lock keys. I really like ALPS greens, they feel nice, have a nice sound, and are very...

Good work everyone! I am just starting my program (Computer engineering) and thus don't quite have these skills yet, but soon I hope I can be this helpful While I was pondering what to do with the Z-150 KB, if anything, I thought this would be a great first year engineering project. A lot of aspect...

The "original" IBM PC KB seems very similar in theory, if not exact in exceution (chips), to the black-label Z-150. It also has pullups on the reset/data/clock lines, and those resistors are "useless" unless they're normally high for regular (non-OC etc.) TTL. Plus that LS TTL has hugely more drive ...

Huh, I just ordered some parts to do this for my black-label. Yes, the communications protocol is different between XT and AT. I just had a quick look at the black-label Z-150 KB with a scope to verify voltage levels and ~ timings. For one thing, the data/clock/reset lines have pullups and are norma...

I'm wondering if SC/ST refer not to the actuator design, but rather simply to the use of membrane sheets. I got to thinking along similar lines, that SC or ST might be more general purpose designations for "something". e.g. I thought the "C" might stand for capacitive. Clearly the various switch co...

Man, am I ever way OT now... I found the "engineering drawings" for the 103SC56-1, 6 pages includes schematics. I guess I can't take a switch module out after all, but I can see the "plate" in each switch that the actuator moves is copper-colored (i.e. looks like phosphor bronze, not saying it is fo...

^ The only "noise" is from the springs pushing the keycaps up when your finger is removed, the springs are fairly strong and the keycaps are kind of lightweight, significantly larger than e.g. the Northgate's regular-sized caps so more "hollowish". Not great quality keycaps compared to other MS KBs ...

It's a Micro Switch SC type, I purchased it OEM from Honeywell in '83, and it's not at all like the wiki describes SC switches here (it's S/N 9, so things may have changed afterwards). Plus it's virtually totally silent in all ways … I did encounter what was either an ST with an SC sticker or vice ...

The switch shouldn't move, so I assume that any movement is very subtle! The actuator leaf spring may benefit from being gently adjusted — it may have become too straight, and need to be corrected back to its original angles. It's fairly easy to slip this part on and off, and you can test the switc...

I also like my board to feel like butterfly wings. I have a keyboard you'd probably love the feel of, it's my favorite keyboard, though I suppose it's not technically "mechanical" as maybe most people here would call it, and it's only ASCII output so I can't use it straight with a PC. I describe it...

Northgate Omnikey Ultra, Backspace key. It has gone a bit wonky, seems to require me to push slightly forwards on it to register correctly/reliably. This switch is installed upside-down compared to the regular-sized keycap switches. I took it apart and "cleaned" it (it wasn't dirty...). So consideri...