Great/Interesting Finds

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fohat
Elder Messenger

20 Mar 2016, 22:06

E3E wrote:
The ultra rare bit is a misconception though. That simply isn't true.
For me, the operational adjective is "straight-ANSI" which is all-but-impossible to find. Bigass Enters, small Backspaces, shift keys that are "wrong" all render keyboards almost unusable for me.

And comparing a very sturdy, well-built vintage keyboard with a metal bottom pan to something like a Focus is comparing a Kia to a Volvo.

Too bad that the 2014 is still just a useless parts-donor carcass, like a Model F XT.

User avatar
E3E

20 Mar 2016, 22:15

fohat wrote:
For me, the operational adjective is "straight-ANSI" which is all-but-impossible to find. Bigass Enters, small Backspaces, shift keys that are "wrong" all render keyboards almost unusable for me.

And comparing a very sturdy, well-built vintage keyboard with a metal bottom pan to something like a Focus is comparing a Kia to a Volvo.

Too bad that the 2014 is still just a useless parts-donor carcass, like a Model F XT.
You're right about the comparison bit, but look at this:

Image
Image

Sense not make!

The good news about most BAE keyboards like the Focus layout boards is that they can be ANSI-modded with a little work and an extra switch.

Just need to get the caps to fill out the positions when done, but I've turned my FAME keyboard into an ANSI board like that, albeit with a short right shift, though I think those don't detract at all from the usability of a keyboard. It's actually more practical, imo.

User avatar
seebart
Offtopicthority Instigator

20 Mar 2016, 22:16

fohat wrote:
E3E wrote:
The ultra rare bit is a misconception though. That simply isn't true.
For me, the operational adjective is "straight-ANSI" which is all-but-impossible to find. Bigass Enters, small Backspaces, shift keys that are "wrong" all render keyboards almost unusable for me.

And comparing a very sturdy, well-built vintage keyboard with a metal bottom pan to something like a Focus is comparing a Kia to a Volvo.

Too bad that the 2014 is still just a useless parts-donor carcass, like a Model F XT.
You talking about Focus the Ford car or the keyboards which are actually not too flimsy, the Model F XT is a tank compared to that though. Straight ANSI like this?
IMG_20160320_221235.jpg
IMG_20160320_221235.jpg (946.54 KiB) Viewed 4962 times

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Tuntematon

20 Mar 2016, 22:21

There's a big difference between BAE + tiny backspace and BAE + full-size backspace. The tiny backspace is what's really offensive.

That DTK layout is actually quite nice -- extra 1u keys on the bottom row, which I prefer to the standard winkeyless on most blue Alps boards.

User avatar
Tuntematon

20 Mar 2016, 23:09

Well, I'm out of this one :(. I was afraid this might happen. Inflation is everywhere:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162006151653?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

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seebart
Offtopicthority Instigator

20 Mar 2016, 23:12

That spacebar is funky. :shock: WANT. :x

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Tuntematon

20 Mar 2016, 23:16

Split spacebar is the best. As a bonus, the tiny backspace is actually preferable for once since the backspace is moved to the bottom row!

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fohat
Elder Messenger

20 Mar 2016, 23:20

The Realforce TKL layout is quite nice, when I get a Topre board that will be the one, but for now I need numpad.

I have learned through experience that I tend to hit the left side of Backspace, the right side of Right Shift, and also the right side of Left shift, so each of those "annoyances" adds up to considerable frustration for me.

Focus is an example of a mid-grade Alps keyboard, not the car. The (full-size) Alps keyboards that I use are Omnikey 101 (with transplanted blue switches) and Dell AT101W (black case) with transplanted orange (using beige AT101 PBT caps for all but the bottom row) so naturally almost everything else is "flimsy" and lightweight to me.

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E3E

20 Mar 2016, 23:25

Tuntematon wrote: There's a big difference between BAE + tiny backspace and BAE + full-size backspace. The tiny backspace is what's really offensive.

That DTK layout is actually quite nice -- extra 1u keys on the bottom row, which I prefer to the standard winkeyless on most blue Alps boards.
Agreed. I much prefer 2u backspace + BAE over the 1u alternative, though I didn't have any problems with my NTC 6151N when I used it, and it had a 1u backspace. It is visually ew though.

Yeah, back when I got my FAME, it was my replacement for the NTC 6151N, and it's incredibly similar to that board in multiple ways, coincidentally enough (MX+Alps PCB, metal bottom panel, blue Alps, etc).

Since I thought it was going to be my daily driver, I ANSI-modded it on a whim. Really, it's more because the board came with no stabilizers installed the plate, haha (the mounts were there). Just a hole near the BAE, but there was nothing I could do there. It didn't even seem like a hole for mounting a stabilizer peg.

So I just ground out the hole and made a new position for a switch and converted it to ANSI with a little rewiring, haha. The FAME is still one of my favorite boards, hands down. Oh right; because the PCB also supported an ISO enter, this is how the switch pins fit into the PCB and that position without any problem. A fantastic coincidence.

Image

For the full Tai Hao effect, I really could use an ANSI enter and |\ from an Omnikey, but I don't really feel like spending money on a board for just two caps. :? The ANSI enter and |\ instead come from a Silitek old logo AT101. Got THOSE caps for $15.

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seebart
Offtopicthority Instigator

20 Mar 2016, 23:34

fohat wrote: The Realforce TKL layout is quite nice, when I get a Topre board that will be the one, but for now I need numpad.

I have learned through experience that I tend to hit the left side of Backspace, the right side of Right Shift, and also the right side of Left shift, so each of those "annoyances" adds up to considerable frustration for me.

Focus is an example of a mid-grade Alps keyboard, not the car. The (full-size) Alps keyboards that I use are Omnikey 101 (with transplanted blue switches) and Dell AT101W (black case) with transplanted orange (using beige AT101 PBT caps for all but the bottom row) so naturally almost everything else is "flimsy" and lightweight to me.
No I would totally agree that Focus keyboards are "mid-grade" but certainly not flimsy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

G80-3000HAD

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Cherry-G80-3000H ... SwMORW7p~w

G80-1501HAD

http://www.ebay.de/itm/CHERRY-G80-1501H ... SwZ8ZW7cFG

G80-1000 HAU NIB

http://www.ebay.de/itm/NEUE-Cherry-Tast ... Sws4JW7UVr

5x Cherry G80-3000

http://www.ebay.de/itm/5x-Stck-Stuck-Ch ... SwyjBW7UyY

Siemens dome?

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Siemens-Nixdorf- ... SwYlJW4rT2

Commodore PC 10

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Commodore-PC-10- ... SwHgVW7l5J

IBM XT

http://www.ebay.de/itm/IBM-Tastatur-fur ... SwvgdW6aOi

COOLER MASTER CM STORM NOVATOUCH

http://www.ebay.de/itm/COOLER-MASTER-CM ... Swh-1W6bGc
Last edited by seebart on 20 Mar 2016, 23:56, edited 2 times in total.

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Crazy Canadian XXIV

20 Mar 2016, 23:53

Tuntematon wrote: Well, I'm out of this one :(. I was afraid this might happen. Inflation is everywhere:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162006151653?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
WARNING: Some experts believe that bidding on keyboards on Ebay can cause serious injury to wallet and common sense. Exercise caution when bidding.

User avatar
E3E

21 Mar 2016, 00:25

So who snagged this nicely priced Zenith for $29?

Here's the auction link.

Image

I'm having a fun time going through the sold listings under "Vintage Keyboard" on eBay to see what I or we might have missed. :3

An NTC that may or may not have Alps or Cherry :P

Good price for an M0116 with Orange Alps.

The true bigfoot of keyboards, the IBM Model F 5291

I might be wrong about the model # on that one, but damn.

pcaro

21 Mar 2016, 00:34

seebart wrote: IBM XT
Bidding for it since two days ago. My kitten photo ...

Image

User avatar
Tuntematon

21 Mar 2016, 00:43

Crazy Canadian XXIV wrote:
Tuntematon wrote: Well, I'm out of this one :(. I was afraid this might happen. Inflation is everywhere:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162006151653?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
WARNING: Some experts believe that bidding on keyboards on Ebay can cause serious injury to wallet and common sense. Exercise caution when bidding.
I always proceed with caution. I don't have the appetite for these high roller auctions. Only a small percentage of my keyboard purchases are made through auctions.

E3E, I check the sold listings too but I'm not sure I would call it a fun time. I'm driven by morbid curiosity. I just hope I don't find anything too horribly disappointing. My biggest misses lately are the two $100 Industrial Model Ms and that low serial number, doubleshot Dell AT101 that got your attention. That Zenith with PBT caps (and a few missing) may or may not be mine :D

Engicoder

21 Mar 2016, 01:42

E3E wrote: I'm having a fun time going through the sold listings under "Vintage Keyboard" on eBay to see what I or we might have missed. :3

An NTC that may or may not have Alps or Cherry :P
I'll let y'all know :D

User avatar
Tuntematon

21 Mar 2016, 01:58

Ahh those NTCs, always keeping you guessing. That one was made in Malaysia. That should mean not genuine Alps at least?

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E3E

21 Mar 2016, 02:44

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Keyboard-WYSE-T ... SwP~tW6eu-

Does anyone want an all relegend-able set of caps? Lol. This is bonkers. :P

Image
Engicoder wrote: I'll let y'all know :D
Looking forward to seeing what the NTC ends up with! I know you were looking for an NTC for such a long time and kept having ridiculous things happen with every purchase!
Tuntematon wrote: E3E, I check the sold listings too but I'm not sure I would call it a fun time. I'm driven by morbid curiosity. I just hope I don't find anything too horribly disappointing. My biggest misses lately are the two $100 Industrial Model Ms and that low serial number, doubleshot Dell AT101 that got your attention. That Zenith with PBT caps (and a few missing) may or may not be mine :D
Yeah, it can be a bit disheartening when you stumble upon a board you really would've enjoyed that'd otherwise be either hard to find or for having gone under the radar really nice price that would usually otherwise be excessive (like blue Alps boards). Indeed, that doubleshot Dell AT101 not only went for a incredibly generous price, but is also a pretty substantial find.

Definitely wish I found it first, haha. There will always be more fish in the sea though!

Yeah, I noticed the PBT caps on that board. Aside from a few having gone missing, the alphas all seem intact. Any plans for this one? You could use some of those alphas for a custom board at least. :D

jacobolus

21 Mar 2016, 02:59

E3E wrote: Does anyone want an all relegend-able set of caps? Lol. This is bonkers. :P http://www.ebay.com/itm/391408375554
Image
With such legends as “Gin List / Ground Faves”, “Rum List / Specl Requst”, “Scotch List / Temptations” and “Tequila List / Sweet Endings”, how can you go wrong?

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Tuntematon

21 Mar 2016, 03:00

E3E wrote: Yeah, I noticed the PBT caps on that board. Aside from a few having gone missing, the alphas all seem intact. Any plans for this one? You could use some of those Alphas for a custom board at least. :D
Not sure what exactly I'll do, the "9" and the "I" caps are replacements from a different board, so I can't really use just the alphas. The caps would be more suitable as replacements for someone who already has a Zenith with a full set, so I may sell those off. I'll start by cleaning up those green Alps and then go from there.

User avatar
Redmaus
Gotta start somewhere

21 Mar 2016, 03:10

I just need a set of green alps for my TKL. I don't really want to butcher a Zenith that is in good condition. I am guessing you want the switches right Tuntematon?

User avatar
E3E

21 Mar 2016, 03:11

Does anyone know what switches this crazy thing has?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-RARE-Pa ... SwhcJWGHbt

Image

I've seen it listed for ages now.

User avatar
Crazy Canadian XXIV

21 Mar 2016, 03:18


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Tuntematon

21 Mar 2016, 03:23

That Pace would be nice to have at the right price, but too bad the numpad is integrated like that. Really awkward for an adjustable ergo board.

The split spacebar NMB just finished. $142.50 + shipping :shock:. I didn't see that coming, I thought I actually had a chance before the big bids came in today.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NMB-RT8255CW-Ri ... true&rt=nc

Edit: The Fame is fantastic. I love the modifications. Definitely a keeper, you may never find another.
Last edited by Tuntematon on 21 Mar 2016, 03:35, edited 1 time in total.

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ohaimark
Kingpin

21 Mar 2016, 03:30

Dear god! That's madness for Split-Space Invaders!

I guess that split bar drove prices into orbit.

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E3E

21 Mar 2016, 03:33

Someone was talking about Dell AT101R (rubber dome variant) being quite rare, right?

Here's one in Canada: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-MODEL-AT10 ... XQ855RpE7i

Image

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Abstractions

21 Mar 2016, 04:14

Potentially Blue Alps: http://www.ebay.com/itm/262339665225?

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Blaise170
ALPS キーボード

21 Mar 2016, 04:59

Hahaha, already at $104 with three days left to go. And I get it a feeling it isn't blue Alps since the seller won't remove a cap and the label is missing... But maybe the seller is really just that oblivious.

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E3E

21 Mar 2016, 05:28

Well, at least I'll be able to enjoy a little healthy schadenfreude if it ends up being SKCM White Alps and some crazy bidder went all in on it having blue Alps. It is in fantastic condition, though I think it's a little uncommon to see yellowed Omnikeys.

On second thought, that one is REALLY grey compared to others I just quickly scanned through. Hmm. It would be a nice buy either way, but if you really just wanted a NOS chassis, then you could just get the silver label version:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/omni-key-102-co ... Swxp9W6xHw

Of course, no, it's because people think it has blue Alps. Now, as we know with Focus boards, when the serial sticker is separate, it USUALLY does have blue Alps, but can the same be said for gold labels?

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Britney Spears

21 Mar 2016, 07:38

How about 800 Cherry M9 Switches* for a mere 10€?
Last edited by Britney Spears on 21 Mar 2016, 08:11, edited 3 times in total.

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derzemel

21 Mar 2016, 07:40

Britney Spears wrote:How about 800 Cherry MX Clear Switches for a mere 10€?
Thise are not cherry MX switches

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