Alps Appreciation

[jacobolus]

Ah, right, Acer keyboard. I think that’s the kind with semi-integrated switches clipped into a plastic plate/frame?

Yeah, I can see how it would be a bit tough to salvage the stabilizer clips from that, since they’re part of the plastic part. I think you need to do some experimenting to figure out how to make your own custom stabilizer clips to work with those caps.

I’m sure you can figure out some kind of solution (make something out of little pieces of bent metal or similar), but there aren’t going to be any premade parts for it.

[bubblebobbler]

Ah, right, Acer keyboard. I think that’s the kind with semi-integrated switches clipped into a plastic plate/frame?

Yeah, I can see how it would be a bit tough to salvage the stabilizer clips from that, since they’re part of the plastic part. I think you need to do some experimenting to figure out how to make your own custom stabilizer clips to work with those caps.

I’m sure you can figure out some kind of solution (make something out of little pieces of bent metal or similar), but there aren’t going to be any premade parts for it.

yeeeeah - I'm not too attached to the caps for what it's worth, so I'll keep an eye out for better options for now - here's to hoping something that fits my criteria comes along so I don't have to compromise

[keycap]

I'll be receiving an Alps SKCM Orange board this week. Can't wait, I'm a huge fan of tactile switches like Black Alps and the keyboard is in good condition so the Orange Alps will likely feel great

[Chyros]

I'll be receiving an Alps SKCM Orange board this week. Can't wait, I'm a huge fan of tactile switches like Black Alps and the keyboard is in good condition so the Orange Alps will likely feel great

Oh if you love black Alps and you haven't tried orange or salmon Alps yet you're in for a treat ^^ . You'll probably be surprised the switches are even in the same family xD .

Every time I break out my salmon AEK or orange AK I'm amazed at how great it really feels. They're possibly my fastest-typing switches, too.

[fohat]

Every time I break out my salmon AEK or orange AK I'm amazed at how great it really feels.

My "2nd" keyboard, behind the fully modded F-122 is an AT101W with orange Alps in a padded black case (with weight bar - a little Dremelling is required to force-fit in in) and beige PBT caps (except for the bottom row, of course).

It gets far more use than the Omnikey 101 with blues, but perhaps because that one is boxed tight in deep storage!

[alh84001]

@fohat show us some pics

[fohat]

quickies

[emdude]

Nice AT101W fohat, I am guessing the PBT caps are from an Alps-made AT101?

I'll be receiving an Alps SKCM Orange board this week. Can't wait, I'm a huge fan of tactile switches like Black Alps and the keyboard is in good condition so the Orange Alps will likely feel great

Oh if you love black Alps and you haven't tried orange or salmon Alps yet you're in for a treat ^^ . You'll probably be surprised the switches are even in the same family xD .

Every time I break out my salmon AEK or orange AK I'm amazed at how great it really feels. They're possibly my fastest-typing switches, too.

I have also tried both and I can definitely say they have made me a believer in tactile switches, at least those in the Alps SKCM series.

I have an AEK with SKCM Oranges, whose switches I am extracting for a 60% build, and a AK with SKCM Salmons; can't say I can tell much of a difference between the two, a slight one perhaps in sound. They are both very excellent and have only made me lust more for Alps.

[fohat]

Nice AT101W fohat, I am guessing the PBT caps are from an Alps-made AT101?

Yes, that's where the weight bar came from, too.

Salmon were the replacement for orange and the specs are basically identical, if I remember correctly.

[emdude]

Hrm, weren't oranges lubricated at some point though? It doesn't appear the oranges in my AEK are though.

[alh84001]

Those PBT caps match quite well with the bottom row. SGI's would differ too much.

[emdude]

Not only that, it wouldn't fit! The AT101W's modern bottom row makes it incompatible with decent caps likes those on the SGI and AT101. Alps layouts are definitely a mess, especially if you add in the Focus layouts.

[fohat]

Those PBT caps match quite well with the bottom row. SGI's would differ too much.

The legends are not as crisp but the color is a good match. I am not fussy about that stuff anyway.

[emdude]

Also, has there ever been an Alps board with a PBT spacebar? It's such a shame that there are nice key sets like those on the SGI or the AEK I/II that are spoiled by a banana-coloured spacebar.

Stuff like this makes me appreciate IBM for using the best possible materials for nearly everything in their keyboards.

[alh84001]

Not only that, it wouldn't fit! The AT101W's modern bottom row makes it incompatible with decent caps likes those on the SGI and AT101. Alps layouts are definitely a mess, especially if you add in the Focus layouts.

Yeah, I know. That's why I'm on the hunt for some decent PBT keycaps for it, but I would like for them to match the bottom row as much as possible.

Apple are/were known to do non-standard stuff, so AEK layouts (there has to be explanation for that ISO one ), don't surprise me a bit.

[emdude]

AEK key caps are at least quite common and being all-white makes them great for dying.

For my future SKCM Orange 60%, I'd like to dye the modifiers orange to match the switches like in this photo:

Spoiler:

[alh84001]

Nice looking paint job. Would be better if orange keys were not uneven. If you'll mimick the whole setup, get some green switches for arrows

[emdude]

Yeah, shame about the uneven dying, my 60%'s layout will be pretty standard though, no arrow keys. Fortunately, I will also have an Escape key (no sideways-mount silliness) on hand, from my AK, to go on the board. Debating whether or not to dye that though.

[keycap]

Nice AT101W fohat, I am guessing the PBT caps are from an Alps-made AT101?

Yes, that's where the weight bar came from, too.

Salmon were the replacement for orange and the specs are basically identical, if I remember correctly.

There is a small difference. It's like comparing Blue Alps to White Alps. Actually, that's a perfect example. Salmon Alps are similar to Orange Alps, with the exception being shorter switchplates and different springs. Same goes with the difference between White Alps and Blue Alps.

[Chyros]

Nice AT101W fohat, I am guessing the PBT caps are from an Alps-made AT101?

Yes, that's where the weight bar came from, too.

Salmon were the replacement for orange and the specs are basically identical, if I remember correctly.

There is a small difference. It's like comparing Blue Alps to White Alps. Actually, that's a perfect example. Salmon Alps are similar to Orange Alps, with the exception being shorter switchplates and different springs. Same goes with the difference between White Alps and Blue Alps.

The difference between white and blue Alps is WAY bigger than between oranges and salmons. Salmons and oranges are almost the same except for the weighting.

[keycap]

What else makes White Alps and Blue Alps different other than the switchplate and the spring? The click leaf may be different between the two but my early White Alps sound very comparable to Blue Alps. Then again, I don't own Blue Alps, so I can't be that sure. But the click is very thick and deep compared to the White Alps in my newer keyboards that have seen an equivalent amount of use. I personally think that Blue Alps (and maybe even the early White Alps, not sure) use a much smoother type of plastic for the casing and maybe for the slider.

[Chyros]

What else makes White Alps and Blue Alps different other than the switchplate and the spring? The click leaf may be different between the two but my early White Alps sound very comparable to Blue Alps. Then again, I don't own Blue Alps, so I can't be that sure. But the click is very thick and deep compared to the White Alps in my newer keyboards that have seen an equivalent amount of use. I personally think that Blue Alps (and maybe even the early White Alps, not sure) use a much smoother type of plastic for the casing and maybe for the slider.

Yes, the plastic type appears to be one of the things that changed. My Northgate has early white Alps and they are definitely more similar to blue Alps, but the difference is still noticeable, even if only by the sound. With my eyes closed, I'd have a harder time distinguishing oranges from salmons than early whites from blues.

[alh84001]

After less than perfect retr0bright job (see post305391.html#p305391, final edit ) I finally got some time to type on my Apple boards. After some time I perceived the AEK to be lighter than m0116, and decided to do some unscientific nickle tests. Here are my findings:
- on average, AEK switches actuate when 12th nickel is put on the stack
- Sometimes they actuate with 11, sometimes even with 13 nickels
- the only keys I could consistently get to actuate with 13 nickels were F13 and F14 (Power as well, but that one is click-modded so I take it out of the equation)
- I tried some less-used keys (numlock, "~", "]"), and they all almost always actuate with 12 nickels (I'm not sure if they ever actuated with 11 nickels
- m0116 switches, on average, actuate when 13th nickel is put on the stack
- they often actuate when 12 nickels are on the switch
- they seldom, if ever, actuate with 11 nickels on the switch
- sometimes 14 nickels are needed

Both boards have SKCM Orange switches. I presume AEK was used more and its springs are more worn. The board itself was much more yellowed than m0116 when I got them.

[keycap]

My next goal is Alps SKCL Green/Yellow. Shouldn't be too hard because Zenith boards are all over the US but they're not too common either.

Can't wait to get my Orange Alps board though

[Blaise170]

I have Greens and Yellows in my Sharp boards and I love them. Wasn't sure at first but they've really grown on me.

[keycap]

I'm really liking my Alps SKCL Blacks (the SKCL is intentional, I did a linear mod on them)

There's just something that I love about linear switches. They're so simple, yet they always feel so consistent and smooth.. set aside MX Blacks, Futaba vintage linears, Smith Corona LSoM, etc.

[emdude]

Can't wait to get my Orange Alps board though

You're in for a treat, I don't think I cared much for tactile switches until I tried SKCM Oranges/Salmons.

Then again, I did not have all that much experience with tactile switches before then. I suppose it's nice that I'm starting out with Alps SKCM ones.

[keycap]

Can't wait to get my Orange Alps board though

You're in for a treat, I don't think I cared much for tactile switches until I tried SKCM Oranges/Salmons.

Then again, I did not have all that much experience with tactile switches before then. I suppose it's nice that I'm starting out with Alps SKCM ones.

Finally received the Orange Alps and oh my god they're amazing. I can tell that they need to be cleaned but this really is everything that I want in a switch.

[Chyros]

Can't wait to get my Orange Alps board though

You're in for a treat, I don't think I cared much for tactile switches until I tried SKCM Oranges/Salmons.

Then again, I did not have all that much experience with tactile switches before then. I suppose it's nice that I'm starting out with Alps SKCM ones.

Finally received the Orange Alps and oh my god they're amazing. I can tell that they need to be cleaned but this really is everything that I want in a switch.

Heheheh, I'm not surprised, orange/salmon Alps are my favourite tactile switches tied with Topre. I can't put my finger on it but they just feel exactly right. The feeling is just perfectly balanced, and the switches feel extremely responsive.

[keycap]

Yeah, Topre seems like it would be a safe bet for me, albeit a very expensive one. I'm very happy with Orange Alps regardless, and I can't wait to get an ADB converter for the board.