My finished project, ALPS SKCL Green.

darkholypl · 22 Jun 2016, 19:11

Hi all.

Since I've just finished my project, I've figured why not share a few somewhat low quality photos with you all

Spoiler:

So what do you guys think? Go easy on me, this is my first project and the first time I soldered/desoldered anything

emdude · 22 Jun 2016, 19:27

You did a lovely job, hope it's really fun to type on now!

I am confused on one point though; you say you dislike simplified Alps but those whites look like complicated Alps to me. I'd also be interested in hearing what defines an "artificially" clicky switch for you. I guess what you said makes sense since Alps switches were kinda? originally linear (SKCC series) before having clicky/tactile leaves tacked on in the SKCM redesign. I think you could say the same for Cherry MX switches as well, though I don't know too much about those switches' early history.

seebart · 22 Jun 2016, 19:31

Yes this looks really good for a first project, you must really like SKCL greens to do all this work for a change from white Alps.

darkholypl · 22 Jun 2016, 19:41

@emdude
Thanks!
An artificially clicky switch to me is any switch that has and added 'clicker' to make the sound, but works just as good without one (MX blue, green, white ALPS ect.).
A buckling spring board is an example of 'naturally' clicky, since the click is a part of the mechanism.

@seebart
Yes I do like SKCL greens quite a bit, but more than that I guess I just don't like white ALPS

I would use brown APLS... if I had any.
Cheers.

emdude · 22 Jun 2016, 19:49

Ah, that makes sense, I figured buckling spring would fall under that category for you.

scottc · 22 Jun 2016, 20:40

darkholypl, I was wondering who got that board from Allegro... I was bidding on it too but forgot to bid at the end of the auction. I missed it by about 30 seconds.

darkholypl · 22 Jun 2016, 20:51

scottc wrote: darkholypl, I was wondering who got that board from Allegro... I was bidding on it too but forgot to bid at the end of the auction. I missed it by about 30 seconds.

I lost that as well. I got sniped, but I contacted the seller on day 1, and asked if I can just flat out buy it for cash. He said no, since there were already people bidding on it, BUT he had 1 more. I said I'll buy that off of him and he agreed

I have no idea who has the other one.

scottc · 22 Jun 2016, 21:12

Oh damn. I should have tried that! If you have any switches or keycaps left over, let me know and I can trade some blue Alps left over from another project. I know they're "clicky" but maybe they can win you over.

Anyway, I was so overcome with jealousy (ahhhh!) that I forgot to say: nice job on the build.

I have the same NTC board here but don't like the form factor and switches much, but it is a cute little thing.

darkholypl · 22 Jun 2016, 21:54

@scottc
Thanks!
I don't really have anything left over, aside of 5 switches and some weird sized caps (1 unit caps lock, long ass spce bar, 2 unit print screen and a few others that don't really work on any other board). Sorry.
I do have 77 white ALPS tho

scottc · 22 Jun 2016, 22:00

Ah, I guessed as much. Sorry for derailing the thread a bit! I've got at least 200 more white Alps than I could ever want so I know how you feel.

How do the green Alps feel in the NTC? I wonder how the plastic plate interacts with them. I like linear Cherry switches with a plastic plate or no plate at all so it must be interesting!

darkholypl · 22 Jun 2016, 22:20

scottc wrote: Ah, I guessed as much. Sorry for derailing the thread a bit! I've got at least 200 more white Alps than I could ever want so I know how you feel.

How do the green Alps feel in the NTC? I wonder how the plastic plate interacts with them. I like linear Cherry switches with a plastic plate or no plate at all so it must be interesting!

White ALPS ftw eh?

Yea, I was a bit worried about that plasic plate, but figured 'hey, HHKB has a plastic plate as well, and that works out ok' so it wouldn't be much of a problem here either.
In fact, the plastic plate gives a specific sound to the switches. It pings a little due to the overall low build quality of the board, but I can live with that. More so since the 'thock' of the green ALPS is deep and really nice to listen to. I have no doubt that those ALPS would sound better in a higher quality board overall, but the end result is sweet anyway.
And hey, if I ever need to, I can just desolder them again

EDIT: I can try (emphasis on the TRY) to record a short typing vid of this board, but since I only have my cell to do it with, I have no idea how the end result would be. If it's to far away from real world sound, then I won't post it. I will update this when the time comes.

jerue · 22 Jun 2016, 23:19

Sometimes the best projects are the simplest...nice job! I actually have some green alps around (and soon some oranges!), and seeing this small keyboard with such awesome switches...makes me wanna do it too!

livingspeedbump · 01 Jul 2016, 17:43

I really like this! I have a Minitouch, but honestly I like these a little bit more just because Im not a huge fan of the tiny top row keys of the Siig. The keycaps are pretty rad too!

What is your favorite alps switch?

scottc · 01 Jul 2016, 17:45

If you want one, my NIB one is sitting in its box here because I don't get on with the layout...

Nuum · 01 Jul 2016, 17:51

Great to see that you put it to better use than I would have ever done!

darkholypl · 04 Jul 2016, 16:23

Sorry for not replying, was busy lately.
I'm not currently looking for any other boards. I have some renovations in the house to do, so there goes my money and my time (also space to store stuff for some time).

@livingspeedbunp
I haven't tried them all yet (not sure I ever will get to try them all) so I can't really say. I would like to make (get) a board with browns, that's for sure. All I can tell you is that I don't really like any clones I've tried.

@Nuum
Thanks! I've got to say I really like it now. Grew on me so much, I've put my Novatouch back into it's box for now xD (I've always had it hooked up, sitting in the backgroud, regardles of what other board I was using as the main. You can see it in the pics there in the back, with the side printed PBTs on.)

bocahgundul · 04 Jul 2016, 16:33

This boards looks super good. Keep up the good job man!

I have some green alps laying around that I need to clean. hngggg I'm lazy af