Alps Appreciation

[Hypersphere]

I acquired a Toshiba T1200 and harvested the beautiful thick doubleshot Alps-mount keycaps. The switches are some sort of Alps-mount linear with white sliders and no Alps branding on the housing. I think they are the same as those described in a post by webwit:

Spoiler:

T1200_webwit.jpg (179.17 KiB) Viewed 4939 times

photos-f62/toshiba-t1200-minitouch-t4656.html

Has anyone here tried using these switches in a custom build? I would suppose that the pins would be non-standard, and I think they are PCB-mounted. Perhaps the only way to do this would be to use the PCB from the "laptop" and reverse-engineer a way to convert it to USB.

[Chyros]

I acquired a Toshiba T1200 and harvested the beautiful thick doubleshot Alps-mount keycaps. The switches are some sort of Alps-mount linear with white sliders and no Alps branding on the housing. I think they are the same as those described in a post by webwit:

Spoiler:

T1200_webwit.jpg

photos-f62/toshiba-t1200-minitouch-t4656.html

Has anyone here tried using these switches in a custom build? I would suppose that the pins would be non-standard, and I think they are PCB-mounted. Perhaps the only way to do this would be to use the PCB from the "laptop" and reverse-engineer a way to convert it to USB.

They're the Alps octagonal switch, I think they're called common mount low profile or something now. They're known from Zenith numpads. Don't think anyone's done anything with them.

[Hypersphere]

Octagonal switch? Do you know why it is called the "octagonal switch"? It would be more fun if it were octahedral!

[seebart]

They're the Alps octagonal switch, I think they're called common mount low profile or something now. They're known from Zenith numpads. Don't think anyone's done anything with them.

We've done this with them:

wiki/Alps_common_mount_low_profile

"Octagonal" is the craziest name I've heard in along time.

Alps c.ommon m.ount l.ow p.rofile, how about Alps CMLP?

[Chyros]

They're the Alps octagonal switch, I think they're called common mount low profile or something now. They're known from Zenith numpads. Don't think anyone's done anything with them.

We've done this with them:

wiki/Alps_common_mount_low_profile

"Octagonal" is the craziest name I've heard in along time.

Well, the switches are octagonal in shape :p .

[Hypersphere]

Thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't taken notice of the clipped corners that do in fact make the shape of the switch housing appear octagonal when viewed from above. Let's see, if we consider the entire switch, what would be the name of the corresponding polyhedron?

[seebart]

Well, the switches are octagonal in shape :p .

Then all other 839523 switches should just be "squares", "crosses", "circles" or "boxes" from now on.

c13ef63d1f74b90cc3ecbc7e1bb0335b.jpg (13.81 KiB) Viewed 4821 times

[emdude]

Shame there isn't anything conclusive to support the possible SKFN model name, it's a lot more convenient than Alps Common-mount-low-profile.

[seebart]

Shame there isn't anything conclusive to support the possible SKFN model name, it's a lot more convenient than Alps Common-mount-low-profile.

"Alps Common-mount-low-profile" is just too long. The whole naming process is pretty strange anyhow. Do we even know what the real name? Is "Alps Common-mount-low-profile" the real name? I doubt "octagonal" is the real name.

21:00, 22 July 2013‎ Daniel beardsmore (Talk | contribs)‎ . . (2,807 bytes) (+2,807)‎ . . (Created with a provisional name so that it can be referenced internally from other pages)

w/index.php?title=Alps_common_mount_low ... on=history

[Chyros]

Shame there isn't anything conclusive to support the possible SKFN model name, it's a lot more convenient than Alps Common-mount-low-profile.

"Alps Common-mount-low-profile" is just too long. The whole naming process is pretty strange anyhow. Do we even know what the real name? Is "Alps Common-mount-low-profile" the real name? I doubt "octagonal" is the real name.

21:00, 22 July 2013‎ Daniel beardsmore (Talk | contribs)‎ . . (2,807 bytes) (+2,807)‎ . . (Created with a provisional name so that it can be referenced internally from other pages)

w/index.php?title=Alps_common_mount_low ... on=history

Exactly, I didn't come up with the octagonal name, that was just what it was referred to before xD . I still think it's a good name though, because I really can't think of any other switches with such a shape. Besides NOTHING can be worse than "Alps common mount low profile" .

[fohat]

I really can't think of any other switches with such a shape. Besides NOTHING can be worse than "Alps common mount low profile".

Weren't they simply called "oval" Alps?

[mike52787]

I thought those referred to as oval alps were the metal topped skfls, due to the shape of the slider.

[fohat]

Sorry, TL;DR

The link I clicked on was webwit's from 2012 which showed the ovals like I got on the laptop keyboard I once owned.

[keycap]

Finally got around to restoring my Ortek MKB-84SX this week. Completely desoldered all the switches, cleaned and repainted the plate, soaked and cleaned every single switch, and gave the keycaps a bath in denture tabs. It took a while, but I didn't rush myself and I'm pretty happy with the end results. The switches now feel so much smoother, borderline mint condition. This is definitely going to be my main keyboard while I wait for my Apple M0116 to be restored.

Before its cleaning:

Spoiler:

After its cleaning:

Spoiler:

Apologies for the low image quality, I just threw this together at the last minute

[seebart]

Finally got around to restoring my Ortek MKB-84SX this week...

Uhh nice job on your Ortek MKB-84SX, I'd say that was well worth it! My M0116 I got from Nuum is in great shape but I need to lube the salmon SKCM's.

IMG_20160610_171906.jpg (894.94 KiB) Viewed 4693 times

[Hypersphere]

@keycap: Nice job on the Ortek 84. I have one of those, and I was fortunate to find one in pristine condition. It is fun to type on.

[keycap]

Finally got around to restoring my Ortek MKB-84SX this week...

Uhh nice job on your Ortek MKB-84SX, I'd say that was well worth it! My M0116 I got from Nuum is in great shape but I need to lube the salmon SKCM's.

IMG_20160610_171906.jpg

And I thought my M0116 was in pretty good shape

[emdude]

Finally got around to restoring my Ortek MKB-84SX this week...

Uhh nice job on your Ortek MKB-84SX, I'd say that was well worth it! My M0116 I got from Nuum is in great shape but I need to lube the salmon SKCM's.

IMG_20160610_171906.jpg

Very nice seebart, I would say that the M0116 is one of my favorite keyboards at this point; the acoustics of the case makes the switches sound fantastic.

That and the compact layout is very nice (aside from the bottom row). I would very much like to pick up another one, with Orange Alps, in the future.

[seebart]

That and the compact layout is very nice (aside from the bottom row). I would very much like to pick up another one, with Orange Alps, in the future.

Agreed, but on the ISO version the tiny enter is insane, the way they stabilized that key is no good. That's the only thing I don't like about the M0116. I need to get an ANSI M0116. The size of the keyboard is brilliant and the Salmons are sweet even unlubed.

[Hypersphere]

@emdude: Just checked eBay, and there are currently two M0116 boards with orange Alps available. They are a bit pricey, however.

[elecplus]

I have 2 M0115 with orange Alps, and they are not pricey https://www.elecshopper.com/index.php/a ... board.html My M0116 has salmon Alps though.

[Hypersphere]

Thanks, Cindy!

@seebart: The M0116 is one exception to my usual preference for ANSI over ISO. With the ISO version, I would probably remap as follows:

Backspace --> Backslash
U umlaut --> Left Bracket
+ --> Right Bracket
Return --> Backspace
O umlaut --> ;
A umlaut --> Single Quote
# --> Return
Up Arrow --> Fn

The "ANSI" version of this keyboard with the flipped L Return doesn't give me as many good options for remapping to a HHKB-like layout.

On the ISO version, which key is CapsLock? Is it a latched CapsLock?

[emdude]

That and the compact layout is very nice (aside from the bottom row). I would very much like to pick up another one, with Orange Alps, in the future.

Agreed, but on the ISO version the tiny enter is insane, the way they stabilized that key is no good. That's the only thing I don't like about the M0116. I need to get an ANSI M0116. The size of the keyboard is brilliant and the Salmons are sweet even unlubed.

The ISO versions of Apple boards were always weirder than their ANSI counterparts. The ISO AEK I/II is just bonkers though:

@emdude: Just checked eBay, and there are currently two M0116 boards with orange Alps available. They are a bit pricey, however.

I have 2 M0115 with orange Alps, and they are not pricey https://www.elecshopper.com/index.php/a ... board.html My M0116 has salmon Alps though.

Thanks guys, I have been occasionally checking eBay for an SKCM Orange M0116 that is reasonably priced. I could just get one with Salmons and swap them for the loose Oranges I have, but I would rather not.

[seebart]

Thanks, Cindy!

@seebart: The M0116 is one exception to my usual preference for ANSI over ISO. With the ISO version, I would probably remap as follows:

Backspace --> Backslash
U umlaut --> Left Bracket
+ --> Right Bracket
Return --> Backspace
O umlaut --> ;
A umlaut --> Single Quote
# --> Return
Up Arrow --> Fn

The "ANSI" version of this keyboard with the flipped L Return doesn't give me as many good options for remapping to a HHKB-like layout.

On the ISO version, which key is CapsLock? Is it a latched CapsLock?

OK interesting choices for remapping, I'll have to try that. Caps Lock is right above left shift, yes it is a latched grey Alps SKCL.

The ISO versions of Apple boards were always weirder than their ANSI counterparts. The ISO AEK I/II is just bonkers though:

That's for sure, Apple made some strange decisions. They pulled the same wierdness with the M0110.

wiki/Apple_M0110

[Hypersphere]

@seebart: That latched CapsLock would not work for me -- this is where my Ctrl key would go. However, I recall seeing a way to remove the latching mechanism. Alternatively, I suppose the switch could be replaced with a standard Alps switch.

[chzel]

@seebart: That latched CapsLock would not work for me -- this is where my Ctrl key would go. However, I recall seeing a way to remove the latching mechanism. Alternatively, I suppose the switch could be replaced with a standard Alps switch.

photos-f62/chzel-s-apple-pie-err-m0110-t10403.html

Check the last pick of my post! It's really easy! Keep in mind that if you replace the switch you need to mod the cap to fit.

[Hypersphere]

@chzel: Thanks! While there, I cast my vote -- another one for the Hasu converter.

On another matter, I could use some advice on how best to go about cleaning and repairing Alps switches, and theories that might explain how I finally got an unresponsive switch working again. I've posted this on GH as well.

Today I was testing a keycap on my recently refurbished Northgate Omnikey 101 with SKCM white Alps. I had put a "D" cap from an IBM 5140 on the D key, and then replaced it with the stock D cap. After doing this, the D key failed to register. All other keys registered just fine.

I pulled the cap and replaced it again to be sure it was seated properly. It still failed to register.

I then opened the switch, blew it out with canned air, put it back together, and still no joy.

Opened the switch again, cleaned the switch plate as best I could with 70% isopropyl alcohol, checked to be sure that the click leaf was not damaged in some way, reassembled, still no luck.

Opened the switch again and found that if I gently pushed the leaf on the switch plate toward the rear of the switch with a plastic spudger, the key would register. So I supposed that the problem was within the switch and not due to a broken PCB trace or bad solder joint. I tried gently pulling the leaf on the switch plate toward the front of the switch in an attempt to adjust the springiness, but the reassembled switch would still not register.

Finally, I replaced the slider, spring, and click leaf with the corresponding parts from a Matias Click switch and reassembled. Now the key registers. I am glad that this worked, but I do not know why it worked. Thoughts and suggestions welcome!

[emdude]

@seebart: That latched CapsLock would not work for me -- this is where my Ctrl key would go. However, I recall seeing a way to remove the latching mechanism. Alternatively, I suppose the switch could be replaced with a standard Alps switch.

If it's the SKCL Lock switch that is being referred to here, then I believe that a simple slider/latching mechanism + switch top (and spring, if the weighting is different, I guess) swap will do the trick.

@chzel: Thanks! While there, I cast my vote -- another one for the Hasu converter.

On another matter, I could use some advice on how best to go about cleaning and repairing Alps switches, and theories that might explain how I finally got an unresponsive switch working again. I've posted this on GH as well.

Have you tried replacing the contact leaf itself?

I did something silly the other day; I replaced the contact leaf of an SKCM Brown switch with its tactile leaf and removed the dummy switchplate entirely. The result was a tactile "SKCL", more tactile (if a bit clunkier) than an unmodded switch actually. However, it would not register, unfortunately.

[Chyros]

@seebart: That latched CapsLock would not work for me -- this is where my Ctrl key would go. However, I recall seeing a way to remove the latching mechanism. Alternatively, I suppose the switch could be replaced with a standard Alps switch.

If it's the SKCL Lock switch that is being referred to here, then I believe that a simple slider/latching mechanism + switch top (and spring, if the weighting is different, I guess) swap will do the trick.

@chzel: Thanks! While there, I cast my vote -- another one for the Hasu converter.

On another matter, I could use some advice on how best to go about cleaning and repairing Alps switches, and theories that might explain how I finally got an unresponsive switch working again. I've posted this on GH as well.

Have you tried replacing the contact leaf itself?

I did something silly the other day; I replaced the contact leaf of an SKCM Brown switch with its tactile leaf and removed the dummy switchplate entirely. The result was a tactile "SKCL", more tactile (if a bit clunkier) than an unmodded switch actually. However, it would not register, unfortunately.

Is it the type with the embossed dot on it or without?

[emdude]

The contact leaf has the embossed dot, the tactile leaf does not. Thanks for asking that question, I never quite understood how the contact leaf + switchplate worked, even after reading the wiki article on the switch series, but I see now that the embossed dot presses the front-facing foil against the rear terminal. That must be why the tactile leaf cannot be used to actuate the switch.