Stuff you just bought

[Bjerrk]

I can compare to it's direct predecessor, the Ultra Classic. It's far better than the Ultra Classic in every way. Any other eras I can't compare it to because I've only used Unicomp Model M boards. I can say it still weighs 1.7 kilograms.

That's great to hear! I have a few IBM M's and use an UltraClassic at work. I happen to like the UltraClassic (except perhaps the looks), so an improvement on that sounds super!

[daemonspudguy]

I can compare to it's direct predecessor, the Ultra Classic. It's far better than the Ultra Classic in every way. Any other eras I can't compare it to because I've only used Unicomp Model M boards. I can say it still weighs 1.7 kilograms.

That's great to hear! I have a few IBM M's and use an UltraClassic at work. I happen to like the UltraClassic (except perhaps the looks), so an improvement on that sounds super!

The main difference in appearance between the Ultra Classic and the New M are the bezels. The New M features the return of bezels around the keyboard. Smaller than the Classic/Customizer, but still decently sized.

[Bjerrk]

The main difference in appearance between the Ultra Classic and the New M are the bezels. The New M features the return of bezels around the keyboard. Smaller than the Classic/Customizer, but still decently sized.

Yeah, it looks good (the new design) from what I've seen!

[thefarside]

Kind of an impulse buy, but I just bought a V80 with Fukka White switches:

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I’m mostly interested in the Dolch keys and seeing how the Fukka Whites compare to SKCM. Sadly it’s their last run of these and supposedly will come with a “final edition” sticker commemorating it being the end of the line.

[thefarside]

The V80 came in pretty quick and looks nice! The Fukka switches aren't bad upon initial impressions; heavy and very tactile like alps clones. I might put in lighter springs to see if that helps, but the simplified switch plate and contact leaf are a barrier on the feel. Worst case I can solder in new switches.

The case and keys are nice. overall not a bad deal!

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[snacksthecat]

I have an Insta360 One R action camera which takes really great video, but has a minimum focus distance of about 3 feet. I saw a DIY tip online about attaching some inexpensive 49mm macro lens filters which allow you to take close up shots. They don't thread onto the lens, but you can attach them with electrical tape.

This set of 4 lens filters was about $15 on amazon. Had some fun making a little montage video today.

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Oh and the keyboard's fairly new as well

[thefarside]

Video looks great

How’s the keyboard?

[snacksthecat]

Video looks great

How’s the keyboard?

The case is tank-thick and I love how the whole thing looks. It's in super clean condition but the switches bind a tad if hit off center. The keys bottom out somewhat shallow and abruptly but the sound they make is on the pleasant and thocky. I haven't been able to see if it works with any converter. It has a 6 pin phone cord connector, so who knows. I'm really interested to open it up and see the inside. I'd like to make a detailed thread with teardown photos and a typing video once I can commit the time to it.

[depletedvespene]

Video looks great

How’s the keyboard?

It has a rather notorious case of liking the Romanian language, if you know what I mean...

... even if the Ā and Ț keycaps look like they've been switched.

[snacksthecat]

I have an Insta360 One R action camera which takes really great video, but has a minimum focus distance of about 3 feet. I saw a DIY tip online about attaching some inexpensive 49mm macro lens filters which allow you to take close up shots. They don't thread onto the lens, but you can attach them with electrical tape.

This set of 4 lens filters was about $15 on amazon. Had some fun making a little montage video today.

The thought of attaching these filters with electrical tape each time I wanted to use them was bugging me, so I came up with the idea to cut out the middle of some silicone lens caps and insert the filters into there, then just pop on the modded lens cap whenever I want to use them. Works great!

[TNT]

Kind of an impulse buy, but this thing arrived today. Heavy as a truck (and also just as dirty). Quite the interesting design on the spring-loaded feet. Switches are Microswitch ST, so nothing fancy but they feel quite allright.

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[robinsonb5]

A couple of recent purchases here:
An Oriential Tech OK-100 (not the M version) in pretty nice condition. (The WIKI page says it has ATW Alps clones, while the M version is membrane-based.)
The feel and sound are quite similar to the Model M, but it's noticeably lighter in touch. I'm currently using it as a daily driver - but undecided whether it'll remain so.

Above it is a BM65 ISO with Gateron Yellows and Tai-Hao keycaps. Bought mainly because it was reasonably priced and came in ISO format. (I've discovered the hard way that I'm not willing to compromise on backslash being cut out of the left shift key, since I do so much programming!)

[TNT]

Finally found a good deal on a desoldering station that looks the part

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Apparently, it actually means "Road of the Bitch" :P

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I love the analog display. Let's hope it doesn't break too soon.

Also got very lucky and locally picked up an IBM PS/1 2011 for 50€ last Saturday. Didn't have a lot of time to look into it and test whether or not it actually works, but the insides look very clean. Very excited about this one.

This one isn't actually mine, but I really like this picture

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[podgen]

Ah, must not be the same one. The one I found had skcl greens and was on eBay.

Nice get!

I picked up the C.Itoh/CIE Terminals with greens on ebay . The caps are in outstanding condition. They are doubleshot, medium thickness and I think ABS (based on weight, sound and smoothness of the sides). No sign of yellowing. They are pretty steeply sculpted and have fairly flat tops (maybe slightly spherical).

Really not sure what to do with it. The layout is super weird. As is, it's not usable with anything (I'd have to reverse engineer the protocol which uses a 1/4" "headphone" jack). But it's in such good condition, I'd hate to rape it for the caps and switches. What would you do with it?

Most of the caps are free from yellowing, you're right, except for the top row.

The profile these keycaps are part of is something I've called "MSX" profile for a long time now as a provisional name. Caps of this family all have very similar features, molds, and so on. The tops are unfortunately very flat, despite the spherical appearance of MSX profile caps. All that have been found so far are ABS. If yours are doubleshots, then they definitely are.



Your board is similar to this Heath 163-17 I have and also has Row 0 sculpt caps. Very nice find. That CIE looks very nice and clean.

Hey, I'm so sorry, i know it's a long shot - do you still have this keyboard? I've bought a NOS keyboard minus case that has similar codes to yours, but the layout is markedly different. I can't find anything about it though, and I'm trying to figure out if it has SKCL or SKCC, if you found anything out about yours please let me know. Thanks!

[E3E]

Hey, I'm so sorry, i know it's a long shot - do you still have this keyboard? I've bought a NOS keyboard minus case that has similar codes to yours, but the layout is markedly different. I can't find anything about it though, and I'm trying to figure out if it has SKCL or SKCC, if you found anything out about yours please let me know. Thanks!

Would've been better suited to a DM, but it's all good.

No, I sold this keyboard around four years ago. Do you have a picture of this keyboard?

I suppose you'll find out soon enough if you've purchased the NOS module you mention.

The keyboard in question here is a Heath 163-17

[guidemetothelight]

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From left to right: Sharp PA-1050 (Alps integrated Dome, DS WoB Keycaps), Toshiba T3100/e40 (SMK linear, Alps Mount), Sharp PA-1000(SKCL Green, DS Blue on White lettering).
Also ordered a bunch of two stage springs that are compatible with alps, really excited how they transform even the most basic alps, like dampened creams into a really great switch.

[Muirium]

Also ordered a bunch of two stage springs that are compatible with alps, really excited how they transform even the most basic alps, like dampened creams into a really great switch.

Sounds interesting. Where did you get them?

[guidemetothelight]

Sounds interesting. Where did you get them?

this seller on ali has / had them.
they dont show up for me on desktop rn, but I remember having to ask him if he ships them to germany special for me, since the app said that shipping to my location was not possible.
he stocks them under "kailh box spring dual stage"
I picked up 28cn 37cn & 58cn springs, so far tried out the 58´s in some dampened creams and wow, in both cases , with the rubber dampeners and without, the switch became super tactile, very sharp, precise and crisp tactile event with a nice, less likely and harder to achieve bottom out. Iam hooked. re-assembly of the switch is a bit harder then usual , since the spring is a bit wider, leading to the two leafs sometimes snagging the spring, so you need to be sure the switch / spring is perfectly upright.
My "uber" modified tactile will be to somehow waxboil the dampened sliders without permanently damaging the rubber, springswapping the switches to 58cn and then even trying to paper mod and wet lube them with a tiny bit of krytox, since it just makes sense to tick all the boxes when doing so much worth for a single switch.

[Muirium]

Right. Keep us appraised of your experiments. I appreciate a good guinea pig running out ahead of me.

See, what I've in mind is modding entire keyboards. Had my AEK II out for the first time in ages yesterday, and yeah its creams are fine and all but nothing like as zingy as I’m used to with my Topres and Fs. That's a board with potential. If it went really well, I might even consider my black Alps NeXT, which is a real looker but nothing special in the feel department, either.

[podgen]

Hey, I'm so sorry, i know it's a long shot - do you still have this keyboard? I've bought a NOS keyboard minus case that has similar codes to yours, but the layout is markedly different. I can't find anything about it though, and I'm trying to figure out if it has SKCL or SKCC, if you found anything out about yours please let me know. Thanks!

Would've been better suited to a DM, but it's all good.

No, I sold this keyboard around four years ago. Do you have a picture of this keyboard?

I suppose you'll find out soon enough if you've purchased the NOS module you mention.

The keyboard in question here is a Heath 163-17

I'm so sorry, I wasn't sure how to quote a non-dm on dm's! I'll message you when you get back, thanks

[Muirium]

The way I do it is to do exactly what you've just done there, but instead of hitting Submit: copy it and paste it into a DM. The same quote format and their links works in DMs.

[podgen]

The way I do it is to do exactly what you've just done there, but instead of hitting Submit: copy it and paste it into a DM. The same quote format and their links works in DMs.

Ohh that makes sense, fhankst wtf, I meant thanks

[Muirium]

Dyesub PBT and Cherry profile. Obviously not the original article—homing bumps instead of deep dishes on F and J let alone the anachronistic keys—but actually pretty good. Impressed.

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I particularly like the "Irn-Bru" colourway. Got them on the 8BitDo now, much to its improvement.

[Go-Kart]

Missed my Bigfoot. Picked this Old Logo up last week. First experience of Pine Blacks - like 'em.

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[Muirium]

I, too, really like oldschool black Alps. The first NeXT keyboards feel just as good as they look.

[browncow]

Missed my Bigfoot. Picked this Old Logo up last week. First experience of Pine Blacks - like 'em.

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I only got the newer bigfoots, but i also quite like em pretty keyboard you've got!

[Muirium]

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Why would µ have this?

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[mikhail]

Shenpo Terminal + Cherry OG typewriter alphas

[zrrion]

I don' think the TA typewriter caps are actually cherry. All the comparison shots I've seen of the undersides indicates they were made on different tooling. They're also slightly smaller as well, with the bottom edge of the cap being ever so slightly shorter than proper cherry caps.

regardless they're still fantastic caps and the builds look killer

[Miky2147]

Hello,

Since 2019, I have been using with great satisfaction a Realforce R2 PFU Limited Edition Silent Topre 45g color Ivory (R2TLSA-US4-IV) purchased from PFU EMEA Europe.

I like it so much that I decided that I would like to buy another identical one as a spare but sadly I discovered that it is out of production, sold out in Japan, Europe and the rest of the world. There is the new R3 but I don't like it. In Europe I also noticed that PFU has stopped officially importing Realforce products, they now only sell HHKB.

But luckily I noticed that on mechanicalkeyboards.com they are available for pre-order with May/June availability Realforce R2 PFU Limited Edition TKL! So I wonder if it's real.
How is it possible in 2024 to sell a new stock of Realforce R2 PFU Limited Edition declared as available soon if it is a product released 5 years ago that is sold out everywhere? Have they found a batch of warehouse inventory? Anyone know anything?

In the meantime I ordered another one identical to mine.