deskthority

It came on a "PC Partners by Leading Technology, Inc" that I scrounged off a junk pile yesterday.

I can't find it shown anywhere, it has a nice clicky feel and a few dead switches (~5).

Trying to decide whether to try to fix it, or harvest the keys and toss it. I don't need another project, but this has me interested.

No markings on the housing at all? It looks familiar but I can't remember the name of it. I want to say MEI but I don't know if thats right.

As mentioned on GH it looks like Futabas to me. But the case is different.

SMK Whites (non-vintage).

Great, thank you.

I like clicky tactile and would need to swap 5 keys around to make it useable.

Are these considered desirable switches, and therefore is it worth the time and effort with the soldering iron?

If you like them, I'd consider it worth it.

I've never ever seen anybody ask for them so I wouldn't say they're desirable in the sense that you could sell them. I doubt that anybody has tried them, though.

When I got the board it was broken (L was pulled up from the PCB). I clicked it a bit, unplugged, and it seemed OK.

I took it apart and pulled the keys. Miraculously, a one-move re-soldering of the broken contact fixed the L switch.

I clipped on a ground wire and plugged it in naked, with no keycaps, and tested it. I found that there were 5 dead switches.

I, numpad 3, numpad 9, =+, [{, and Print Screen

Some time spent with the soldering iron could move enough switches around to make it useable for me. I just need to decide whether I want to spend the time and energy on it.

These are the type of switches that I normally prefer, and I have never had them before, so I may do it.

Does anybody know whether they will interchange with anything else, and/or does anybody have 5 spares?

thanks, Harry

If you can find a Laser keyboard (usually has an AT plug), it uses the same switches typically.

I've liked them when I used them, although they're way too easy to bottom out.

Oh, I knew it was something with three letters name.

Yep, the housing looks like SMK. Is there no plate to stabilize the switches?

The Laser keyboards I've had look a lot like that, and, no, it's PCB mount on a really thin and flexy PCB.

I must admit these are my favorite switch and I much prefer them to Cherry blues. I had a Laser keyboard, which unfortunately was defective so I couldnt use the board, and have been searching since to find a working one. Definitely a fun switch to have and try.

Do you still have it?

Im sending it to MrInterface for the next iteration switch try bags.

I have a donor board so I can send you spares if you'd like

Switches are compatible with MX keycaps by the way, makes it a bit more interesting IMHO

Yep, I love the switch, but am not going to attempt to repair my board...MrInterface needed the switch anyways.

One interesting fact about the Laser PCB...it is prepared for an extra 5 switches between arrow keys and the block of keys above it, theoretically allowing a full 3x5 matrix if you modify the case and solder in the switches.

Once I finish my bachelors thesis and find a little time in my life I will try to find myself an SMK board and modify it to my personal preference...mainly removing the big ass enter and replacing it with an iso enter.