Field trip to Electronics Plus - any requests?
- XMIT
- [ XMIT ]
- Location: Austin, TX area
- Main keyboard: XMIT Hall Effect
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac Trackball
- Favorite switch: XMIT 60g Tactile Hall Effect
- DT Pro Member: 0093
I'm planning to head to Electronics Plus this weekend. It is about a two hour drive from Austin, Texas. I've got a few questions and requests for Cindy (elecplus) saved away, as well as a small cache of keyboards that I've seen on the Marketplace. I'm hoping to take some photos and write a trip report later.
Part of the plan is to help Cindy sort through some items in the attic. Now I think I have a good sense for what is interesting to this audience based on the Wiki, and various posts on this board and the Marketplace, including:
http://deskthority.net/vendors-f52/dall ... t8793.html
Is there anything else I should know? Any specific requests?
Some items on my own watch list include: buckling springs, beam springs, spherical key caps, Hall Effect switches, ALPS (damped) switches, NMB Hi-Tek (Space Invaders) switches, double shot and sublimated key caps, as well as anything with an interesting tactile response. I'm also expecting to be surprised by some new finds. I'm bringing a bunch of little tools including a wire key puller, screwdriver, calipers, camera, and some 5.00g disc weights (a.k.a. "a dollar in nickels").
(I'm not offering to be a proxy at the moment. I think Cindy can do a much better job of shipping than I can. The difference in shipping costs from her location and from mine to most destinations would be about 1-2 USD if that. What I can do is help move boxes and take photos while I'm there. However - if you happen to be in the immediate Austin, TX area I can bring something home for you for pickup on a space-available basis.)
(Forgive me if this should instead be in the Marketplace - feel free to move the thread.)
Part of the plan is to help Cindy sort through some items in the attic. Now I think I have a good sense for what is interesting to this audience based on the Wiki, and various posts on this board and the Marketplace, including:
http://deskthority.net/vendors-f52/dall ... t8793.html
Is there anything else I should know? Any specific requests?
Some items on my own watch list include: buckling springs, beam springs, spherical key caps, Hall Effect switches, ALPS (damped) switches, NMB Hi-Tek (Space Invaders) switches, double shot and sublimated key caps, as well as anything with an interesting tactile response. I'm also expecting to be surprised by some new finds. I'm bringing a bunch of little tools including a wire key puller, screwdriver, calipers, camera, and some 5.00g disc weights (a.k.a. "a dollar in nickels").
(I'm not offering to be a proxy at the moment. I think Cindy can do a much better job of shipping than I can. The difference in shipping costs from her location and from mine to most destinations would be about 1-2 USD if that. What I can do is help move boxes and take photos while I'm there. However - if you happen to be in the immediate Austin, TX area I can bring something home for you for pickup on a space-available basis.)
(Forgive me if this should instead be in the Marketplace - feel free to move the thread.)
- fohat
- Elder Messenger
- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
- Main keyboard: Model F 122-key terminal
- Main mouse: Microsoft Optical Mouse
- Favorite switch: Model F Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: 0158
Sounds like fun.
One thing might be to segregate by condition and appearance, that is:
nice, clean, complete working specimens
dirty, incomplete but still reasonably repairable "projects"
broken parts-only items - and if you were ambitious - pairing or grouping them into sets that could be re-assembled into one working "Frankenstein" board
One thing might be to segregate by condition and appearance, that is:
nice, clean, complete working specimens
dirty, incomplete but still reasonably repairable "projects"
broken parts-only items - and if you were ambitious - pairing or grouping them into sets that could be re-assembled into one working "Frankenstein" board
- XMIT
- [ XMIT ]
- Location: Austin, TX area
- Main keyboard: XMIT Hall Effect
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac Trackball
- Favorite switch: XMIT 60g Tactile Hall Effect
- DT Pro Member: 0093
That, I think I can do. I've got plenty of space on a nearly new 64GB SD card.
If photos are what you're after you might look at some previous albums that I've found online, both from Cindy and others:
https://plus.google.com/photos/10611125 ... banner=pwa
https://plus.google.com/app/basic/photo ... 7238365009
(These are not my photos and I will gladly delete these links on request. They are public albums that appear readily on a Google search. Cindy posted the first one a week or two ago in the Marketplace.)
In particular, from the second link: I don't know if this is the current state of things.
I spy a couple of Sun Type 5c, an IBM Model M, an Apple M0110, an AEK and AEK II, an Alps Bigfoot (Dell) and a Sperry in the lower right hand corner.
I may have to bring the truck.
Gas is cheap here: 1.989 USD/US gallon at the moment (Costco, Cedar Park, Texas). That works out to 0.46 Euro/Liter or (UK) 34 p/L. It was less a month ago:
If photos are what you're after you might look at some previous albums that I've found online, both from Cindy and others:
https://plus.google.com/photos/10611125 ... banner=pwa
https://plus.google.com/app/basic/photo ... 7238365009
(These are not my photos and I will gladly delete these links on request. They are public albums that appear readily on a Google search. Cindy posted the first one a week or two ago in the Marketplace.)
In particular, from the second link: I don't know if this is the current state of things.
I spy a couple of Sun Type 5c, an IBM Model M, an Apple M0110, an AEK and AEK II, an Alps Bigfoot (Dell) and a Sperry in the lower right hand corner.
I may have to bring the truck.
Gas is cheap here: 1.989 USD/US gallon at the moment (Costco, Cedar Park, Texas). That works out to 0.46 Euro/Liter or (UK) 34 p/L. It was less a month ago:
Spoiler:
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
Bring the truck then! It's nothing like that cheap over here:
From a PM:
As people are saying in your thread: pictures! Well lit shots of interesting boards with a key or two pulled (left on top of the keyboard so we can see inside them, as well as the naked switches) are exactly what gets us informed. There's people here who can tell a lot just from the detail of a case shape.
What's interesting? Well, here's my simple metric:
Heavy?
Metal case?
Buckling springs?
Small layout? TKL or smaller are often highly prized.
Pretty caps?
You (and Cindy of course) are on a voyage of discovery through those boards, as much as a treasure hunt. The truth is we still know so little about all the boards out there. Often, a good picture will be news to us! Not just about buying. (Although that certainly happens too…)
From a PM:
As people are saying in your thread: pictures! Well lit shots of interesting boards with a key or two pulled (left on top of the keyboard so we can see inside them, as well as the naked switches) are exactly what gets us informed. There's people here who can tell a lot just from the detail of a case shape.
What's interesting? Well, here's my simple metric:
Heavy?
Metal case?
Buckling springs?
Small layout? TKL or smaller are often highly prized.
Pretty caps?
You (and Cindy of course) are on a voyage of discovery through those boards, as much as a treasure hunt. The truth is we still know so little about all the boards out there. Often, a good picture will be news to us! Not just about buying. (Although that certainly happens too…)
-
- Location: UK
- Main keyboard: Filco ZERO green alps, Model F 122 Terminal
- Main mouse: Ducky Secret / Roller Mouse Pro 1
- Favorite switch: MX Mount Topre / Model F Buckling
- DT Pro Member: 0167
bloody hell petrol is expensive where you are
its like 116p in liverpool and that from shell none of this supermarket watered down shit
its like 116p in liverpool and that from shell none of this supermarket watered down shit
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
That's just a picture from a web search. I don't follow the price, because I don't drive. It is notoriously more expensive here in Scotland though, despite the fact it's refined here and comes out the North Sea before heading down to you! Something something "economies of scale" something something bullshit.
- Touch_It
- Location: Nebraska, United States.
- Main keyboard: Unicomp Classic USB 103 key (work) IBM F 4704 107
- Main mouse: Logitech g502 Proteus Core
- Favorite switch: Buckling spring (yet to try Beam Spring)
- DT Pro Member: -
Take me with you!
I think a trip down there would be awesome. Sadly I'm probably 10-12 hours away . I would ask you to take pics of the board I bought from her but I'm guessing it is on its way. I would be interested in seeing pictures from anything that has Futaba switches, especially colored caps. But like everyone said, if time is limited, take as many pics of as much stuff as possible.
I think a trip down there would be awesome. Sadly I'm probably 10-12 hours away . I would ask you to take pics of the board I bought from her but I'm guessing it is on its way. I would be interested in seeing pictures from anything that has Futaba switches, especially colored caps. But like everyone said, if time is limited, take as many pics of as much stuff as possible.
- XMIT
- [ XMIT ]
- Location: Austin, TX area
- Main keyboard: XMIT Hall Effect
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac Trackball
- Favorite switch: XMIT 60g Tactile Hall Effect
- DT Pro Member: 0093
I bet you could do that in about 5-6 hours in a small airplane. Kerrville has an airport. Do you have any pilot friends who owe you a favor?
I've added your Futaba switches request to my list. Thanks!
I've added your Futaba switches request to my list. Thanks!
- XMIT
- [ XMIT ]
- Location: Austin, TX area
- Main keyboard: XMIT Hall Effect
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac Trackball
- Favorite switch: XMIT 60g Tactile Hall Effect
- DT Pro Member: 0093
Speaking of Futaba switches - I won this on eBay a couple of weeks ago:
"Vintage Model 970 Keyboard Beige in Great Condition"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221676735033
Turns out it is a Televideo terminal keyboard with Futaba linear switches (not sure if simple or complicated, guessing the latter). I've been meaning to write a long review post with disassembly, etc. Those switches are way too stiff for me - about 90g to bottom out (not sure where the actuation point is). Imagine 5-10g stiffer than Cherry MX Black. So tiring! I'd like to take it apart, clean it, pull all the switches, lubricate the switches (lightly!), find and install lighter springs (to match Cherry MX Red), install NKRO diodes and a modern controller. The keycaps are double shot SA profile AFAICT - same exact shape but much thicker.
No photos of my own yet but this was the seller's photo on eBay: I recommend this seller " freegeek_portland". All proceeds go to charity.
Real photos and a proper review in due time.
"Vintage Model 970 Keyboard Beige in Great Condition"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221676735033
Turns out it is a Televideo terminal keyboard with Futaba linear switches (not sure if simple or complicated, guessing the latter). I've been meaning to write a long review post with disassembly, etc. Those switches are way too stiff for me - about 90g to bottom out (not sure where the actuation point is). Imagine 5-10g stiffer than Cherry MX Black. So tiring! I'd like to take it apart, clean it, pull all the switches, lubricate the switches (lightly!), find and install lighter springs (to match Cherry MX Red), install NKRO diodes and a modern controller. The keycaps are double shot SA profile AFAICT - same exact shape but much thicker.
No photos of my own yet but this was the seller's photo on eBay: I recommend this seller " freegeek_portland". All proceeds go to charity.
Real photos and a proper review in due time.
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
I'd like to see some MX mount clicky Futabas too. They're mad wee buggers:
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Futaba_clicky_switch
My brother used to be an amateur pilot. Wonder if I can convince him to train up and be ready to fly me from the west coast in a few months! We'd just need… what… 100 kg of cargo space!
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Futaba_clicky_switch
My brother used to be an amateur pilot. Wonder if I can convince him to train up and be ready to fly me from the west coast in a few months! We'd just need… what… 100 kg of cargo space!
- XMIT
- [ XMIT ]
- Location: Austin, TX area
- Main keyboard: XMIT Hall Effect
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac Trackball
- Favorite switch: XMIT 60g Tactile Hall Effect
- DT Pro Member: 0093
Coming from SoCal he'd want high altitude and/or mountain training. That's a long flight to Texas. Many small airplanes are about as comfortable as an old school VW Beetle or Mini going 80 MPH down a moderately maintained road. Make sure to bring your sense of adventure.
All the trouble of commercial air travel aside, big jetliners are a real wonder.
I've added MX mount Futabas to my list.
All the trouble of commercial air travel aside, big jetliners are a real wonder.
I've added MX mount Futabas to my list.
- Touch_It
- Location: Nebraska, United States.
- Main keyboard: Unicomp Classic USB 103 key (work) IBM F 4704 107
- Main mouse: Logitech g502 Proteus Core
- Favorite switch: Buckling spring (yet to try Beam Spring)
- DT Pro Member: -
I'm certainly no Futaba expert but from what I've read thus far Futaba switches are sealed meanings that to open the switch you have to sacrifice it. Hopefully I'm wrong on this. I really like the looks of the keycaps on it.jsoltren wrote: ↑Speaking of Futaba switches - I won this on eBay a couple of weeks ago:
"Vintage Model 970 Keyboard Beige in Great Condition"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221676735033
Turns out it is a Televideo terminal keyboard with Futaba linear switches (not sure if simple or complicated, guessing the latter). I've been meaning to write a long review post with disassembly, etc. Those switches are way too stiff for me - about 90g to bottom out (not sure where the actuation point is). Imagine 5-10g stiffer than Cherry MX Black. So tiring! I'd like to take it apart, clean it, pull all the switches, lubricate the switches (lightly!), find and install lighter springs (to match Cherry MX Red), install NKRO diodes and a modern controller. The keycaps are double shot SA profile AFAICT - same exact shape but much thicker.
No photos of my own yet but this was the seller's photo on eBay: I recommend this seller " freegeek_portland". All proceeds go to charity.
Real photos and a proper review in due time.
Also sadly I don't have any pilot friends. I know someone who is a pilot I went to high school with but I don't think that counts .
- XMIT
- [ XMIT ]
- Location: Austin, TX area
- Main keyboard: XMIT Hall Effect
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac Trackball
- Favorite switch: XMIT 60g Tactile Hall Effect
- DT Pro Member: 0093
> Futaba switches are sealed meanings that to open the switch you have to sacrifice it.
This was not my reading of the Futaba switches Wiki page. My impression was that, once desoldered, the legs need to be unthreaded and then the mechanism will come apart. After that, the switch plates are super thin and fragile, and almost impossible to remove without destruction or serious damage. Plus the stems are three piece mechanisms. So there are certainly plenty of fiddly small parts to lose, break, etc. Since I only propose to replace the springs I think this is doable without sacrificing the switch.
I will certainly be careful when I start tearing into the switches!
This was not my reading of the Futaba switches Wiki page. My impression was that, once desoldered, the legs need to be unthreaded and then the mechanism will come apart. After that, the switch plates are super thin and fragile, and almost impossible to remove without destruction or serious damage. Plus the stems are three piece mechanisms. So there are certainly plenty of fiddly small parts to lose, break, etc. Since I only propose to replace the springs I think this is doable without sacrificing the switch.
I will certainly be careful when I start tearing into the switches!
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
C'mon, they rain a delayed click hailstorm when you type on them. And they're not as gritty as MX. I'm willing to give things a shot if they're cap compatible.
- XMIT
- [ XMIT ]
- Location: Austin, TX area
- Main keyboard: XMIT Hall Effect
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac Trackball
- Favorite switch: XMIT 60g Tactile Hall Effect
- DT Pro Member: 0093
Nope. Futabas are not cap compatible. They look like they should be. But the caps have a stem that is too wide to fit on MX switches, and I think the switch stems are just too big for MX keys. I'll play with it some more once I finally tear into my own keyboard. It *might* be possible to modify an MX switch for these, again, more research needed.
Do let me know if you're ever in the area. British Airways does a London-Austin nonstop flight with a Boeing 787 once a day. Round trip tickets are less than a Kishsaver from Ellipse.
Do let me know if you're ever in the area. British Airways does a London-Austin nonstop flight with a Boeing 787 once a day. Round trip tickets are less than a Kishsaver from Ellipse.
-
- Location: geekhack ergonomics subforum
- Favorite switch: Alps plate spring; clicky SMK
- DT Pro Member: -
What? The MX-mount version of “clicky” Futabas, as shown in Muirium’s picture, are absolutely cap compatible with MX.
(We’re not talking about the older “complicated” Futabas, which are much much nicer switches.)
(We’re not talking about the older “complicated” Futabas, which are much much nicer switches.)
- XMIT
- [ XMIT ]
- Location: Austin, TX area
- Main keyboard: XMIT Hall Effect
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac Trackball
- Favorite switch: XMIT 60g Tactile Hall Effect
- DT Pro Member: 0093
Oh yes indeed, sorry for the confusion. I have a Televideo Model 970 keyboard that I *think* has these:
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Futaba_simplified_linear
(It may have the complicated switches instead.) These are most assuredly not Cherry MX compatible. I'll post better dimensions once I tear into the keyboard.
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Futaba_simplified_linear
(It may have the complicated switches instead.) These are most assuredly not Cherry MX compatible. I'll post better dimensions once I tear into the keyboard.
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
Futaba complicated linears are very nice, too, but you're right about MX compatibility: they look right but they're just a bit too big to actually fit. I have a handful of them (thanks to the venerable Beardsmore) and they are among the larger switches I've seen:
Second from the right.
Little clicky Futabas are much smaller, and fully MX cap compatible. They also have a lot more character, even if it's one not all of us like!
Second from the right.
Little clicky Futabas are much smaller, and fully MX cap compatible. They also have a lot more character, even if it's one not all of us like!
- XMIT
- [ XMIT ]
- Location: Austin, TX area
- Main keyboard: XMIT Hall Effect
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac Trackball
- Favorite switch: XMIT 60g Tactile Hall Effect
- DT Pro Member: 0093
I'm here at Electronic Plus, taking a break from scrounging for the moment. Cindy is in the next room. I've been here for a little over four hours.
If you are interested in any of these - Cindy has *plenty* :
Model M buckling spring - about 30.
Model M 122-key Unsaver - about 10.
Burroughs terminal keyboards - about 7
Sperry terminal - about 4
Space invaders - about 10 in various colors.
Model F XT - 1-2 I think.
...and of course,
Model M rubber dome - about 20
Model M2 rubber dome - about 50
Some more unusual finds:
Olivetti - vintage MX black
MX mount Futabas - they appear to be linear.
None of these yet:
Hall effect
Beam spring
Model M SSK
Pictures later, back to scrounging!
If you are interested in any of these - Cindy has *plenty* :
Model M buckling spring - about 30.
Model M 122-key Unsaver - about 10.
Burroughs terminal keyboards - about 7
Sperry terminal - about 4
Space invaders - about 10 in various colors.
Model F XT - 1-2 I think.
...and of course,
Model M rubber dome - about 20
Model M2 rubber dome - about 50
Some more unusual finds:
Olivetti - vintage MX black
MX mount Futabas - they appear to be linear.
None of these yet:
Hall effect
Beam spring
Model M SSK
Pictures later, back to scrounging!
- Nuum
- Location: Germany
- Main keyboard: KBD8X Mk I (60g Clears), Phantom (Nixdorf Blacks)
- Main mouse: Corsair M65 PRO RGB
- Favorite switch: 60g MX Clears/Brown Alps/Buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: 0084
What's a 122-key Unsaver? Do you mean a normal 122-key Model M? If not, I'm interested.
The Olivetti sounds interesting, too!
The Olivetti sounds interesting, too!
- elecplus
- Location: Kerrville, TX, USA
- DT Pro Member: 0082
- Contact:
The 122 keys are Model M buckling springs.
The unsavers have 2 rows F keys, but they are rubber domes. Like an SSK with 1 extra row F keys.
The Olivetti is pretty, standard layout, but different shade of grey on the caps.
The unsavers have 2 rows F keys, but they are rubber domes. Like an SSK with 1 extra row F keys.
The Olivetti is pretty, standard layout, but different shade of grey on the caps.