deskthority

can I just buy any pcb? How do I know if its compatible with alps. Ive never built a board before Nope, you need to look for one that is alps-only or supports both alps and cherry. For example, here's the regular h87a https://hineybush.com/collections/all-products/products/h87a and here's the alps-...

For vintage chassis, people think the Leading Edge DC-series boards sound really good, and I can say I love the sound of my Omnikey 101.

You could also consider a wooden case like viewtopic.php?p=452706#p452706

That second one is definitely more along the lines of what I'm thinking, but where do I even start? I'm sure I can find a second ctrl key and space bar but I'm more worried about finding a pcb, case, and plate that will all fit together. I'm also not opposed to swapping out the keycaps and just usi...

There's a fairly easy fix for that involving "Zip" ties, look in this thread: https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=18610 This is fantastic and I'm glad you shared it. Too bad for me I ditched the broken chassis for that board in a move years ago. But I'm pretty sure I'll get another one eve...

I'm probably just feeling a bit sorry for myself, given the long-anticipated keyboard. Understandable! Happens to me even when the thing I got works fine, if it isn't just exactly what I was expecting. I'm a bit of a hermit so I don't have any local nerds, unfortunately. But a (not entirely local) ...

Is this normal? Am I just phenomenally unlucky or do mechanical keyboards suck? Well that's 8 boards, 6 mechanical, 3 faulty, and 1 notorious for it (the Matias). You haven't had good luck, but from that list the Unicomp failure stands out as exceptional to me. You've said before that you would pre...

Basically I want something the same sort of off white, small, either wireless or microusb/usb-c, and that will be easy enough to put together for a beginner. Because the 5140 has a slightly nonstandard layout, it might not be "easy" exactly, but other people have done work you can build on. https:/...

Wow, that sounds perfect. I will definitely try these out. What case are you using with that pcb? I reused the case and plate from a cheap used Cooler Master QFR. For a nicer end result, I think a lot of people like this case https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32617566709.html Here's a typing demo (no...

For clicky/smooth/light you may want to try SMK gen2 switches. If you got the Cherry MX mount version, then you could use a flat keycap profile like DSA which would allow for different layouts. Switches: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32845431357.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.8d3d2e0e5gQ774 Compatible...

Unfortunately, the idiots at KeyTronic decided not to use standard spacing between the numpad, navcluster, and alphablock so they are all slightly offset from each other. What I'm going to do is cut the PCBs into 3 and wire them all together. It still should be pretty stable since I put standoffs i...

DaOver wrote: ↑

08 Nov 2019, 08:20

But still the BG is not over. I'm yet to order some.
Do you still have some?

From the IC thread on reddit it looked like there were 10k+ available

I have ordered a M0116 and M0118 for 65€ the two. I think it’s a nice deal and I was thinking to make some custom 60% with them buuuuut… they are 14,5 unit long : What a dumbass I am :p 2. Make a stupid custom from them : Cutting original plate, handwiring and place them in a 60% plate with somethi...

Honestly, part of me wonders if we're chasing a dragon here. 1. I'll admit, I don't think I've ever rode a blue Alps board, but how much is the difference between that and much more attainable options (NOS whites, Matias, Hua-Jie, Tai-Hao, or Datacomp's weird old tooling)? Even the worst of them ar...

I'm using a micro-usb cord without that annoying 90 degree angle to try to reduce any tension on the port as well. But with these boards you're always waiting for the other show to drop. :( Keep an eye out on Ebay you might find a decent replacement for far less than retail. I did snag a used ergo ...

I'm glad you shared this. I had contemplated doing similar, but the micro usb port went on my Ergo Pro and I had to work around it like this: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=90274.msg2666708#msg2666708 That experience frustrated me AND the repaired board is still a little flaky (sometimes doesn...

Also don't forget that once you move away from the famous ALPs switch onto other switches, you will lose that familiar feel and touch of the ALPs forever. You'll be lost in limbo trying desperately to recapture that same affection you had with the ALPs. I don't really feel the same. I've been happy...

I was disappointed in Quiet Clicks at first but they grew on me. I have them in a KBP V80 which I love, and an Ergo Pro that would be great except for its flakiness. They're certainly not perfect but they're pretty good. You're right that orange/salmon alps are not especially quiet. The real answer ...

PlantSomeTrees wrote: ↑

01 Nov 2019, 16:08

Wow, 10 years? Have any of the switches given out yet?

I should hope not! The numpad . key has lost its click, though, which means I need to try re-seating its click leaf, or giving it a gentle bend.

I got a white box/lightly used Omnikey 101 for $20 when I was in college. At that point I didn't know it was anything other than a "clicky keyboard" like my Model M. It's been my main board for 10 years :D I remember playing Super Meat Boy on my pc, which has a message strongly recommending using a ...

Thanks everyone Sounds like I should take one apart and take a few more photos.

I got an AEK (M0115) from ebay and the rotated f-row switches have these funky top housings:



I feel like I've seen a photo of these before, but I can't find it. Anyone have a link to more info?

Generally you can use the continuity tester mode of a multimeter to diagnose physical problems. So for your W key, you would connect the multimeter leads to both pins of the switch, and then press the switch. You can do this while it's still soldered in, but it might be tricky to hold everything in ...

PAPA_Benzene wrote: ↑

22 Oct 2019, 17:30

Literally in all existance, why is there politcal poop on a keyboard forum? Jesus christ go on ResetEra for godsake.

You're in the off-topic forum. Nobody dragged you here.

Apparently nearly-new Omnikey 101 for auction https://www.ebay.ca/itm/northgate-omnik ... 3914292620

Will probably sell for a decent amount but you never know, someone might get lucky with a snipe

I'm very partial to beer though, although in all fairness none of the beers I tried in Canada were remotely good xD . Lots of good beer to be had here, and none of it found at the 4/5 bars that have some kind of exclusive contract with either Molson Coors or AB Inbev :( Except in Ontario where, as ...

I've done full and partial screw mods based on viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9169

using these screws/drill size viewtopic.php?p=436783#p436783

Generally if there's a zone of keys that feel "mushy" or don't send keystrokes reliably, that part is suffering from missing rivets. You can always safely disassemble the shell (not the inner assembly) and see where the rivet heads have fallen off. If you don't want to fully disassemble it, you can ...

Buckling springs and Alps switches were over time replaced with rubber domes for cost savings. This would have affected Cherry too, but their MX Blacks and MY switches continued to be used in lots of retail/industrial keyboards because of their durability. So, when mechanical keyboards came back in ...

I don't believe we're having any health problems, as it's not quite an infestation yet. I don't need to look far for them, but it's not quite... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Xi5a6PeVo How did you find out you had a dust mite allergy? Do you still have them? I haven't actually been allergy test...

I've moved a lot in ten years, and it appears that I've brought them with me with every move. The first house (my grandmother's house) was really, really dirty and damp and I remember seeing these mites frequently, even when not looking for them. Since they're so small, they pretty much anchor them...