Search found 100 matches

by SpacemanToby
18 Feb 2018, 20:03
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Converting a Zenith ZTX-1 Terminal
Replies: 13
Views: 3949

I wish I didn't know mine was in working condition. I would have gutted and handwired it by now. As it is, I feel conflicted. It's an interesting piece of computing history. But I'm also not a collector so....
by SpacemanToby
18 Feb 2018, 19:25
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Converting a Zenith ZTX-1 Terminal
Replies: 13
Views: 3949

Man, these boards have really been coming out of the woodworks - this makes the fourth I've seen in a 30 day span. I really overpaid for that first one >_< In any case, I'm also interested in learning if there is a way to convert it! A couple of people have told me that since the boards PCB is all ...
by SpacemanToby
18 Feb 2018, 19:01
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Converting a Zenith ZTX-1 Terminal
Replies: 13
Views: 3949

Converting a Zenith ZTX-1 Terminal

I came into possession of a Zenith ZTX-1 Terminal computer with Alps SKCC green switches. I would love to use this board on a modern computer without modifying it too much. The only outputs it has is video, some kind of printer connection, and two phone outputs (phone and wall). I have no working kn...
by SpacemanToby
29 Jan 2018, 02:26
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Converted Royal Alpha 700d Typewriter
Replies: 8
Views: 2859

This keyboard is so awesome. I love the colour mix and work you put in to convert it. Did the donor typewriter have reusable switches, or did you have to mod the keycaps to work with something else? And the back plate, did you reuse or fabricate a new one? If these questions have very obvious answe...
by SpacemanToby
25 Jan 2018, 16:58
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Converted Royal Alpha 700d Typewriter
Replies: 8
Views: 2859

I like how you kept the separator on the left, gives it a distinct look. Can you put leds there? would be cool for layer indicators. All of those little rectangles in the separator are green leds, but they aren't wired up to do anything right now. I only have one layer currently and the big orange ...
by SpacemanToby
25 Jan 2018, 16:05
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Converted Royal Alpha 700d Typewriter
Replies: 8
Views: 2859

Converted Royal Alpha 700d Typewriter

Found an alpha 700d at goodwill and converted the keyboard using a teensy and tmk firmware. I hand routed the case. There's no bottom to it, and the Plate is hot glued in. Doesn't look great, but it works well and is easy to remove. I plan on covering the bottom with thin lucite or something. I have...
by SpacemanToby
12 Jan 2018, 18:24
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Zenith Z-150 green alps board ideas
Replies: 6
Views: 1811

Super jealous. I have canon typewriter keyboard with matias switches on it and one green alps for the caps lock. It's so smooth and makes a great sound when bottoming out. I would love a whole keyboard of greens.
by SpacemanToby
08 Jan 2018, 04:20
Forum: Workshop
Topic: I need some help wiring a caps lock led to a Teensy
Replies: 1
Views: 749

I'm so dumb. It was working perfectly, but the switch was put in upside down in the plate and I couldn't see that the light was coming on through the window. Ugh
by SpacemanToby
08 Jan 2018, 01:42
Forum: Workshop
Topic: I need some help wiring a caps lock led to a Teensy
Replies: 1
Views: 749

I need some help wiring a caps lock led to a Teensy

I have it wired up like this: pin D4 ---> +anode led ---> -cathode led ---> 1k resistor ---> GND My code looks like this: void led_layer_set(uint32_t state) { DDRD |= (1<<4); if ((1<<1 & state) != 0) { print("layer pressed"); PORTD |= (1<<4); } else { print("released"); PORTD &= ~(1<<4); } } I have ...
by SpacemanToby
02 Jan 2018, 13:35
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Converting an Old Typewriter Into a Mechanical Keyboard (In process)
Replies: 27
Views: 7770

Since my last post I've started the rewiring process. I also came across an older swintec at a thrift store and liked those caps better. I made a second case, which isn't perfect but I like it better. It's walnut.

Image
by SpacemanToby
11 Dec 2017, 15:10
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Converting an Old Typewriter Into a Mechanical Keyboard (In process)
Replies: 27
Views: 7770

Well it works and all, but due to my shoddy first try at wiring I keep having some keys going in and out. I've wired a couple more boards since, and I will eventually go back and rewire this one. I haven't completed any more cases, but I got some new tools and new ideas to make them better. I'm clos...
by SpacemanToby
22 Nov 2017, 15:24
Forum: Call for nominees
Topic: Best keyswitch
Replies: 38
Views: 91221

I will nominate green alps as they are a loverly linier switch , just the right weight , sound amazing and are quite smooth. Aw man, if only all linears were like SKCL Green :D . I couldnt disagree more if I tried I have one green alps on my board and I'm constantly wishing I had a whole keyboard o...
by SpacemanToby
25 Oct 2017, 15:29
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Has anyone hand wired an Alps/Matias board?
Replies: 4
Views: 1473

flowerlandfilms wrote: I'm about to do this with my 32 key board when my teensy arrives so I will share how I tackle the engineering challenge when I get to it.
Nice! My teensy and switches are both on the way. I'm eager to get started.
by SpacemanToby
25 Oct 2017, 03:21
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Texas Instruments TI-5040 Adding Machine
Replies: 7
Views: 2547

green-squid wrote: Looks like a cool calculator! Clean it up and turn it on!

Unfortunately I couldn't get it to turn on.
by SpacemanToby
25 Oct 2017, 03:17
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Texas Instruments TI-5040 Adding Machine
Replies: 7
Views: 2547

I bet you could place foil tape over the keycap mounts and pop the foil mounting it on a cherry switch, and it would hold tight. Actually, I spent some more time with it tonight. The problem isn't the size of the cross mount, but that it won't fit down in the switch in order to press on. I took a s...
by SpacemanToby
23 Oct 2017, 21:26
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Has anyone hand wired an Alps/Matias board?
Replies: 4
Views: 1473

Has anyone hand wired an Alps/Matias board?

I posted on Deskthority a while back about a Canon Typewriter I won in an auction. It came with integrated alps rubber dome switches, so I've decided to take the plate and caps and put some matias quiet clicks in it and hand wire a custom board. I've only hand wired one keyboard before and the switc...
by SpacemanToby
22 Oct 2017, 02:29
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Texas Instruments TI-5040 Adding Machine
Replies: 7
Views: 2547

Texas Instruments TI-5040 Adding Machine

Got this at a thrift store today because the keys felt mechanical. It is, kind of. It's like the whole keyboard is one big switch. There are 12 leads coming out the top that are soldered into the pcb. I'm assuming these are the 8 columns and 4 rows. The stems kind of look like cherries, but the caps...
by SpacemanToby
11 Oct 2017, 17:38
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Gambled on a Canon typewriter (S-66 mx)
Replies: 15
Views: 5992

Well I finally got my typewriter and it does indeed have integrated domes. The switches feel fine, but there are four prongs to wire up instead of two, so using them to make a handwired board seems like a huge hassle. I think I'm going to use the plate and get some Matias quiet clicks. I'll make the...
by SpacemanToby
09 Oct 2017, 03:29
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Gambled on a Canon typewriter (S-66 mx)
Replies: 15
Views: 5992

How do the integrated domes feel? Do they feel mushy?
by SpacemanToby
08 Oct 2017, 05:04
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Buckling Spring Thrift Store Find (IBM Actionwriter)
Replies: 4
Views: 1162

This is perfect fohat, thanks! Wow that does look like a pain.
by SpacemanToby
08 Oct 2017, 04:20
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Gambled on a Canon typewriter (S-66 mx)
Replies: 15
Views: 5992

I mean, those greens look to be about the same size. You might be on to something.
by SpacemanToby
08 Oct 2017, 03:11
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Gambled on a Canon typewriter (S-66 mx)
Replies: 15
Views: 5992

Awesome, thanks for the info. Do you know if the caps are compatible with other alps switches like matias?
by SpacemanToby
08 Oct 2017, 00:29
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Buckling Spring Thrift Store Find (IBM Actionwriter)
Replies: 4
Views: 1162

I don't see a spring on the outside of the barrel. That's too bad if it's a big hassle, but I'm not opposed to a challenge. I'd try to make a case out of wood if I did it. I guess if it doesn't work out I can just sell the caps.
by SpacemanToby
07 Oct 2017, 23:53
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Buckling Spring Thrift Store Find (IBM Actionwriter)
Replies: 4
Views: 1162

Buckling Spring Thrift Store Find (IBM Actionwriter)

Just found this at a thrift store. Anyone know if someone out there has converted one of these into a regular keyboard? I really like the way the keys feel to type on.

Image
by SpacemanToby
06 Oct 2017, 12:28
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Gambled on a Canon typewriter (S-66 mx)
Replies: 15
Views: 5992

Yeah, I think integrated domes is likely. Depending on what kind of switches are on it, I might use them to build a Planck or let's split. I might also try to convert it into a hand wired custom keyboard.
by SpacemanToby
06 Oct 2017, 03:53
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Gambled on a Canon typewriter (S-66 mx)
Replies: 15
Views: 5992

Gambled on a Canon typewriter (S-66 mx)

Won this in a goodwill auction. I can't really find anything online about this one specifically, but I know there's a small chance for some alps switches. Or at least alps compatible caps. Or maybe it's just worth whatever wire I can scrap from it. What are my odds? It doesn't arrive until next week...
by SpacemanToby
04 Oct 2017, 15:07
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Converting an Old Typewriter Into a Mechanical Keyboard (In process)
Replies: 27
Views: 7770

I finally got it to work! Rewiring the problem column to a different pin on the teensy seems to have solved the problem.
by SpacemanToby
04 Oct 2017, 04:35
Forum: Workshop
Topic: TMK keyboard firmware collection
Replies: 339
Views: 189357

I just wired that column to a different pin on the teensy and updated my code. It finally seems to be working now. Thanks for your help.
by SpacemanToby
03 Oct 2017, 14:24
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Converting an Old Typewriter Into a Mechanical Keyboard (In process)
Replies: 27
Views: 7770

Well, I disconnected the column from the teensy all together that gets printed over and over and it still prints those keys. That leads me to believe there's something on the teensy that's causing the issue. I don't see any obvious drops of solder or anything, so my next step is going to be to wire ...
by SpacemanToby
03 Oct 2017, 03:10
Forum: Workshop
Topic: TMK keyboard firmware collection
Replies: 339
Views: 189357

I've done a little more debugging. It mostly prints the same column over and over again, 7yhb. I started desoldering that column, even desoldered the row on the seven key, but it still prints those keys, even ones with no wires attached at all. I'm not sure what would cause this.

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