Anyone Selling Keycaps for Acer 6312?

Thorogrimm · 22 Mar 2021, 17:46

I recently bought a Data General keyboard with a Spanish(?) iso layout and I was wondering if anyone is willing to part with some Acer 6312 keycaps in UK iso layout? I'll pay whatever they're worth if they're PBT or ABS.

motoko · 22 Mar 2021, 19:26

Again, the best bet is to get a UK layout 6312 - you'll only need to swap a handful of the keys, too

Thorogrimm · 22 Mar 2021, 19:41

motoko wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 19:26 Again, the best bet is to get a UK layout 6312 - you'll only need to swap a handful of the keys, too

Hm, well I have to get my hands on one first which isn't easy cause I don't see many listings for 6312s.

Bjerrk · 22 Mar 2021, 19:57

Thorogrimm wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 19:41
motoko wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 19:26 Again, the best bet is to get a UK layout 6312 - you'll only need to swap a handful of the keys, too
Hm, well I have to get my hands on one first which isn't easy cause I don't see many listings for 6312s.

I'd say they're fairly readily available. I bought a Data General branded one, similar to the one motoko seems to have bought

Thorogrimm · 22 Mar 2021, 19:59

Bjerrk wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 19:57
Thorogrimm wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 19:41
motoko wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 19:26 Again, the best bet is to get a UK layout 6312 - you'll only need to swap a handful of the keys, too
Hm, well I have to get my hands on one first which isn't easy cause I don't see many listings for 6312s.
I'd say they're fairly readily available. I bought a Data General branded one, similar to the one motoko seems to have bought

That's literally the same seller I bought mine from

It's just I'd like to get my hands on some English iso keycaps for it

Thorogrimm · 22 Mar 2021, 20:06

But yeah, I'd happily purchase a 6312 in UK iso layout if there's anyone selling

Bjerrk · 22 Mar 2021, 20:08

Actually, why is that?

My "native" layout is Danish, so I'm used to rarely having the "correct" layout. I use UK, German QWERTZ or Italian, for instance - whichever is available. I guess it is nice to have the correct legends, but I find the somewhat "exotic" legends fun

motoko · 22 Mar 2021, 20:11

Yeah, we all bought the same one

6312s on ebay.com will be rare - you could also consider a 6311 - most of the annoying key swaps will solve your problem

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Acer-6 ... Sw8UxgCHNL

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Acer-A ... SwiqVgAb0Z

The second one, you can even swap the whole PCB into your nicer case, and swap the switches over from the new board, even the controller board, I think

Thorogrimm · 22 Mar 2021, 20:13

Bjerrk wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 20:08 Actually, why is that?
My "native" layout is Danish, so I'm used to rarely having the "correct" layout. I use UK, German QWERTZ or Italian, for instance - whichever is available. I guess it is nice to have the correct legends, but I find the somewhat "exotic" legends fun

It's just more convenient for me to type with, I suppose. I'm used to where the brackets are on the UK iso layout and they seem to be moved one to the left on the Spanish layout I'm using. It's cool that you got the samek keyboard from the same seller as me, though. Small world.

Thorogrimm · 22 Mar 2021, 20:16

motoko wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 20:11 Yeah, we all bought the same one 6312s on ebay.com will be rare - you could also consider a 6311 - most of the annoying key swaps will solve your problem

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Acer-6 ... Sw8UxgCHNL

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Acer-A ... SwiqVgAb0Z

The second one, you can even swap the whole PCB into your nicer case, and swap the switches over from the new board, even the controller board, I think

Ha! Small world indeed. I've seen iso 6312s in the past actually but I regret not grabbing them when I could. And those both look like ANSI layout with big-ass enter key, so it's not quite what I'm looking for. But thankyou though. I might just need to wait until a UK layout 6312 appears so I can use the keycaps from that.

Thorogrimm · 22 Mar 2021, 20:18

Thorogrimm wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 20:16
motoko wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 20:11 Yeah, we all bought the same one 6312s on ebay.com will be rare - you could also consider a 6311 - most of the annoying key swaps will solve your problem

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Acer-6 ... Sw8UxgCHNL

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Acer-A ... SwiqVgAb0Z

The second one, you can even swap the whole PCB into your nicer case, and swap the switches over from the new board, even the controller board, I think
Ha! Small world indeed. I've seen iso 6312s in the past actually but I regret not grabbing them when I could. And those both look like ANSI layout with big-ass enter key, so it's not quite what I'm looking for. But thankyou though. I might just need to wait until a UK layout 6312 appears so I can use the keycaps from that.

Bjerrk · 22 Mar 2021, 20:18

Thorogrimm wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 20:13 I'm used to where the brackets are on the UK iso layout and they seem to be moved one to the left on the Spanish layout I'm using.

Sounds like I'll like the Spanish layout then

! (Haven't received the board yet.) The brackets are above 8 and 9 in the Danish layout.

It's cool that you got the samek keyboard from the same seller as me, though. Small world.

Indeed! One big happy Deskthority family

Thorogrimm · 22 Mar 2021, 20:22

Bjerrk wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 20:18
Thorogrimm wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 20:13 I'm used to where the brackets are on the UK iso layout and they seem to be moved one to the left on the Spanish layout I'm using.
Sounds like I'll like the Spanish layout then ! (Haven't received the board yet.) The brackets are above 8 and 9 in the Danish layout.
It's cool that you got the samek keyboard from the same seller as me, though. Small world.
Indeed! One big happy Deskthority family

They're definitely Spanish because mine is the same as the one in the Ebay image, which is also Spanish. I got this one already knowing that of course but hoping I can grab some keycaps in future. It's bizarre having a new old stock keyboard, the keycaps feel like a chalky matte finish. The switches in it are also very nice but I had to lube the space bar and the backspace stabilisers because they were a little dry.

motoko · 22 Mar 2021, 20:24

I put this 6312's new keycaps onto my 6011 last night to try them out; I don't like them as much as the 6011's. They feel too chalky and a bit cheap being so thin. They're new, though

Thorogrimm · 22 Mar 2021, 20:27

motoko wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 20:24 I put this 6312's new keycaps onto my 6011 last night to try them out; I don't like them as much as the 6011's. They feel too chalky and a bit cheap being so thin. They're new, though

At least they're dye subbed/pad printed (I can't tell which), which makes them pretty clear and durable.

Palatino · 22 Mar 2021, 20:34

Haha I also went for not one but two of these Data Generals! Can't resist new old stock, and Alps keycaps are always useful, even if slightly Spanish.

Thorogrimm · 22 Mar 2021, 20:36

Palatino wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 20:34 Haha I also went for not one but two of these Data Generals! Can't resist new old stock, and Alps keycaps are always useful, even if slightly Spanish.

This is my first taste of Acer switches, and I've gotta say, they feel very crispy!

Palatino · 22 Mar 2021, 20:41

I have three Acer-switch keyboards (five when the Data Generals arrive) with various different brandings and cases. None is perfect, so I'm looking forward to trying a brand new one. My feelings toward the switches vary: sometimes I like them, and other times, particularly if I'm coming from something ultra crisp like Montereys, I find them sort of lightly crunchy, as if I'm crushing Rice Krispies. Nice and easy to service though.

Thorogrimm · 22 Mar 2021, 20:44

Palatino wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 20:41 I have three Acer-switch keyboards (five when the Data Generals arrive) with various different brandings and cases. None is perfect, so I'm looking forward to trying a brand new one. My feelings toward the switches vary: sometimes I like them, and other times, particularly if I'm coming from something ultra crisp like Montereys, I find them sort of lightly crunchy, as if I'm crushing Rice Krispies. Nice and easy to service though.

The brand new ones, from only typing on these, feels more like typing on corn flakes. But it's not a bad experience because they're tactile don't feel necessarily scratchy.

Palatino · 22 Mar 2021, 21:21

Then I look forward to the cereal upgrade! I definitely have a couple of decayed rubber dome boards that are at the soggy Weetabix level.

Go-Kart · 22 Mar 2021, 22:29

I was eyeing one of these up too. I love the chassis but I have a pretty tidy Acer with the same switches so I resisted. I find the Acer switches crunchy, though being more of a porridge man, I couldn't discern which toasted grain the switches feel most like

I didn't find them tight enough for me though. A tad light maybe?

depletedvespene · 22 Mar 2021, 22:58

Thorogrimm wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 17:46 I recently bought a Data General keyboard with a Spanish(?) iso layout …

Every keycap in that layout corresponds to the Spanish (Spain) layout, except for the ;: key, which should be Ñ instead. Weird QC mistake there.

Bjerrk · 25 Mar 2021, 14:58

I just received my Acer/Data General. I must say, I am really digging it so far. The "crunch+thunk" sound (and feel) is very satisfying - a nice departure from the (also wonderful) click of the Model F.

depletedvespene wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 22:58
Thorogrimm wrote: 22 Mar 2021, 17:46 I recently bought a Data General keyboard with a Spanish(?) iso layout …
Every keycap in that layout corresponds to the Spanish (Spain) layout, except for the ;: key, which should be Ñ instead. Weird QC mistake there.

Nice catch

That is a bit strange indeed. Mine has the Ñ key where you would expect it.

Bjerrk · 26 Mar 2021, 12:06

Tip: If you - like me - find the spacebar a bit too stiff, it's easy to remedy. The extra return force is provided by a spring under the keycap, which can be removed without opening any switches.

It's a matter of preference, of course, but so far I like the lighter (or at least less heavy) spacebar.