IDENTIFY THE KEYSWITCH thread

User avatar
snuci
Vintage computer guy

19 Oct 2018, 02:50

Maybe there is a thread like this already. If so, I can't find it. If not, here it is!

Can someone tell me what key switches these are? Link to Wiki please, if possible. They are from 1974.
MCM70 keys.jpg
MCM70 keys.jpg (2.97 MiB) Viewed 145551 times

User avatar
ZedTheMan

19 Oct 2018, 02:53

That font is something funky, especially for doubleshots!

Do you have any info regarding the model of the keyboard or the computer/terminal it came from?

User avatar
snuci
Vintage computer guy

19 Oct 2018, 02:57

ZedTheMan wrote: That font is something funky, especially for doubleshots!

Do you have any info regarding the model of the keyboard or the computer/terminal it came from?
Yes, it's from my MCM/70 computer. Just got it so it needs a cleaning. By the way, it runs APL so it doen't just have fancy key caps :)
MCM70 Before - top.JPG
MCM70 Before - top.JPG (992.45 KiB) Viewed 145544 times
MCM70 Before.JPG
MCM70 Before.JPG (406.61 KiB) Viewed 145544 times

User avatar
OldIsNew

19 Oct 2018, 03:05

They look similar to magnetic reed boards I've seen, but the screws on the top look different and can't know for sure. Are you able to see the bottom of the PCB?

User avatar
ZedTheMan

19 Oct 2018, 03:09

Oh, wow! That is a serious piece computer history, right there.

User avatar
Sangdrax

19 Oct 2018, 03:21

I've also seen old foam and foil boards that have that same look with the square white slider in a large block.

User avatar
snuci
Vintage computer guy

19 Oct 2018, 03:31

Nope, it's got switches. No markings on the bottom other than "Assembled in Mexico" :)
IMG_20181018_2114076.jpg
IMG_20181018_2114076.jpg (2.55 MiB) Viewed 145522 times

User avatar
ZedTheMan

19 Oct 2018, 05:24

God, just look at the number of bolts on that thing!

I don't think I've seen a discrete switch implementation like that where multiple sliders seem to be held in place by the same component while the bottom has individual switches soldered.

User avatar
Chyros

19 Oct 2018, 07:51

It appears to be a copy of Key Tronic magnetic reed or Maxi Switch magnetic reed. Both of those look almost exactly identical, including the block-type switch and bolts everywhere. However, both of those use a distinctly different pinout, use keycaps with different mould patterns (although I'm sure I've seen that font somewhere before), and I think both were still being made in the USA, although I could be wrong on that one.

EDIT: the keycaps also don't have the same sculpting.

EDIT 2: and the plungers don't have the same tops.

User avatar
OldIsNew

20 Oct 2018, 06:27

I posted about these switches earlier, but since we now have an official "Identify the Keyswitch" thread, I figured I'd try one more time.

I came across these Oak switches in my Honeywell 5921 terminal keyboard:
Oak Switch_cropped.jpg
Oak Switch_cropped.jpg (272.59 KiB) Viewed 145364 times
I posted more pics and what info I could find here: keyboards-f2/oak-industries-buckling-sp ... 19867.html , so I won't duplicate it all in this thread. Does anyone know anything more about these switches?

User avatar
snuci
Vintage computer guy

25 Oct 2018, 00:24

OldIsNew wrote: I posted about these switches earlier, but since we now have an official "Identify the Keyswitch" thread, I figured I'd try one more time.
If you found the patent, that's probably the best info you will find. They are very unusual switches and I have never seen them. Very nice.

User avatar
snuci
Vintage computer guy

25 Oct 2018, 00:25

Here is a couple of quick pics of the keyboard mechanism. I am afraid to go deeper on this one because of the rarity of the machine. Keyboard made by CRC with MCM (computer manufacturer) branding. The Serial number is 92. There weren't more than a few hundred of these MCM/70 computers made and you can count the remaining ones on two hands.
MCM70 - keyboard rear.JPG
MCM70 - keyboard rear.JPG (2.1 MiB) Viewed 145306 times
MCM70 - keyboard front.JPG
MCM70 - keyboard front.JPG (1.47 MiB) Viewed 145306 times

User avatar
JP!

25 Oct 2018, 00:33

What does it feel like to type on these switches?

User avatar
snuci
Vintage computer guy

25 Oct 2018, 00:55

JP! wrote: What does it feel like to type on these switches?
They are linear switches that feel pretty good but are slightly firm as is the case with key switches of this era. Turns out the key switches are made by Controls Research Corp (CRC) and keys are grouped together in various packs. Here is a four pack shown with company branding shown.
MCM70 - Controls Research Corp keys.JPG
MCM70 - Controls Research Corp keys.JPG (1.66 MiB) Viewed 145289 times

User avatar
JP!

25 Oct 2018, 01:10

That is interesting.

Lanrefni

25 Oct 2018, 04:48

Damn,I love the legends on those caps,I wonder how much a custom set of those in black on purple keys would run.

User avatar
snuci
Vintage computer guy

02 Nov 2018, 02:58

Here's another interesting linear keyswitch that I don't think is documented. I'll have to dig into this computer on the weekend.
IMG_20181101_2147342.jpg
IMG_20181101_2147342.jpg (458.37 KiB) Viewed 145165 times
IMG_20181101_2147165.jpg
IMG_20181101_2147165.jpg (436.27 KiB) Viewed 145165 times

User avatar
OldIsNew

02 Nov 2018, 03:32

Another cool board with interesting switches! Could they be old style F&F, could they be magnetic reed - or something else? Let's see some more!

User avatar
Chyros

02 Nov 2018, 07:04

Maxi Switch magnetic reed, I think.

User avatar
snuci
Vintage computer guy

02 Nov 2018, 23:44

Chyros wrote: Maxi Switch magnetic reed, I think.
I looked around for this in the Wiki but no luck. Do you know of a sample pic? I will take pics tomorrow once I get a chance to take apart the computer.

User avatar
snuci
Vintage computer guy

03 Nov 2018, 00:03

Never mind. I found the Maxi Switch magnetic reed switches here Those are straight but these are slanted. Looks pretty close though. I took a few more key caps off but still no markings. Will have to take it apart.

An interesting note on these, these are the first key caps that I have experienced that actually "click" into place when replacing the key caps on the stems.

User avatar
Chyros

05 Nov 2018, 10:40

snuci wrote: Never mind. I found the Maxi Switch magnetic reed switches here Those are straight but these are slanted. Looks pretty close though. I took a few more key caps off but still no markings. Will have to take it apart.

An interesting note on these, these are the first key caps that I have experienced that actually "click" into place when replacing the key caps on the stems.
The Maxi Switch ones have the click-in thing as well. I'm actually covering them in a review this week, as it happens :) .

User avatar
snuci
Vintage computer guy

05 Nov 2018, 12:58

Chyros wrote:
snuci wrote: An interesting note on these, these are the first key caps that I have experienced that actually "click" into place when replacing the key caps on the stems.
The Maxi Switch ones have the click-in thing as well. I'm actually covering them in a review this week, as it happens :) .
I took some pics over the weekend. You got it right. It IS a Maxi Switch magnetic reed keyboard. I will try to post the pics today or tomorrow. I found that the white key caps have no issues. The black keys are more brittle and the stems break easier. Several black key caps are broken or have broken when cleaning up the board. Must be different material.

User avatar
Chyros

05 Nov 2018, 13:07

snuci wrote:
Chyros wrote:
snuci wrote: An interesting note on these, these are the first key caps that I have experienced that actually "click" into place when replacing the key caps on the stems.
The Maxi Switch ones have the click-in thing as well. I'm actually covering them in a review this week, as it happens :) .
I took some pics over the weekend. You got it right. It IS a Maxi Switch magnetic reed keyboard. I will try to post the pics today or tomorrow. I found that the white key caps have no issues. The black keys are more brittle and the stems break easier. Several black key caps are broken or have broken when cleaning up the board. Must be different material.
My keyboards use grey keycaps. Every single cap I've pulled makes the stem break. The stem walls are very thin.

User avatar
zrrion

02 Dec 2018, 05:08

Image
Anyone know what switches this comes with? I think I remember someone saying it had alps switches but I can't find wheere I saw that.

User avatar
PlacaFromHell

02 Dec 2018, 05:26

I saw one with Alps switches if I remember well.

User avatar
mcmaxmcmc

02 Dec 2018, 06:10

I heard a while ago that it came with Green, Yellow, and Gray Alps switches. I think the Gray ones are very rare.

User avatar
subcat

02 Dec 2018, 06:38

only the sgi ones have been spotted with skcl grey (and also cream), not these ones

User avatar
flowerlandfilms

02 Dec 2018, 07:03

zrrion wrote: Image
Anyone know what switches this comes with? I think I remember someone saying it had alps switches but I can't find wheere I saw that.
The various boxes have had many things over the years.
My SGI one had Cherry MX Black.

User avatar
abrahamstechnology

14 Jan 2019, 03:19

What the heck is this... NOTHING-over-membrane??
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Noble-Keyboard ... 3539767192

Post Reply

Return to “Keyboards”