Recreating the Lisp keyboard (10 years later)

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lispnick

31 Dec 2021, 14:21

NewAlpsFan2 wrote:
31 Dec 2021, 04:18
Any updates on potentially selling the keycaps on their own? They're stunning
I am working on it. First, I would like to release a new manufacturing video to give you folks an idea what I am capable of. :lol: I will probably open a new thread about the keycaps.

By the way, big thanks to everybody who made an order in 2021! The incoming orders help me to finance the project and to create a new tooling for the keycaps!

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lispnick

16 Jan 2022, 13:33

One of the more unique builds on Alps SKCM Amber:

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depletedvespene

03 Feb 2022, 16:11

lispnick wrote:
31 Dec 2021, 14:21
By the way, big thanks to everybody who made an order in 2021! The incoming orders help me to finance the project and to create a new tooling for the keycaps!
Serious question: are all the chassises (sp?) 20U in width? Because, me being me, and seeing how well you're handling the stepped keys, I'm seriously tempted to make an order... but it'd have to be with a layout that would be a bit different from the ones you've shown so far.

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Muirium
µ

03 Feb 2022, 16:45

In English, the plural is still spelt chassis, but it’s pronounced with a “ch”, the way some Americans also erroneously say the singular. Honest. ;)

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depletedvespene

03 Feb 2022, 16:59

Muirium wrote:
03 Feb 2022, 16:45
In English, the plural is still spelt chassis, but it’s pronounced with a “ch”, the way some Americans also erroneously say the singular. Honest. ;)
Oh, I got it now:

"this" → "these"
"chassis" → "chassese"

Right?

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Muirium
µ

03 Feb 2022, 19:46

Actually, that’s better!

(In reality, native speakers also question themselves when the plural of this unusual loan word occasionally comes up. No one’s ever heard it said aloud enough to know how it goes.)

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lispnick

04 Feb 2022, 01:48

depletedvespene wrote:
03 Feb 2022, 16:11
Serious question: are all the chassises (sp?) 20U in width? Because, me being me, and seeing how well you're handling the stepped keys, I'm seriously tempted to make an order... but it'd have to be with a layout that would be a bit different from the ones you've shown so far.
Yes, I only have chassis that is 6×20U. What kind of layout do you have in mind?

User avatar
depletedvespene

04 Feb 2022, 21:25

lispnick wrote:
04 Feb 2022, 01:48
depletedvespene wrote:
03 Feb 2022, 16:11
Serious question: are all the chassises (sp?) 20U in width? Because, me being me, and seeing how well you're handling the stepped keys, I'm seriously tempted to make an order... but it'd have to be with a layout that would be a bit different from the ones you've shown so far.
Yes, I only have chassis that is 6×20U. What kind of layout do you have in mind?
I've been toying with several ideas (closer to a PC keyboard's layout than to a Symbolics keyboard's), but haven't got anything down yet.

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XMIT
[ XMIT ]

08 Apr 2022, 20:42

Finally ordered mine, I'm so excited! Great work lispnick.

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lispnick

11 Apr 2022, 19:28

Hi guys. I have been busy with a couple of things but I hope to release some interesting videos in the near future. In the meantime, I have made a comparison of the loudest and quietest Keymacs keyboards built so far:

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Muirium
µ

11 Apr 2022, 21:51

My god, know which one I prefer! X-)

Actually got a good supply of harvested Alps of my own, but couldn’t justify four figures for a keyboard under any circumstances. Ah well. Boss project for you keyboard oligarchs!

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CaesarAZealad

12 Apr 2022, 23:07

lispnick wrote:
11 Apr 2022, 19:28
Hi guys. I have been busy with a couple of things but I hope to release some interesting videos in the near future. In the meantime, I have made a comparison of the loudest and quietest Keymacs keyboards built so far:
You know I never saw the appeal of matais click switches... until I saw this video, JFC that is quality.

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Muirium
µ

12 Apr 2022, 23:48

CaesarAZealad wrote:
12 Apr 2022, 23:07
JFC that is annoying.
Agreed. ;)

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CaesarAZealad

13 Apr 2022, 00:01

Muirium wrote:
12 Apr 2022, 23:48
CaesarAZealad wrote:
12 Apr 2022, 23:07
JFC that is annoying.
Agreed. ;)
Quality is a relative term here. They're clickies we're talking about :P

User avatar
lispnick

13 Apr 2022, 23:33

I have made some experiments with Matias switches. The goal was to get the best possible sound and feel. I have used all the usual suspects: Matias Clicks (MC), Matias Quiet Clicks (MQC—these are actually damped tactile non-clicky switches despite their name), and Matias Quiet Linear (MQL—linear damped switches).

The modifications consist in Krytox-lubing (that actually works on Matiases, at least it improves their sound), using MC sliders in MQC and MQL switches, and paper-modding the clicky switches. Here are the results:
In terms of the sound, lubed Matias Tactile (= MQC with MC sliders) are the most satisfying to me. If you wonder about the paper-modding of the MC switches—it actually does not suppress the click but it makes it less annoying, the click sounds better than in the original MCs I think.

If you wonder about the crappy-looking keycaps: I have used leftovers with various cosmetic flaws.

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CaesarAZealad

14 Apr 2022, 02:38

Ngl the paper modded matais sound really damn good.
Also do you sell the cosmetically flawed switches? I'd be willing to pay for them if they came in full alpha sets.

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lispnick

14 Apr 2022, 19:42

CaesarAZealad wrote:
14 Apr 2022, 02:38
Also do you sell the cosmetically flawed switches? I'd be willing to pay for them if they came in full alpha sets.
Sorry, the tester board is no longer with me. I have some more leftovers though, … at least a few kilos but most of them are grey 2U keycaps. These 2U bastards are a nightmare—a tiny piece of dust or improperly mixed pigment stain spoils the entire keycap. So, if anybody wants to make a weird macro pad full of thick 2U keycaps, I can be of assistance.

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CaesarAZealad

14 Apr 2022, 21:27

lispnick wrote:
14 Apr 2022, 19:42
CaesarAZealad wrote:
14 Apr 2022, 02:38
Also do you sell the cosmetically flawed switches? I'd be willing to pay for them if they came in full alpha sets.
Sorry, the tester board is no longer with me. I have some more leftovers though, … at least a few kilos but most of them are grey 2U keycaps. These 2U bastards are a nightmare—a tiny piece of dust or improperly mixed pigment stain spoils the entire keycap. So, if anybody wants to make a weird macro pad full of thick 2U keycaps, I can be of assistance.
Cursed Thicc macro pad is going on the list of projects to do when I have money. XD

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Muirium
µ

14 Apr 2022, 21:51

These unique imperfections will serve as your legends to tell which key does what. :P

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lispnick

16 Jun 2022, 20:57

For those who are interested mainly in the keycaps, I have opened a new thread.

This is my take on the Space Cadet theme:

Image

I hope you especially enjoy the one on the bottom-center: its top legend is slightly yellowish to imitate aged ABS keycaps. :lol:

So one of the goals now is to make a complete Space Cadet-style keycap set as faithful as possible.

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lispnick

16 Sep 2022, 09:57

Stock update: I have made a bulk order of the modern Tai Hao Alps clones and they arrived a couple of days ago. I have 5000 pcs. of the 55g version and the same number of the heavier 65g version. I do not have them as an option on my web right now but I am going to add them during the weekend.

Some observations:
  • They have a longer travel—I did not measure it but I guess about 1mm more than SKCM switches.
  • The sliders comes pre-lubed—there is an oily trace of the sides.
  • The sliders seems to be interchangeable with SKCM switches, I have successfully tested it on SKCM Blues and Oranges.
  • I tried to overlube the switches with Krytox (I coated the entire slider) and the (mantis) clicker still worked pretty consistently.
  • I put a trick lube on the back side of the clicker (NyoGel 767) and it finally stopped clicking—the result (at least according to my tastes) is a very interesting light non-clicky tactile switch.
  • The switches have very good consistency of the click and the actuation—it is almost impossible to get a click without actuation. The consistency is better than on the Matiases (in my short experience).
  • Soundwise: The mantis clicker does not product as deep a click as the full SKCM-style clicker but this is no surprise.
To sum up: Interesting modern Alps clones cheap enough for various modifications and experimentation.

User avatar
guidemetothelight

17 Sep 2022, 01:28

Incredible. Just incredible. Pure Art. I wish i would have that kind of money to spend on a keyboard. One may dream ...

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darkcruix

19 Sep 2022, 14:53

When I listen to the videos and hear the perfect sound, I can't believe how much difference the proper material of case and caps make combined with a good size. My standard Alps boards don't even come close to these.
My best sounding one is a nearly unused NeXT original keyboard with early Black Alps (which was stored for 25 years).

Saying this, that is only sound and feel. The design around the Symbolics layout is what I want to experience. Especially, if you are able to re-bind the keys to your own needs... What brilliant re-design. Yes, I agree, this is pure artwork combined with precision engineering...

User avatar
lispnick

01 Oct 2022, 14:04

Quick updates from my shop:

1. I have included the Tai-Hao APC switches.

2. Full Symbolics legends now available.

3. More color schemes supported (old and new-style Symbolics, Cadet & fully custom)

4. For those who already have my keyboard, I offer upgrades of the function keys.

Manufacturing of the replacement set takes about 2 weeks (estimate), I will start the manufacturing in Jan 2023.

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darkcruix

01 Oct 2022, 18:06

JAW DROPPING

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lispnick

18 Oct 2022, 17:02

Update on keycaps. As I was describing in my previous post, I am working on full symbolics-style legends. Here is a preview—escape keys in experimental colors:

Image

XMIT keys (well, they do not exist on Symbolics keyboards but hopefully will make somebody happy):

Image

Old-style Symbolics keyboard vs. the new key:

Image

New ESCAPE key placed on my daily driver:

Image

User avatar
TNT

18 Oct 2022, 17:32

I will never not be impressed by what your putting out and this got me drooling again. Superb!

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andreas

18 Oct 2022, 17:54

Oh dear, your attention to detail is unrivaled. Absolutely fantastic.

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XMIT
[ XMIT ]

24 Dec 2022, 16:49

lispnick wrote:
18 Oct 2022, 17:02
XMIT keys (well, they do not exist on Symbolics keyboards but hopefully will make somebody happy)
I expect they will! Keep up the great work, and Happy Holidays.

User avatar
lispnick

02 Jan 2023, 16:49

Hi folks, a quick update. I have new bases and I will start manufacturing keysets with full Symbolics legends soon. I hope to make some nice pics. In the meantime, I have started tuning various tints, shades, and tones of blue in order to find the closest Space Cadet blue and other, possibly interesting colors. Here is a preview:

Image

So far, I have mixed pure blue (1% of blue pigment in the material) with my standard medium grey (0.1% of black pigment in the material), pure white (again, 1%), and pure black (1% as well). As I have said in my keycaps thread, I will not be able to make exact RAL/PANTONE matching. I mean, I am not able to mix color based on user's specs, it is just too unpredictable and besides that, I think that the color matching that the keeb community is so obsessed about nowadays is for wimps—this is supposed to be an art, right? Who cares about colors slightly off. :lol: What I can and will do is trying various percentages of the basic colors like in this case of blue. This can be done pretty consistently and I will then associate the closest PANTONE and a funny name to each color. This way I hope to create a ‘Keymacs palette’ for a reference. I have started with blue because there seems to be a high interest in cadet-style color schemes. The next color will probably be green.

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