Cherry B70 "Pro" keyboard in Cherry housing from 1979

snuci · 29 Jul 2018, 01:00

Below is a Cherry B70 Pro keyboard. The keyboard mechanism model number is B70-05AB. According to the 1979 Cherry Catalog, the clear anodized aluminum and walnut keyboard housing is model number B99-18AF. The description of the keyboard on page 21 of the catalog states:

"A versatile, reliable PROfessional style keyboard. Ideal for personal computer and hobbyist applications. Modifiable to add total obsolescence protection. Versatile enough to grow as your system grows."

This ASCII keyboard is more fully documented in the "Meet the Pro" Cherry brochure with schematics and feature descriptions. For it's day, this would have been the "Cadillac" of Cherry keyboards complete with Cherry manufactured housing. Much like I consider the Alps AKB-3420 keyboard as a "reference" keyboard, I consider this Cherry B70 Pro as a "reference" keyboard as well. It is a classic example.

Of note that I thought was cool: the re-legendable key caps are scooped. It's really hard to capture that in a photo.

Here are some pictures:

: Top; Cherry B70 Pro - top.JPG (258.27 KiB) Viewed 3080 times

: Profile; Cherry B70 Pro - profile.JPG (181.99 KiB) Viewed 3080 times

: Key cap close up; Cherry B70 Pro - close up of key caps.JPG (209.25 KiB) Viewed 3080 times

: Key caps removed; Cherry B70 Pro - key caps removed.JPG (197.48 KiB) Viewed 3080 times

: Keboard mechanism top; Cherry B70 Pro - keyboard mechanism top.JPG (401.61 KiB) Viewed 3080 times

: Keyboard mechanism bottom; Cherry B70 Pro - keyboard mechanism rear.JPG (526.58 KiB) Viewed 3080 times

: Locking locak and alpha lock keys; Cherry B70 Pro - locking lock key and alpha lock.JPG (339.33 KiB) Viewed 3080 times

: Space bar assembly (key switch has red dot); Cherry B70 Pro - space bar assembly.JPG (261.68 KiB) Viewed 3080 times

: Double shot key caps; Cherry B70 Pro - key caps 2.JPG (196.17 KiB) Viewed 3080 times

: Scooped re-lengendable key cap; Cherry B70 Pro - scooped relegendable key cap.JPG (175.7 KiB) Viewed 3080 times

mcmaxmcmc · 29 Jul 2018, 04:42

those caps... hnnnnng

UncleFan · 29 Jul 2018, 10:48

GEEZ!

That's really enviable! I cant imagine what I missed...

It seems that most of those switches are M61-0120. Is there a different switch in them? Heavier or lighter, at least they look the same. In gerneral, Shift and the others special keys should using some special switches. but I noticed that there are two semi-circular things on shift and lock. What are their uses?
As for Alpha LOCK and LOCK, I guess those switches are alt.action switches. right? if yes, their model should be M61-0800 or M61-0805.(Depending on their action force)
Spacebar with red mark is a special switch,it is more heavier than M61-0100. Even though they look the same.

snuci · 29 Jul 2018, 16:33

UncleFan wrote: ↑It seems that most of those switches are M61-0120.

Looks like it. While the "Meet the PRO" brochure lists every technical specification possible including schematics and part lists, it does not list the part numbers for the key switches.

UncleFan wrote: ↑In gerneral, Shift and the others special keys should using some special switches. but I noticed that there are two semi-circular things on shift and lock. What are their uses?

Those semi-circle parts are rubber stoppers. I don't have a concrete explanation for the use of these except it would inhibit full key travel.

UncleFan wrote: ↑As for Alpha LOCK and LOCK, I guess those switches are alt.action switches. right?

Yes, they are. The Alpha lock switches the keyboard between ASCII and Typewriter mode so this needs to be locking. The "Lock" is for shift lock.

79f0167 · 29 Jul 2018, 17:12

Switch is looks like that.
And very nice side plates.
Sorry for my clumsy english ^_^

MafiaButter · 30 Jul 2018, 04:26

That's certainly a unique board. Do we know if those caps fit MX?

UncleFan · 30 Jul 2018, 10:11

79f0167 wrote: ↑Switch is looks like that.
And very nice side plates.
Sorry for my clumsy english ^_^

Wow! Can you tell me the model number of this keyboard?

Sangdrax · 30 Jul 2018, 10:55

Great score man. A cherry in absolutely cherry condition. What's most surprising to me is seeing relegendable caps on something this old. Kind of hard to believe something with that classy wooden style is a year younger than my Harris as well. It looks like something more out of the very late 60's.

79f0167 · 31 Jul 2018, 16:57

UncleFan wrote: ↑
79f0167 wrote: ↑Switch is looks like that.
And very nice side plates.
Sorry for my clumsy english ^_^
Wow! Can you tell me the model number of this keyboard?

idk that borad's number, only name.
Logitec K-12J