Organizing gbs for a keyboard is already painful, i dont think such a niche hobby could do that for a computer. unless you mean modifiying the original onesabrahamstechnology wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 05:35Heck, why don't we do a group buy for a luggable with a nice Alps keyboard? Like the IBM 5140 but with modern hardware.
We are already doing tons of custom cases so why not take it up a notch?
Alps Appreciation
- abrahamstechnology
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Laser with SMK Cherry mount
- Main mouse: Mitsumi ECM-S3902
- Favorite switch: Alps and Alps clones
- DT Pro Member: 0212
Oops, I meant to post that in the laptop thread. Sorry.
- Polecat
- Location: Downstream from Silicon Valley
- Main keyboard: Monterey K104 Industrial Gray
- Main mouse: Logitech Optical
- Favorite switch: Early Alps SKCM
- DT Pro Member: -
Like this? Kaypro case, mini-AT motherboard, 9 inch mono VGA monitor, white Alps keyboard. Built a couple of these back in the '90s for remote data logging. Sorry for the dust; it's been sitting for a couple decades.abrahamstechnology wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 05:35Heck, why don't we do a group buy for a luggable with a nice Alps keyboard? Like the IBM 5140 but with modern hardware.
We are already doing tons of custom cases so why not take it up a notch?
- Attachments
-
- Luggable 386
- DSCN9775.JPG (812.28 KiB) Viewed 7570 times
- abrahamstechnology
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Laser with SMK Cherry mount
- Main mouse: Mitsumi ECM-S3902
- Favorite switch: Alps and Alps clones
- DT Pro Member: 0212
Very nice!Polecat wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 05:56Like this? Kaypro case, mini-AT motherboard, 9 inch mono VGA monitor, white Alps keyboard. Built a couple of these back in the '90s for remote data logging. Sorry for the dust; it's been sitting for a couple decades.abrahamstechnology wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 05:35Heck, why don't we do a group buy for a luggable with a nice Alps keyboard? Like the IBM 5140 but with modern hardware.
We are already doing tons of custom cases so why not take it up a notch?
- //gainsborough
- ALPSの日常
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: some kind of alps keyboard
- Favorite switch: clk: SKCM blue, lin: SKCL cream, tac: SKCM cream
- DT Pro Member: 0188
I can't tell from the link - but I hope you didn't pay $300 for that omnikey!!ZedTheMan wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 01:03Got an Omnikey 102 at last! I've got an OEMMAX Mac-105 with great condition Blue Alps that are just begging to be swapped into this thing. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I could do to spiff it up? https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3710001471
- ZedTheMan
- Location: Central US
- Main keyboard: IModel F77/IBM 3101/Omnikey 102/96Kee
- Main mouse: Logitech G430/Logitech M570/Kensington Expert
- Favorite switch: Beamsprings. Alps SKCM Blue, Capacitive Buckling S
- DT Pro Member: 0219
Good Lord, no! I managed to haggle down to under $90 shipped. No worries, I am no sucker! More than I had hoped in the end to get an Omnikey for, but thanks to my MIGHTY selling thread, I've managed to scrounge the funds.//gainsborough wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 06:05ZedTheMan wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 01:03Got an Omnikey 102 at last! I've got an OEMMAX Mac-105 with great condition Blue Alps that are just begging to be swapped into this thing. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I could do to spiff it up? https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3710001471
I can't tell from the link - but I hope you didn't pay $300 for that omnikey!!
- //gainsborough
- ALPSの日常
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: some kind of alps keyboard
- Favorite switch: clk: SKCM blue, lin: SKCL cream, tac: SKCM cream
- DT Pro Member: 0188
Good stuff! Blue alps certainly sound very nice in this chassis - or any northgate chassis! Highly recommend if that's what you are considering! I'm about to do something similar with a 101!
- ZedTheMan
- Location: Central US
- Main keyboard: IModel F77/IBM 3101/Omnikey 102/96Kee
- Main mouse: Logitech G430/Logitech M570/Kensington Expert
- Favorite switch: Beamsprings. Alps SKCM Blue, Capacitive Buckling S
- DT Pro Member: 0219
Hey, on another note, do you know anywhere I can get a gold badge Northgate sticker, or be able to get a reproduction one? I wanna go all the way to make the best Omnikey 102 possible, with the blue Alps, sexy badge, AND including the N-key rollover and variety of dip switch options.//gainsborough wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 07:40Good stuff! Blue alps certainly sound very nice in this chassis - or any northgate chassis! Highly recommend if that's what you are considering! I'm about to do something similar with a 101!
- //gainsborough
- ALPSの日常
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: some kind of alps keyboard
- Favorite switch: clk: SKCM blue, lin: SKCL cream, tac: SKCM cream
- DT Pro Member: 0188
Huh... it's like we have the same idea for our omnikey builds, hahaha. Though, mine will be an omnikey "102" hahaha.
As far as acquiring a badge, I don't know of any repro. badges that exist. You could always custom make one and have it printed off - I know there are name-tag services that would be able to print something on a gold badge. Like this:
https://www.nametagwizard.com/design/br ... -tag-1-x-3
As far as acquiring a badge, I don't know of any repro. badges that exist. You could always custom make one and have it printed off - I know there are name-tag services that would be able to print something on a gold badge. Like this:
https://www.nametagwizard.com/design/br ... -tag-1-x-3
- ZedTheMan
- Location: Central US
- Main keyboard: IModel F77/IBM 3101/Omnikey 102/96Kee
- Main mouse: Logitech G430/Logitech M570/Kensington Expert
- Favorite switch: Beamsprings. Alps SKCM Blue, Capacitive Buckling S
- DT Pro Member: 0219
Ooh, very nice site link! Do you have any image files available for a logo for this? Or will I have to make us one?//gainsborough wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 08:04Huh... it's like we have the same idea for our omnikey builds, hahaha. Though, mine will be an omnikey "102" hahaha.
As far as acquiring a badge, I don't know of any repro. badges that exist. You could always custom make one and have it printed off - I know there are name-tag services that would be able to print something on a gold badge. Like this:
https://www.nametagwizard.com/design/br ... -tag-1-x-3
- //gainsborough
- ALPSの日常
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: some kind of alps keyboard
- Favorite switch: clk: SKCM blue, lin: SKCL cream, tac: SKCM cream
- DT Pro Member: 0188
Yeah you'll have to make one. I actually have a gold badge for mine already =P I'd be interested in what you create, though!! I tried tracing one in adobe illustrator, but couldn't get a good pic of a badge on the internet. I'll take a close-up for you so you have a better start.
BTW I just realized the link I sent you has a 1"x3" dimension, so we'll have to find something else as that will be too big.
BTW I just realized the link I sent you has a 1"x3" dimension, so we'll have to find something else as that will be too big.
- //gainsborough
- ALPSの日常
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: some kind of alps keyboard
- Favorite switch: clk: SKCM blue, lin: SKCL cream, tac: SKCM cream
- DT Pro Member: 0188
- ZedTheMan
- Location: Central US
- Main keyboard: IModel F77/IBM 3101/Omnikey 102/96Kee
- Main mouse: Logitech G430/Logitech M570/Kensington Expert
- Favorite switch: Beamsprings. Alps SKCM Blue, Capacitive Buckling S
- DT Pro Member: 0219
This will provide an excellent starting point, thank you!//gainsborough wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 08:34
edit: tried to isolate just the text using not-so-advanced techniques...maybe it can provide a starting point for you!
- snacksthecat
- ✶✶✶✶
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: SSK
- Main mouse: BenQ ZOWIE EC1-A
- DT Pro Member: 0205
- Contact:
I'm no graphic artist but I know a job for SVG when I see one. Here's my attempt at a starting point. I took a photo and autotraced it in Inkscape.ZedTheMan wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 15:27This will provide an excellent starting point, thank you!//gainsborough wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 08:34
edit: tried to isolate just the text using not-so-advanced techniques...maybe it can provide a starting point for you!
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Ou1ww ... tfsMM7Cmiu
- //gainsborough
- ALPSの日常
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: some kind of alps keyboard
- Favorite switch: clk: SKCM blue, lin: SKCL cream, tac: SKCM cream
- DT Pro Member: 0188
that looks phenomenal! Nicely done!
- ZedTheMan
- Location: Central US
- Main keyboard: IModel F77/IBM 3101/Omnikey 102/96Kee
- Main mouse: Logitech G430/Logitech M570/Kensington Expert
- Favorite switch: Beamsprings. Alps SKCM Blue, Capacitive Buckling S
- DT Pro Member: 0219
snacksthecat wrote: ↑13 Mar 2019, 01:31I'm no graphic artist but I know a job for SVG when I see one. Here's my attempt at a starting point. I took a photo and autotraced it in Inkscape.ZedTheMan wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 15:27This will provide an excellent starting point, thank you!//gainsborough wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 08:34
edit: tried to isolate just the text using not-so-advanced techniques...maybe it can provide a starting point for you!
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Ou1ww ... tfsMM7Cmiu
Damn snacks, you did a great job as always! Should only take a couple of tweaks to be perfect.
-
- Main keyboard: Monarch
- Main mouse: mionix
- DT Pro Member: 0245
I was bored so here we go, please see attached
The gaps where I marked with color pens are spaced evenly if they are of the same colors. I took some liberty and decided that the slash should be evenly spaced as well.
The corners are sharped and I'm not sure if they should be rounded or not, cant really tell from gains' picture and I sold my northgate.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/596dmev9p91ub ... O.dwg?dl=0
The gaps where I marked with color pens are spaced evenly if they are of the same colors. I took some liberty and decided that the slash should be evenly spaced as well.
The corners are sharped and I'm not sure if they should be rounded or not, cant really tell from gains' picture and I sold my northgate.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/596dmev9p91ub ... O.dwg?dl=0
- //gainsborough
- ALPSの日常
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: some kind of alps keyboard
- Favorite switch: clk: SKCM blue, lin: SKCL cream, tac: SKCM cream
- DT Pro Member: 0188
- ZedTheMan
- Location: Central US
- Main keyboard: IModel F77/IBM 3101/Omnikey 102/96Kee
- Main mouse: Logitech G430/Logitech M570/Kensington Expert
- Favorite switch: Beamsprings. Alps SKCM Blue, Capacitive Buckling S
- DT Pro Member: 0219
//gainsborough wrote: ↑22 Mar 2019, 22:38I did a thing.
At some point when I get some free time, I'll make a post about my omnikey collection. For now, you guys get to enjoy these absolute potato pics
Nice job Gains!
My own Omnikey project has been put to the side until I can figure out what's wrong with it, firmware wise. Considering wiring the matrix to a teensy, actually.
- Hypersphere
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: Silenced & Lubed HHKB (Black)
- Main mouse: Logitech G403
- Favorite switch: Topre 45/55g Silenced; Various Alps; IBM Model F
- DT Pro Member: 0038
@//gainsborough: Nice pics. Please follow up with explanations of what you did to the board. I'm also looking forward to your forthcoming post about your Omni collection. As you probably know from my posts, I am quite fond of Northgates, especially the US ANSI Omnikey 101.
- snacksthecat
- ✶✶✶✶
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: SSK
- Main mouse: BenQ ZOWIE EC1-A
- DT Pro Member: 0205
- Contact:
He installed some sort of trap door to hide buttons, among which appear to be:Hypersphere wrote: ↑22 Mar 2019, 22:55@//gainsborough: Nice pics. Please follow up with explanations of what you did to the board. I'm also looking forward to your forthcoming post about your Omni collection. As you probably know from my posts, I am quite fond of Northgates, especially the US ANSI Omnikey 101.
- release the hounds
- trap door
- ejector seat
- dispense jelly beans
- //gainsborough
- ALPSの日常
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: some kind of alps keyboard
- Favorite switch: clk: SKCM blue, lin: SKCL cream, tac: SKCM cream
- DT Pro Member: 0188
Thanks, Zed! This particular project was on the sidelines for a bit as well, so I definitely can relate. It'll come together eventually!
Great minds...Hypersphere wrote: ↑22 Mar 2019, 22:55@//gainsborough: Nice pics. Please follow up with explanations of what you did to the board. I'm also looking forward to your forthcoming post about your Omni collection. As you probably know from my posts, I am quite fond of Northgates, especially the US ANSI Omnikey 101.
So basically this board is the joining of a DC 2214 and an omnikey 101 (and the badge from a beat up 102). The 2214 provided the blue alps and the ANSI doubleshot caps (save for the caps lock, which is the original omni101 caps lock) and the omni101 provided everything else. I painted the plate a gold color to match the badge as well. It sounds REALLY nice - like, second maybe only to the DC 3014 (which you may have noticed I stopped pestering you about, hehehe. Thanks again, Mike!). AE doubleshots and blue alps are the perfect match in my opinion.
lol! Muffin button as well.snacksthecat wrote: ↑22 Mar 2019, 22:59He installed some sort of trap door to hide buttons, among which appear to be:
- release the hounds
- trap door
- ejector seat
- dispense jelly beans
- adamcobabe
- Location: London
- Main keyboard: Norbatouch
- Main mouse: Razer
- Favorite switch: Beamspring
- DT Pro Member: -
Interesting, what is the spacebar from?
- //gainsborough
- ALPSの日常
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: some kind of alps keyboard
- Favorite switch: clk: SKCM blue, lin: SKCL cream, tac: SKCM cream
- DT Pro Member: 0188
Ahh yeah, that one, like caps lock, is part of the original cap set. Omnikeys use the double plunger stab as opposed to other vintage boards that just have one.
Also, as a side note, I had to cut the logo so that it would fit on the trap door of the 101. I was disappointed to learn it’s not a metal badge, it’s some kind of sticker =(
- Hypersphere
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: Silenced & Lubed HHKB (Black)
- Main mouse: Logitech G403
- Favorite switch: Topre 45/55g Silenced; Various Alps; IBM Model F
- DT Pro Member: 0038
@//gainsborough: Thanks for the additional details. That Northgate spacebar is noticeably whiter than the other caps. I would probably have been inclined to keep all of the original keycaps on the board. Other than the color, how do the DC 2214 caps differ from the NG caps, and how do the DC 2214 caps differ from other DC caps?
I recently put a set of dye-sub PBT caps from an IBM P70 luggable computer keyboard on a NG 101. These IBM caps are extremely thin, but they suit the SKCM white (pine) Alps switches quite well (actually, these are orange-white hybrid switches). Because I generally don't like the gray mods found on many vintage Alps boards, I often replace them with blank black caps from Matias. The Matias 7u spacebars don't have plunger stabilizers, but they work just fine with just the wire stabilizer -- and there is no rattle.
I recently put a set of dye-sub PBT caps from an IBM P70 luggable computer keyboard on a NG 101. These IBM caps are extremely thin, but they suit the SKCM white (pine) Alps switches quite well (actually, these are orange-white hybrid switches). Because I generally don't like the gray mods found on many vintage Alps boards, I often replace them with blank black caps from Matias. The Matias 7u spacebars don't have plunger stabilizers, but they work just fine with just the wire stabilizer -- and there is no rattle.
- Wazrach
- Location: Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
- Main mouse: Razer Viper 8KHz/ Viper Mini
- Favorite switch: Buckling springs
- DT Pro Member: -
Hi Hyper! I have a great condition ZKB-2 with Green Alps on the way, although it will be a while yet. I am thinking of maybe doing a click mod like you did to your Yellow Alps one. I have some quite deep-sounding pine White Alps in a Chicony that I could use.Hypersphere wrote: ↑23 Mar 2019, 16:30@//gainsborough: Thanks for the additional details. That Northgate spacebar is noticeably whiter than the other caps. I would probably have been inclined to keep all of the original keycaps on the board. Other than the color, how do the DC 2214 caps differ from the NG caps, and how do the DC 2214 caps differ from other DC caps?
I recently put a set of dye-sub PBT caps from an IBM P70 luggable computer keyboard on a NG 101. These IBM caps are extremely thin, but they suit the SKCM white (pine) Alps switches quite well (actually, these are orange-white hybrid switches). Because I generally don't like the gray mods found on many vintage Alps boards, I often replace them with blank black caps from Matias. The Matias 7u spacebars don't have plunger stabilizers, but they work just fine with just the wire stabilizer -- and there is no rattle.
I think I got a really good deal (£48.41 + international shipping). The seller said he cleaned the switches with an ultrasonic cleaner but could never get it to work, because he was using a Soarer-based converter. I'll just plug it into my PS/2 port.
- Hypersphere
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: Silenced & Lubed HHKB (Black)
- Main mouse: Logitech G403
- Favorite switch: Topre 45/55g Silenced; Various Alps; IBM Model F
- DT Pro Member: 0038
@Wasrach: I think that my Zenith with yellow Alps that I click-modded was a 163-73 rather than a ZKB-2. The 163-73 accepts a Soarer's converter with no problem. I think that the ZKB-2 should also work with a Soarer's, especially if it is in AT mode.
The Z-150 is the one that definitely does not work well with Soarer's converter, but it will work with an internal Hasu converter.
Keep in mind that the sound of keyboards switch is highly dependent upon the chassis in which they are installed.
Looking forward to seeing a post from you on your ZKB-2 after it arrives.
The Z-150 is the one that definitely does not work well with Soarer's converter, but it will work with an internal Hasu converter.
Keep in mind that the sound of keyboards switch is highly dependent upon the chassis in which they are installed.
Looking forward to seeing a post from you on your ZKB-2 after it arrives.
- Wazrach
- Location: Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
- Main mouse: Razer Viper 8KHz/ Viper Mini
- Favorite switch: Buckling springs
- DT Pro Member: -
I definitely will! For a board that seems to be well-known, you don't hear much about it. It looks like Blue Alps get all the hype.Hypersphere wrote: ↑23 Mar 2019, 22:10@Wasrach: I think that my Zenith with yellow Alps that I click-modded was a 163-73 rather than a ZKB-2. The 163-73 accepts a Soarer's converter with no problem. I think that the ZKB-2 should also work with a Soarer's, especially if it is in AT mode.
The Z-150 is the one that definitely does not work well with Soarer's converter, but it will work with an internal Hasu converter.
Keep in mind that the sound of keyboards switch is highly dependent upon the chassis in which they are installed.
Looking forward to seeing a post from you on your ZKB-2 after it arrives.
- Drclick
- Location: China
- Main keyboard: HHKB
- Main mouse: logi anywhere 2s
- Favorite switch: Brwon
- DT Pro Member: -
I got these two boards months ago, they are from HP R/332 Instrument Controller.
There are two varieties: undamped SKCM Creams and SKCM Blacks, like NeXT Non-ADB keyboards.
Creams have the "ALPS" logo on the top, pretty smooth and feel good to use, but Blacks feel a bit sandy.
I can't see any difference between these two with caps, so if you want to purchase one, make sure they are creams.
-
- Location: America
- Main keyboard: It varies.
- Main mouse: MX Ergo
- Favorite switch: VINTAGE SHIT
- DT Pro Member: -
Drclick wrote: ↑17 Apr 2019, 06:45
I got these two boards months ago, they are from HP R/332 Instrument Controller.
There are two varieties: undamped SKCM Creams and SKCM Blacks, like NeXT Non-ADB keyboards.
Creams have the "ALPS" logo on the top, pretty smooth and feel good to use, but Blacks feel a bit sandy.
I can't see any difference between these two with caps, so if you want to purchase one, make sure they are creams.
Holy crap. I had no idea that the HP Vectra Portable wasn't the only board with those caps. That's a great find!