'Mechanical' Electronic Typewriters/ Word Processors

Aran.E99

30 Apr 2019, 15:42

Hi everyone, while searching for vintage keyboards on various sites, I realized that there are a vast amount of VERY cheap electronic typewriters and word processors for sale. I did some digging and learnt that there isn't much information about the various models that have been discovered with Alps/Cherry switches etc and think it would be appropriate to compile some form of reference list. I have no idea if said list already exists apart from a few threads which show a single model. If you know a model which contains switches/compatible caps, feel free add it here.

Thanks!

ball00n

30 Apr 2019, 16:31

Hello! There is a post about typewriters on gh
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=90232.0

Pretty sure the list is incomplete but it covers most of the common models.

Aran.E99

30 Apr 2019, 16:37

Well that saves a lot of time, thanks for the link!

the_ambyguous

03 May 2019, 11:10

https://wiki.geekhack.org/index.php?title=Typewriters
wiki/Triumph-Adler

Feel free to update either with any new findings. Theres a lot of information out there on both deskthority, geekhack, and reddit. Compiling it all can be exhausting. This is just the tip of the iceberg. there are TONS of typewriters, luggables, word processors, and even laptops that you can take keycaps and switches from. I wouldn't say the information is super guarded, but its not easily available in one place either. You really have to look. But its out there

Aran.E99

03 May 2019, 13:19

Yeah that's what I gathered. As much as I'd like to compile some of the information, it would be very time consuming. I think the best bet would be to keep expanding the "keycaps from typewriters" thread over at GH as that currently appears to contain the most models in one place. Thanks!

SpacemanToby

03 May 2019, 13:47

I got into the mechanical switch world by finding cheap electric typewriters and converting them. You can find some good stuff, but they mostly used heavy linears. There's a sharp typewriter that pops up every once in a while that has alps skcl greens on it. Mitsumi is the most common I've found. I have like 1000 of those switches if anyone wants some.

Aran.E99

03 May 2019, 14:29

I've checked a few Sharps, especially ones that look like they have SKCL Compacts but most of them use NMB dome with slider which is a shame.

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abrahamstechnology

03 May 2019, 19:38

SpacemanToby wrote:
03 May 2019, 13:47
I have like 1000 of those switches if anyone wants some.
What switches exactly?

SpacemanToby

05 May 2019, 15:27

abrahamstechnology wrote:
03 May 2019, 19:38
SpacemanToby wrote:
03 May 2019, 13:47
I have like 1000 of those switches if anyone wants some.
What switches exactly?
Mitsumi standard mechanical switches.

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abrahamstechnology

05 May 2019, 22:33

SpacemanToby wrote:
05 May 2019, 15:27
abrahamstechnology wrote:
03 May 2019, 19:38
SpacemanToby wrote:
03 May 2019, 13:47
I have like 1000 of those switches if anyone wants some.
What switches exactly?
Mitsumi standard mechanical switches.
Are they Alps mount?

User avatar
PlacaFromHell

05 May 2019, 22:40

SpacemanToby wrote:
05 May 2019, 15:27
abrahamstechnology wrote:
03 May 2019, 19:38
SpacemanToby wrote:
03 May 2019, 13:47
I have like 1000 of those switches if anyone wants some.
What switches exactly?
Mitsumi standard mechanical switches.
Can you give me some examples of what models? I love Mitsumi switches.

SpacemanToby

06 May 2019, 14:51

PlacaFromHell wrote:
05 May 2019, 22:40
SpacemanToby wrote:
05 May 2019, 15:27
abrahamstechnology wrote:
03 May 2019, 19:38


What switches exactly?
Mitsumi standard mechanical switches.
Can you give me some examples of what models? I love Mitsumi switches.
They're all Type 1, although I have a few different housing colors.
wiki/File:Mitsumi_std_1_momentary_--_top.jpg

I have a few of the double action variant as well since most typewriters that use these have a few double action keys.

User avatar
PlacaFromHell

06 May 2019, 20:38

SpacemanToby wrote:
06 May 2019, 14:51
PlacaFromHell wrote:
05 May 2019, 22:40
SpacemanToby wrote:
05 May 2019, 15:27


Mitsumi standard mechanical switches.
Can you give me some examples of what models? I love Mitsumi switches.
They're all Type 1, although I have a few different housing colors.
wiki/File:Mitsumi_std_1_momentary_--_top.jpg

I have a few of the double action variant as well since most typewriters that use these have a few double action keys.
Okay, but what typewriters? They are lovely. Thanks for answering

SpacemanToby

06 May 2019, 23:05

Oh sorry, I thought you meant which model of switch. I got all my mitsumi switches from old swintec typewriters. I can see if I still have the actual model numbers somewhere.

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