deskthority

Complicated/simplified Alps switches (SKCM/SKCL and SKBL/SKBM respectively) are quite modular, and have been cloned extensively, hence the question: can clones and OG switches be combined? It's been done with Matias switches. But what about other clones?

I've recently tried with Tai-Hao APC semi-mechanical switches. Those keyboards are terrible and basically useful only as a source of cheap doubleshot keycaps, but I hate to throw stuff away, thus I've kept switch internals (springs, sliders and leaves) and sent only cases for recycling. It turns out that the tactile leaf (at least from Type I) fits inside Alps SKCM Black (from Dell AT101W). The new combination works surprisingly well. While newer, unmodded SKCM Black have poor reputation, in part due to weak, scratchy tactility (somewhat reminiscent of Cherry MX Brown), they're slightly stiffer but much more tactile after the leaf swap. (Also more tactile than SKCM Salmon.) I dare say it's like going from MX Brown to "ergo clears".

It's worth trying, if you have the parts (both AT101Ws and Tai-Hao APC Clicker boards are very cheap) IMHO. I have a bag for switch parts from two or three keyboards…

You're not the first to contemplate this. [wiki]Simplified Alps Type III[/wiki]¹ is precisely that: it's alps.tw Type OA2 internals inside genuine Alps shells. The shells lack the branding or batch numbering. This seemed an unsolvable mystery, but this changed when I asked SPARC to use his Datadesk Switchboard photos on the wiki. He took all new photos in much higher resolution, including one of the switch, and that turned out to have the exact same shell. We still don't know if someone stole the shells or whether they were discarded as rejects. The mould cavity numbers are still present, but the encircled numbers are not, and those I think are shift or lot numbers set using drop-in rods. I'm not sure what filled in the gaps though.

The parts aren't a match: the clones have grooves in the shell to support the contacts, and these are missing from real Alps as the contacts are in a modular unit (the switchplate). Simplified Alps Type III has a plastic frame that fills the gap between the contracts, such that the total space requirement equals the switchplate recess.

Whether the bottom has "Alps" written on it, I don't know — it should do, but I've never seen the bottom of one!

Type OA1 is regular OA2 custom moulded to have Alps-like shift/lot numbering, but it's still got four small tabs I think — not sure on that one. The upper shell does have the grooves to retain the contacts.

The parts from different clone types are not all interchangeable as the contacts are different sizes and shapes, as are the click leaves. However, I did demonstrate that (I think) APC and Alps sliders are compatible.

¹ This is the last vestige of the Simplified Alps Type X naming scheme and it needs a new name.