Thickest Doubleshots ever?

snuci · 02 Jun 2017, 23:44

I recently acquired a numeric keypad just to see what it was made of because it looked old. Well, I just removed the key caps and I think I've found the thickest doubleshots ever. They are definitely double shots because I can see the black plastic inside. Thought you guys might like to see them.

: Alco doubleshots.JPG (292.34 KiB) Viewed 6992 times

rsbseb · 02 Jun 2017, 23:47

Now those are some chunky key caps. Any pictures of the switches?

snuci · 03 Jun 2017, 00:37

Below are pictures of the Alco Keyboard Switch model SB-034. Other than the super thick doubleshots, there are two things to note. First, the mechanics only allow you to press one key at a time so if you press one key, all other keys are mechanically "stuck". The second item to note is the "10" "11" and "12" keys are not doubleshots but engraved. My assumption is that 0-9 keys were easy to get but 10 - 12 are custom because double digit keys are usually not found on key pads.

I don't know the age or the use for this but they are still electronic key switches. This is definitely industrial in nature.

: Alco Num Pad - profile; Alco Num Pad - profile.JPG (177.59 KiB) Viewed 6946 times

: Alco Num Pad - top; Alco Num Pad - top.JPG (177.97 KiB) Viewed 6946 times

: Alco Num Pad - keys close up; Alco Num Pad - keys close up.JPG (195.3 KiB) Viewed 6946 times

: Alco Num Pad - bottom; Alco Num Pad - bottom.JPG (214.48 KiB) Viewed 6946 times

: Alco Num Pad - key caps removed; Alco Num Pad - key caps removed.JPG (182.13 KiB) Viewed 6946 times

: Alco Num Pad - bottom removed; Alco Num Pad - bottom removed.JPG (224.7 KiB) Viewed 6946 times

: Alco Num Pad - mechanism top side1; Alco Num Pad - mechanism top side1.JPG (207.45 KiB) Viewed 6946 times

: Alco Num Pad - mechanism top side 2; Alco Num Pad - mechanism top side 2.JPG (228.65 KiB) Viewed 6946 times

: Alco Num Pad - mechanism side; Alco Num Pad - mechanism side.JPG (224.81 KiB) Viewed 6946 times

: Alco Num Pad - mechanism bottom; Alco Num Pad - mechanism bottom.JPG (249.87 KiB) Viewed 6946 times

: Alco Num Pad - key caps; Alco Num Pad - key caps.JPG (174.23 KiB) Viewed 6946 times

TuxKey · 03 Jun 2017, 01:05

chery compatible hahahaha...first thing i thought was "how would they feel on a regular keyboard typing. and how would they sound ahhaha....build to last in a big way and then sum ..cool thx for sharing.

Daniel Beardsmore · 03 Jun 2017, 01:30

Wow, they may as well have just made it completely solid.

The Mitsumi switch used for shift lock in the Commodore 64 also has a projected PCB for hand wiring, and someone's got an Alps calculator (?) with all projected PCB switches that I guess was also hand wired (I don't know where the page is now).

Curiously, the 8032-SX used a Futaba switch for shift lock, suggesting that even the hand-wired switches were not introduced until 1982, when the C64 introduced them. The PCB-soldered switches came afterwards, by the time of the Mitsumi-made M0110A and whatever Apple II machines used it (IIe Enhanced is the only one listed on the wiki, from 1985).

It's a pity there's no year on that Alco, as that's insanely overcomplicated for a keypad!

Findecanor · 03 Jun 2017, 01:42

Hehe.. Mechanical anti-ghosting...

MrDuul · 03 Jun 2017, 02:06

What switch is this?

rsbseb · 03 Jun 2017, 02:17

Now that you have it apart I recognize the switch cluster I saw one without caps or a case in a rubbish pile at a thrift store a couple of years ago. It was really grungy and I almost bought it thinking it was part of an old radio of some sort. Now I wish I had picked it.

codemonkeymike · 03 Jun 2017, 04:06

Wow, she thick. But are they engraved? gross

Techno Trousers · 03 Jun 2017, 04:15

Thicc!

seebart · 03 Jun 2017, 07:02

This has got to be the most solid numeric keypad I have ever seen, complete metal construction not to mention those keycaps. Impressive.

Wodan · 03 Jun 2017, 07:36

I bet they had to replace this numpad with a new version. It's the entry code input field for the white house bunker and the new president demanded a version that can be used with small hands.

Chyros · 03 Jun 2017, 08:21

Wow, just... wow. I'm guessing that this breaks Fujitsu's 3 mm record? XD

snuci · 03 Jun 2017, 13:32

Chyros wrote: Wow, just... wow. I'm guessing that this breaks Fujitsu's 3 mm record? XD

I believe so...

: Alco Num Pad - key cap measurement; Alco Num Pad - key cap measurement.JPG (411.33 KiB) Viewed 6770 times

Phenix · 03 Jun 2017, 14:25

looks awesome.. but the real question is: can it be converted??

MrDuul · 03 Jun 2017, 16:48

What switch mechanism on that pad?

Chyros · 03 Jun 2017, 17:15

snuci wrote:
Chyros wrote: Wow, just... wow. I'm guessing that this breaks Fujitsu's 3 mm record? XD
I believe so...

Alco Num Pad - key cap measurement.JPG

Ding ding ding ding ding, we have a new record!

seebart · 03 Jun 2017, 17:24

Chyros wrote:
snuci wrote:
Chyros wrote: Wow, just... wow. I'm guessing that this breaks Fujitsu's 3 mm record? XD
I believe so...

The attachment Alco Num Pad - key cap measurement.JPG is no longer available
Ding ding ding ding ding, we have a new record!

Absolutely, even the thicker M0110 keycaps are "thin" comapred to this.

Spoiler:

mr_a500 · 11 Jun 2017, 12:24

I'm not satisfied. I'd still like thicker keycaps.

It's a pity they're yellowed beige. (probably my least favourite colour)

Hak Foo · 11 Jun 2017, 17:36

Daniel Beardsmore wrote: Curiously, the 8032-SX used a Futaba switch for shift lock, suggesting that even the hand-wired switches were not introduced until 1982, when the C64 introduced them. The PCB-soldered switches came afterwards, by the time of the Mitsumi-made M0110A and whatever Apple II machines used it (IIe Enhanced is the only one listed on the wiki, from 1985).

The VIC 20 (a year earlier) used the same keyboiard assembly as the 64, to my knowledge.