deskthority

Since I don't have a single post here yet and DT seems to be a bit more focused on older keyboards I thought I would ask here.
I'm interested in "restoring" an old mechanical keypad, what I had in mind was disassembling, cleaning, maybe using retrobright or something similar to remove the yellowing, and if needed using a Teensy as a controller with direct wiring.

I'm not sure what would be a nice keypad that I could use for this, there is the Apple M0120 which looks neat, but they always are way too expensive (there's 2 on ebay right now for 70€+), especially with shipping from the US. Can you suggest some other options? Thanks in advance!

Good question. Full size keyboards were so dominant in the past that I'd expect discrete keypads were a rarity. But! If there's one thing I'm learning with keyboard history it's to always expect a surprise. There's probably some nice ones I'm completely unaware of.

Well some computers like the C64 came without a numpad, so there's maybe some seperate ones for it or similar computers. I found the Atari CX-85 for example, but I don't know if it's mechanical.

G80-3700

I've already thought about the 3700, but I kind of want to make this a DIY project, to get some soldering practice
Just out of interest, for how much do the 3700s go these days?

BlueBär wrote:Since I don't have a single post here yet and

DT seems to be a bit more focused on older keyboards

I thought I would ask here.
I'm interested in "restoring" an old mechanical keypad, what I had in mind was disassembling, cleaning, maybe using retrobright or something similar to remove the yellowing, and if needed using a Teensy as a controller with direct wiring.

I'm not sure what would be a nice keypad that I could use for this, there is the Apple M0120 which looks neat, but they always are way too expensive (there's 2 on ebay right now for 70€+), especially with shipping from the US. Can you suggest some other options? Thanks in advance!

one of my favorite things about DT

ditto on the g80-3700

here's one- http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHERRY-G80-3700 ... 4d0760fd2e

you could always try a g84-4700 with a ml switch as well

http://deskthority.net/wiki/File:Cherry ... itches.jpg

terrpn wrote: here's one- http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHERRY-G80-3700 ... 4d0760fd2e

I probably would have bought that already if shipping to Germany wasn't $50.90 .

BlueBär wrote:I've already thought about the 3700, but I kind of want to make this a DIY project, to get some soldering practice
Just out of interest, for how much do the 3700s go these days?

havent seen one quite a long time. but last time i saw them...they went between 10-25 EUR.

I got a m0120 somewhere... It's already in germany and in good condition. send me a pm if you have interest in it.

Halvar wrote: I probably would have bought that already if shipping to Germany wasn't $50.90 .

Word. I don't see how shipping could be that expensive for such a small thing?

BimboBB wrote:havent seen one quite a long time. but last time i saw them...they went between 10-25 EUR.

There have been some on GH, but no public offers. That's quite a nice price!

snoopy wrote:I got a m0120 somewhere... It's already in germany and in good condition. send me a pm if you have interest in it.

PM sent.

BimboBB wrote:G80-3700

I think that Mr Interface also had a few spares a while ago...

derp

davkol wrote:I'm actually thinking about the same thing. I fact, I've almost decided to get a Genovation keypad, but... It' $100+.

There seem to be some good prices on ebay though?

derp

Oh ok, I jut searched for Genovation and there were some for like 15€, but not that Model.

There are a few g80-3700s floating about ebay..awesome keypads
i have one myself and love it

I don't know if you want to count it or not, but the IBM 4704-100 keyboard was essentially a tenkey pad. I have found a part number and description for what appears to be a proper model F tenkey, but no-one has stock (its understandably quite rare). The keypad in question was most likely meant to be used alongside a 1387033 "space unsaver) for the small 3290 plasma terminal. Other "space unsaver" model F's were for IBM graphics/CAD workstations (notably the 5083/5085 that I have most of) and didn't need a tenkey due to the presence of the LPFK.

On that note, does the LPFK count? it's got enough backlit keys, and it's fully programmable. It's from the early 1980's, so I don't know if it counts as "vintage"

Other than that, there existed an adb keypad addon for the macintosh, it has decent linear vintage futaba switches and optionally came with a serial trackball. I have the model with both together in the same case. The manufacturer, assimilation technologies, appears to have disappeared and kensington later made a very similar trackball, but I don't think the keypad was still made at that point.

That said, your best bet might be to get the apple version, as bar-mount alps are quite nice, and they can be found (sometimed under a different part number or name) for quite cheap on ebay sometimes. The last I checked, there was one for roughly $20 or so.

I'm sorrry but all those names don't say anything to me, and a quick google didn't really help. Can you provide pictures or links?

I wish I could find a M0120 for that price...