deskthority

I need to sharpen my skills at deathly boredom and utter irrelevance, so here's something you won't want to know. Suggestion: don't read this topic.

I took this photograph last night, intended as an illustration of [wiki]alps.tw Type OA2[/wiki] ("Simplified Alps Type IV") contacts (left) versus [wiki]alps.tw Type T1[/wiki] contacts (right):
The contacts on the right are from a Xiang Min KSB-LE production sample switch.

However, this is a crop from one of 002's photos, of the T1 switches in his Focus FK-2001:
I just noticed that there is a subtle but distinct difference. I've studied other photos of T1 switches, such as Sandy's ELSA Communications MAK-98, the SIIG MiniTouch, and a photo obtained directly from Hua-Jie showing the the AK-CN2 (which is what the T1 appears to be) and AK-CN2 (2), which internally appears identical to the other Xiang Min switches.

No other photos show that shorter gap between the contact tips, that you see on the KSB-LE. Xiang Min KSB-LE (linear with LED, as used in Matias and Ducky keyboards for lock keys) use the older-style contacts, but if Xiang Min are using legacy parts, why is there that difference? You can see the difference between normal and LED switch contacts here:

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Xiang_Min_K ... _vs_KSB-LE

Both designs have that shorter gap. I've just confirmed that my Hua-Jie AK-CN2 (2) samples do share the same shorter-gap design as current Xiang Min switches.

I just wonder if the metal parts manufacturer had to retool in the late 90s/early 2000s, and altered the design.

If anyone has read this far — does anyone have an Alps clone keyboard from (say) 1998 to 2013 with clicky T1 switches, where you already have a switch photo (I wouldn't make anyone open a switch just for this, as they're a pain to reassemble)? Strong Man keyboards are a good candidate.

Hi,

wow, how boring indeed !

I found this picture of when I ruined one of the switches in my Siig Minitouch,
but I doubt it tells you anything you did not know already, since it doesn't show that difference you are looking for..

It was Monterey (who made the MiniTouch) who referred me to Hua-Jie originally, and Hua-Jie sent me a photo (which is on the wiki) showing their switch fully disassembled, and it's the same as the one in the MiniTouch, with one possible exception: the switch upper shell is upside down so I can't check what numbering they were using.