Alps switch slider compatibility

[sean4star]

Does anyone know if the sliders out of the WHITE Alps switches are interchangable with the BLACK sliders? They look the same but it's hard to know for sure without actually trying it.

I'm working on a keyboard using old fashioned typewriter keys (chrome and glass) with clicky switches. This would leave much of the switch (including the slider) visible, since the chrome and glass keys have absolutely no skirt. So it would be nice if the slider matched the black of the switch body...

I also need to find cheap black alps keycaps...if they exist...

[wheybags]

Cheap source of black alps would be a dell at101/2
EDIT: may have some success doing this: http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/dyei ... t2059.html

[sean4star]

Thanks for the link! Great info there.

I considered buying a dell at101w to start with, but I specifically wanted clicky switches. So I went with a Mactouch SIIG, which has complicated (I think) white clicky Alps. But now I'm realizing the problem with the color.

Maybe I can dye both the keycap stems and the sliders?! I'm not sure what kind of plastic they are, but it's worth a shot.

[Muirium]

I'm working on a keyboard using old fashioned typewriter keys (chrome and glass) with clicky switches.

Nice project. Extra points if they're circular.

[sean4star]

That they are... The keys essentially look like THIS. Normally, I never would have had the heart to cut keys off of a living piece of history like this, but someone else had already done the deed. I guess it's a little like buying ivory, except no animals were harmed.

It's a REALLY long day at the office, but when I get home I'll take a pic of my prototype. It's been really interesting figureing out how to attach the metal ring to a plastic stem...

[Kurk]

.....<snip>..... Maybe I can dye both the keycap stems and the sliders?! I'm not sure what kind of plastic they are, but it's worth a shot.

AFAIK, the sliders are from ABS, and dyeing does not work well with ABS plastic.

[scottc]

Does anyone know if the sliders out of the WHITE Alps switches are interchangable with the BLACK sliders? They look the same but it's hard to know for sure without actually trying it.
<snip>
I also need to find cheap black alps keycaps...if they exist...

I'm probably going to be modding my Dell AT102W with black ALPS to be TKL at some point over the next month or so. If I get around to it, I could send you some of the black ALPS from the numpad for testing. Not like I'm going to be using a dismembered numpad, anyway!

[Findecanor]

I may have a bag of black sliders laying around but not enough for a full-size keyboard. How many do you need?

[sean4star]

In total I need 40 sliders. If anyone wants to send me some spares for me to experiment with it would be great! My other option is buying an at101 and dismembering it and hoping it works.