Datacomp DFK-777F / Futaba MA series

[seebart]

Thanks to IKSLM who sold me this interesting keyboard for a fair price. This thread here got me curious about the Futaba MA series switches and I was not disappointedto say the least:

keyboards-f2/futaba-clicky-switch-thoughts-t14941.html

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You can learn more about the Futaba MA series switch here:

wiki/Futaba_MA_series

On a side note I tried the hydrogen peroxide heat retrobright method (heating the keycaps to 40 Celsius for three hours in a pot on the stove in hydrogen peroxide diluted 50% with tap-water) and while I got phenomenal results it also killed the original 12u spacebar (warped and later snapped) and the printing on the alphas started bleeding slightly. Check out how yellowed the keycaps were originally on IKSLM's pics:

http://shrani.najdi.si/?1s/YI/XneLUXG/2 ... 201055.jpg

http://shrani.najdi.si/?2S/nW/VPBPsLQ/2 ... 201102.jpg

Notice the lube on the stabilizers:

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[Daniel Beardsmore]

Why do so many factories have mould date wheels that sit in between two years?!

Also, unless this has been modified as a prank (highly unlikely) we're now faced with an interesting question: are cyan and grey the same switch and the factory was just transitioning as this example was made, or are they different models? It's fairly common for enter to be a different model of switch, but generally the same switch is used for enter and for space under these conditions.

Considering how similar white, grey and cyan seem to be (at least, this may years on in poor condition), I have to wonder what anyone felt they were gaining (and not costing themselves in terms of logistics) by having three types in the same keyboard!

PS your YouTube videos don't load.

[Worthless_Owl]

Ahh... I have a board with Futaba MA on it, it's got the MX stem on it though. It's in a really bad condition, and it's a heckin pain in the arse to restore them, that i decided to just stop trying. They sound like nothing on their own, but putting them on a plate + case, they sound loud as hell. Buckling spring kind of loud i'd say.

Something wrong with the video? It says it's unavailable.

[seebart]

I uploaded the videos in YT's "private" mode whatever that is, if no one else can see them I'll delete and upload again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xCf8tpucvQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWgu0CmIhqI

[mike52787]

I uploaded the videos in YT's "private" mode whatever that is, if no one else can see them I'll delete and upload again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xCf8tpucvQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWgu0CmIhqI

Private means only you can see it. What you want is unlisted, which means only people with a link can view it.

[seebart]

Private means only you can see it. What you want is unlisted, which means only people with a link can view it.

Aha that's how much I use YT. I'll re-up them...it'll only take about 23984274238942374 hours...

[mike52787]

Aha that's how much I use YT. I'll re-up them...it'll only take about 23984274238942374 hours...

You dont have to reupload them, you can change their attributes from the video manager page.

[seebart]

Aha that's how much I use YT. I'll re-up them...it'll only take about 23984274238942374 hours...

You dont have to reupload them, you can change their attributes from the video manager page.

You got an interactive instruction for that...

How about this...

Why do so many factories have mould date wheels that sit in between two years?!

Also, unless this has been modified as a prank (highly unlikely) we're now faced with an interesting question: are cyan and grey the same switch and the factory was just transitioning as this example was made, or are they different models? It's fairly common for enter to be a different model of switch, but generally the same switch is used for enter and for space under these conditions.

Considering how similar white, grey and cyan seem to be (at least, this may years on in poor condition), I have to wonder what anyone felt they were gaining (and not costing themselves in terms of logistics) by having three types in the same keyboard!

I don't know I can tell you grey, cyan and white switches feel the same on mine in keyweight and otherwise.

[purdobol]

I don't know I can tell you grey, cyan and white switches feel the same on mine in keyweight and otherwise.

Really curious if 70 grams will bottom out that grey switch, or if it'll bounce back (wthout cap).
Nice board.

[seebart]

I don't know I can tell you grey, cyan and white switches feel the same on mine in keyweight and otherwise.

Really curious if 70 grams will bottom out that grey switch, or if it'll bounce back (wthout cap).
Nice board.

I doubt that grey switch is 70g, but I can do the primitive coin-weight-test if you like.

[purdobol]

Mine actuates at 70g but does not want to go all the way down, only with 5g more its bottoming out. Not a single cyan switch does that on my board, which also actuates at 70g.

[seebart]

Mine actuates at 70g but does not want to go all the way down, only with 5g more its bottoming out. Not a single cyan switch does that on my board, which also actuates at 70g.

OK. Let me get back to you on that.

[Polecat]

I don't know I can tell you grey, cyan and white switches feel the same on mine in keyweight and otherwise.

Curiousity got my goat, so I went out and checked a couple of my Futaba boards. The DFK-121 has cyan for enter and space, white everywhere else. The Leading Edge AK-1012 has gray on the spacebar, white on enter and elsewhere. I have a spring gauge here someplace, which might work to give us some force measurements of the different types. I've never tried that on keyboard switches; I used it in a past life to set the force on musical keyboard (organ) contacts.

I also checked my DFK-777 blue Alps donor in case there was any switch strangeness there (there wasn't). But I was quite surprised to see the spacebar arrangement. There's a blue Alps switch off-center, but also a cutout in the plate and pads on the PC board for an Alps switch in the center position. The spacebar itself has a Futaba inverted stem in the center (unused), and an Alps stem in the off-center position. Was this to allow for two different spacebars, with "version #2" having an Alps stem in the center? Seebart, if this is the same as yours I'd be happy to send you this spacebar to replace your warped and broken one.

[purdobol]

Took some pics of what I mean.
Warning lots of pics:

Weights

Spoiler:

65g - just sitting at the tactile bump. No click or actuation.

Spoiler:

Cyan








Grey

70g - Cyan ones actuate and fully bottom out. No bounce or "springiness". Grey one actuates but does not bottom out. And when pressed further (with a finger) does bounce back.

Spoiler:

Cyan








Grey

75 - grey switch gives up

Spoiler:

[seebart]

Was this to allow for two different spacebars, with "version #2" having an Alps stem in the center?

Seems that way and proves Datacomp obviously planned that way.

Seebart, if this is the same as yours I'd be happy to send you this spacebar to replace your warped and broken one.

Yes, the inverted Futaba mount in the center is what I need I will gladly take you up on your generous offer!

Took some pics of what I mean.

Those are higly professional weights! I'll have to tape up coins or something similair.

[OldIsNew]

I like that board! I've been curious about those switches too - sounds like they're nice. Will have to keep an eye out for a MA board at some point.

[badziew]

Chicony KB-5192 does not use the grey switch for the spacebar. Maybe they grey switches did not appear in MX mount version?

[seebart]

Chicony KB-5192 does not use the grey switch for the spacebar. Maybe they grey switches did not appear in MX mount version?

[purdobol]

Chicony KB-5192 does not use the grey switch for the spacebar. Maybe they grey switches did not appear in MX mount version?

Possibly, that should be simple to preclude though.

Guys, take closer look at photos Polecat posted.

[seebart]

Chicony KB-5192 does not use the grey switch for the spacebar. Maybe they grey switches did not appear in MX mount version?

Possibly, that should be simple to preclude though.

Guys, take closer look at photos Polecat posted.

Wow, dynamic blindness on my part...

[purdobol]

Wow, dynamic blindness for me...

Confused Futaba with Smk 2gen today so can join the blind club

[seebart]

Wow, dynamic blindness for me...

Confused Futaba with Smk 2gen today so can join the blind club

OK but this is worse because it's right there...