Re: Great/Interesting Finds
Posted: 13 May 2019, 04:32
That is insane. It's gonna sell for about $4 a switch, right? 

I, uh, won't object this time. That may be just a tad too big for the keyboard wall
I was gonna throw a bid at it, hahah. I'll pass if whoever wins it promises to make a thread about it and document it!
I jumped on it.swampangel wrote: 09 May 2019, 14:57Oh I didn't see that there was a switch photo originally, I figured it was a gamble.Keybug wrote: 09 May 2019, 09:35Supposedly NIB and has blues Montereys / SMK clickies. Nice for you North Americans...
Even to Canada, shipping + duty is $45USD![]()
Thank you for this. Got the keyboard yesterday, and I love it. Everything works, it just needs relatively light amount of cleaning.cli wrote: 09 May 2019, 12:26 https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-Vtech- ... 3752719421
Laser III Keyboard
Not new, but also a SMK 2nd generation, but this one with Cherry keycap mount.
Thank you, I couldn't resist. That's my favorite layout, and I want to compare it to my blue Alps version.cli wrote: 17 May 2019, 08:33 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Laser- ... 3054386159
Nice 1'st gen ALPS White switches and double shot keycaps. Work with most cheapass PS/2 USB adapters, build qualtity not as good as a Omnikey, but better then later Monterey or Dell AT101 keyboard.
Obviously not "one of these" Reuter boards if you expect Cherry MX switches and Cherry keycaps.Cid Fabel wrote: 17 May 2019, 23:15 https://www.ebay.de/itm/REUTERS-DK-3000 ... 0010.m2109
One of these Reuters Boards. If I could get it working and shipping to Germany wasn't twice what the board costs..![]()
Glad to hear you got a good copy. I like these switches a lot, they are smooth and have a very nice pleasant click.CountNoctua wrote: 17 May 2019, 23:44Thank you for this. Got the keyboard yesterday, and I love it. Everything works, it just needs relatively light amount of cleaning.cli wrote: 09 May 2019, 12:26 https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-Vtech- ... 3752719421
Laser III Keyboard
Not new, but also a SMK 2nd generation, but this one with Cherry keycap mount.
The switches are amazing. I hate to use the term "endgame" since I'll always keep around other keyboards with other switches to use for various purposes, but this is Goldilocks for me as far as weighting (light enough to not be fatiguing but still good tactility), feel, and sound. Keyboard is in good enough condition (even though not NOS) for a ~30 year old keyboard that I may just clean or replace the caps - MX keycaps! - but the body is just okay in terms of construction: it's a little creaky or flimsy if I flex or press on it, but in normal typing it's fine.
I wonder if the flex is a blessing in disguise. I did a 60% handwire with some MX-mount SMKs from taobao and bottoming out on the steel plate was pretty rough until I added some rubber washers for cushioning.xicanoink wrote: 17 May 2019, 16:45 Will say the case is very plasticky and creaky. A lot of flex. Not a very solid base for such cool switches.
Still, glad I now own it!
Polecat wrote: 18 May 2019, 03:22Thank you, I couldn't resist. That's my favorite layout, and I want to compare it to my blue Alps version.cli wrote: 17 May 2019, 08:33 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Laser- ... 3054386159
Nice 1'st gen ALPS White switches and double shot keycaps. Work with most cheapass PS/2 USB adapters, build qualtity not as good as a Omnikey, but better then later Monterey or Dell AT101 keyboard.
Good info, thanks. I've been playing with Alps keyboards for almost thirty years, but I've been lucky enough to have found pristine ones (I had my pick of literally thousands), so I've never tried lubing them. We'll see how this Laser turns out soon enough!cli wrote: 19 May 2019, 11:48
Yes, I also like the Monterey layout. I assign the blank key to the Windows key with the WIndows app SharpKeys.
You can lube the sliders with PTFE dry lube, just for curiosity I did it with few switches. There was a slight improvement, little bit smoother.
Alps Blue switches are different story, I lubed one slider but it made the switch worse. It didn't feel as smooth as switches with original lubing. Now ordering some PTFE powder to see if it's any better.
It should pop up automatically when you get on to eBay. It may be USA only.
Did you know if the Blue Alps switches already have their original lube applied that the new application of this lubricant today may effect both of them?cli wrote: 19 May 2019, 11:48 Alps Blue switches are different story, I lubed one slider but it made the switch worse. It didn't feel as smooth as switches with original lubing. Now ordering some PTFE powder to see if it's any better.
Elrick wrote: 21 May 2019, 05:19Did you know if the Blue Alps switches already have their original lube applied that the new application of this lubricant today may effect both of them?cli wrote: 19 May 2019, 11:48 Alps Blue switches are different story, I lubed one slider but it made the switch worse. It didn't feel as smooth as switches with original lubing. Now ordering some PTFE powder to see if it's any better.
There are some lubricant's that conflict with one another at my workshop and they MUST never be mixed together. If they do the operation of equipment and/or device becomes volatile and unreliable.
Almost like both lubricant's start attacking one another, each one stripping back the slickness of the other. Hence why we get booklet's denoting clear violation of their usage policy if both lubricant's are used TOGETHER.
It's one or the other but never both. You would need to permanently strip away the original lube from all your switches and sliders before applying any new product today.
Not easy when that old lube penetrates everywhere, inside your keyboard. Like trying to remove KY from an orifice after it's been inserted, too late.
Nice find, in new condition, 1'st gen Pine White Alps..ZedTheMan wrote: 21 May 2019, 07:33 A Black Chassis and awesome color of caps Alps board?
Sign me up!
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3818861451