Just another Alps64 - Cream Damped Alps

[XMIT]

Nothing too special here, just an Alps64 with some key caps and switches from an AEK II donor. It is my quietest small keyboard. Also it is one of my few usable Mac layout keyboards! (ADB boards don't differentiate left and right side modifiers, and, latching Caps Lock keys drive me nuts since I can't remap them to Control.)

I sonicated the key switches but did not lubricate them. I found that, after cleaning, they were smooth enough. I cut down the plate from an AEK II using a band saw. I didn't do the prettiest job. The case was a random GH60 case from China.

On the front of the case is an original Apple logo from the AEK II donor. For now it is held in place with double sided tape. If I like it I will tack it in place with super glue.

The front legends on the key caps are clear Brother P-Touch printed labels.

Enjoy!

Front quarter view.

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Front view.

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Side view.

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Left corner view.

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Right corner view.

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Switch detail.

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[hypkx]

A really nice keyboard, I have also two pcbs here, but your choice of switches aren't something for me. You could btw modify the pcb with a led stripe for a sweet underglow, would be cool with acrylic case (there isn't any software for the Alps64, but if you solder ther stripe directly on vcc and gnd at the controller it will work).

[XMIT]

Cream and white damped Alps are under appreciated. They're still complicated Alps switches, they have the same tactile leaf as orange Alps, and they're quiet. I like them rather more than Matias Quiet Click (which has too much force up front, meaning too stiff a tactile leaf).

Again, I needed something particularly quiet, and this fits the bill nicely. I wish there were an Alps87 or something so that I could build a corresponding TKL.

[mike52787]

Cream damped dont have the same leaf as oranges, orange has a more rounded off leaf. I agree cream damped alps are underappreciated, But I dont personally like them as much as other tactile alps. still worlds above tactile cherry :p and they can make some very nice linears. I have an alps64 pcb coming in the mail, and I have modded a KBP v60MTS with half dampened linear modded cream damped switches. Definitely a cool switch, if not in its original form.

[XMIT]

At some point I need to bring out the macro lens and do a comparison of the leaf shapes...

...I originally planned to make some Orange/Cream hybrid switches for this board: Orangle springs and leaves, Cream sliders and switch plates and housings. D'oh! Maybe I'll do this in the future.

[drevyek]

I've got orange leaves and springs inside of my creams. The difference is very noticeable. I also use an orange top of the case. I couldn't use the orange bottom case, as it doesn't have the correct bumper-stops (which also means that I'm stuck with short switch plates, due to the pegs). I also did the paper-mod for the leaves, to ensure that there wasn't a click on the return stroke. It makes for a very quiet board indeed!

I use the orange top housing as it holds the orange leaves a bit better than the cream housing does, but it isn't otherwise significantly different. I couldn't see a difference in the size of the bumper stop on the top.

... they can make some very nice linears.

I linear modded the modifiers. Soooooo smooth and nice, especially if the contact leaf is messed with a bit to reduce its pressure on the slider.

[fictiouz]

I linear modded the modifiers. Soooooo smooth and nice, especially if the contact leaf is messed with a bit to reduce its pressure on the slider.

Modded some of the modifiers. Don't you lie to these sweet people.

[drevyek]

I linear modded the modifiers. Soooooo smooth and nice, especially if the contact leaf is messed with a bit to reduce its pressure on the slider.

Modded some of the modifiers. Don't you lie to these sweet people.

Finished the modding- all the bottom row, the caps, shifts, enter and space. No lies! All I need is the lighter springs to make it perfect!