GRAND VARIETY ASSORTMENT:
23 ALPS SKCM SKCL KEYSWITCHES
FOR COMPUTER KEYBOARDS
You will receive one lot of 23 varied ALPS
switches, including the three very rare
ALPS: BLUE / GREEN / YELLOW !
I FIGHT PRICE-INFLATION ! Previously,
this sale was for a lot of 21 distinct ALPS
and Clone keyswitches; the 22nd & 23rd unique
ALPS keyswitches have been added to the set
with NO INCREASE IN PRICE. President
Biden, YOU TOO should be an inflation-
fighter, just as I am! SB 5/22/2022
$29.00 + $4.20 shipping
These 23 ALPS KEYSWITCHES vary in three main traits:
CLICKINESS (sound), TACTILITY (touch, feel)
and LINEARITY (smoothness). They are used, but in
excellent condition. They can be installed in any keyboard
that uses ALPS keyswitches. Most are GENUINE ALPS, with
the word "Alps" written on the top panel, next to the slider stem.
Nine varieties are "clones," made by other companies but with
identical physical size and electrical traits so that they can
be installed as keyswitches in any keyboards that use Alps.
Every keyswitch has been tested with an ohmmeter, and
is confirmed working. Every switch has been lightly
lubricated with MAX-PRO, an electronics lubricant that
is specialized for switches. (Max-Pro also works great
for switches in cars or audio equipment!)
This variety set is close to showing the complete variations
of ALPS. According to a You-Tube video by ALPS
world expert Chyrosran22Thomas, there are 16 genuine
ALPS switches, with 9 imitation clones, 25 in all. With
this grand variety assortment, you will experience 22
of the 25 total types. Help me find the remaining
four variations to add to this set of rare ALPS !
I need the brown-stem Alps and three unknown
ALPS switches or clones.
COMPLICATED vs. SIMPLIFIED
Each switch type is identified as either COMPLICATED or
SIMPLIFIED. The earliest ALPS versions were complicated,
meaning that they have more internal components in each
switch, as compared to later versions, which are simplified.
Also, the complicated keyswitches have a small "slit" on the
left and right sides of the rectangular hole through which
the slider moves. The "slit" is absent from later "simplified"
versions of Alps keyswitches.
If you are planning to customize your Alps keyboard, this
variety set should be purchased so that you can evaluate the
many variations of keyswitch traits: Clickiness / Tactility /
Linearity, to choose your most preferred switches from
among the many options that are available!
ALPS KEYSWITCHES:
CHARACTERISTICS
1. BLUE ALPS: Clicky: HIGH Tactility: HIGH Linearity: MODERATE
The ALPS symbol is on bottom, NOT on top. This keyswitch is recognized
by the Dutch world expert on keyboards, Chyrosrans22Thomas, as the
best keyswitch of all time. Its tactility feels like twin "mini-bumps"
in quick succession. TWO BLUE ALPS will be supplied in the variety
combined keyswitch set. Very Complicated.
2. GREEN ALPS: Clicky: LOW Tactility: LOW Linearity:
HIGH. ALPS symbol is on top, and also on bottom. The Green
Alps switch has an empty rectangular space on top, to accept
a small LED switch. Green or Yellow Alps switches were used
mainly on early Zenith keyboards.
3. YELLOW ALPS: Clicky: LOW Tactility: LOW Linearity: HIGH
ALPS symbol is on top, and also on bottom. Simplified The yellow Alps
switch has an empty rectangular space on top, to accept a small LED bulb.
The Yellow Alps switch has an empty rectangular space on top,
to accept a small LED bulb. Complicated. Green or Yellow Alps switches
were used mainly on early Zenith keyboards.
4. AMBER ALPS: Clicky: HIGH Tactility: HIGH Linearity: LOW
ALPS symbol is on bottom only, not on top. Complicated.
5. BLACK ALPS: Clicky: HIGH Tactility: MODERATE Linearity: LOW
Simplified. ALPS symbol is on top, and also on bottom. Black Alps was
used mainly on Dell keyboard 101W.
6. CANADA BLUE CLONE: Clicky: HIGH Tactility: HIGH Linearity:
MODERATE. This is a clone of the Blue Alps. Simplified. Matias brand,
made in Canada. The body is clear so that illumination from LED bulbs on
the keyboard circuit board can be seen by the user. New unused condition.
7. CANADA RED CLONE: Clicky: LOW Tactility: LOW Linearity: HIGH
This is a clone of the Green Alps. Simplified. Matias brand, made in Canada.
The body is clear so that illumination from LED bulbs on the keyboard circuit
board can be seen by the user. New unused condition.
8. CANADA GRAY "QUIET CLICK" CLONE: Clicky: LOW Tactility: HIGH
Linearity: LOW. Simplified. Matias brand, made in Canada.
The body is clear so that illumination from LED bulbs on the keyboard circuit
board can be seen by the user. New unused.
9. GRAY ALPS CLONE: Clicky: HIGH Tactility: HIGH Linearity:
MODERATE This is a clone, made in Taiwan. Complicated.
10. ORANGE ALPS: Clicky: MODERATE Tactility: MODERATE Linearity:
MODERATE Complicated. Alps symbol is on bottom, but is missing from top
surface. This orange Alps was supplied on the Japanese version (# 0481) of
the Apple IIgs.
11. SALMON ALPS: Clicky: MODERATE Tactility: HIGH Linearity:
MODERATE The ALPS symbol is on top, and also on bottom. Complicated.
This keyswitch was supplied on the Apple Macintosh AEK-I, AEK-II, or MO116
keyboards.
12. CREAM ALPS, V.1: Clicky: LOW Tactility: MODERATE Linearity:
MODERATE The ALPS symbol is on top, and also on bottom. These switches
are DAMPENED, which quiets the clickiness sound. These switches came from
Apple's AEK-II keyboard. Complicated.
13. CREAM ALPS, V.2: Clicky: HIGH Tactility: HIGH Linearity: LOW
ALPS symbol is on top surface, but NOT on bottom. Complicated.
14. CREAM ALPS CLONE, V.3: ALPS: Clicky: VERY HIGH Tactility: VERY HIGH
Linearity: LOW The ALPS symbol is missing because this is a clone. Simplified
15. WHITE ALPS, V.1.: Clicky: HIGH Tactility: HIGH Linearity: MODERATE
ALPS symbol is on top, and also on bottom. Complicated.
16. WHITE ALPS, v.2: Clicky: HIGH Tactility: HIGH Linearity: LOW The
ALPS symbol is on top, but not on bottom. Complicated.
17. TAIWAN CLONE: LIGHT GREEN SLIDER Clicky: HIGH Tactility:
HIGH Linearity: MODERATE. These were made for a Chicony brand
keyboard. Manufacture was done in the same factory as #18. The slider is
compatible with all genuine ALPS keycaps. Simplified.
.
18. TAIWAN CLONE: APPLE IIGS WHITE SLIDER # 0330 COMPUTER. Clicky:
--- Tactility: --- Linearity: --- Manufacture was done in the same
factory as #17. This is the genuine original keyswitch for all Apple IIgs
keyboards # 0330, which were made in Taiwan. The slider is compatible with
all genuine ALPS keycaps. Simplified.
19. LIGHT GREEN CLONE: Clicky: LOW Tactility: LOW Linearity: HIGH.
In a blindfolded touch-test, this clone will feel identical to the original
expensive Green Alps # 2. This clone LACKS the special LED lamp location
found on # 2. Simplified.
20. WHITE CLONE: Clicky: HIGH Tactility: HIGH Linearity: MODERATE.
No symbol on either top side or bottom side. Simplified.
21. GRAY CLONE: Clicky: HIGH Tactility: HIGH Linearity: LOW.
This switch's brand, FD, is clearly seen on the bottom plastic surface.
Simplified.
22. BLUE ALPS: Clicky: HIGH Tactility: HIGH Linearity: MODERATE
The ALPS symbol is on bottom, NOT on top. This keyswitch is recognized
by the Dutch world expert on keyboards, Chyrosrans22Thomas, as the
best keyswitch of all time. Its tactility feels like twin "mini-bumps"
in quick succession. TWO BLUE ALPS will be supplied in the variety
combined keyswitch set. Very Complicated.
23. ALPS SKCC TALL CREAM. Clicky: LOW Tactility: LOW Linearity:
HIGH. The ALPS symbol is seen on its bottom surface. This keyswitch was
used on the Apple II+, the early Apple IIe, and the Macintosh Plus.
Simplified.
LUBRICATING THE
ALPS KEYSWITCHES
Switches should be lubricated occasionally; the BLUE ALPS,
GREEN ALPS, and YELLOW ALPS were the first to be
offered, during the mid-1980s. When the switches first
arrive, click each switch 20-40 times to polish its internal
metallic surfaces. A lubricant should be squirted into the
rectangular slider, followed by clicking. My favorite keyswitch
enhancer is MAX-PRO, an electronics lubricant that is specialized
for switches (It works great for switches on audio equipment
and also in cars!) Another fine lubricant is DEOXIT-D5. A
third effective lubricant is WD-40. All three lubricants
are made in USA and are available on Ebay; After my
first can of Max-Pro, I bought a case of twelve cans!
WEBSITE SOURCES ON
ALPS KEYSWITCHES
First, at YouTube, keyboard expert Chyrosran22Thomas has
created 60-70 twenty-minute evaluative videos about Alps-
related keyboards. Search for those YouTube reviews with:
YouTube / Keyboards / Alps Keyswitches. Visit these two
keyboard large websites: www.deskthority.net and
www.geekhack.net . Wickipedia has much information
available on Alps keyswitches.
THESE PAPER SHEETS ARE INCLUDED
WITH THE PURCHASED KEYSWITCHES
(1) a two-sided sheet with instructions on how to
desolder and remove old switches, and how to
install these replacement switches. The written
instructions are supplemented by six closeup
photos, all in full color, with excellent focus.
(2) A summary abstract of my proposed in-person
presentation, MECHANICAL KEYSWITCHES, for
the 34th Apple II KansasFest conference to be held
at Kansas City MO, July 19-25, 2022. (I did NOT
do the presentation during the July 2021 online
KFest, because the tactility aspect would be lost if
the presentation were merely viewed at a website.)
(3) a one-page summary of my planned magazine
article, IMPROVE YOUR TYPING BY CUSTOMIZING
YOUR ALPS KEYBOARD. This will be submitted for
publication in the Juiced.GS Apple II computer
magazine, Autumn 2022.
$29.00 + $4.20 Shipping
Stephen Buggie, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Psychology
Univ. of New Mexico, Gallup
NOTE: The four uranium rocks used as paperweights
in the ALPS keyswitch photos, are NOT for sale.