Mechanical Keyboard?

[WelshDdraig]

Hey everyone.

 

At my college course today we were doing computer maintenance. So while digging through ancient hardware (P3's ect) I found some keyboards.

Most of them were broken, but as I took a closer look at one, it had white switches. But it was a junker. Then I found an almost mint condition one,

all the key caps are intact, the cable is still in one piece. Downside is the pins in the PS/2 connector were bent flat. My tutor said, "If you can fix it, you can keep it".

So naturally I tried to fix it and it works. Trouble is, I don't know what keyboard it is or what switches it uses. (I think it's an Alps Switch, either that or it's a clone)

Here's what I do know,

• click-y actuation
• fairly stiff (That could be it's age)
• I Think it's from the 80's-90's as it is a beige colour. (Looking at the bottom row of keys, it has a windows key that looks like Win95, so I'm thinking 1995-97, the earlier would result it in being the same age as me)
• This keyboard uses a black switch
• The model is - Viglen 6312-TW
• It weighs a freekin' tonne.

Any help would be appreciated. Also what do you think considering it was a freebie, is it worth keeping and using? Also, is it possible to get newer key-caps as these are a little, how should I put this, old. If not, doesn't matter, probably just clean them with some retr0bright.

 

Thanks

 

Pics below (apologies for the crap lighting, had to use my phone)  

 

Front:

 

Back:

 

Label:

 

Switch:

[ammarez]

I believe it has acer switches ( hybrid of Alps SKCL/SKCM series)
it is  :
    Viglen 6312-TW: Rebranded Acer 6312-TW

[WelshDdraig]

I believe it has acer switches ( hybrid of Alps SKCL/SKCM series)

it is  :

    Viglen 6312-TW: Rebranded Acer 6312-TW

So, thats one question answered, thanks for that.

[Heisenbleurgh]

That's cool! ALPS switch keyboards aren't cheap

[WelshDdraig]

That's cool! ALPS switch keyboards aren't cheap

Why? Are they good/reliable? I was using it in college (~1-1 1/2 hours) and now I can see why people glorify mechanical keyboards to membrane. So much better to type on.

[Heisenbleurgh]

Why? Are they good/reliable? I was using it in college (~1-1 1/2 hours) and now I can see why people glorify mechanical keyboards to membrane. So much better to type on.

Yeah! Not sure how they're compared to Cherry switches in terms of feel but I know that they're right up there with them in price.

They seem just as reliable and definitely an improvement over membrane

[WelshDdraig]

Yeah! Not sure how they're compared to Cherry switches in terms of feel but I know that they're right up there with them in price.

They seem just as reliable and definitely an improvement over membrane

Thanks, good to know. Now you said that, I'm going to see if I can fix more and keep them as their only going to be junked since the college is upgrading all their hardware. Waste not, want not.

[WelshDdraig]

Yeah! Not sure how they're compared to Cherry switches in terms of feel but I know that they're right up there with them in price.

They seem just as reliable and definitely an improvement over membrane

Looking at your signature, you seem to be a keyboard enthusiast, any tips on removing these key caps without a puller? need them gone so I can clean the housing. 

[Heisenbleurgh]

Looking at your signature, you seem to be a keyboard enthusiast, any tips on removing these key caps without a puller? need them gone so I can clean the housing. 

Try using 2 credit cards or a credit card and a blunt knife. Just place them under opposite sides or corners of the keycap and pull slowly and evenly. Some people like bending the ends of a metal clip to pull them up but it can lead to scratching your keycaps. Either method works though.

[WelshDdraig]

Try using 2 credit cards or a credit card and a blunt knife. Just place them under opposite sides or corners of the keycap and pull slowly and evenly. Some people like bending the ends of a metal clip to pull them up but it can lead to scratching your keycaps. Either method works though.

Thanks very much, A lot of questions, I know I'm a pain,lol. I'll try that over the weekend. I might make this thread into a restoration of the keyboard. Since these are dye caps, can I clean them in retr0bright/a peroxide solution of some sort, or will the writing ware off?

[Heisenbleurgh]

Thanks very much, A lot of questions, I know I'm a pain,lol. I'll try that over the weekend. I might make this thread into a restoration of the keyboard. Since these are dye caps, can I clean them in retr0bright/a peroxide solution of some sort, or will the writing ware off?

I'm not entirely sure and I believe that when I doubt better don't.

Cleaning them with liquid soap in warm water should be enough.