I’d mentioned the Keypocalypse sale; I picked up two boards from it. This post concerns the first, a Unitek K-260. “Turn-in Water Damage”? Didn’t stop me from being interested (plus, I had it tested before shipping).
Look at those amazingly tall Esc and function keys!
Comical! On the left is an Esc key off an RT-101+ board.
The original photo of a green Alps-style slider is what initially attracted me to the board. I’d been pursuing linear green Alps keyswitches, as I’ve been wanting to compare them against Cherry MX reds. They were listed as being an Alps clone, which I would agree with – no logo and no LED recess, which Alps greens have.
Still, they were intriguing to me enough to buy the board. They have a tension of about 64g.
Don’t see selector switches like this anymore, that’s for certain!
Evidence of the water damage.
Wow. I cannot believe this board works.
I can’t seem to find a date code anywhere, and I know next to nothing about Unitek. The typing experience is good overall, and the keycaps have a nice hollow sound to them, similar to a Dell AT101W, but slightly different – and in a good way. I really dig the sound and feel.
One trouble I’ve noticed however is off-center keypresses causing the switch to bind. I’m not sure if that is the nature of the clones or if it’s because it’s been through hell and back and needs lubrication. It’s particularly noticeable on those tall function keys, exaggerated because of the geometry.
In any case, I will be gaining some experience with cleaning corrosion off a PCB and the lubrication of switch stems with very small amounts of DuPont teflon grease. I’ll get it all cleaned up over the next couple of weeks and possibly post a typing vid so you can hear the keys.
Edit: after doing a little more digging, I see the controller with a stamp of 9149S, possibly a date code of the 49th week of 1991? Those poor resistors.
I couldn’t stop investigating, so I desoldered a switch to see if there was a manufacturer stamp. All I see is “B39,” absolutely no other markings whatsoever. If someone has a hint, let me know.
Edit2: still can’t quit. What a thing to do on a day off, huh? I find it strangely therapeutic.
Cleaned up the PCB. Some of the pads and traces are in sad shape, but after I did this cleaning I gave the poor thing another try just to ensure it still works, and it does. I’m leaving it as-is.
Had to pull the keycaps off and give it a good cleaning with 91% isopropyl alcohol. The case still needs cleaning, and once again I chickened out on removing the keys with stabilizers for concern with breakage. But, they are clean, clean, clean – top, sides, under.
Field of green…
I will probably do an Oxi-Clean treatment on the case to get it cleaned up and brightened back up a bit. The keycaps won’t be going back on until after my teflon grease arrives- which may not be until late June?! That’s the slowest I’ve ever seen anything come from Amazon! In the mean time, I’m covering it with Saran wrap so the keyswitches aren’t exposed to dust.
