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PSA: Cherry MX vs Alps switches for restoring old boards, Alps won by a mile
I spent all last week trying to fix up a 1986 NCR terminal keyboard with Cherry MX blacks. The switches were gummed up, the stems were wobbly, and even after ultrasonic cleaning and new springs, it still felt like typing through mud. Then I grabbed a 1990 Apple Extended Keyboard II with Alps switches that had the same sticky issue. One soak in rubbing alcohol and a thin lube job later, it clicks like it came off the factory line yesterday. The Alps just have way better contact feel and less plastic fatigue after 30 years. Has anyone else had better luck with Alps over Cherries on these old boards?
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henry_webb682mo ago
Old Alps switches had better QC because they were all made in Japan or Taiwan back then, while Cherry was already moving production to cheaper factories by the mid-80s. Your mileage may vary but that batch consistency makes a huge difference for 30+ year old electronics.
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