Improving Futaba key switches (BBC Micro Keyboard)?

[steve30]

I have a couple of BBC Model B computers from the early 1980s. The keyboards have Futaba linear key switches. They can be quite difficult to type on as they are quite squeaky and bind up easily. Its a shame as the keyboard is otherwise very nicely made; the switches are mounted on a mounting plate, and it has lovely double shot keycaps.

Is there any way of improving these switches to make the typing experience better? I don't know if they were originally like this, or if they have got worse with age.

If you aren't familiar with these switches, watch these videos by Chyrosran22:





Thanks
steve30

[AndyC_772]

The sounds and feel of the keys you describe is pretty typical, though you may have a bad example and/or be more sensitive to their apparent shortcomings than people tended to be when these machines were new. The BBC micro's keyboard was about the best around when the machine was being sold, and was well known as one of its best features.

The Master keyboard was never quite as nice as the Model B, and it did always have a bit of a metallic 'ring' to it.

I never had an Electron, though I remember it as being a definite step down from the B in a number of ways. It was always known as a cheap substitute for the Model B, and was never popular.

You might be able to clean or lubricate the keys if you want to, but are you really going to do a lot of typing on a 30+ year old computer?

[steve30]

I suspected the 'feel' might be original. The keyboard is well made, so I don't have any worries about it breaking. It'll probably be good for another 30 years at least .

I'm used to IBM Model Ms and Cherry switches, so the feel of the BBC is a bit unusual to me. I won't be using it a lot, but I'll probably start writing some programmes on it more if the keyboard were nicer.

[amyk]

Lubricate the sliders. http://imgur.com/a/lhLqo has a lot of information.