I've constructed a 122-key keyboard using
Saia Burgess low force microswitches.

Details and photographs may be found beneath:

--> http://mykeyboard.co.uk/ <--

This is the fourth keyboard I have constructed
using these switches. It is the largest and
most ambitious one I have made to date.

The main point of interest is the low-force
microswitches. There is a page devoted to
these - at:

http://mykeyboard.co.uk/microswitches/

These are "snap action" switches - and operate
on a principle reminiscent of the IBM bucking
spring key switches - providing high quality tactile
feedback on activation. The switches have a 15cN
activating force when they leave the factory -
but this can easily be adjusted. My keyboard
uses 10cN activation forces - around one fifth
of the force needed to activate keys on the
Kinesis or Maltron keyboards.

Low-force keyboards are not entirely new - the
DataHand keyboard has around 20cN activation
forces and the WinMini and Touchstream keyboards
also had very low activation forces, though not
necessarily much tactile feedback.

The main motivation behind constructing low-force
keyboards is to reduce the level of mechanical
damage which keyboard operation typically inflicts
on users forearms and wrists.

This keyboard is not available as a commercial
product. However the switches it uses /are/
widely available - allowing other interested
parties to experiment with this technology.

The site's URL again:

--> http://mykeyboard.co.uk/ <--

Enjoy,