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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Flea on Fri, 30 March 2018, 14:09:10

Title: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: Flea on Fri, 30 March 2018, 14:09:10: started work on some custom keycaps and case. Through my research I've come across the following TKL PCB's
Does anyone have any experiences with them? Any boards I should stay away from? Did I miss any?

Thanks!

TKL PCB's:
Nerd TKL
http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/pcbs-and-controllers/60-nerd-tkl-ver20-pcb.html#/0_connection-usb_only/7_optional_soldering-diodes_resistors_for_backlight_leds_side_leds
Phantom TKL (Does this have hotlites?)
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=536
TX TKL
https://www.txkeyboards.com/en/products/pcb-various-intl-tkl-detail
B87 Series
http://winkeyless.kr/product-category/pcbs/

For the micro usb connection, I see on some far out builds that other connectors such as aircraft connectors can be used. Looking for something durable or has "locking" teeth since my hands have a tendency of "hooking" things on the table.

Adding hotlites to them should be no issue as well right?
Title: Re: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: clasicks on Fri, 30 March 2018, 14:18:01: https://www.lfkeyboards.com/lfk-tkl.html

There is this one as well, have not used any personally however.
Title: Re: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: Flea on Mon, 02 April 2018, 10:06:35: Quote from: clasicks on Fri, 30 March 2018, 14:18:01
https://www.lfkeyboards.com/lfk-tkl.html

There is this one as well, have not used any personally however.

Thanks!

Guess I'll chuck all a bunch of names into a hat and see which one I pull out.
Title: Re: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: suicidal_orange on Mon, 02 April 2018, 10:16:42: Gon has been exiled from geekhack for not delivering boards ordered years ago so I would suggest supporting anyone but him.
Title: Re: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: Blaise170 on Mon, 02 April 2018, 10:23:20: Weird I hadn't heard about Gon. I wonder what else I missed in my absence.
Title: Re: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: Puddsy on Mon, 02 April 2018, 11:02:30: Quote from: suicidal_orange on Mon, 02 April 2018, 10:16:42
Gon has been exiled from geekhack for not delivering boards ordered years ago so I would suggest supporting anyone but him.

++

I recommend TX.
Title: Re: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: Flea on Mon, 02 April 2018, 15:37:56: Quote from: Puddsy on Mon, 02 April 2018, 11:02:30
Quote from: suicidal_orange on Mon, 02 April 2018, 10:16:42
Gon has been exiled from geekhack for not delivering boards ordered years ago so I would suggest supporting anyone but him.

++

I recommend TX.

Just saw that TX has two options for the PCB. (US) No LED's Soldered but included??? (INTL) LED's soldered but more expensive shipping

Besides switches and a cable, is there anything else I would need? Does the TX come with all the pre-soldered components like the other vendors?

Thanks!!!
Title: Re: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: Puddsy on Mon, 02 April 2018, 16:45:06: Quote from: Flea on Mon, 02 April 2018, 15:37:56
Quote from: Puddsy on Mon, 02 April 2018, 11:02:30
Quote from: suicidal_orange on Mon, 02 April 2018, 10:16:42
Gon has been exiled from geekhack for not delivering boards ordered years ago so I would suggest supporting anyone but him.

++

I recommend TX.

Just saw that TX has two options for the PCB. (US) No LED's Soldered but included??? (INTL) LED's soldered but more expensive shipping

Besides switches and a cable, is there anything else I would need? Does the TX come with all the pre-soldered components like the other vendors?

Thanks!!!

yeah, TX is presoldered

the no LED version is for cases without a diffuser
Title: Re: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: Flea on Tue, 03 April 2018, 11:51:14: Quote from: Puddsy on Mon, 02 April 2018, 16:45:06
Quote from: Flea on Mon, 02 April 2018, 15:37:56
Quote from: Puddsy on Mon, 02 April 2018, 11:02:30
Quote from: suicidal_orange on Mon, 02 April 2018, 10:16:42
Gon has been exiled from geekhack for not delivering boards ordered years ago so I would suggest supporting anyone but him.

++

I recommend TX.

Just saw that TX has two options for the PCB. (US) No LED's Soldered but included??? (INTL) LED's soldered but more expensive shipping

Besides switches and a cable, is there anything else I would need? Does the TX come with all the pre-soldered components like the other vendors?

Thanks!!!

yeah, TX is presoldered

the no LED version is for cases without a diffuser

Much appreciated Puddsy. I'll find out soon enough if I'll have a need for a diffuser.

Really glad I joined this board!
Title: Re: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: Flea on Wed, 11 April 2018, 12:46:17: Ended up ordering the TX TKL PCB (US Version). Their CS was very responsive and answered most of my questions.

Seeing how I'll be cutting my own plate, are there any resources readily available that I can pull switch layout/dimensions from? I asked TX if they can assist with a dwg with the keyswitches laid out since they make plates for their pcb but received a no.

Thanks
Title: Re: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: suicidal_orange on Wed, 18 April 2018, 02:26:06: If you've not found it already the easiest place to start with plates is swill's awesome website (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65189.0) :thumb:
Title: Re: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: Flea on Thu, 19 April 2018, 14:06:25: Quote from: suicidal_orange on Wed, 18 April 2018, 02:26:06
If you've not found it already the easiest place to start with plates is swill's awesome website (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65189.0) :thumb:

Yes indeed, but thanks for posting it as well. Pretty sure someone else with the same obstacles can now utilize your post :)

Can't wait to finish this thing!
Title: Re: TKL PCB selection help
Post by: Flea on Mon, 23 April 2018, 09:44:24: Did a test fit of the plate builder using the github raw with the numpad deleted and the fit was close to the Leeku TKL PCB but no dice.

Will have measure the other rows and do another fitment until I get it right.

Beyond that, it saved a ton of time!