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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => DIY Discussions ARCHIVE => Topic started by: sethstorm on Fri, 28 May 2010, 07:52:50

Title: Wheelwriter plates as regular keyboards
Post by: sethstorm on Fri, 28 May 2010, 07:52:50
A helpful member of GH from this thread (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=9670) sent me these plates for finding out how close Wheelwriters are to being M's.

Status
The Wheelwriter 5 board is Boltmodded (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=188453&postcount=2).

Both plates work with an M controller.  Using the USB Controller Mod (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:8406) is preferable.

Notes:
The matrix will respond to most available keys though.  Some are duplicated, other positions return control codes, etc.  It will require remapping.  






Both:
When making any membrane cuts, be very careful!  Cut them with a sharp knife and proceed carefully, and in a straight line, closest to the pin that you want to cut.  You can always trim closer, but you cannot un-trim.

The smaller sized connector must have the extra pins cut off.  These are the ones that do not go to the keyboard.  



WW1000:
Many positions respond with characters.  Some respond with control codes, others respond with nothing other than a delay.  This one will require a  USB Controller Mod (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:8406) to use fully.

The first "short" pin also has to be cut off the larger connector.  This is the one that goes nowhere.  



WW5:
More positions respond than WW1000 with actual keys/control codes.  

You want a cursor key-less HHKB with buckling springs?  Wire up a controller from the  USB Controller Mod (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:8406), and there you go.  It should be not far off from an M, just subtract a few inputs (3 off the larger membrane edge connector) and remap keys.





Fitting:
The fit on the smaller connector is perfect, provided that one removes the block of pins that "go to themselves".  Otherwise they would not fit.





Pictures:
WW1000 matrix on M(1391401) controller.  Note that the Wheelwriter 1000 is off by one pin physically, but really off by 2 pins vs. the actual M connector.  
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10369&stc=1&d=1275011023)



WW5 matrix on M13 controller.  The extra 4 pins on the smaller connector appear to be for lock LED's.  

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10370&stc=1&d=1275011023)

Alternate views:
Top view of WW1000 on M controller (http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10371&stc=1&d=1275011842)
Top view of WW5 on M13 controller  (http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10372&stc=1&d=1275011842)


Questions:
1.  Is a USB controller mod necessary?

Yes, if you want to use the keyboard.
No, if you only wish to test the board.


2.  Is it fine to have not enough pins on the larger connector?

Yes.  Keys toward the center/top will not likely to be available.


3.  If it is fine to have missing pins, is there a preferred fit?

Yes.  Align them on an M controller with extra pins on the right.  


4.  What are the consequences of being misaligned on rows?

Keys will respond in different areas or not at all on the M controller.
Title: Adding springs before boltmodding.
Post by: sethstorm on Sat, 29 May 2010, 14:30:01
I wanted to first get an idea of what springs I'd need and what ones I could do without. In doing this, I fit most of the irregular(read: multiple key width) keys to verify alignment.  Unless I were to get a proper Wheelwriter 5 keyset, the Code key will not fit with the spacebar.

Hopefully those (faint) circular spots on the top of the deck are rivet locations. It would make it a lot easier to locate + drill the holes.
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10429&stc=1&d=1275161156)

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10430&stc=1&d=1275161156)

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10431&stc=1&d=1275161156)
Title: After boltmodding.
Post by: sethstorm on Mon, 31 May 2010, 08:34:41
About 36 bolts + 36 nuts + a lot of washers.  

Drill bits and screw sizes:
Put the head of the bolt on the top (plastic) side, and the nut on the metal side.  For the smaller bits (0-80), it is recommended to use washers on both sides - including the nut.

If you use a 5/64 bit to drill:
* Use 0-80 x 1/2" round-top bolt + washer & corresponding hex nut.
If you use a 3/32 bit to drill:
* Use ?-?? x 1/2" round-top bolt & corresponding hex nut.

Larger bolts are your friend here, as the 3/32 will allow the plates to pull together properly.

Fastening
You will have to levitate the board, upside down to properly fit everything.  After you get the outside edges of the frame and some inside rivets(10-15), you might be able to carefully flip it over to finish the job.

Hand tightening is a must due to size.  Have a pair of small needle-nose pliers available.

Some notable keys:
3 = Alt
C = Enter
D = Bksp
'/" = Shift
Cursr Sel = Shift

Most keys are in the right row, but not in the right position.

More Pictures:

Backside bolts.


Label.  Yes, the keyboard plates are nearly 25 years old.


Front side.  The metal plate extends rightward beyond the membrane to accommodate the frame.  Status/lock lights would go in this space.





Test rig on a Model M (1391401) controller.
Title: Wheelwriter plates as regular keyboards
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 31 May 2010, 16:59:06
So you can kind-of stuff a Wheelwriter keyboard in a Model M controller and it'll work?
Title: Wheelwriter plates as regular keyboards
Post by: sethstorm on Tue, 01 June 2010, 00:20:59
Quote from: microsoft windows;188558
So you can kind-of stuff a Wheelwriter keyboard in a Model M controller and it'll work?


Barely.  Enough for testing to see that the matrix works as far as it does, but you really need a USB controller.
Title: Wheelwriter plates as regular keyboards
Post by: Superfluous Parentheses on Wed, 02 June 2010, 01:42:42
Aside from the layout, regarding mechanics, is there any difference between these boards and the standard Model Ms?

Cool hack, by the way; I might try that.
Title: Wheelwriter plates as regular keyboards
Post by: sethstorm on Wed, 02 June 2010, 12:35:36
Quote from: Superfluous Parentheses;188832
Aside from the layout, regarding mechanics, is there any difference between these boards and the standard Model Ms?

Cool hack, by the way; I might try that.

No physical difference - keypresses are like an M. It also takes M springs/hammers & keys.  It can be configured for US-style enter as well.

The matrix itself is too far off to work properly with a standard controller.  On the other hand, the 13x8 matrix should fit in many of the custom controllers that exist today.
Title: Wheelwriter plates as regular keyboards
Post by: Pylon on Tue, 01 February 2011, 16:30:52
Has anyone ever thought of building a PC into a Wheelwriter and using the plate as the keyboard?