Post by: Desprado on Wed, 22 August 2018, 10:18:19
I am Des , fan of Electrostatic capacity keyboards. I used Realforce 87u and Leopold 980C very often . But I found the plate under the keycaps is really easy to rust . it is nasty and bother my mood when typing on it
Now I got a solution ,and plese see the pictures below .
(https://i.redd.it/zzfi1c0nvnh11.jpg)
(https://i.redd.it/tmz93rv0unh11.jpg)
(https://i.redd.it/2zvijuzprnh11.jpg)
(https://i.redd.it/6patqge3lnh11.jpg)
(https://i.redd.it/d2laaeox2mh11.jpg)
(https://i.redd.it/z1l7siu3unh11.jpg)
As you can see from the picture I got solution for replace keycaps with MX slide as well. Please let me know if you like , and tell me what keyboards you are using and rusted , and I will offer solution plate for all topre keyboards .
The prototype is not perfect. but all screws exactly match , only some flaw mark which will easily solved in next producing. and balanced big keys are very nice .
I am Des_KB , welcome to follow . Regards .
Post by: nanook_the_great on Wed, 22 August 2018, 10:36:16
Post by: nmur on Wed, 22 August 2018, 10:43:17
my realforce 86U plate was very rusty when i got it, so i sanded it down and painted it over, but this would be a better solution if it fits well
Post by: scriptfans on Wed, 22 August 2018, 10:47:01
Post by: LightningXI on Wed, 22 August 2018, 12:45:03
Post by: Desprado on Wed, 22 August 2018, 17:28:10
nice job
my realforce 86U plate was very rusty when i got it, so i sanded it down and painted it over, but this would be a better solution if it fits well
nice job
my realforce 86U plate was very rusty when i got it, so i sanded it down and painted it over, but this would be a better solution if it fits well
I want to paint the rusty plate at the first . But replace by brand new copy with better material at last . it fits perfectly .
Post by: Desprado on Wed, 22 August 2018, 17:33:44
I would be interested in 87u and 86u plates.Thank you for support . I have 87u , same layout with 86u ?
Post by: LightningXI on Wed, 22 August 2018, 17:48:10
I would be interested in 87u and 86u plates.Thank you for support . I have 87u , same layout with 86u ?
No, the 86u has a symmetrical bottom row and 7u spacebar (although it uses the same 6u stabilizers as 87u)
(https://k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp/img/ktw/docs/730/357/mackb_a02.JPG)
Post by: Desprado on Thu, 23 August 2018, 08:52:04
I would be interested in 87u and 86u plates.Thank you for support . I have 87u , same layout with 86u ?
No, the 86u has a symmetrical bottom row and 7u spacebar (although it uses the same 6u stabilizers as 87u)Show Image(https://k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp/img/ktw/docs/730/357/mackb_a02.JPG)
Understood , thanks.
Post by: GeneriksGiraffe on Thu, 23 August 2018, 23:22:08
Post by: richard912 on Fri, 24 August 2018, 04:36:06
Post by: LightningXI on Fri, 24 August 2018, 06:01:42
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Post by: moitorpsychoo on Fri, 24 August 2018, 06:02:50
Will you do other materials? Aluminum, polycarbonate, brass, other plastics and metals?!Poly and other plastics are no go, since the plate needs to be bent.
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Post by: Desprado on Fri, 24 August 2018, 06:51:54
I would be totally interested.
Will open GB shortly .
Post by: Desprado on Fri, 24 August 2018, 06:53:02
Will you do other materials? Aluminum, polycarbonate, brass, other plastics and metals?!Poly and other plastics are no go, since the plate needs to be bent.
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Correct .
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Post by: Desprado on Fri, 24 August 2018, 07:16:24
Will you do other materials? Aluminum, polycarbonate, brass, other plastics and metals?!
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Will have option for Aluminium and brass with different surface treatment .
Post by: dallman5 on Fri, 24 August 2018, 08:16:02
Will you do other materials? Aluminum, polycarbonate, brass, other plastics and metals?!Poly and other plastics are no go, since the plate needs to be bent.
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I’d really like to try out a poly/plastic plate too to see if you could mimic the HHKB feeling, but you’re right the bends make it difficult. However, the bends are only really necessary if you’re using the stock case, so for people using aftermarket cases such as the Norbaforce it might be fun to experiment with these materials.
Post by: dario on Fri, 24 August 2018, 08:23:25
"Cracking" may be wrong term, but they do get somewhat damaged, even if they still work.
Post by: dallman5 on Fri, 24 August 2018, 08:42:19
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Topre boards infamous for cracking switch housing if you try to remove it from the original plate?
"Cracking" is maybe wrong term, but they do get somewhat damaged, even if they still work.
If you do it the right way you should have no issues. What I found to work for me was pushing from the top of the housing with my thumb and pushing in the tab on the side with a flathead screwdriver (although I’m sure something like a spudger would work better) from a nearly perpendicular angle to the plate, and then repeating for the other side. It doesn’t take too much force to get the housing to release from the plate.
In my experience, it’s how you push that tab that could lead to cracking the housing. One of the first ones I did I cracked because I pushed the screwdriver into the housing too parallel to the plate which if you slip leaves you pushing straight through the wall of the housing. If you push the tab with something at more of a perpendicular angle to the plate though there’s much less risk of this, and I’ve yet to crack a housing with this technique (knock on wood).
So I guess what I’m trying to say is that removing the housings is absolutely doable but you need the right technique to mitigate the risk of breaking them.
Post by: dario on Fri, 24 August 2018, 08:52:49
Anyway, I'm in for a FC660C brass plate that can be installed into Norbauer's Heavy 6 housing. But only if bass is properly sealed against patina. I don't know what method they use for that, and if anodization is applicable.
Post by: E.E.L. Ambiense on Fri, 24 August 2018, 14:36:45
Post by: dario on Sat, 25 August 2018, 07:10:13
Post by: Desprado on Sat, 25 August 2018, 10:31:58
I have been doing a little bit of research trying to find out what would be the perfect finish for a brass plate against corrosion/patina and it seems that PVD coating is universally recommended as the best solution (although in the same time probably the most expensive one). You can't anodize brass, but PVD is better anyway.Thank you for your information :thumb:
Post by: Stresemann on Sat, 01 September 2018, 23:51:52
Post by: duck pauper on Tue, 04 September 2018, 18:54:53
Post by: MajorKoos on Tue, 04 September 2018, 19:12:59
I would buy one. I would also buy other materials like brass.
Brass...
Post by: Hawkfriend on Wed, 05 September 2018, 18:15:30
Post by: chakku on Mon, 10 September 2018, 19:32:52
Post by: tanvir175 on Fri, 05 October 2018, 15:59:31
Would also possibly be interested in one for FC660C and would love different options for plates (alu, poly)
Post by: Gobluebro on Tue, 09 October 2018, 12:29:58
Post by: dario on Tue, 09 October 2018, 13:19:40
If it is, I hope you'll make a brass plate for Realforce R2 too. It's the new kid on the block.
Post by: Desprado on Sat, 13 October 2018, 02:02:59
Post by: Desprado on Sat, 13 October 2018, 02:06:32
Interested. Does this add anything to typing sounds?
Nope , just same with original . may reduce the sound if use some soft material
Post by: Wetherbee on Sat, 13 October 2018, 04:13:42
I would like 86U plate option.
Post by: dario on Sat, 13 October 2018, 08:48:21
Sure it is on , I will open GB shortly .
You know what, lately I've been trying to build high-quality ALPS board, and soon enough I realized the market for ALPS is so scarce that it doesn't even have any kind of policarbonate, brass or stainless steel options when it comes to plates.
The only thing that was available for a short period of time is an aluminium plate for ALPS over zfrontier, but it isn't available anymore.
So it occured to me to find the factory and do it myself.
I'm thinking about making a plate for TEX aluminium TKL keyboard that seems to be the most popular choice for ALPS keyboards nowdays.
Since you trying to make basically the same thing as I do, maybe we should form some kind of partnership. You find the factory where it can be done, and I'll start an IC to see if there is enough interest for something like this, and if there is I'll make all CAD drawings needed.
The end result would be lower prices from the factory both for you and me (I guess), since we're making higher demand in total.
Post by: phearboner on Tue, 16 October 2018, 18:22:59
Post by: djaeyun on Sun, 21 October 2018, 00:39:16
Post by: Dead Encryption on Sat, 27 October 2018, 18:40:23
Post by: mkarlsson on Sun, 28 October 2018, 10:05:12
Sure it is on , I will open GB shortly .
You know what, lately I've been trying to build high-quality ALPS board, and soon enough I realized the market for ALPS is so scarce that it doesn't even have any kind of policarbonate, brass or stainless steel options when it comes to plates.
The only thing that was available for a short period of time is an aluminium plate for ALPS over zfrontier, but it isn't available anymore.
So it occured to me to find the factory and do it myself.
I'm thinking about making a plate for TEX aluminium TKL keyboard that seems to be the most popular choice for ALPS keyboards nowdays.
Since you trying to make basically the same thing as I do, maybe we should form some kind of partnership. You find the factory where it can be done, and I'll start an IC to see if there is enough interest for something like this, and if there is I'll make all CAD drawings needed.
The end result would be lower prices from the factory both for you and me (I guess), since we're making higher demand in total.
Maybe the LFKeyboards pcb and plate for Alps can help you, I believe they are Filco/Phantom compatible so it should work with TEX cases, have a look here if interested:
https://www.lfkeyboards.com/plates-cases.html
Post by: dario on Tue, 30 October 2018, 07:20:50
Maybe the LFKeyboards pcb and plate for Alps can help you, I believe they are Filco/Phantom compatible so it should work with TEX cases, have a look here if interested:
https://www.lfkeyboards.com/plates-cases.html
Yes, they are compatible with TEX cases, but all of LFKeyboards PCBs are out of stock long time now, same thing with their plates. Besides, what they were selling was 1.5 aluminium plates, I would probably opt for brass or stainless steel with PVD coating. Also, from what I was reading before, ideal thickness for the ALPS plate shoud be about 1.1 mm.
Post by: mkarlsson on Tue, 30 October 2018, 08:43:07
Maybe the LFKeyboards pcb and plate for Alps can help you, I believe they are Filco/Phantom compatible so it should work with TEX cases, have a look here if interested:
https://www.lfkeyboards.com/plates-cases.html
Yes, they are compatible with TEX cases, but all of LFKeyboards PCBs are out of stock long time now, same thing with their plates. Besides, what they were selling was 1.5 aluminium plates, I would probably opt for brass or stainless steel with PVD coating. Also, from what I was reading before, ideal thickness for the ALPS plate shoud be about 1.1 mm.
Post by: gabetjh on Thu, 22 November 2018, 00:09:22
so can i verify that the materials available are alum and brass with different surface finishes? the original plate is steel yes?
what is the cutting process used? CNC? i actually do happen to have a CNC machine at my workplace and have aluminium plates too. do you happen to have the autocad file?
Post by: dario on Mon, 26 November 2018, 09:42:15
i just purchased the 980C. have been observing alot of rusting issues and would like to buy a replacement plate in case it happens in the future.
I am currently working on a 980C titanium plate, so I can sell you one of those later on. If you're interested and patient enough.
Post by: Pennywise359 on Tue, 04 December 2018, 15:57:10
Post by: SK0P1 on Sat, 15 December 2018, 10:31:06
Is this still happening?
Same question, hopefully this happens!
Post by: tanvir175 on Sat, 15 December 2018, 14:07:21
Is this still happening?
Same question, hopefully this happens!
From what I've heard. No. He's fully focusing on the topre-mx sliders and has abandoned this project, for now. Won't share/sell the plate file either. Shame because I really needed this for my 86u. The plate is rusted all over.
Post by: SK0P1 on Sat, 15 December 2018, 18:02:48
Post by: tanvir175 on Sun, 16 December 2018, 13:59:50
Oh, I also need to replace my rusting 86u plate :(
Yeah, I'm pretty disappointed. Was really looking for to this since an IC was made. If this wasn't such a cock tease, I wouldn't have really cared much.
Post by: phinix on Sat, 12 January 2019, 10:06:22
I did couple of mods on 87u and 88u to make bottom row standard, as the pcb still registers keys after it. Of course CNCd would be perfect compared to those I made in hand...
Post by: thelaughingman on Sat, 12 January 2019, 22:53:58
Post by: phinix on Wed, 27 March 2019, 18:56:05
don't need standard bottom row plate as 6u spacebar adapter is available now :)
Which one? I hope you are not talking about that 3d printed one, as I bought it and used and can tell you that it is crap - it breaks easily during changing caps.
Post by: hillmu on Thu, 28 March 2019, 00:24:58
Post by: LightningXI on Thu, 28 March 2019, 06:11:05
I got new brass plate for Rf87U and it also helped to use standard WK keycaps well.Nice. Now the question is how do we all get plates like that?
Post by: hillmu on Thu, 28 March 2019, 22:10:26
The plate is made in China, I will ask the maker post his contact information and let you know later.I got new brass plate for Rf87U and it also helped to use standard WK keycaps well.Nice. Now the question is how do we all get plates like that?
Post by: jerryxrj on Fri, 29 March 2019, 00:36:45
Post by: hillmu on Fri, 29 March 2019, 00:40:11
the maker is just post message above @jerryxrj, you can message him and see how to go ahead.The plate is made in China, I will ask the maker post his contact information and let you know later.I got new brass plate for Rf87U and it also helped to use standard WK keycaps well.Nice. Now the question is how do we all get plates like that?
Post by: equalunique on Fri, 29 March 2019, 07:38:37
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Post by: allllaboutyou on Sat, 30 March 2019, 10:25:45
Post by: Vloshko on Sun, 31 March 2019, 07:24:39
Post by: Kerasan on Sun, 31 March 2019, 08:04:21
KMK Labs.
Post by: phinix on Sat, 23 November 2019, 14:34:52
I got new brass plate for Rf87U and it also helped to use standard WK keycaps well.
Are these plates only come with costar stabs?
Would it be possible to use plate mount ones?
Post by: jerryxrj on Wed, 30 June 2021, 05:26:20
https://github.com/jerryxrj/KB-Realforce_R1_plate
Post by: LightningXI on Fri, 09 July 2021, 05:42:44
I've posted the dwg file of Realforce R1 plate.Do you have details on where to source the sliders and stabilizers?
https://github.com/jerryxrj/KB-Realforce_R1_plate
Post by: wujack on Mon, 14 March 2022, 23:25:46
I've posted the dwg file of Realforce R1 plate.
https://github.com/jerryxrj/KB-Realforce_R1_plate
Hi, I want to make a few modifications to your files. I just want to ask for permission to use and potentially make public my modified versions. Thanks!
Post by: SoCal_Slug on Sun, 29 January 2023, 02:28:47
Post by: pompey on Wed, 30 August 2023, 17:05:12
I am interested in buying the replacement plate for my leopold f980c. Where I could buy it?
Post by: pompey on Tue, 05 September 2023, 16:11:37