[Oddforge] VE.A

[alienman82]

removed.

[Vypr]

was a firmware issue held down windows key and flashed from my other veas downloaded firmware works

cool, glad to hear everything is fine, congrats

[alienman82]

removed.

[alienman82]

removed.

[Vypr]

here is it!  please enjoy!

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/5lhzxk/skcm_brown_alps_vea_build_mont_blanc_level/

  Nice work man, it looks amazing

[zefyr]

was a firmware issue held down windows key and flashed from my other veas downloaded firmware works

cool, glad to hear everything is fine, congrats

I did reflow all the IC's and connectors two.  this B stock PCB looked a bit shoddy.  but thank you, I will post a build log soon. It's very special.

Ah, I was somewhere else for a while. Glad you found fixup.
And PCB is exactly same with others, the only thing different in B-stock is aluminium armor parts.
PC, PCB, Plates, all same with original mass-dropped version.

[exitfire401]

Loving the Zealios on mine, just wish I could've afforded a second kit for alps after seeing Alienman's build.

[zefyr]

here is it!  please enjoy!

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/5lhzxk/skcm_brown_alps_vea_build_mont_blanc_level/

Love it. Just Love it.

[alienman82]

removed.

[KetchyKech]

here is it!  please enjoy!

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/5lhzxk/skcm_brown_alps_vea_build_mont_blanc_level/

simply amazing.

I'll surely go the lasergist route when I build mine -- and reference your build log heavily!!

Thanks for sharing, congrats!! 

[Vypr]

Beautiful work. You should check the LED on your X key. It looks like it's dead.

ah good catch, I completely missed that, I'll have to check on it, thanks

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to fix this. I was able to remove the dead LED, but some solder got stuck in one of the LED holes on the switch side and I've been unable to open the switch up since the plate is so tight. For now, I've left the 'x' key without a LED.
[/quote]


All fixed

[Vypr]

I ended up slapping on a set of GeekKeys Blank PBT keycaps I had lying around on because I wanted to use this so bad. Although it kind of works out since the blank 2.75 shift key is perfect for the right space bar.
I have this same setup at work but with an Ergodox and occasionally I find myself trying to use my thumbs on a non-existent Ergodox thumb cluster    )

[[Lewynlight]]

here is it!  please enjoy!

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/5lhzxk/skcm_brown_alps_vea_build_mont_blanc_level/

holy.. it's amazing. i didn't know if ve.a can also use ALPS switch..

that's probably the first ALPS Build in the world, congrats!

might as well post my end-game here lol.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/5l1qw4/photos_my_christmas_gift_finally_arrived/

[clappingcactus]

You're all making me jealous.

Show Image

I ended up slapping on a set of GeekKeys Blank PBT keycaps I had lying around on because I wanted to use this so bad. Although it kind of works out since the blank 2.75 shift key is perfect for the right space bar.
I have this same setup at work but with an Ergodox and occasionally I find myself trying to use my thumbs on a non-existent Ergodox thumb cluster  :-[  :))

Beautiful and congrats on the fix! G900 master-race! *hi-five*

[Vypr]

You're all making me jealous.

Show Image

I ended up slapping on a set of GeekKeys Blank PBT keycaps I had lying around on because I wanted to use this so bad. Although it kind of works out since the blank 2.75 shift key is perfect for the right space bar.
I have this same setup at work but with an Ergodox and occasionally I find myself trying to use my thumbs on a non-existent Ergodox thumb cluster  :-[  :))

Beautiful and congrats on the fix! G900 master-race! *hi-five*

Thanks and *hi-five* :thumb:

[[Lewynlight]]

You're all making me jealous.

Show Image

I ended up slapping on a set of GeekKeys Blank PBT keycaps I had lying around on because I wanted to use this so bad. Although it kind of works out since the blank 2.75 shift key is perfect for the right space bar.
I have this same setup at work but with an Ergodox and occasionally I find myself trying to use my thumbs on a non-existent Ergodox thumb cluster  :-[  :))

Beautiful and congrats on the fix! G900 master-race! *hi-five*

You're all making me jealous. :P

Show Image

I ended up slapping on a set of GeekKeys Blank PBT keycaps I had lying around on because I wanted to use this so bad. Although it kind of works out since the blank 2.75 shift key is perfect for the right space bar.
I have this same setup at work but with an Ergodox and occasionally I find myself trying to use my thumbs on a non-existent Ergodox thumb cluster    )

Beautiful and congrats on the fix! G900 master-race! *hi-five*

Thanks and *hi-five*

wait.. G900 as well? we're all gentlemen with fine taste indeed 

[roostrc0gburn]

just finished mine over the long weekend. probably my most colorful build

[alienman82]

removed.

[thatmiddleway]

Pardon my ignorance, but is there a place one can purchase a new VE.A keyboard and/or kit?

[KetchyKech]

Pardon my ignorance, but is there a place one can purchase a new VE.A keyboard and/or kit?

Unfortunately, you can only hope to score one on /r/mechmarket for now --

The main GB was ran on Massdrop, which has since ended
&
B-stock units (extras) were all sold off shortly after the GB.

Zefyr has alluded to the possibility that more keyboards will be coming from oddforge, but only time will tell what
they have in store!

Goodluck.

[menuhin]

just finished mine over the long weekend. probably my most colorful build

Show Image

VE.A envy here.
The Stormtrooper matches well with the GMK CMYK mods for the matching black legends - never understand why some would like to match GMK Dolch kit with CMYK mods or anything with black legends.

[roostrc0gburn]

just finished mine over the long weekend. probably my most colorful build

Show Image

VE.A envy here.
The Stormtrooper matches well with the GMK CMYK mods for the matching black legends - never understand why some would like to match GMK Dolch kit with CMYK mods or anything with black legends.

thanks, that is exactly why i got them. was looking for a set for years until ghost ran a gb last year. you can't quite tell, but the arrows & esc are from skidata. not many other colorful sets out there with black legends...

[thatmiddleway]

Pardon my ignorance, but is there a place one can purchase a new VE.A keyboard and/or kit?

Unfortunately, you can only hope to score one on /r/mechmarket for now --

The main GB was ran on Massdrop, which has since ended
&
B-stock units (extras) were all sold off shortly after the GB.

Zefyr has alluded to the possibility that more keyboards will be coming from oddforge, but only time will tell what
they have in store!

Goodluck.

Ah, thanks for the info. I'll keep my eyes on oddforge and massdrop.

[daviswalkers]

Finally finished building mine <3 <3 <3 Completely in love with it, and the zealio's/zealencio combo literally the best typing experience I've ever had by far! Wish I had picked up two now, one for home, one for work!

Only issues are that I messed up on the left bottom row so the keys don't fit perfectly (but I use caps for ctrl and rarely press windows so it wont effect typing just A E S T H E T I C) and I haven't bought resistors for the lock keys, speaking of which, I'm having a hard time understanding the guide on how to make the lock keys full on, can anyone explain it in a more simple way, like what exactly do I need to do to get my lock keys working and always on?

I don't have a fancy camera or lighting so I only really took the one picture, feel free to ask for more/ask questions!

• Black VE.A
• R4 78g Zealio Switches
• Zealencio Silencing Clips
• Zeal Transparent Screw-in Stabs
• GMK Hyperfuse Keyset
• Blue LEDs
• Homemade Sleeved SATA Cable (will be sleeving USB the same once parts come in)

[exitfire401]

Finally finished building mine <3 <3 <3 Completely in love with it, and the zealio's/zealencio combo literally the best typing experience I've ever had by far! Wish I had picked up two now, one for home, one for work!

Only issues are that I messed up on the left bottom row so the keys don't fit perfectly (but I use caps for ctrl and rarely press windows so it wont effect typing just A E S T H E T I C) and I haven't bought resistors for the lock keys, speaking of which, I'm having a hard time understanding the guide on how to make the lock keys full on, can anyone explain it in a more simple way, like what exactly do I need to do to get my lock keys working and always on?

I don't have a fancy camera or lighting so I only really took the one picture, feel free to ask for more/ask questions!

Show Image

From the assembly guide:

3. Select Lock LED Mode

Near Locks switches, you can find F[][][]L pattern. This is for LED mode selection.
When F[][] pattern is shorted(connected), LED will act as Full-LED mode.
When [][]L pattern is shorted(connected), LED will act as Lock-LED mode.

So, when you're looking at the leads, you see F[][][]L
For the full LEDs like you're asking, you want to bridge the first two with solder F[X][X][]L
I use an LED leg scrap to do mine and soldered at both ends to make it look a little cleaner.

Also, right there with you....really wish I had bought a second for work.

[daviswalkers]

Finally finished building mine <3 <3 <3 Completely in love with it, and the zealio's/zealencio combo literally the best typing experience I've ever had by far! Wish I had picked up two now, one for home, one for work!

Only issues are that I messed up on the left bottom row so the keys don't fit perfectly (but I use caps for ctrl and rarely press windows so it wont effect typing just A E S T H E T I C) and I haven't bought resistors for the lock keys, speaking of which, I'm having a hard time understanding the guide on how to make the lock keys full on, can anyone explain it in a more simple way, like what exactly do I need to do to get my lock keys working and always on?

I don't have a fancy camera or lighting so I only really took the one picture, feel free to ask for more/ask questions!

Show Image

• Black VE.A
• R4 78g Zealio Switches
• Zealencio Silencing Clips
• Zeal Transparent Screw-in Stabs
• GMK Hyperfuse Keyset
• Blue LEDs
• Homemade Sleeved SATA Cable (will be sleeving USB the same once parts come in)

From the assembly guide:

3. Select Lock LED Mode

Near Locks switches, you can find F[][][]L pattern. This is for LED mode selection.
When F[][] pattern is shorted(connected), LED will act as Full-LED mode.
When [][]L pattern is shorted(connected), LED will act as Lock-LED mode.

So, when you're looking at the leads, you see F[][][]L
For the full LEDs like you're asking, you want to bridge the first two with solder F[X][X][]L
I use an LED leg scrap to do mine and soldered at both ends to make it look a little cleaner.

Also, right there with you....really wish I had bought a second for work.

probably going to sound dumb here but don't want to mess anything up, when you say bridge the first two (in your case) you're saying you soldered a bit of LED leg scrap to the first two pads right? I'll give that a shot once I find somewhere that I can buy 3 resistors for the board!

[exitfire401]

Finally finished building mine <3 <3 <3 Completely in love with it, and the zealio's/zealencio combo literally the best typing experience I've ever had by far! Wish I had picked up two now, one for home, one for work!

Only issues are that I messed up on the left bottom row so the keys don't fit perfectly (but I use caps for ctrl and rarely press windows so it wont effect typing just A E S T H E T I C) and I haven't bought resistors for the lock keys, speaking of which, I'm having a hard time understanding the guide on how to make the lock keys full on, can anyone explain it in a more simple way, like what exactly do I need to do to get my lock keys working and always on?

I don't have a fancy camera or lighting so I only really took the one picture, feel free to ask for more/ask questions!

Show Image

• Black VE.A
• R4 78g Zealio Switches
• Zealencio Silencing Clips
• Zeal Transparent Screw-in Stabs
• GMK Hyperfuse Keyset
• Blue LEDs
• Homemade Sleeved SATA Cable (will be sleeving USB the same once parts come in)

From the assembly guide:

3. Select Lock LED Mode

Near Locks switches, you can find F[][][]L pattern. This is for LED mode selection.
When F[][] pattern is shorted(connected), LED will act as Full-LED mode.
When [][]L pattern is shorted(connected), LED will act as Lock-LED mode.

So, when you're looking at the leads, you see F[][][]L
For the full LEDs like you're asking, you want to bridge the first two with solder F[X][X][]L
I use an LED leg scrap to do mine and soldered at both ends to make it look a little cleaner.

Also, right there with you....really wish I had bought a second for work.

probably going to sound dumb here but don't want to mess anything up, when you say bridge the first two (in your case) you're saying you soldered a bit of LED leg scrap to the first two pads right? I'll give that a shot once I find somewhere that I can buy 3 resistors for the board!

Not dumb at all. You paid a lot for the kit and you want to be safe, I understand. Correct. You could just solder between the two, but I didn't want to risk damaging the PCB with too much heat, that's why I used the LED leg.

[daviswalkers]

Not dumb at all. You paid a lot for the kit and you want to be safe, I understand. Correct. You could just solder between the two, but I didn't want to risk damaging the PCB with too much heat, that's why I used the LED leg.

Thanks  for the help

[JDragon]

Sorry if I missed this, but couldn't find it in the thread or the documentation online - what type of aluminum alloy is used in the case?

[alienman82]

removed.

[Slash Emperor]

Sorry if I missed this, but couldn't find it in the thread or the documentation online - what type of aluminum alloy is used in the case?

probably 6061

Yep.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=79318.msg2037509#msg2037509

[JDragon]

Thanks guys!

[zefyr]

Not dumb at all. You paid a lot for the kit and you want to be safe, I understand. Correct. You could just solder between the two, but I didn't want to risk damaging the PCB with too much heat, that's why I used the LED leg.

Thanks  for the help

Thanks guys!

Ah, it was A long and lazy weekend We all had some schedules.
Thanks guys answering questions behalf of oddforge team.
Really appreciated for it!

[exitfire401]

Not dumb at all. You paid a lot for the kit and you want to be safe, I understand. Correct. You could just solder between the two, but I didn't want to risk damaging the PCB with too much heat, that's why I used the LED leg.

Thanks  for the help

Thanks guys!

Ah, it was A long and lazy weekend We all had some schedules.
Thanks guys answering questions behalf of oddforge team.
Really appreciated for it!

Everyone needs time away. Hope it was enjoyable/eventful!

[clappingcactus]

It's a process ... but I'm almost there ... 

[N35]

OKay, so Im very late to the game.

But this keyboard, looks like exactly what I want, split, and supports iso layout.

Proiding the massdrop is done, how do I go about getting me one of these?

[menuhin]

1. Patiently wait for another GB or MD; or post in /r/mm
2. Make sure you have enough money when it happens

[N35]

Fair enough.

Theres not the option of generating the PCB and related things myself?

Provided it is even a possibilty.

Alternatively, where are the MD and GB announced? here? id like to not have to just keep monitoring for waiting for this particular keyboard.

Guess Ill have to look for something else as well.

[RobotMalcolmX]

Fair enough.

Theres not the option of generating the PCB and related things myself?

Provided it is even a possibilty.

Alternatively, where are the MD and GB announced? here? id like to not have to just keep monitoring for waiting for this particular keyboard.

Guess Ill have to look for something else as well.

Honestly, your best bet if you want it "soon" is to look on r/mm or post in the classifieds here. Expect to pay a decent chunk of money.

[jal]

Fair enough.

Theres not the option of generating the PCB and related things myself?

I think you might be able to - not sure if the case design files have been released or not. (I'm curious if they're out there, too - I have a VE.A, and just love looking at other's designs.)

Alternatively, where are the MD and GB announced? here? id like to not have to just keep monitoring for waiting for this particular keyboard.

Guess Ill have to look for something else as well.

The Massdrop sale was here: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/17533 . Don't know if will be another one; Zefyr seemed a bit burned-out after the first one, and said a while back that he's working on new stuff.

[krisst]

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It's a process ... but I'm almost there ... 

Looking good! I ordered some Holtite from one of the GB that "Keys of kings" did last Nov. After sending me a shipping notice. He cancelled my order and after a month of waiting, I went back to the site to check on the progress because I have not received the package. I notice my order was being refunded. I emailed the guy asking about it, he then refunded me. Being very vague about the reason why he cancelled my order. Pretty shady if you ask me.

Too bad, if I were to order those hot swap holtite from the site myself, cost would be close to double the price of GB.

My VE.A still sitting there in pieces... Hopefully someone will organise another GB for holtites hot swap sockets sometime soon.

[menuhin]

Show Image

Show Image

It's a process ... but I'm almost there ... 

Looking good! I ordered some Holtite from one of the GB that "Keys of kings" did last Nov. After sending me a shipping notice. He cancelled my order and after a month of waiting, I went back to the site to check on the progress because I have not received the package. I notice my order was being refunded. I emailed the guy asking about it, he then refunded me. Being very vague about the reason why he cancelled my order. Pretty shady if you ask me.

Too bad, if I were to order those hot swap holtite from the site myself, cost would be close to double the price of GB.

My VE.A still sitting there in pieces... Hopefully someone will organise another GB for holtites hot swap sockets sometime soon.

There's one Holtites GB going on right now, perhaps you can pm the OP of that thread.
I'm also aware of that VE.A has a good fit for this mod. But I perhaps want to go for an Alps VE.A build.

[krisst]

Show Image

Show Image

It's a process ... but I'm almost there ... 

Looking good! I ordered some Holtite from one of the GB that "Keys of kings" did last Nov. After sending me a shipping notice. He cancelled my order and after a month of waiting, I went back to the site to check on the progress because I have not received the package. I notice my order was being refunded. I emailed the guy asking about it, he then refunded me. Being very vague about the reason why he cancelled my order. Pretty shady if you ask me.

Too bad, if I were to order those hot swap holtite from the site myself, cost would be close to double the price of GB.

My VE.A still sitting there in pieces... Hopefully someone will organise another GB for holtites hot swap sockets sometime soon.

There's one Holtites GB going on right now, perhaps you can pm the OP of that thread.
I'm also aware of that VE.A has a good fit for this mod. But I perhaps want to go for an Alps VE.A build.

Yup. I am aware of one GB going on now. It is only for EU.

An Alps build would be interesting. Have been using R1 Zealios for a while now. The wobble is... really horrible. Makes me want change over to topre. I heard R4 Zealios wobble less, that's not the point though. Previously bought R3 Zealios just for VE.A, am I suppose to throw them away and get latest revision just for the reduced wobble? This is one of the reason why I was hoping to use hot swap socket on VE.A, to be able to change out switches easily.

Alps might wobble less than MX stem too, not sure about that. Can consider Alps if so.

[N35]

I'm located in the EU so I'm pretty interested in this..

Not sure about caps, or switches,  but if I can get the rest First then I assume I can buy switches and caps afterwards, and not only from the gb?

[menuhin]

I'm located in the EU so I'm pretty interested in this..

Not sure about caps, or switches,  but if I can get the rest First then I assume I can buy switches and caps afterwards, and not only from the gb?

VE.A is a kit, it doesn't come with switches or caps.
There's no GB at the moment unfortunately.

[JDragon]

For anyone doing the Holtite mod, how did you handle keys such as Caps Lock or some of the bottom row keys where the sockets won't fit - just solder those specific switches in?

[N35]

I'm located in the EU so I'm pretty interested in this..

Not sure about caps, or switches,  but if I can get the rest First then I assume I can buy switches and caps afterwards, and not only from the gb?

VE.A is a kit, it doesn't come with switches or caps.
There's no GB at the moment unfortunately.

Ah I understood it from zephyr that there was one running for EU.

[MandrewDavis]

For anyone doing the Holtite mod, how did you handle keys such as Caps Lock or some of the bottom row keys where the sockets won't fit - just solder those specific switches in?

I saw several people use plain ol' SIP sockets for the lock LEDs.

[alienman82]

removed.

[JDragon]

For anyone doing the Holtite mod, how did you handle keys such as Caps Lock or some of the bottom row keys where the sockets won't fit - just solder those specific switches in?

I saw several people use plain ol' SIP sockets for the lock LEDs.

Ah I meant the actual keys themselves - the hole in the PCB seems to be large enough to accommodate the switch pin but not a holtite socket, unless I'm doing something wrong?