Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[KHAANNN]

Is there a Gateron switch tester pack?

Preferably with Zealios and all the other Gateron's in it

[iamtootallforthis]

Is there a Gateron switch tester pack?

Preferably with Zealios and all the other Gateron's in it

https://shop.clueboard.co/LED-Switch-Tester.html

[CPTBadAss]

What I need to do is rent a Type-S with MX sliders to test the feel...

Is that something one does? Like if I pay full price to someone, and then when I send it back, they pay me back all minus a fee?

Is there a publicly advertised service on geekhack like you describe? No. But friends or meetups are a good way to test that kinda stuff out.

[Chewypost]

Hey guys, I'm curious as to what's the minimum length required of the SIP socket to reach the pcb. The ones I have are 5mm and I'm unsure if it'll reach and make contact.
Anyone know if the ones I have will work?

[Nuum]

Is there a 60% PCB out there that allows for a split spacebar, e.g. 2.75u - 1u - 2,75u or similar?

[xondat]

Is there a 60% PCB out there that allows for a split spacebar, e.g. 2.75u - 1u - 2,75u or similar?

No.

[CPTBadAss]

Hey guys, I'm curious as to what's the minimum length required of the SIP socket to reach the pcb. The ones I have are 5mm and I'm unsure if it'll reach and make contact.
Anyone know if the ones I have will work?

I wasn't aware that SIP socket lengths varied to be honest. I think you'll be fine. a quick test would be helpful though. Just throw together a SIP socketed switch and then mount the plate to the PCB with some normal switches. No need to solder. Just see if the SIP sockets legs poke through the PCB holes.

Is there a 60% PCB out there that allows for a split spacebar, e.g. 2.75u - 1u - 2,75u or similar?

Not that I'm aware of.

[Chewypost]

Hey guys, I'm curious as to what's the minimum length required of the SIP socket to reach the pcb. The ones I have are 5mm and I'm unsure if it'll reach and make contact.
Anyone know if the ones I have will work?

I wasn't aware that SIP socket lengths varied to be honest. I think you'll be fine. a quick test would be helpful though. Just throw together a SIP socketed switch and then mount the plate to the PCB with some normal switches. No need to solder. Just see if the SIP sockets legs poke through the PCB holes.

Yeah It's kinda hard to say. The sockets seem to poke about halfway through my Octagon PCB, but it required a bit more force to push through.

I believe they are the ultra low profile SIP Sockets of this PDF. It measures to about the same specifications of the ultra low profile socket.
http://www.mill-max.com/assets/pdfs/065.PDF

[rowdy]

Excellent, thanks.
I can see what you mean with the SA weight. I guess I should try it first, if I find a way to do so...
It's a huge cost for a single keyboard, after all.

There's a thread discussing the merits of using SA keycaps on a Novatouch which, like the HHKB, is 45g.

[tofgerl]

There's a thread discussing the merits of using SA keycaps on a Novatouch which, like the HHKB, is 45g.

Thanks, reading that...

[Waateva]

Does BSP still do keysets?

[CPTBadAss]

Does BSP still do keysets?

Pretty sure they do. It wasn't too long ago someone did a custom run. But I remember there being a snafu with that buy. IIRC Sherry from Originative was involved so he might know.

[ideus]

Does BSP still do keysets?

http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=62&product_id=111

But it says out of stock.

[Waateva]

Does BSP still do keysets?

Pretty sure they do. It wasn't too long ago someone did a custom run. But I remember there being a snafu with that buy. IIRC Sherry from Originative was involved so he might know.

Ah okay, I have a nice set of BSP keycaps but I'm just kinda wondering why they hardly ever considered for running stuff.  Maybe high MOQ or something?

[Cerasis]

Thinking about a 40% to build, though i won't be able to build it any time soon considering i have classes. I have some in mind, but if there are more out there i'd like to know. Any suggestions? 

[Sifo]

Thinking about a 40% to build, though i won't be able to build it any time soon considering i have classes. I have some in mind, but if there are more out there i'd like to know. Any suggestions? 

From all the ones I've seen, evangs' minivan 44 is the best one as far as features (and I might be a little biased since I own one). It's supposed to be on massdrop the end of this month.

JD40 and 45 are more readily available I think? The Atreus is interesting too if you're into the layout.

[Cerasis]

From all the ones I've seen, evangs' minivan 44 is the best one as far as features (and I might be a little biased since I own one). It's supposed to be on massdrop the end of this month.
JD40 and 45 are more readily available I think? The Atreus is interesting too if you're into the layout.

Yeah minivan was the first that came to mind. If its going to be on massdrop i'm probably going to go for that.

[potatobot]

Hey guys, just wondering if you know what material the ducky shine case is made of?

Im planning to repaint mine coz i have spare spray paint from my gunpla hobby.

Im confused whether to sand and prime the case before doing the actual coat.

Cheers!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CPTBadAss]

Hey guys, just wondering if you know what material the ducky shine case is made of?

Im planning to repaint mine coz i have spare spray paint from my gunpla hobby.

Im confused whether to sand and prime the case before doing the actual coat.

Cheers!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pretty sure it's ABS but I'm not 100%. But in other case painting walkthroughs I've seen have sanded and primed the cases.

[BobBobFSGG]

Any other custom ~60%-ish keyboards with hot swapable switch support, besides Smart68? Like the idea, don't like having to find non-standard keycaps all the time.

[CPTBadAss]

Any other custom ~60%-ish keyboards with hot swapable switch support, besides Smart68? Like the idea, don't like having to find non-standard keycaps all the time.

The 62/60 is the only other option I'm aware of. But I have serious quality concerns about that board. In general hot-swappable isn't really proven yet and previous tests have yielded poor results.

[ReverbSlush]

is there a general consensus on what layout works well with mixed switches?  Heavier or tactile on modifiers and linear on alpha?  I like seeing different colors when people post their boards with no caps, but I'm not sure *why* they have it that way....

[iamtootallforthis]

From all the ones I've seen, evangs' minivan 44 is the best one as far as features (and I might be a little biased since I own one). It's supposed to be on massdrop the end of this month.
JD40 and 45 are more readily available I think? The Atreus is interesting too if you're into the layout.

Yeah minivan was the first that came to mind. If its going to be on massdrop i'm probably going to go for that.

mechanicalkeyboards.com is carrying the JD45 with both kits and pre built options.

[CPTBadAss]

is there a general consensus on what layout works well with mixed switches?  Heavier or tactile on modifiers and linear on alpha?  I like seeing different colors when people post their boards with no caps, but I'm not sure *why* they have it that way....

Not really. That's definitely a personal preference thing. Companies who do the mixed switches usually do light switches for the keys they think the pinky and ring finger use more of.

[BobBobFSGG]

Any other custom ~60%-ish keyboards with hot swapable switch support, besides Smart68? Like the idea, don't like having to find non-standard keycaps all the time.

The 62/60 is the only other option I'm aware of. But I have serious quality concerns about that board. In general hot-swappable isn't really proven yet and previous tests have yielded poor results.

I see. Well, i'd rather have what Smart68 has to offer than that "HHKB-ish" bottom row and acrylic sandwich case.

How hard would it be to find fitting PBT dyesub/doubleshots for V2 Layout A and V2 Layout B? It's 3x 1.5 mods (that right short shift looks like it's 1.5?) for the former and 5x 1.5 mods/1x 7 spacebar for the latter.

I'm guessing such keys still aren't that common in sets, especially such as PBT dyesub. Also that Page Up key is gonna be the major profile offender no matter what, since its gonna be in the wrong row...

[brighenne]

Does BSP still do keysets?

Pretty sure they do. It wasn't too long ago someone did a custom run. But I remember there being a snafu with that buy. IIRC Sherry from Originative was involved so he might know.

Ah okay, I have a nice set of BSP keycaps but I'm just kinda wondering why they hardly ever considered for running stuff.  Maybe high MOQ or something?

Yeah I think BSP MOQ was 400 sets.

[Waateva]

Does BSP still do keysets?

Pretty sure they do. It wasn't too long ago someone did a custom run. But I remember there being a snafu with that buy. IIRC Sherry from Originative was involved so he might know.

Ah okay, I have a nice set of BSP keycaps but I'm just kinda wondering why they hardly ever considered for running stuff.  Maybe high MOQ or something?

Yeah I think BSP MOQ was 400 sets.

I also saw somewhere else that they apparently don't do spacebars either, so having to source those elsewhere on top of the high MOQ could definitely complicate things .

[brighenne]

Yep, no BSP spacebars...I need to get a set.

[CPTBadAss]

More

Any other custom ~60%-ish keyboards with hot swapable switch support, besides Smart68? Like the idea, don't like having to find non-standard keycaps all the time.

The 62/60 is the only other option I'm aware of. But I have serious quality concerns about that board. In general hot-swappable isn't really proven yet and previous tests have yielded poor results.

I see. Well, i'd rather have what Smart68 has to offer than that "HHKB-ish" bottom row and acrylic sandwich case.

How hard would it be to find fitting PBT dyesub/doubleshots for V2 Layout A and V2 Layout B? It's 3x 1.5 mods (that right short shift looks like it's 1.5?) for the former and 5x 1.5 mods/1x 7 spacebar for the latter.

I'm guessing such keys still aren't that common in sets, especially such as PBT dyesub. Also that Page Up key is gonna be the major profile offender no matter what, since its gonna be in the wrong row...\

Short right shift is always a bit tricky to find regardless of the material. Everything else should be fine.

[rao2100]

Hi guys need help. I am using LZS keyboard. I think i activated something and now it types wrong characters.
A = D
Esc = \

Its not windows as I have plugged in a diff keyboard and it works fine.
I even removed keyboards from device manager and added back again.

So i gather there must be some shortcut in the LZS that activates this mode. Please help, and let me know where i can post this so i can get the help.

Thanks again.

[Bucake]

if i press it down slowly, my Esc key is sometimes registering multiple times (Cherry MX Red - KBT Pure Pro)
what could be the cause? wear? dirt?
i have not spilled any liquid on/in the keyboard and i haven't seen this behavior with any of the other keys

it's not a huge issue since 1) it's just the Esc key and 2) if i tap it down fast it doesn't happen.
i'm just curious to what the issue might be and how i could fix it (probably desoldering..?)
at times it's a bit annoying because it does make the key somewhat unreliable :-/

[CPTBadAss]

if i press it down slowly, my Esc key is sometimes registering multiple times (Cherry MX Red - KBT Pure Pro)
what could be the cause? wear? dirt?
i have not spilled any liquid on/in the keyboard and i haven't seen this behavior with any of the other keys

it's not a huge issue since 1) it's just the Esc key and 2) if i tap it down fast it doesn't happen.
i'm just curious to what the issue might be and how i could fix it (probably desoldering..?)
at times it's a bit annoying because it does make the key somewhat unreliable :-/

Hi guys need help. I am using LZS keyboard. I think i activated something and now it types wrong characters.
A = D
Esc = \

Its not windows as I have plugged in a diff keyboard and it works fine.
I even removed keyboards from device manager and added back again.

So i gather there must be some shortcut in the LZS that activates this mode. Please help, and let me know where i can post this so i can get the help.

Thanks again.

For both these issues, I'd check the soldering with a multimeter to see if the connection is good. If not fix it. I would then try and put something in between the PCB and case to see if that helps. I've had weird issues and chattering be solved by putting drawer liner between the PCB and case. I think it's shorting issues. If those don't work, I'd also try cleaning the switch or replacing the switch. Sometimes switches get dirty or are messed up in some way internally.

[rao2100]

if i press it down slowly, my Esc key is sometimes registering multiple times (Cherry MX Red - KBT Pure Pro)
what could be the cause? wear? dirt?
i have not spilled any liquid on/in the keyboard and i haven't seen this behavior with any of the other keys

it's not a huge issue since 1) it's just the Esc key and 2) if i tap it down fast it doesn't happen.
i'm just curious to what the issue might be and how i could fix it (probably desoldering..?)
at times it's a bit annoying because it does make the key somewhat unreliable :-/

Hi guys need help. I am using LZS keyboard. I think i activated something and now it types wrong characters.
A = D
Esc = \

Its not windows as I have plugged in a diff keyboard and it works fine.
I even removed keyboards from device manager and added back again.

So i gather there must be some shortcut in the LZS that activates this mode. Please help, and let me know where i can post this so i can get the help.

Thanks again.

For both these issues, I'd check the soldering with a multimeter to see if the connection is good. If not fix it. I would then try and put something in between the PCB and case to see if that helps. I've had weird issues and chattering be solved by putting drawer liner between the PCB and case. I think it's shorting issues. If those don't work, I'd also try cleaning the switch or replacing the switch. Sometimes switches get dirty or are messed up in some way internally.

Thanks CPT, weirdly enough the right side of the keyboard is registering correctly. Will check out your suggestion. Thanks again.

[potatobot]

Hey guys, just wondering if you know what material the ducky shine case is made of?

Im planning to repaint mine coz i have spare spray paint from my gunpla hobby.

Im confused whether to sand and prime the case before doing the actual coat.

Cheers!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pretty sure it's ABS but I'm not 100%. But in other case painting walkthroughs I've seen have sanded and primed the cases.

Thanks for the quick response mate.

I was also guessing abs, just wasn't a 100% sure it was tho.

Just a followup, do you think after i sand+prime any spray-paint would stick to the case or should i opt for vinyl?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CPTBadAss]

More

Hey guys, just wondering if you know what material the ducky shine case is made of?

Im planning to repaint mine coz i have spare spray paint from my gunpla hobby.

Im confused whether to sand and prime the case before doing the actual coat.

Cheers!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pretty sure it's ABS but I'm not 100%. But in other case painting walkthroughs I've seen have sanded and primed the cases.

Thanks for the quick response mate.

I was also guessing abs, just wasn't a 100% sure it was tho.

Just a followup, do you think after i sand+prime any spray-paint would stick to the case or should i opt for vinyl?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Judging from people who have done it before, I think you'll be fine.

[Dwarlorf]

I know my GH60 doesn't have full LED support but I read I can put a few in. Is this correct? If so, is there a maximum number?

[jdcarpe]

I know my GH60 doesn't have full LED support but I read I can put a few in. Is this correct? If so, is there a maximum number?

You'll see where they can go by the spots for the resistors on the PCB. You'll need to install those for any LEDs to work.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Dwarlorf]

I know my GH60 doesn't have full LED support but I read I can put a few in. Is this correct? If so, is there a maximum number?

You'll see where they can go by the spots for the resistors on the PCB. You'll need to install those for any LEDs to work.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Thank you for your reply.

I take it where it says + and - on the PCB is where the LEDs can go. And the spots where there's two vertical lines and key description is where the transistors go.

How do I know what transistors to get? Does it depend on the  LEDs I choose or is there anything else I have to look out for?

[tofgerl]

Looking to replace some Matias switches because they don't treat the caps well. What is the closest alp switch to Zealio 67g

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[CPTBadAss]

Looking to replace some Matias switches because they don't treat the caps well. What is the closest alp switch to Zealio 67g

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

SKCM Salmon, Orange, Cream, or Brown are all options. I think Orange would be closest. Or maybe Brown.

More

I know my GH60 doesn't have full LED support but I read I can put a few in. Is this correct? If so, is there a maximum number?

You'll see where they can go by the spots for the resistors on the PCB. You'll need to install those for any LEDs to work.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Thank you for your reply.

I take it where it says + and - on the PCB is where the LEDs can go. And the spots where there's two vertical lines and key description is where the transistors go.

How do I know what transistors to get? Does it depend on the  LEDs I choose or is there anything else I have to look out for?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50865.10

[Waateva]

Question: Why don't CPTBadass and HoffmanMyster play Civ V with me anymore?

[CPTBadAss]

Question: Why don't CPTBadass and HoffmanMyster play Civ V with me anymore?

We should play again soon! Been busy with IRL stuff. And Hoff ignores me most of the time now sooooo .

[Waateva]

Question: Why don't CPTBadass and HoffmanMyster play Civ V with me anymore?

We should play again soon! Been busy with IRL stuff. And Hoff ignores me most of the time now sooooo .

I know, we gotta get ready for VI in just a couple months!  We can also try to trick Hoff into coming, maybe with promises of vinyl...

[frosty]

retrobrighting cherry og doubleshots; how do i do it and will it be safe for the plastic and change how it is supposed to feel?

[CPTBadAss]

retrobrighting cherry og doubleshots; how do i do it and will it be safe for the plastic and change how it is supposed to feel?

DT has a lot of really good in process pictures of retrobright that come to mind. Here's some links

https://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/retrobright-t8139.html#p167981
https://deskthority.net/wiki/Retr0bright
https://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/retrobrite-the-yellow-strikes-back-t6084.html

I believe it is safe and does not change the feeling but I've never tried it. It is a chemical process and I'm not responsible with how things go; good or bad. You'll have to gauge your risk tolerance and decide for yourself. If I had anything yellowed I'd try it but I haven't had that issue yet.

[user 18]

Question: Why don't CPTBadass and HoffmanMyster play Civ V with me anymore?

We should play again soon! Been busy with IRL stuff. And Hoff ignores me most of the time now sooooo .

I know, we gotta get ready for VI in just a couple months!  We can also try to trick Hoff into coming, maybe with promises of vinyl...

Message me too when you're playing next!

[Waateva]

Question: Why don't CPTBadass and HoffmanMyster play Civ V with me anymore?

We should play again soon! Been busy with IRL stuff. And Hoff ignores me most of the time now sooooo .

I know, we gotta get ready for VI in just a couple months!  We can also try to trick Hoff into coming, maybe with promises of vinyl...

Message me too when you're playing next!

Will do

[brighenne]

retrobrighting cherry og doubleshots; how do i do it and will it be safe for the plastic and change how it is supposed to feel?

Read this thread if you're interested in retrobright. Some really good information.

https://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/retrobrite-the-yellow-strikes-back-t6084.html

[tofgerl]

In TMK, do you need a separate function to use a lock key to switch layers, or does ACTION_LAYER_MOMENTARY work?

[AnTi PRO]

As someone who has no experience soldering or building anything electronically is there a good/affordable kit out there to learn how to build boards? I wouldn't mind taking a crack at it, but I don't want to ruin an expensive board.

Thanks! <3