Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[CPTBadAss]

Can I get some of those old style stabilizers anywhere? I assume I can't use them with a plate?

It's been a while since I took the old boards apart but I think they've got a plate. You can use that one lol. And same with the stabilizers, you can get em from old Cherry boards. Not 100% sure on which models. But there's no new source for them.

[tofgerl]

OH, old Cherry MY stabs! I'm up to speed now...

More: https://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MY#Keycap_compatibility_with_Cherry_MX
(The link lies, they're not compatible.)

I think I'll get a set of purple mods from originative and put these on my my keyboard with the purple plate

[davkol]

Those are *new* Cherry MY stabs, not old ones. The old MY stabs are similar to Costar.

[tofgerl]

I am down to speed.
How can I use the mods on a 60% with or without a plate?

[Eszett]

In which orientation have the Cherry stab inserts* be put into the stabs? (one side has two holes for the stab wire end, the other side has only one hole)

* With "insert" I'm referring to the black plastic inside the black plastic :-)

[piemancoder]

In which orientation have the Cherry stab inserts* be put into the stabs? (one side has two holes for the stab wire end, the other side has only one hole)

* With "insert" I'm referring to the black plastic inside the black plastic :-)

The one with two holes is the one you put the wire in. You'll see on the thing you put the insert in there's a spot where the wire snaps in, that's where the one with two holes faces

[Eszett]

@piemancoder perfect, that's it. Thank you!

[Dr Hwatson]

Why do all of the TKL cases I see specify that they are not for Ducky boards?

I have a Ducky Shine 3 TKL and I am going to have to resort to painting the case since all of these nice cases hate my board. Just kinda wanted to know the reason behind this specification.

Also, did I make the wrong choice in board? I rarely see Ducky boards posted on reddit (I am brand new to GH). I know they are known for their build quality and that was my driving factor at the time.

[CPTBadAss]

Why do all of the TKL cases I see specify that they are not for Ducky boards?

I have a Ducky Shine 3 TKL and I am going to have to resort to painting the case since all of these nice cases hate my board. Just kinda wanted to know the reason behind this specification.

Also, did I make the wrong choice in board? I rarely see Ducky boards posted on reddit (I am brand new to GH). I know they are known for their build quality and that was my driving factor at the time.

Think they've got a nonstandard dimension compared to many other boards.

And I think ducky boards are great. Always a solid pickup.

[NewToKeyboards]

Quick and Simple Question for you all...

Is the Corsair K70 LUX with Cherry MX Blue switches still using a non-standard bottom row?

Already found the answer: for those of you who are wondering it seems that they still are and the bottom row is 1.5 1 1.25 6 1.25 1 1 1.5

[CPTBadAss]

Is there a way to get translucent on black double shots for a back lit keyboard?

Yes

[blazzo]

Possibly a weird question...

What counts as a 'media key' on a keyboard?

Obviously track forward/back, volume up down etc.

But do 'mail', 'home' etc function keys count as 'media keys', or would they be referred to as something else?

[tofgerl]

I think of them as media keys, or simply "things I don't want on my keyboard", but I don't know if they're part of any standard. I assume they simply send unused scan codes and the OS knows what to do with them.

[xtrafrood]

Possibly a weird question...

What counts as a 'media key' on a keyboard?

Obviously track forward/back, volume up down etc.

But do 'mail', 'home' etc function keys count as 'media keys', or would they be referred to as something else?

Special keys? People may have called them media keys in the past, but I think when someone says 'media keys' they're referring to keys that can be used for prerecorded media. I use a few of those special keycodes myself. They seem to be pretty standard for Windows/Linux OS.

[blazzo]

I think of them as media keys, or simply "things I don't want on my keyboard", but I don't know if they're part of any standard. I assume they simply send unused scan codes and the OS knows what to do with them.

I'm in the same boat and refer to them as "things I don't want on my keyboard"

I think when someone says 'media keys' they're referring to keys that can be used for prerecorded media.

That's what I was leaning towards myself. 'Media' does seem to be pretty specific I guess.

Thanks for the feedback on this question guys, appreciate it.

[klennkellon]

What are the thinnest possible Cherry O-rings I could buy? I would like them 1mm or less.

[tobsn]

Trying to build my own keyboard layout atm because I don't like any I found available...
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=84301.msg2250651
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/ff3374e064770867929c23c6e186fdb2

Maybe someone can give me advice on the sandwich setup with the Case & Plate builder?
I have it currently set up like this for lasergist:



I'm going with M2 screws but I'm not sure if the padding (8mm) and edge spacing (7mm) is good...

Thanks!

[MandrewDavis]

Has anyone had any experience or have a quick opinion on the idea of dropping Gateron black stems into vintage Cherry housings?

[PollandAkuma]

So... With the influx    of London mech addicts, when is a meet-up going to happen?

[xondat]

So... With the influx    of London mech addicts, when is a meet-up going to happen?

Summer was going to happen for the UK but then **** hit the fan for bunny so never happened.

[duynguyenle]

So... With the influx    of London mech addicts, when is a meet-up going to happen?

Influx of London mech addicts? Where?

[xondat]

So... With the influx    of London mech addicts, when is a meet-up going to happen?

Influx of London mech addicts? Where?

Just a few new people in the new members forums ) Whether they are here to stay, we'll see.

[PollandAkuma]

So... With the influx    of London mech addicts, when is a meet-up going to happen?

Influx of London mech addicts? Where?

Just a few new people in the new members forums ) Whether they are here to stay, we'll see.

Might be a good thing if they don't, so no competition iwhen fleabaying 

[asgeirtj]

Anyone know if winkeyless.kr or gon boards bend at all when typing?  I'm asking since they don't have a steel plate.  I tried an alu plate with my lz rv and I thought it was horrible so I switched to a steel plate. Will winkeyless.kr boards and gon's be the same?

[xtrafrood]

Anyone know if winkeyless.kr or gon boards bend at all when typing?  I'm asking since they don't have a steel plate.  I tried an alu plate with my lz rv and I thought it was horrible so I switched to a steel plate. Will winkeyless.kr boards and gon's be the same?

From my basic understanding both of those suppliers have aluminum plate options. So it will be an aluminum plate on kind of thick acrylic. But, if you're spending that kind of cash on a keyboard what is stopping you from getting a custom steel plate made?

[xondat]

Anyone know if winkeyless.kr or gon boards bend at all when typing?  I'm asking since they don't have a steel plate.  I tried an alu plate with my lz rv and I thought it was horrible so I switched to a steel plate. Will winkeyless.kr boards and gon's be the same?

Neither have steel plates. WKL only has acrylic, and GON has aluminum but he is a scammer so...

[tofgerl]

Is the Phantom the only TKL with TMK support? Cause I don't want to build a Phantom

[xtrafrood]

Is the Phantom the only TKL with TMK support? Cause I don't want to build a Phantom

You could slap a controller on to one of these TKL keyboards. No need to build a keyboard if you don't want to. Quickfire XT is not a TKL but I think that's the only one on this list that is not a TKL

Off the shelf controller list atm http://1upkeyboards.com/index.php?cPath=38 All with TMK support

(I am no way affiliated with 1upkeyboards.com -- they're just awesome)

[tofgerl]

Yeah, I know, but in that case I'll order a Hasu USB converter. More flexible. And Novatouch support!

[xtrafrood]

Yeah, I know, but in that case I'll order a Hasu USB converter. More flexible. And Novatouch support!

You already knew the answer before you even asked the question! Look at you

[tofgerl]

No, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing a cheap TKL somewhere with TMK support. That would be far easier

[xtrafrood]

No, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing a cheap TKL somewhere with TMK support. That would be far easier

You knew the answer already--admit it

[tofgerl]

Nope, but I will admit that googling "Tmk tkl keyboard" didn't give any hits other than the coolermaster alt controllers.

[xtrafrood]

Ah, I see

[alienman82]

removed.

[tofgerl]

Can't go back? That's weird... Well, GON are really overpriced IMO...
I put up a wtb on mechmarket earlier today for an ANSI Novatouch. No takers so far.

[CPTBadAss]

So... With the influx    of London mech addicts, when is a meet-up going to happen?

When you organize one and find an actual venue. As previously mentioned, there was talk about a meetup but no concrete plans. Meetups aren't really official things run by geekhack. They're community organized by members of the forum. If you want it done, DIY.

Has anyone had any experience or have a quick opinion on the idea of dropping Gateron black stems into vintage Cherry housings?

Buried in my review are my impressions of this swap

Anyone know if winkeyless.kr or gon boards bend at all when typing?  I'm asking since they don't have a steel plate.  I tried an alu plate with my lz rv and I thought it was horrible so I switched to a steel plate. Will winkeyless.kr boards and gon's be the same?

Never had this issue when tying on a GON board. It gave more than a steel plate but I wouldn't say bend.

What are the thinnest possible Cherry O-rings I could buy? I would like them 1mm or less.

If EK still sells landing pads, that might work well for you.

[Subbax]

I have zero experience here so apologies for the [most likely] stupid question!

I'm looking to make a keyboard from two aluminium plates and 2 acrylic middle pieces to provide the space, seems standard enough.  I've sourced a template, which has screw holes through each piece but I'm unsure how these keyboards are screwed together.  Discounting the fancier feet, most screens I've seen have screws visible from the top so I'd imagine that there's a nut on the bottom and a rubber cover over it?  I've seen Gon's feet but these seem like they'll only screw through the bottom plate, so what's keeping the rest of the 3 layers together?

[xondat]

I have zero experience here so apologies for the [most likely] stupid question!

I'm looking to make a keyboard from two aluminium plates and 2 acrylic middle pieces to provide the space, seems standard enough.  I've sourced a template, which has screw holes through each piece but I'm unsure how these keyboards are screwed together.  Discounting the fancier feet, most screens I've seen have screws visible from the top so I'd imagine that there's a nut on the bottom and a rubber cover over it?  I've seen Gon's feet but these seem like they'll only screw through the bottom plate, so what's keeping the rest of the 3 layers together?

GON uses a straight screw, whereas Winkeyless use rivet nuts.


https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44147


http://blog.winkeyless.kr/207

[Subbax]

Ahh, rivet nut makes so much sense now.  Ta!

[xondat]

Ahh, rivet nut makes so much sense now.  Ta!

This is what I'm planning on using - https://www.accu.co.uk/en/knurled-flat-rivet-nuts/177622-HRKN-M3-10-A2-BL

decent place in the UK from my experience )

[Sifo]

do SA keycaps fit on a board with sipsocketed 2x3x4 leds?

[Bakgrund]

Any decent English reviews of the MOTOSPEED Inflictor CK104 keyboard? Just bought one for 25 bucks 

Just found non-english reviews when I searched.

Edit: Nevermind, found a decent review here: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/46jcex/review_motospeed_k84inflictor_ck104_translated/

[asgeirtj]

Is there any difference in feel between pcb mounted switches mounted into a plate and pcb, and non pcb mounted switches mounted into a plate and pcb?

[xondat]

Is there any difference in feel between pcb mounted switches mounted into a plate and pcb, and non pcb mounted switches mounted into a plate and pcb?

All the stability is provided by the plate as the PCB mount don't clip into the PCB, so no. Unless it's placebo.

[CyberPlatypus]

I just got my my first mech, a Ducky Shine 5 with Cherry MX Blue switches, a couple of days ago. The keyboard is mostly great, except the keys are pretty wobbly. Is that normal? Thanks for any help!

[xondat]

I just got my my first mech, a Ducky Shine 5 with Cherry MX Blue switches, a couple of days ago. The keyboard is mostly great, except the keys are pretty wobbly. Is that normal? Thanks for any help!

You mean wobble as in you can move the keycap around a bit on the stem? Pretty normal but it shouldn't be too drastic.

[tofgerl]

Whenever people talk about making a new SA-like keycap profile, I kind of hope they'll make a spherical fully profiled keycap system with some sort of internal stabilizer so that it would be solid as a rock when put on a MX switch. But I know that's just impossible...

[Subbax]

I've used keyboard-layout-editor and swillkb to sort a pretty standard 65% layout, sandwich style build but I'm not entirely sure if I need to add a few mm of space around the outside of the file I get from swillkb.  I'm assuming if the screws are flush they'll just sneak in underneath the cap but if they're not flush I should add some space?

[CPTBadAss]

Whenever people talk about making a new SA-like keycap profile, I kind of hope they'll make a spherical fully profiled keycap system with some sort of internal stabilizer so that it would be solid as a rock when put on a MX switch. But I know that's just impossible...

Wobble with a switch isn't necessarily a bad thing. If helps with off-centered strikes and having them register when you type. It would feel much more awkward without the wobble. If you've tried Cherry ML, it'd be similar to that. Unfortunately not everyone has proper typing technique (including myself) so having wobble is helpful.

I've used keyboard-layout-editor and swillkb to sort a pretty standard 65% layout, sandwich style build but I'm not entirely sure if I need to add a few mm of space around the outside of the file I get from swillkb.  I'm assuming if the screws are flush they'll just sneak in underneath the cap but if they're not flush I should add some space?

Just add a countersink for the screw holes.