geekhack
geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Lethal Squirrel on Tue, 07 August 2012, 19:11:20
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Here is a little log of my PBC Poker plate mount mod. This is a somewhat simple project you can do if you have a spare mounting plate laying around. All you have to do is desolder the switches, cut the board down to size, and solder the switches back in.
Here are a few pics of the process.
Pulling the switches for the PCB
(http://i.imgur.com/cphfY.jpg)
Plate cut to size
(http://i.imgur.com/Be6Wt.jpg)
Switches soldered back on.
(http://i.imgur.com/I43Xi.jpg)
The black switches are replacements for switches that got soda spilled on them. They have red springs.
And here it is with the keycaps back on.
(http://i.imgur.com/A6Nnq.jpg)
The trickiest part was getting it to fit in the case. I had to grind down the front of the plate, and sand down the inside edges of the case.
Grinded down case. Removed about 1.5mm
(http://i.imgur.com/m2FkK.jpg)
Here is the front of the plate grinded down. I took off about 1mm. Maybe 1.5mm
(http://i.imgur.com/KL0ms.jpg)
I also had to drill holes that were bigger around that the screws, so the screws could fir through the plate, and screw into the PCB like normal. I did this by drilling through the screw holes on the PCB, then getting a larger bit and drilling trough the holes on the plate that were made from drilling through the PCB holes. If that makes sense xD
(http://i.imgur.com/hG9Zz.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BvmQD.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4CSZR.jpg)
Here are some pics of the finished product! ;D
(http://i.imgur.com/Sq5TL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gFXS2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bVlcj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0b2Dt.jpg)
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As I said before, this looks good! Would definitely buy a plate mounted poker.
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This one might be for sale soon ;P
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Hit me up, i would be willing to buy just the plate too :)
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Great work! I'm curious how it feels, I bet its much better (Personal preference)
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looks great, the grinding turned out very well!
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Glad the case shaving and plate grinding worked out. :D
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It feels exactly like a filco imo. Just smaller of course. :D
It has that solid feel to it. No flex AT ALL. and in my opinion, the costar stabilizers are much better. The cherry ones don't "clack"
It also sounds much better, and the board just feels better build, and heavier.
BTW, if I ever decide to sell this. I might have to have some kind of silent auction, because I have no idea of what it's worth. I don't want to throw out some crazy ass price. but I don't wanna low-ball it either.
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Lookin good dude. Now all you need is a metal case :P
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Totally agree. although to me it always seemed like metal cases were to compensate for the lack of plate mounted switched. That's the way I used to see it.
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Totally agree. although to me it always seemed like metal cases were to compensate for the lack of plate mounted switched. That's the way I used to see it.
Even with a metal case, you would still have pcb flex. So it's not really a replacement for plate :)
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This mod is amazing. Anyone know any cheap keyboards to buy and scrap that could be used for this mod?
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$64 CMStorm quickfire rapid at Amazon comes to mind as the cheapest currently.
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$64 CMStorm quickfire rapid at Amazon comes to mind as the cheapest currently.
If Rosewill's ever come on sale again, it's only $1 more and you get a few more spare switches to trade/sell/keep
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Could also go with a refurb CMStorm QFR.
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Funny enough, a refurb is only $3 cheaper than Amazon after shipping.
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WHoa, looks really great.
Congratz on that mod Lethal ! :)
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Looks dope, good job, except for ya know, using MX reds =P
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:O MX reds happen to be my favorite switch!!!
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Reds are really nice, but I have them tied with browns as my favorite switch.
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I have them tied with blues. I think blues are fun as hell, and Very different to any normal keyboard. I like to show them to people that have never heard of mechanical, and blow their minds xD however, there is just something about the silky smooth cloud of boobs :D
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I really like the tactile feedback, but I think if I give my Race with reds a long enough run, I'll get used to it, but regardless, tactile wins it for me.