Author Topic: [GB] TMK Alps64 - 60% PCB for Alps (Read 616951 times)

njbair · « **Reply #300 on:** Thu, 11 June 2015, 18:52:05 »

Quote from: jdcarpe on Thu, 11 June 2015, 18:48:07

Quote from: Karura on Thu, 11 June 2015, 17:41:53
That's also a nice case, but a little different from the one I linked! I prefer the Massdrop one with the uniform edge thickness (the MK one is thicker at the front)
The black version on MK has the uniform wall thickness. I personally really like the thicker front edge. But Tex confuses me...why change the design and have both floating around for sale without somehow differintiating one from the other?

Because a lot of these small companies don't understand product marketing. They never consider how confusing their own product offerings may seem to the uninitiated potential customer.

Karura · « **Reply #301 on:** Thu, 11 June 2015, 18:59:20 »

Personally I like the uniform side-walls but I can also appreciate why some may prefer the designs of the thicker front sidewall, as it looks great too.

The black case they're selling on MK is actually not the same case as the one offered on Massdrop:

The case on MD is made by TEX, CNC'd, and anodizing is performed by the factory that does anodizing for Lian-Li computer cases.

The case on MK is made by VORTEX, is not CNC'd but cast aluminum instead, not sure where the anodizing is done.

Profile is also a little different! Both have low bezels (floaty), but the TEX is flat and uses aluminum feet while VORTEX has the incline built into the case itself.

Not to be a stickler for details, but just hoping to educate and clarify the differences

Cheers

P.S. Also, I would much prefer the VORTEX PURE case which is their 60% case but CNC'd instead, but they are rare these days

nubbinator · « **Reply #302 on:** Thu, 11 June 2015, 19:04:22 »

Are the vortex cases anodized or powder coated? Cast aluminum is not easily anodized and is more expensive to anodize.

hasu · « **Reply #303 on:** Thu, 11 June 2015, 19:09:40 »

Those cases appear to have thicker PCB support fins than plastic Poker case does. I'm not sure this PCB has enough clearance for the thick fins, current clearance is around 2.3mm in design but it may depends on how you solder diodes too.

And you may want to note difference of plate height between Cherry and Alps when you case has shallow bezel like those cases.
Alps plate is 4.5mm high from PCB surface while Cherry is 5.0mm.

http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20Sheets/Cherry%20PDFs/MX%20Series.pdf
http://deskthority.net/w/images/6/68/Forward_Electronics_--_spec_--_SKBMFA.pdf

jdcarpe · « **Reply #304 on:** Thu, 11 June 2015, 19:25:37 »

Quote from: Karura on Thu, 11 June 2015, 18:59:20

The black case they're selling on MK is actually not the same case as the one offered on Massdrop:

The case on MD is made by TEX, CNC'd, and anodizing is performed by the factory that does anodizing for Lian-Li computer cases.
Show Image

The case on MK is made by VORTEX, is not CNC'd but cast aluminum instead, not sure where the anodizing is done.
Show Image

Profile is also a little different! Both have low bezels (floaty), but the TEX is flat and uses aluminum feet while VORTEX has the incline built into the case itself.

Not to be a stickler for details, but just hoping to educate and clarify the differences Cheers

Sorry, I should have given the link. The black Tex case I was referring to is this one: http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=630

CommonCurt · « **Reply #305 on:** Sat, 13 June 2015, 06:09:28 »

Any ideas about a plate gb yet, whether it be another round of AEK ll, or something else?

jdcarpe · « **Reply #306 on:** Sat, 13 June 2015, 09:17:45 »

Quote from: CommonCurt on Sat, 13 June 2015, 06:09:28

Any ideas about a plate gb yet, whether it be another round of AEK ll, or something else?

I think it would make sense to run the next one as a standard ANSI plate, for those with caps from the Dell AT101 or what have you. People could trade with others to get the AEK II ones, if some people ordered more than what they needed.

We will just have to wait until nubbinator is finished with the current plate buy, and see how he feels about running another one.

hasu · « **Reply #307 on:** Thu, 18 June 2015, 15:19:46 »

Got PCBs the other day. They are not great and typical for cheap PCB houses but good enough for our requirements. Every PCB has some tiny cosmetic scars and screw cutouts on edge are solder masked unlike Rev.A for some reason.

EDIT: This pic shows the cutout difference between Rev.A(bottom) and Rev.B(top).

Both are not big problem anyway. I started assembly process and will shipping them soon.

badboybry9000 · « **Reply #308 on:** Thu, 18 June 2015, 15:27:22 »

Great news! Thank you, hasu. I'm crossing my fingers for a round 2 of the plate group buy.

cheddarbek · « **Reply #309 on:** Fri, 19 June 2015, 00:47:03 »

Quote from: badboybry9000 on Thu, 18 June 2015, 15:27:22

Great news! Thank you, hasu. I'm crossing my fingers for a round 2 of the plate group buy.

Me too, since you got Frostytoast's spot.

badboybry9000 · « **Reply #310 on:** Fri, 19 June 2015, 08:20:42 »

Quote from: cheddarbek on Fri, 19 June 2015, 00:47:03

Quote from: badboybry9000 on Thu, 18 June 2015, 15:27:22
Great news! Thank you, hasu. I'm crossing my fingers for a round 2 of the plate group buy.

Me too, since you got Frostytoast's spot.

Hahaha. Sorry about that! I guess I'm not too worried about another plate buy now. I hope there are no hard feelings.

cheddarbek · « **Reply #311 on:** Sat, 20 June 2015, 00:08:36 »

Nah, no worries. I figure there will be another buy, or I'll just harvest the plate from the board I got from the AEKII GB.

Karura · « **Reply #312 on:** Mon, 22 June 2015, 02:53:45 »

Hey guys, was just wondering if the SG keyboards would make for nice keycap donors?

Also, does it come with a plate and what is the material of the keycaps? Not sure if these are priced well, but they're new.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Silicon-Graphics-RT6856T-062-0002-001-Grey-Keyboard-Granite-PS-2-SGI-/261912496815?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cfb338aaf

hasu · « **Reply #313 on:** Mon, 22 June 2015, 03:01:01 »

Today, some of the orders were shipped, some of you may receive an email with tracking number from Japan Post.

Other orders will be posted in a week.

Frizer · « **Reply #314 on:** Mon, 22 June 2015, 16:09:21 »

Quote from: Karura on Mon, 22 June 2015, 02:53:45

Hey guys, was just wondering if the SG keyboards would make for nice keycap donors?

Also, does it come with a plate and what is the material of the keycaps? Not sure if these are priced well, but they're new.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Silicon-Graphics-RT6856T-062-0002-001-Grey-Keyboard-Granite-PS-2-SGI-/261912496815?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cfb338aaf

I think the SGI boards you want are the ones with the logo top left. The later ones are rubber dome.

rsadek · « **Reply #315 on:** Mon, 22 June 2015, 21:59:48 »

Quote from: hasu on Mon, 22 June 2015, 03:01:01

Today, some of the orders were shipped, some of you may receive an email with tracking number from Japan Post.

Other orders will be posted in a week.

I was very excited to get that email today! Thanks Hasu!!

henz · « **Reply #316 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:10:07 »

may i ask what switches ppl are going to use?

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #317 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:12:35 »

Quote from: henz on Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:10:07

may i ask what switches ppl are going to use?

Discovered I've got 58 Brown Alps and nubbinator's plate takes 60 switches. Going to use 58 Brown Alps and two Matias Quiets unless I can find two extra Browns.

henz · « **Reply #318 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:18:46 »

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:12:35

Quote from: henz on Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:10:07
may i ask what switches ppl are going to use?

Discovered I've got 58 Brown Alps and nubbinator's plate takes 60 switches. Going to use 58 Brown Alps and two Matias Quiets unless I can find two extra Browns.

I have some white alps clones. But im not sure i want something that clicky. Thinking of getting some matias switches or something else tactile.

Hzza · « **Reply #319 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:19:06 »

It's still up in the air for me...I've got a M0116 with salmons which are awesome switches but I don't really want to kill the board for them so I think I'm either going black alps (maybe modded to linear, I'm not sure yet) or dampened creams (I haven't used them enough to decide if I like them yet

).

henz · « **Reply #320 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:23:58 »

Quote from: Hzza on Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:19:06

It's still up in the air for me...I've got a M0116 with salmons which are awesome switches but I don't really want to kill the board for them so I think I'm either going black alps (maybe modded to linear, I'm not sure yet) or dampened creams (I haven't used them enough to decide if I like them yet ).

i have a m0116 too. which is handwired. Will not kill that

CommonCurt · « **Reply #321 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:38:17 »

I'll be using Orange ALPS.

cheddarbek · « **Reply #322 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:40:31 »

I'd like to get as close to the complicated whites in my AEKII at work as possible.

I really didn't care for the creams in the AEKII donor board I picked up(but the keycaps are in great condition). I'm planning on running Matias clicks for most of the keys. I am going to pull the lock switch from my AEKII donor for capslock, and I'm thinking I'll pick up another lock switch for fn - perhaps I'll find just the switch, or pick up a M0116 or another AEK donor to harvest from.

Hzza · « **Reply #323 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:51:17 »

Quote from: henz on Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:23:58

Quote from: Hzza on Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:19:06
It's still up in the air for me...I've got a M0116 with salmons which are awesome switches but I don't really want to kill the board for them so I think I'm either going black alps (maybe modded to linear, I'm not sure yet) or dampened creams (I haven't used them enough to decide if I like them yet ).

i have a m0116 too. which is handwired. Will not kill that

Nice, pics? I'm planning to do the same at some point, I've got a bit of time off at the end of the year so I'll probably crack it out then.

henz · « **Reply #324 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:53:40 »

Quote from: Hzza on Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:51:17

Quote from: henz on Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:23:58
Quote from: Hzza on Tue, 23 June 2015, 10:19:06
It's still up in the air for me...I've got a M0116 with salmons which are awesome switches but I don't really want to kill the board for them so I think I'm either going black alps (maybe modded to linear, I'm not sure yet) or dampened creams (I haven't used them enough to decide if I like them yet ).

i have a m0116 too. which is handwired. Will not kill that

Nice, pics? I'm planning to do the same at some point, I've got a bit of time off at the end of the year so I'll probably crack it out then.

the thread:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71890.0

njbair · « **Reply #325 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 18:29:28 »

Just finished gutting an old Apple IIGS with orange Alps. I'll be using those, as I prefer orange to the cream dampened Alps in my only other donor option right now (AEKII).

CPT, I don't suppose you have two more Matias Quiets you'd be willing to part with? I broke two while building my Infinity a few weeks ago and I've been using two oranges in their place.

cheddarbek · « **Reply #326 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 18:32:36 »

I have a bunch of matias clicks that'll be here tomorrow if you need.

njbair · « **Reply #327 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 18:37:49 »

Quote from: cheddarbek on Tue, 23 June 2015, 18:32:36

I have a bunch of matias clicks that'll be here tomorrow if you need.

Clicks or quiets? I'm looking for quiets.

cheddarbek · « **Reply #328 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 18:38:53 »

Clicks

njbair · « **Reply #329 on:** Tue, 23 June 2015, 18:46:48 »

Quote from: cheddarbek on Tue, 23 June 2015, 18:38:53

Clicks

Thanks for the offer but I think I'm gonna hold out for some quiets.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #330 on:** Wed, 24 June 2015, 09:50:12 »

Quote from: njbair on Tue, 23 June 2015, 18:29:28

CPT, I don't suppose you have two more Matias Quiets you'd be willing to part with? I broke two while building my Infinity a few weeks ago and I've been using two oranges in their place.

I currently don't have any Matias Quiets. I was going to order some.

Pyrelink · « **Reply #331 on:** Wed, 24 June 2015, 14:50:53 »

I am going with Blue Alps for this board.

hasu · « **Reply #332 on:** Wed, 24 June 2015, 23:25:38 »

Confirmed bottom row and right shift part of Infinity layout.

RickyJ · « **Reply #333 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 02:01:07 »

Quote from: Karura on Mon, 22 June 2015, 02:53:45

Hey guys, was just wondering if the SG keyboards would make for nice keycap donors?

Also, does it come with a plate and what is the material of the keycaps? Not sure if these are priced well, but they're new.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Silicon-Graphics-RT6856T-062-0002-001-Grey-Keyboard-Granite-PS-2-SGI-/261912496815?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cfb338aaf

That model is rubber disappointment.

hasu · « **Reply #334 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 03:58:52 »

All orders were shipped today!
Tracking number will be mailed to your PayPal email address in several
hours or a day. PM me unless you don't receive it.

ctm · « **Reply #335 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 07:23:50 »

Quote from: hasu on Thu, 25 June 2015, 03:58:52

All orders were shipped today!
Tracking number will be mailed to your PayPal email address in several
hours or a day. PM me unless you don't receive it.

Thank you hasu! I am so excited and can't wait to see it in my mailbox!

CommonCurt · « **Reply #336 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 07:37:41 »

Quote from: hasu on Thu, 25 June 2015, 03:58:52

All orders were shipped today!
Tracking number will be mailed to your PayPal email address in several
hours or a day. PM me unless you don't receive it.

Thanks hasu.

Now to figure out what I'm going to do about a plate.

Hzza · « **Reply #337 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 08:26:09 »

Quote from: CommonCurt on Thu, 25 June 2015, 07:37:41

Thanks hasu.

Now to figure out what I'm going to do about a plate.

Hack up an old AT101w? That's my plan

.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=73138.0

badboybry9000 · « **Reply #338 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 08:46:25 »

Thank you, hasu! You must have been working nonstop.

limster · « **Reply #339 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 09:29:21 »

Thank you for your work and dedication, hasu! I received the tracking notice!

CommonCurt · « **Reply #340 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 15:53:57 »

Quote from: Hzza on Thu, 25 June 2015, 08:26:09

Quote from: CommonCurt on Thu, 25 June 2015, 07:37:41
Thanks hasu.

Now to figure out what I'm going to do about a plate.
Hack up an old AT101w? That's my plan .

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=73138.0

I don't have any of the tools to do anything like that

Going to have to wait until a GB happens.

nubbinator · « **Reply #341 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 17:11:02 »

Well, I'll be willing to do another plate buy next month for the AT101 layout since I think JD said he'd make the plate file. I'll just have a GB MOQ of 25, the price will be a little higher than before, and all plates must be paid for before I order since the last set was out of pocket.

hasu · « **Reply #342 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 19:29:53 »

Thanks all for your support for this project!

Attached firmware binary file in the first post. It is same as a firmware uploaded to 'Assembled PCB' when shipped. Use this file if you have any trouble with compiling firmware yourself.

To define your keymap you have to edit and compile it from source code, anyway.

Enjoy!

CommonCurt · « **Reply #343 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 19:31:28 »

Quote from: nubbinator on Thu, 25 June 2015, 17:11:02

Well, I'll be willing to do another plate buy next month for the AT101 layout since I think JD said he'd make the plate file. I'll just have a GB MOQ of 25, the price will be a little higher than before, and all plates must be paid for before I order since the last set was out of pocket.

Okay, cool

Will it be for the AT101, or AT101W? Would it be possible to make a plate that will work with both?

a-c · « **Reply #344 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 20:04:06 »

Received my two boards today!

Did a quick test and they show up fine as alps64 when plugged in.

Your toaster oven is awesome.

Thanks for the hard work!

jevvix · « **Reply #345 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 20:36:23 »

Quote from: hasu on Thu, 25 June 2015, 19:29:53

Thanks all for your support for this project!

Attached firmware binary file in the first post. It is same as a firmware uploaded to 'Assembled PCB' when shipped. Use this file if you have any trouble with compiling firmware yourself.

To define your keymap you have to edit and compile it from source code, anyway.

Enjoy!

Thank you!

Hzza · « **Reply #346 on:** Thu, 02 July 2015, 10:55:52 »

Lets try this again...

I got my PCBs a few days ago, thanks hasu

.

cooldiscretion · « **Reply #347 on:** Thu, 02 July 2015, 11:12:15 »

If anyone has an additional PCB I can buy I'm extremely interested. Otherwise, if a round 3 might happen at some point count me in.

badboybry9000 · « **Reply #348 on:** Thu, 02 July 2015, 12:14:34 »

I received mine yesterday. Thank you, hasu!

njbair · « **Reply #349 on:** Thu, 02 July 2015, 12:45:56 »

I also received mine yesterday! I had all my orange alps switches harvested and ready to go, and having recently received my AEKII plate from Nubbinator, I jumped right in on the assembly.

Orange Alps Custom Keyboard by Nick Bair, on Flickr

Everything's working fine so far as I've tested it. My keycaps have been cleaned and are drying. I'm still not sure on my plans for a case but I'll probably try something unique for this already very unique project.

News:

Author Topic: [GB] TMK Alps64 - 60% PCB for Alps (Read 616951 times)