Author Topic: NEO KB-87 II Switch replacement (Read 4294 times)

Abortion0 · « **on:** Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:00:28 »

I saw an old thread about this (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44252.msg913661#msg913661) but no one specified how to change the switches, I was wondering if anyone could offer some insight on how to do this, and just some general information about the board.
Also here's a cool mod someone on reddit did a while ago. http://imgur.com/a/FSQJG

Sifo · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:05:00 »

With the way it's mounted you can just pop off the top pieces (there are 2 slots/tabs on each side) and change the spring/stem.

Abortion0 · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:07:45 »

Quote from: Sifo on Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:05:00

With the way it's mounted you can just pop off the top pieces (there are 2 slots/tabs on each side) and change the spring/stem.

Thanks, I'm also wondering where the hell I can buy some green switches, but this seems to be a universal problem...

Sifo · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:08:15 »

They're probably on pre order over at deskthority.net :\

Abortion0 · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:13:36 »

Have you ever used this keyboard?

Sifo · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:14:20 »

Abortion0 · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:15:38 »

Quote from: Sifo on Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:14:20

Nope

Actually I thought of another question, do you know of a cheap crappy keyboard with green switches that I could buy to harvest keys?

RabRhee · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:31:55 »

You could always go for ghetto greens, blue switches with black springs. if your board has black or blues on now the other half could be easier to source than true greens.

Abortion0 · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:44:06 »

Quote from: RabRhee on Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:31:55

You could always go for ghetto greens, blue switches with black springs. if your board has black or blues on now the other half could be easier to source than true greens.

I isn't that still like 10g off? I'd like to try it, but I don't have the tools needed to open the switch up or black switches sitting around.

RabRhee · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 16 July 2013, 17:06:34 »

Quote from: Abortion0 on Tue, 16 July 2013, 16:44:06

I isn't that still like 10g off? I'd like to try it, but I don't have the tools needed to open the switch up or black switches sitting around.

I don't think ghetto greens are as heavy as real greens, but sourcing a set of black springs will probably be a fraction of the cost of some green switches for a decent version of heavier blues, plus pretty fast for you to swap to try.

There's a couple of guides on fabricating switch opening tools, very useful as you have an easy open switch keyboard, or make yourself a pair a bit like The_Beast's switch opening tool, pictures are somewhere....

Post on the topic - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45447.0

Bulldog clip version - http://www1.kbdmania.net/xe/tipandtech/3520312

Photekq · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 16 July 2013, 17:07:50 »

You don't need to make switch opening tools. I use a small screwdriver like this

Abortion0 · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 17 July 2013, 15:10:05 »

Alright, as long as we're talking there's another thing. Right now I've got blues on my keyboard (das model-s professional) and I almost always bottom them out form typing would some rubber o-rings be the way to go?

dorkvader · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 17 July 2013, 17:42:41 »

Quote from: Abortion0 on Wed, 17 July 2013, 15:10:05

Alright, as long as we're talking there's another thing. Right now I've got blues on my keyboard (das model-s professional) and I almost always bottom them out form typing would some rubber o-rings be the way to go?

That's one technique that many people use, so you are bottoming out on rubber, which is much nicer. You can also go with switches with stronger springs, such as greens.

Abortion0 · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 17 July 2013, 17:46:56 »

Alright thanks would the best place to buy descent cheap o-rings be wasdkeyboards or somewhere else?

RabRhee · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 17 July 2013, 17:57:36 »

Quote from: Abortion0 on Wed, 17 July 2013, 17:46:56

Alright thanks would the best place to buy descent cheap o-rings be wasdkeyboards or somewhere else?

Good post here about O-rings, including an Amazon link to some cheap ones. - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45241.msg944195#msg944195

Quote from: Photekq on Tue, 16 July 2013, 17:07:50

You don't need to make switch opening tools. I use a small screwdriver like this

Somehow I read the line about not having tools as 'I wouldn't open 80 without a tool', but yes, you can open them fine without fancy schmancy tools. Anyway, heres the post and pic of Beast's cherry switch tool too - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36677.msg878775#msg878775

Abortion0 · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 17 July 2013, 18:17:48 »

Thanks!

sth · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 17 July 2013, 18:55:01 »

i wanted one of these for a long time when i used cherry... cool board

Abortion0 · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 17 July 2013, 21:20:16 »

What do you use now?

sth · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 17 July 2013, 21:21:30 »

pretty much just a hhkb. i'm loaning my realforce 87u to a friend.

Abortion0 · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 17 July 2013, 21:25:57 »

Cool switches?

sth · « **Reply #20 on:** Wed, 17 July 2013, 21:26:59 »

the very best

they are both topre.

Abortion0 · « **Reply #21 on:** Thu, 18 July 2013, 11:46:32 »

Nice, I've wanted to try topres, but I'd like to try some out before I dumped some money on them, I wish there was a place where I could go to try out all of these switches.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #22 on:** Thu, 18 July 2013, 11:48:17 »

Quote from: Abortion0 on Thu, 18 July 2013, 11:46:32

Nice, I've wanted to try topres, but I'd like to try some out before I dumped some money on them, I wish there was a place where I could go to try out all of these switches.

Go to a GeekHack meetup or sign up for tours like Hashbaz's Universal Switch Tester or my own tour. That's how I tried most switches.

Abortion0 · « **Reply #23 on:** Thu, 18 July 2013, 12:32:38 »

You have a link to a thread about some of those? I might be able to go to one in Chicago.

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #24 on:** Thu, 18 July 2013, 13:00:43 »

Quote from: Abortion0 on Thu, 18 July 2013, 12:32:38

You have a link to a thread about some of those? I might be able to go to one in Chicago.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44762.0

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #25 on:** Thu, 18 July 2013, 13:07:26 »

Universal Switch Tester: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44880.0

And I bet if you read all of my info real carefully, you can find my tour

(It's in my signature/profile)

Abortion0 · « **Reply #26 on:** Thu, 18 July 2013, 13:45:26 »

haha wow, I actually don't live to far away from Cincinnati, you know where warren dunes is?

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #27 on:** Thu, 18 July 2013, 13:58:17 »

I've only been living here for a little while and I'm horrible with the local geography. I don't have a clue what Warren Dunes is.

Metr0 · « **Reply #28 on:** Thu, 18 July 2013, 15:29:22 »

Hey there, thought I'd do a little follow up since I've seen this thread. I actually sold the keyboard 2~3 weeks after receiving it. The build quality was absolutely abysmal, like the worst I have ever seen. I really recommend you not to get this board, caused me far too many problems

Abortion0 · « **Reply #29 on:** Thu, 18 July 2013, 17:54:31 »

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Thu, 18 July 2013, 13:58:17

I've only been living here for a little while and I'm horrible with the local geography. I don't have a clue what Warren Dunes is.

I actually would've been surprised if you did, it's up from you in southwest MI kinda by New Buffalo.

Quote from: Metr0 on Thu, 18 July 2013, 15:29:22

Hey there, thought I'd do a little follow up since I've seen this thread. I actually sold the keyboard 2~3 weeks after receiving it. The build quality was absolutely abysmal, like the worst I have ever seen. I really recommend you not to get this board, caused me far too many problems

'
Alright, I was thinking about just settling for a qfr stealth with green switches anyways. Thanks for the heads up.

harkomatic · « **Reply #30 on:** Thu, 07 November 2013, 15:23:54 »

Hi,

Apologies for bumping this topic but I am looking to change out the black switches that came with this with the blues found in my old das keyboard. Unfortunately I cant harvest the das's keys since they are soldered in.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for where I should go to buy the correct mx blue switches?

Thanks!

IvanIvanovich · « **Reply #31 on:** Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:24:38 »

What part of world are you in? One supplier may be better than other for shipping fees.

harkomatic · « **Reply #32 on:** Thu, 07 November 2013, 16:58:39 »

USA.

I cant stand the black switches- Feels like I am typing while drunk

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Author Topic: NEO KB-87 II Switch replacement (Read 4294 times)