Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[Lunartuna]

On the KBT Pure, is there anyway to move the arrow cluster on the function layer to where they are on the Poker?

Unfortunately, no. What you want is called GH60.

I'm soooo not ready for something that custom! Yet!

[IvanIvanovich]

All the hard parts will be assemble already on GH60. Adding switch is pretty easy with basic soldering skill. The programming should be much more friendly by the time the buy is concluded and it's shipping.

[jdcarpe]

Also, assembly service.

[metalliqaz]

Is there something special about "the cheat" keyboards that makes them so expensive? Or were there limited quantities sold?

It's the pure smexy

[metalliqaz]

I'm soooo not ready for something that custom! Yet!

Yes you are.

[Lastpilot]

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,roofs&pid=rfhh

Will this keyboard roof fit a poker?

Yes

Wow, they just removed this from their site [HHKB roof]. :[ I was just about to show my girlfriend this lol.

[ping111]

Are there CoolerMaster StormTrigger TKL keyboards with non-proportional backlighting?  The proportions, for switch/backlight, is red/red, blue/blue, and brown/white.

Can you clarify? This question doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

The CM ST TKL keyboards have backlighting that follow the proportions I said.  However, I saw someone on YouTube with a brown-switch one, but it had blue backlights instead of white.  Did he custom-create it, or are keyboards like that available?

[CPTBadAss]

Are you sure there's a tenkeyless Storm Trigger? I can't find any information on that. I know theres a CoolerMaster QuickFire TK that has backlighting.

[ping111]

Are you sure there's a tenkeyless Storm Trigger? I can't find any information on that. I know theres a CoolerMaster QuickFire TK that has backlighting.

Oops, I did it again.  When I first looked into it, I thought Storm Trigger was the brand itself.  That's what I mean.

[codyeatworld]

How can I help with the GH60?

I am an experienced web developer/system admin. So development and interfaces (GUI) are right up my ally.

[CPTBadAss]

How can I help with the GH60?

I am an experienced web developer/system admin. So development and interfaces (GUI) are right up my ally.

PM some of the guys who are working on it. There's beta-testing threads: here and here. I know for a fact that Ivan and Glissant have had issues with the coding to getting certain things working. Offer to help in those threads and PM the OPs. That's how I got started with projects as well. I just offered to help.

Are you sure there's a tenkeyless Storm Trigger? I can't find any information on that. I know theres a CoolerMaster QuickFire TK that has backlighting.

Oops, I did it again.  When I first looked into it, I thought Storm Trigger was the brand itself.  That's what I mean.

When i get a chance, I'll go look it up. I believe the setup is how you originally described it and the Youtube video probably has a modification. But let me double check.

[eRadicatedZomBiE]

What is the difference between "vintage" and I guess "modern" switches I see vintage reds/blacks. Did they have something different in them? Is it just to say they are older / used?

[metalliqaz]

I think it's unlikely you'd be able to tell a difference.  The reason vintage switches are used is because they are supposed to be smoother.  I've never read any hard facts except that the stems may be made out of a different plastic that allows them to slide nicer.  I have not been able to tell any difference, though.

[CPTBadAss]

They're from old boards (I think like the 80s) and apparently they're smoother than the newer switches. I also heard that vintage blues are WAY smoother than new blues. Akimbo would know, he posted up about that somewhere

[L4yercake]

They're from old boards (I think like the 80s) and apparently they're smoother than the newer switches. I also heard that vintage blues are WAY smoother than new blues. Akimbo would know, he posted up about that somewhere

Vintage blacks are incredibly smooth compared to modern blacks I can attest to that. Its kinda crazy how much nicer they feel.

[metalliqaz]

Are you sure they aren't just broken-in?

[codyeatworld]

Thanks! I'm gonna get my hands on a gh60 soon!

[whiskytango]

Are you sure they aren't just broken-in?

If L4ercake is talking about the switches he got from me, they were off of new never used boards, so break in use is not a factor in his claim.

I have honestly never typed on new production blacks so I can't say one way or the other about how they feel to me in comparison. All I can say is that Lyercake's switches were never used. I did however put some blue springs in some vintage black switches (making ghetto reds) and they felt slightly smoother to me than my brother-in-law's Leopold with new reds. Just my $0.02. it wasn't a dramatic difference to me.

[L4yercake]

I'm basing it off putting Red springs into the Vintage Blacks and they have waaaaay less grind on the way depression.

[khaangaaroo]

Vintage is smoother for sure, especially for linear switches. I made vintage reds and blacks, and they both feel smoother than modern production red/black switches.

As for vintage blues, the smoothness makes the tactile bump seem smaller to me. It kinda feels close to typing on reds but with a click.

[llovro]

Can you change the spring in switch without desoldering the switch? If so, are there any videos about it?

[CPTBadAss]

Can you change the spring in switch without desoldering the switch? If so, are there any videos about it?

WhiteFireDragon's and I believe Beast's plates are setup like this. WFD has some excellent videos on Youtube. Look up his ID there.

[jdcarpe]

On the KBT Pure, is there anyway to move the arrow cluster on the function layer to where they are on the Poker?

Unfortunately, no. What you want is called GH60.

I'm soooo not ready for something that custom! Yet!

Are you ready now? http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=41464.0

[CPTBadAss]

The answer is absolutely, yes. He is ready jdcarpe

[Lunartuna]

Has there been or are any future group buys for a set of double shot PBT?

[Lunartuna]

I have another question already... where are my answers people!!@!! 

Any idea why the cherry blacks on my Zibal 60 feel smoother than then cherry blacks on my Shine 2?

[tjcaustin]

Has there been or are any future group buys for a set of double shot PBT?

There has not been, but SP has just developed the technique to do it.  According to i3, however, it would be ruinously expensive to do.

I have another question already... where are my answers people!!@!! 

Any idea why the cherry blacks on my Zibal 60 feel smoother than then cherry blacks on my Shine 2?

Vintage vs non-vintage switches?

[Lunartuna]

Yeah I noticed the new double shot PBT's on techkeys. I wonder how much more it would be? Twice as expensive? I'm sure some here would still go for it haha.


When were vintage switches made? I bought the Zibal 60 maybe... 2 years ago? The Ducky is brand new.

[tjcaustin]

I would, depending on the color.  Hell, I may price it for the Orangesicle buy I'm getting planned out.

[Lunartuna]

Orangesicle? Already interested.. PBT or not !

[blueasjim]

Okay, I have a question, perhaps dumb, I'm not sure.

But if I were to buying a KBC Poker (for example) and then purchased a case like this, would I be able to take the KBC 'guts' out and implant them in this Aluminum case? Is that feesible, or do I have to build an entire board around these types of cases? I just ask because I'm not certain how great I am at piecing together switches and such and if I have to manually make one myself.. ima need to practice. o.O

Thanks!

Would this Vortex Pure fit into this a case like this Or would I have to go with KBC Poker from here

I didn't realize that the original KBC Pokers were so hard to get now. So I was curious about this option instead. Sorry for ignorance and thanks for help.

[IvanIvanovich]

Yes, Poker, Pure have the same dimensions and mounting. Totally interchangeable in the various cases for them. Poker 2 or whatever they are calling it will probably be available in the next couple month also.

[blueasjim]

Yes, Poker, Pure have the same dimensions and mounting. Totally interchangeable in the various cases for them. Poker 2 or whatever they are calling it will probably be available in the next couple month also.

Ah okay, thank you. I'll have to look into this Poker 2 to check it out.

[tp4tissue]

Yes, Poker, Pure have the same dimensions and mounting. Totally interchangeable in the various cases for them. Poker 2 or whatever they are calling it will probably be available in the next couple month also.

Ah okay, thank you. I'll have to look into this Poker 2 to check it out.

bah.... ahh.... welll you know.... GH60 is here !! maybe go with you know, the best keyboard evar... poker 2 can go Suck a D

[SmallFry]

Yes, Poker, Pure have the same dimensions and mounting. Totally interchangeable in the various cases for them. Poker 2 or whatever they are calling it will probably be available in the next couple month also.

Ah okay, thank you. I'll have to look into this Poker 2 to check it out.

bah.... ahh.... welll you know.... GH60 is here !! maybe go with you know, the best keyboard evar... poker 2 can go Suck a D

Heh. Gave me a chuckle there. )

[Dubsgalore]

my question....will i ever learn to take off keycaps with stabilizers?

[tjcaustin]

my question....will i ever learn to take off keycaps with stabilizers?

Yes

[Dubsgalore]

my question....will i ever learn to take off keycaps with stabilizers?

Yes

stellar answer

[tjcaustin]

my question....will i ever learn to take off keycaps with stabilizers?

Yes

stellar answer

It's the truth.  There isn't *much* more to them than normal switches, but if your real question was "Show me how to take off keycaps with stabilizers"...

[Dubsgalore]

thank for the vid. i just have heard that a lot of things can go wrong.

[blueasjim]

thank for the vid. i just have heard that a lot of things can go wrong.

I didn't even know what to do. I just kind of learned on my own without vids. It's pretty easy. Better to wiggle it I feel instead of jerking the key straight up though.

[deazncy]

Nice kb!

[jdcarpe]

Korean Kung Fu method!

[Dubsgalore]

thank for the vid. i just have heard that a lot of things can go wrong.

I didn't even know what to do. I just kind of learned on my own without vids. It's pretty easy. Better to wiggle it I feel instead of jerking the key straight up though.

alright. i tried on my pure spacebar for like 3 minutes and it wasn't even with a costar stabilizer. going to try on my DAS

[IvanIvanovich]

For Cherry stabilizer, just pull the key straight up.

[eRadicatedZomBiE]

what Solder is good to use on keyboards? Not sure if there are types to stay away from...

on that matter I'm starting to get in to the whole soldering thing, what irons / guns are good in the area?

What's everyone using?

[Dubsgalore]

Cam someone help me with what stabilizers to order on the gh60 order thread? I am really confused about what to Get. I am going for a hhkb layout, with either a ANSI 1.5x or ANSI 1.5x Pure shift plate. Not sure what color switches yet. Just really confused about which stabilizers are best to order

[jdcarpe]

what Solder is good to use on keyboards? Not sure if there are types to stay away from...

on that matter I'm starting to get in to the whole soldering thing, what irons / guns are good in the area?

What's everyone using?

What you want is rosin core solder, either 60/40 or ideally 63/37. Diameter I normally use is .032".

For a soldering iron, you can get by with a cheap Weller or Radio Shack iron. Get yourself a soldering iron stand with a sponge cleaner.

For a nice setup, you want something with temperature control. Weller WES51 or WLC100 are both good choices. As is the Hakko FX-888.

For desoldering, you can use braid or a bulb (or iron with bulb sold at Radio Shack). The Edsyn Soldapullt is a nice spring loaded desoldering tool. The Hakko 808 is a vacuum desoldering iron, but kinda pricey.

Helping hands and/or a vice are always useful.

Cam someone help me with what stabilizers to order on the gh60 order thread? I am really confused about what to Get. I am going for a hhkb layout, with either a ANSI 1.5x or ANSI 1.5x Pure shift plate. Not sure what color switches yet. Just really confused about which stabilizers are best to order

Are you assembling this yourself? Cherry PCB mount stabilizers should probably be listed as the default option. They are the easiest to install, if you are new to DIY. The plates might require some sanding/filing to work well with Costar stabilizers.

[Dubsgalore]

jd i am getting the $40 PCB that is presoldering and paying for assembly..i don't have any soldering experience or equipment. i plan on getting hhkb layout if that makes a difference. i just want the basic stabilizers, as long as they are easy to switch out keycaps.

[CPTBadAss]

Are you sure there's a tenkeyless Storm Trigger? I can't find any information on that. I know theres a CoolerMaster QuickFire TK that has backlighting.

Oops, I did it again.  When I first looked into it, I thought Storm Trigger was the brand itself.  That's what I mean.

Sorry for the late response on the TK boards. If you go to this link it shows that the backlight LED colors match the switches in the board. If you saw different LEDs, then the person probably swapped them.