Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[CPTBadAss]

Are unicomp keycaps compatible with original ibm model M keyboard?

Yup, I have Unicomp keycaps on my SSK.

Ok guys, thanks...  Always learning!

Agreed, that's the fun part of this thread imo. I always learn a lot .

[juguerre]

Great!

[Razor Lotus]

Soo... quick question.

I wanna buy one of imsto's new aluminium case for my KBT pure. Thing is, KBT switches are PCB mounted.

That means I have to desolder all the switches and the stabs, mount them on the plate and solder them to the pcb again right?

Second question, PCB mounted and plate mounted switches are different right? PCB mounted switches has the legs. Does that mean I have to buy a whole new set of switches just for the plate, mount the switches to the plate, desolder current switches from PCB and then mount PCB onto plate with new switches and solder?

[CPTBadAss]

1) That means I have to desolder all the switches and the stabs, mount them on the plate and solder them to the pcb again right?

2) Second question, PCB mounted and plate mounted switches are different right? PCB mounted switches has the legs. Does that mean I have to buy a whole new set of switches just for the plate, mount the switches to the plate, desolder current switches from PCB and then mount PCB onto plate with new switches and solder?

1) Yes you're correct. Just to clarify, the case comes with a plate?

2) It really depends on the PCB. If your PCB has the holes for it, you can solder in PCB mount switches while they're on a plate. For example, the KMAC LE does this. I have PCB mounted switches in this plated keyboard because the PCB has the holes to accept the PCB mount switch legs. If you have PCB mount switches and the PCB doesn't have the holes for it, you can always just clip the legs off.

[digi]

If I pm someone who is muted, do they still get my pm?

[CPTBadAss]

If I pm someone who is muted, do they still get my pm?

The mod team tells me that yes they should be able to get the PMs, but can't reply.

[digi]

If I pm someone who is muted, do they still get my pm?

The mod team tells me that yes they should be able to get the PMs, but can't reply.

ok thanks mang

[Sifo]

Wow talking to the mod team now huh? I see how it is.

[Razor Lotus]

1) Yes you're correct. Just to clarify, the case comes with a plate?

2) It really depends on the PCB. If your PCB has the holes for it, you can solder in PCB mount switches while they're on a plate. For example, the KMAC LE does this. I have PCB mounted switches in this plated keyboard because the PCB has the holes to accept the PCB mount switch legs. If you have PCB mount switches and the PCB doesn't have the holes for it, you can always just clip the legs off.

1) Um no I don't think so. I'm using a stock KBT pure now and I wanna get one of imsto's plates for it. Just that I don't have proper access to tools now to take apart the keyboard and see whether the switches come with the stems or not.

2) I googled and found this http://imgur.com/a/nQTKA#cUz82

If you scroll down, he opens up the keyboard and shows PCB mounted switches with the legs. Mine isn't the backlit/limited edition but I'm still assuming they'll be the same. That means I can just reuse the switches right? Since the plate has slots for the additional legs. I just pop them into the plate, match everything up nicely and solder onto it. No need to source for new, plate specific switches?

Thanks a ton

[CPTBadAss]

That means I can just reuse the switches right?

Yes

[intelli78]

Are there any great tricks for making ALPS spacebars less wobbly? 

[CPTBadAss]

Are there any great tricks for making ALPS spacebars less wobbly? 

Could always try the plastic shim trick like you would with Costars. Alps are inherently wobbly in general though.

[hwood34]

How long does it take usually for stuff to get shipped out after mass drops?

[CPTBadAss]

How long does it take usually for stuff to get shipped out after mass drops?

This isn't really keyboard related. But it depends on the item. I've had Kershaws ship a week after the buy ends and a keychain take about a month.

[hwood34]

How long does it take usually for stuff to get shipped out after mass drops?

This isn't really keyboard related. But it depends on the item. I've had Kershaws ship a week after the buy ends and a keychain take about a month.

Thx, I just didn't think it was important enough to merit its own thread

[SpAmRaY]

How long does it take usually for stuff to get shipped out after mass drops?

This isn't really keyboard related. But it depends on the item. I've had Kershaws ship a week after the buy ends and a keychain take about a month.

Thx, I just didn't think it was important enough to merit its own thread

You could have asked at massdrop. Every item has a discussion linked to it.

[Melvang]

When using PCB mount stabilizers, what bottoms first?  The stab or the switch? 

The reason I am asking is because I am thinking of adding spacebar versions of the single switch PCB in that group buy but I don't want to risk putting that extra stress on the switch pins.

[CPTBadAss]

When using PCB mount stabilizers, what bottoms first?  The stab or the switch? 

The reason I am asking is because I am thinking of adding spacebar versions of the single switch PCB in that group buy but I don't want to risk putting that extra stress on the switch pins.

I'm going to *guess* they bottom at the same time. I think I can see it on the Epsilon. I can test it later to see if I can find anything out.

[ajx]

Do you feel difference between red and black switch while gaming?
Honestly it feels pretty much same since gaming such as consists oftent to bottoming out
I like red for being much greater for typing? do you think black is too heavy if you bottom out quite often while typing?

[CPTBadAss]

Do you feel difference between red and black switch while gaming?
Honestly it feels pretty much same since gaming such as consists oftent to bottoming out
I like red for being much greater for typing? do you think black is too heavy if you bottom out quite often while typing?

This isn't really a simple question and very subjective. If you ask ten people, you're liable to get ten different answers. For me personally, I hate Reds and I refuse to buy any keyboards with them or the switches themselves. Blacks work great for me though, for both typing and gaming.

A quick search yields a couple threads that might interest you, check them out:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56623.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=29506.0

[hwood34]

Do you feel difference between red and black switch while gaming?
Honestly it feels pretty much same since gaming such as consists oftent to bottoming out
I like red for being much greater for typing? do you think black is too heavy if you bottom out quite often while typing?

If you like reds and are used to gaming with them, you should be fine sticking to those. I use blacks because I like to rest my hands on the keys and fine myself accidentally pressing spacebar constantly, and because when I use reds I bottom out pretty hard.

[CPTBadAss]

If you like reds and are used to gaming with them, you should be fine sticking to those.

I totally forgot to mention this and hwood34 is right. Use what feels best for you.

[ajx]

gaming is fine for both black and red, if i want to be extremely accurate, yes i would litte favor black over red but its very close as feelings
Now about typing, i did not use black for a long time but at first, i highly disliked.
I think the best linear switch would be a compromise between red and black, with actuation force around 55 cN?

[jdcarpe]

gaming is fine for both black and red, if i want to be extremely accurate, yes i would litte favor black over red but its very close as feelings
Now about typing, i did not use black for a long time but at first, i highly disliked.
I think the best linear switch would be a compromise between red and black, with actuation force around 55 cN?

That's why I love using my lubed 65g (Korean spring) linears. It's the perfect middle ground between black and red.

[Puddsy]

Do you feel difference between red and black switch while gaming?
Honestly it feels pretty much same since gaming such as consists oftent to bottoming out
I like red for being much greater for typing? do you think black is too heavy if you bottom out quite often while typing?

Yes, there's a difference in games, but once you get used to whatever switch you choose it won't matter. Neither is better.

I prefer typing on reds to blacks, but I typed for a very long time on blacks before I switched to reds.

[Razor Lotus]

gaming is fine for both black and red, if i want to be extremely accurate, yes i would litte favor black over red but its very close as feelings
Now about typing, i did not use black for a long time but at first, i highly disliked.
I think the best linear switch would be a compromise between red and black, with actuation force around 55 cN?

is black a little more accurate?

 why so?

[epzy]

gaming is fine for both black and red, if i want to be extremely accurate, yes i would litte favor black over red but its very close as feelings
Now about typing, i did not use black for a long time but at first, i highly disliked.
I think the best linear switch would be a compromise between red and black, with actuation force around 55 cN?

is black a little more accurate?

 why so?

Because of stiffer springs which makes it easier to not accidentally press keys perhaps?

[CPTBadAss]

is black a little more accurate?

I don't think so. Unless if you mean what epzy said. I've never been sure what people meant by "accuracy" when they were typing.

Because of stiffer springs which makes it easier to not accidentally press keys perhaps?

[Pacifist]

for me, I actually have more mistakes with blacks than reds. This is because on reds I bottom out every time, but on blacks is a bit too heavy and I try to touch type, and sometimes I don't hit down the key halfway and nothing gets sent

[CommonCurt]

Do tactile greys have the exact same sliders as Clears?  Do they have as much of a bump to them?

Also do keycaps fit as tight on tactile greys as they do on Clears?

[SpAmRaY]

Do tactile greys have the exact same sliders as Clears?  Do they have as much of a bump to them?

Also do keycaps fit as tight on tactile greys as they do on Clears?

I think the slider is the same just a different color with heavier spring.

The bump is not as pronounced because it takes more to press but it is a different feeling due to the heavier spring and the tight fit is similar.

Also to me the grays have a springy sound not near as much as buckling springs but different from other MX switches.

[Razor Lotus]

Do tactile greys have the exact same sliders as Clears?  Do they have as much of a bump to them?

Also do keycaps fit as tight on tactile greys as they do on Clears?

Tactile greys do have a bump to them, just less distinct.

The clears have a stiffer transition from bump -> slide than the greys do

[CommonCurt]

I'm wondering if I can put 62g springs in tactile greys and they feel just like ergo except my key caps wouldn't have to go on so tight?

[Pacifist]

I'm wondering if I can put 62g springs in tactile greys and they feel just like ergo except my key caps wouldn't have to go on so tight?

iirc tooling is exactly the same

[CommonCurt]

I'm wondering if I can put 62g springs in tactile greys and they feel just like ergo except my key caps wouldn't have to go on so tight?

iirc tooling is exactly the same

Ah okay. So caps will be just as tight on tactile grey stems as they would be on clear?

That answers my question.  Thanks.

[Dubsgalore]

I just wanted to add this somewhere and maybe this is the place cpt...



for people who ask about the pad printed cherry/gmk keycaps, this is a good illustration of the light glaze that is placed ontop of the keycap

it's the slight square you can see within the boundaries of the edge of the keycap

so, that's a thick ABS keycap, with pad printing, but with this light glaze on top. doesn't affect the feel at all, but helps make the printing last hella longer

here's a pic of it zoomed out so maybe you can spot it again

[yuiop]

Someone in europe wants to buy a set of stabilizers from me.  The problem is I've never shipped anything to europe.  Ragnorock's shipping info thread says (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37351.0) there's a $4 option.

Can someone kindly explain how this works? Can I just put the name and  the address on the bubble mailer and take it to local PO?
How much extra do I pay for tracking?  thanks in advance!

[BlueBär]

1. Can someone kindly explain how this works? Can I just put the name and the address on the bubble mailer and take it to local PO?
2. How much extra do I pay for tracking?  thanks in advance!

1. Don't forget to put the country below the main address of course. There shouldn't be anything special apart from that.
2. You can tell them what shipping option you want or you can also sometimes pay shipping costs online in advance and print the shipping label at home. I think even First Class International (which is the cheapest service iirc) offers tracking though.

[yuiop]

1. Can someone kindly explain how this works? Can I just put the name and the address on the bubble mailer and take it to local PO?
2. How much extra do I pay for tracking?  thanks in advance!

1. Don't forget to put the country below the main address of course. There shouldn't be anything special apart from that.
2. You can tell them what shipping option you want or you can also sometimes pay shipping costs online in advance and print the shipping label at home. I think even First Class International (which is the cheapest service iirc) offers tracking though.

Thanks.  according to usps site, first class package starts at $6+ and has tracking.
I'm trying to see if I can send it via first class large envelope, assuming bubble mailer is not too thick for this option.  This would be around $4 but I'm not sure if it includes tracking.  Even if you ship within CONUS first class is around $3 w/o tracking.

[fohat.digs]

I'm trying to see if I can send it via first class large envelope, assuming bubble mailer is not too thick for this option. 

A large envelope is going to cost you considerably more than a small envelope, in my experience. Also, if it is less than  3/4" thick it makes a big difference.

[yuiop]

I'm trying to see if I can send it via first class large envelope, assuming bubble mailer is not too thick for this option. 

A large envelope is going to cost you considerably more than a small envelope, in my experience. Also, if it is less than  3/4" thick it makes a big difference.

I don't see any small envelope option.  It's either letter, large envelope or package (> 3/4 thickness)

[SpAmRaY]

I'm trying to see if I can send it via first class large envelope, assuming bubble mailer is not too thick for this option. 

A large envelope is going to cost you considerably more than a small envelope, in my experience. Also, if it is less than  3/4" thick it makes a big difference.

I don't see any small envelope option.  It's either letter, large envelope or package (> 3/4 thickness)

I think you have to go to the post office to get that option. USPS online is limited when it comes to the 'cheapest' options.

[yuiop]

I'm trying to see if I can send it via first class large envelope, assuming bubble mailer is not too thick for this option. 

A large envelope is going to cost you considerably more than a small envelope, in my experience. Also, if it is less than  3/4" thick it makes a big difference.

I don't see any small envelope option.  It's either letter, large envelope or package (> 3/4 thickness)

I think you have to go to the post office to get that option. USPS online is limited when it comes to the 'cheapest' options.

I see.  I thought they list all the options even though online postage is not available in some cases(ie first class)

bubble mailer I have is 8"x 5"  not sure if this will qualify as a small envelope.

[CPTBadAss]

I see.  I thought they list all the options even though online postage is not available in some cases(ie first class)

bubble mailer I have is 8"x 5"  not sure if this will qualify as a small envelope.

I don't think that it's a small envelope. And I agree with Ray, a lot of their options don't seem to be available online. I usually send out international packages at the branch office in person. I guess that mailer will cost around $10 to send just from personal experience.

I don't remember what the tracking is to Europe but to Canada, a small envelope (small bubble mailer to send out a couple keycaps) costs about $5-6 for First Class. If I want tracking, it's like $19-20. I forgot what they call it though.

[yuiop]

Thanks.  I guess I'll find out soon.  Hopefully it doesn't cost $10+

[jdcarpe]

FYI, if you use stamps.com, you can print first class postage at home. They even have a free trial period, I believe. For Priority and above, you can use USPS.com.

The days of cheap ($4) international shipping are gone. When the USPS raised their international rates, the base price for the smallest first class "package" rate (1 or 2 oz) went up to $6.16. From sending many international packages through the post office here, they won't let you send a bubble mailer as an envelope or letter. You also want your bubble mailer to be large enough to attach the small customs form (about the size of a 8.5x11 sheet folded in half, or 8.5x5.5).

The price of international shipping for flat rate Priority mail boxes is about $25 for a small box, $60 for a medium box, and $80 for a large box. From the US to Canada, it is slightly cheaper, with the small box at $20, medium box at $40, and large box at $60.

[yuiop]

Thanks for the info, JD.  it sucks that things cost so much more to ship these days

[b7ad]

I have a loose LED on a board, can I just pull it out with pliers? Is it dangerous to leave it in there? It's bent downward, so keycaps fit on no problem, just concerned about it staying on there. I tried to bend it upright and sometimes it lights up - it's 'higher' than it should be when bent upright. If it isn't an issue I don't mind leaving it, I guess the only other option is desoldering and re-soldering it? Thanks

[SpAmRaY]

FYI, if you use stamps.com, you can print first class postage at home. They even have a free trial period, I believe. For Priority and above, you can use USPS.com.

The days of cheap ($4) international shipping are gone. When the USPS raised their international rates, the base price for the smallest first class "package" rate (1 or 2 oz) went up to $6.16. From sending many international packages through the post office here, they won't let you send a bubble mailer as an envelope or letter. You also want your bubble mailer to be large enough to attach the small customs form (about the size of a 8.5x11 sheet folded in half, or 8.5x5.5).

The price of international shipping for flat rate Priority mail boxes is about $25 for a small box, $60 for a medium box, and $80 for a large box. From the US to Canada, it is slightly cheaper, with the small box at $20, medium box at $40, and large box at $60.

So sad USPS.com seems to have done away with CONUS first class options

[CPTBadAss]

I have a loose LED on a board, can I just pull it out with pliers? Is it dangerous to leave it in there? It's bent downward, so keycaps fit on no problem, just concerned about it staying on there. I tried to bend it upright and sometimes it lights up - it's 'higher' than it should be when bent upright. If it isn't an issue I don't mind leaving it, I guess the only other option is desoldering and re-soldering it? Thanks

It's probably soldered in so I don't think you should just rip it out. Desolder and resolder it.