Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[CPTBadAss]

What's the best way to remove pad printed labels?

Sandpaper? Isopropyl alcohol? Not really sure tbh.

[SpAmRaY]

What's the best way to remove pad printed labels?

This thread might help you

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=73551.0

[azhdar]

sorry for the kind of "crazy" question but is there any harmful chemicals in a switch (a gateron here) ?

I'm asking because the other day while modding, I cut my thumb with the pin of a gateron. And since I'm loosing my nail on this thumb, and it's spreading to the other nails of this hand.
I casually asked a doc and he didn't seem concerned.

[CPTBadAss]

sorry for the kind of "crazy" question but is there any harmful chemicals in a switch (a gateron here) ?

I'm asking because the other day while modding, I cut my thumb with the pin of a gateron. And since I'm loosing my nail on this thumb, and it's spreading to the other nails of this hand.
I casually asked a doc and he didn't seem concerned.

The lube maybe? Pretty sure you should trust your doc with medical advice more than a keyboard forum though.

[azhdar]

sorry for the kind of "crazy" question but is there any harmful chemicals in a switch (a gateron here) ?

I'm asking because the other day while modding, I cut my thumb with the pin of a gateron. And since I'm loosing my nail on this thumb, and it's spreading to the other nails of this hand.
I casually asked a doc and he didn't seem concerned.

The lube maybe? Pretty sure you should trust your doc with medical advice more than a keyboard forum though.

The switch wasn't open, my thumb only came in contact with pin and housing.

[CPTBadAss]

sorry for the kind of "crazy" question but is there any harmful chemicals in a switch (a gateron here) ?

I'm asking because the other day while modding, I cut my thumb with the pin of a gateron. And since I'm loosing my nail on this thumb, and it's spreading to the other nails of this hand.
I casually asked a doc and he didn't seem concerned.

The lube maybe? Pretty sure you should trust your doc with medical advice more than a keyboard forum though.

The switch wasn't open, my thumb only came in contact with pin and housing.

The switch wasn't open? Doesn't really matter. Could have had trace amounts of lube on the outside or residues from the manufacturing processes.

[azhdar]

sorry for the kind of "crazy" question but is there any harmful chemicals in a switch (a gateron here) ?

I'm asking because the other day while modding, I cut my thumb with the pin of a gateron. And since I'm loosing my nail on this thumb, and it's spreading to the other nails of this hand.
I casually asked a doc and he didn't seem concerned.

The lube maybe? Pretty sure you should trust your doc with medical advice more than a keyboard forum though.

The switch wasn't open, my thumb only came in contact with pin and housing.

The switch wasn't open? Doesn't really matter. Could have had trace amounts of lube on the outside or residues from the manufacturing processes.

mmm haven't considered that, thanks cpt.

[Eugene45]

So now that i have my NMB RT-102 what do i use to connect it on my laptop in usb ?

[CPTBadAss]

So now that i have my NMB RT-102 what do i use to connect it on my laptop in usb ?

I'm gonna guess it's a DIN5 connector so you'll need a DIN5 to PS/2 then PS/2 to USB. If it's not DIN5, disregard and show a picture.

[Eugene45]

So now that i have my NMB RT-102 what do i use to connect it on my laptop in usb ?

I'm gonna guess it's a DIN5 connector so you'll need a DIN5 to PS/2 then PS/2 to USB. If it's not DIN5, disregard and show a picture.

I think its this

TY Captain.

[Eugene45]

So i need : DIN 5 female -> PS/2 female

[CPTBadAss]

So i need : DIN 5 female -> PS/2 female

I honestly didn't even realize you could get multiple kinds of DIN5 to PS/2 adapters. I thought it was just standard. I have a DIN5 female to PS/2 male then female PS/2 to USB male.

[fohat.digs]

I honestly didn't even realize you could get multiple kinds of DIN5 to PS/2 adapters.

I have both kinds but each is male at one end and female at the other.

However, with a male-male cable, also, you could get there.

[Heliobb]

I want to start making prototype with cardboard like below did for Shergo V1

https://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=71614.0;attach=99485;image

But I want to do something really cheap. I wonder if buying this one:


And unsolder switches should be a good idea? Never open a cherry

[CPTBadAss]

I want to start making prototype with cardboard like below did for Shergo V1

https://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=71614.0;attach=99485;image

But I want to do something really cheap. I wonder if buying this one:

Show Image

And unsolder switches should be a good idea? Never open a cherry

So if I understand you correctly, you'd like to buy very cheap MX mount switches to build a prototype. Harvesting an old board isn't a bad idea at all. And old Cherry boards are easy to open up. You could also look into picking up Gateron or Greetech switches from say MechanicalKeyboards.com. AFAIK, the switches are cheap and they're new.

[azhdar]

.

[CPTBadAss]

Edited because azhdar edited.

[Heliobb]

I want to start making prototype with cardboard like below did for Shergo V1

https://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=71614.0;attach=99485;image

But I want to do something really cheap. I wonder if buying this one:

Show Image

And unsolder switches should be a good idea? Never open a cherry

So if I understand you correctly, you'd like to buy very cheap MX mount switches to build a prototype. Harvesting an old board isn't a bad idea at all. And old Cherry boards are easy to open up. You could also look into picking up Gateron or Greetech switches from say MechanicalKeyboards.com. AFAIK, the switches are cheap and they're new.

Yes completely, thank for your answer. Getting switches and keycaps for around 25$ is great.

I'm in France so buy switches from outside can be expansive with shipping cost. Will check @azhdar. :)

[trees]

Can someone tell me if these will work as in switch LEDs?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KWDVHY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3AGVPZHIH41EE

[CPTBadAss]

Can someone tell me if these will work as in switch LEDs?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KWDVHY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3AGVPZHIH41EE

Sure. WFD use to use those in his videos. You may have to do a little sanding to get em to fit perfectly though.

[trees]

Can someone tell me if these will work as in switch LEDs?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KWDVHY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3AGVPZHIH41EE

Sure. WFD use to use those in his videos. You may have to do a little sanding to get em to fit perfectly though.

Hmm. Is there a better size to look for that would fit better?

[CPTBadAss]

Hmm. Is there a better size to look for that would fit better?

2x3x4mm. See the OP for more info

[trees]

Hmm. Is there a better size to look for that would fit better?

2x3x4mm. See the OP for more info

Thanks Cpt, i found some 2x3x4 and ordered them instead. (Even if they were a bit more expensive)

[safian]

What keyboard is that? http://imgur.com/a/7fJAl
Hey guys, I have a MK for my main PC already, and I'm looking for a cheap keyboard for my second old PC that I have for experimenting with Linux distros and stuff. My dream is to have a Model M for that, but I don't have any spare money so I'm always checking local annoucments site hoping one will apear some day. I've found this keyboard and I have no idea what is it and if it's worth a buy? I guess it's probably not mechanical, but its ~8 bucks. Does anyone have idea what keyboard is it and if it's any good? http://imgur.com/a/7fJAl

[alienman82]

removed.

[CPTBadAss]

What keyboard is that? http://imgur.com/a/7fJAl
Hey guys, I have a MK for my main PC already, and I'm looking for a cheap keyboard for my second old PC that I have for experimenting with Linux distros and stuff. My dream is to have a Model M for that, but I don't have any spare money so I'm always checking local annoucments site hoping one will apear some day. I've found this keyboard and I have no idea what is it and if it's worth a buy? I guess it's probably not mechanical, but its ~8 bucks. Does anyone have idea what keyboard is it and if it's any good? http://imgur.com/a/7fJAl

Is it at all possible to get a better picture of the top and the back label? Maybe a picture of a cap pulled off. It's really hard to see what that is at all.

I can't seem to find a guide on programming a duck viper.  Can anyone help me?  Thanks a bunch, sorry I have to asks

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55427.msg1283624#msg1283624

Does this work?

[jorgenslee]

Does SA R4 = upside down SA R3? I'm talking about blanks.

[Melvang]

Does SA R4 = upside down SA R3? I'm talking about blanks.

R4 probably means row 4, See this link for how the different rows stack against each other.  When a SA set is "uniform" they are all row 3, but profiled sets are all rows.

http://www.keycapsdirect.com/key-caps.php

[jorgenslee]

Does SA R4 = upside down SA R3? I'm talking about blanks.

R4 probably means row 4, See this link for how the different rows stack against each other.  When a SA set is "uniform" they are all row 3, but profiled sets are all rows.

http://www.keycapsdirect.com/key-caps.php

Thanks for the link. Yeah I am talking about the Row 4 and Row 2. I was asking the question because I notice that Row 2 and Row 4 is somewhat like mirrored on some of the pictures posted online. But I can't confirm it since I don't have an SA.

I am curious to know this because I plan to put a 1.25x R4 Mods as Tab on JD40 which requires a 1.25x.

Edit: My original question is incorrect, it should be
Does SA R4 = upside down SA R2

[safian]

Is it at all possible to get a better picture of the top and the back label? Maybe a picture of a cap pulled off. It's really hard to see what that is at all.

I didn't buy it yet, and these are the pictures I've got. I'll buy it day after tomorrow and update you on it.

[Blaise170]

Is there a way to convert a mini-DIN 5 to USB? Just got an Alps numpad that uses it.

[njbair]

Does SA R4 = upside down SA R3? I'm talking about blanks.

R4 probably means row 4, See this link for how the different rows stack against each other.  When a SA set is "uniform" they are all row 3, but profiled sets are all rows.

http://www.keycapsdirect.com/key-caps.php

Thanks for the link. Yeah I am talking about the Row 4 and Row 2. I was asking the question because I notice that Row 2 and Row 4 is somewhat like mirrored on some of the pictures posted online. But I can't confirm it since I don't have an SA.

I am curious to know this because I plan to put a 1.25x R4 Mods as Tab on JD40 which requires a 1.25x.

Edit: My original question is incorrect, it should be
Does SA R4 = upside down SA R2

Pretty sure row 2 and row 4 are exact mirrors, yes.

[Eugene45]

Is there a way to convert a mini-DIN 5 to USB? Just got an Alps numpad that uses it.

Just use an active converter like this one : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beige-USB-to-Dual-PS-2-Keyboard-Mouse-Converter-Cable-Active-Adapter-USB-2PS2-/270863821433?hash=item3f10bdea79

[fohat.digs]

Just use an active converter like this one : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beige-USB-to-Dual-PS-2-Keyboard-Mouse-Converter-Cable-Active-Adapter-USB-2PS2-/270863821433?hash=item3f10bdea79

Seven dollars for a cheap-O? I would try this one first:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Male-to-PS2-Female-Cable-Adapter-Converter-Use-For-Keyboard-Mouse-VP-/221854896108?hash=item33a7950fec

[Blaise170]

Just use an active converter like this one : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beige-USB-to-Dual-PS-2-Keyboard-Mouse-Converter-Cable-Active-Adapter-USB-2PS2-/270863821433?hash=item3f10bdea79

Thanks guys but PS/2 is mini-DIN 6. I went ahead and tried one of my PS/2 converter anyways and to my surprise it fit (the last Panasonic I had with a 5 pin connector was different) but it doesn't work.

[Sed8op8]

So I have mentioned this in a couple threads but the switch tops on my ergo clears are coming off every time I change caps. I have a gon til I got with switches pre modded by gon and about 1/3 maybe 1/4 of the switches have this problem. I can hold the tops down with a small screw driver but it's a pain in the ass. I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem and if maybe the tabs just got weakened by removing the tops to many times during the luning,stickering and spring swap process.

Does anyone know if replacing the switch tops will fix this? Sorry to post this in a couple of threads but the responses I have gotten is that the caps are too tight on the switch stem. This is very common on cherry clears however this is the first time this has happened to me even though I have a few other boards with clears and change the caps constantly with no problems.

I hope there is some sort of solution besides re soldering in different switches !?

Any ideas or help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks all

[CPTBadAss]

So I have mentioned this in a couple threads but the switch tops on my ergo clears are coming off every time I change caps. I have a gon til I got with switches pre modded by gon and about 1/3 maybe 1/4 of the switches have this problem. I can hold the tops down with a small screw driver but it's a pain in the ass. I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem and if maybe the tabs just got weakened by removing the tops to many times during the luning,stickering and spring swap process.

Does anyone know if replacing the switch tops will fix this? Sorry to post this in a couple of threads but the responses I have gotten is that the caps are too tight on the switch stem. This is very common on cherry clears however this is the first time this has happened to me even though I have a few other boards with clears and change the caps constantly with no problems.

I hope there is some sort of solution besides re soldering in different switches !?

Any ideas or help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks all

There's a little nubbin or bump on the stem of Cherry MX Clears which seems to lead to this problem. I think some people have said they've solved it by wiggling the caps more and not pulling straight up on the caps as much. But it's definitely worth trying to swap in new tops. I'm not sure where to get new Cherry MX tops but the Gateron tops seem ok. I haven't really had the chance to play with mine too much though.

I can't remember but do GON keyboards have the cutouts for switch top removal? If so you could swap the stems and tops for something else.

[HoffmanMyster]

So I have mentioned this in a couple threads but the switch tops on my ergo clears are coming off every time I change caps. I have a gon til I got with switches pre modded by gon and about 1/3 maybe 1/4 of the switches have this problem. I can hold the tops down with a small screw driver but it's a pain in the ass. I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem and if maybe the tabs just got weakened by removing the tops to many times during the luning,stickering and spring swap process.

Does anyone know if replacing the switch tops will fix this? Sorry to post this in a couple of threads but the responses I have gotten is that the caps are too tight on the switch stem. This is very common on cherry clears however this is the first time this has happened to me even though I have a few other boards with clears and change the caps constantly with no problems.

I hope there is some sort of solution besides re soldering in different switches !?

Any ideas or help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks all

There's a little nubbin or bump on the stem of Cherry MX Clears which seems to lead to this problem. I think some people have said they've solved it by wiggling the caps more and not pulling straight up on the caps as much. But it's definitely worth trying to swap in new tops. I'm not sure where to get new Cherry MX tops but the Gateron tops seem ok. I haven't really had the chance to play with mine too much though.

I can't remember but do GON keyboards have the cutouts for switch top removal? If so you could swap the stems and tops for something else.

GON keyboards do not have the cutouts for switch top removal, because GON doesn't like that adding the cutouts increases the chances for pulling the tops off when swapping caps. 

[CPTBadAss]

More

So I have mentioned this in a couple threads but the switch tops on my ergo clears are coming off every time I change caps. I have a gon til I got with switches pre modded by gon and about 1/3 maybe 1/4 of the switches have this problem. I can hold the tops down with a small screw driver but it's a pain in the ass. I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem and if maybe the tabs just got weakened by removing the tops to many times during the luning,stickering and spring swap process.

Does anyone know if replacing the switch tops will fix this? Sorry to post this in a couple of threads but the responses I have gotten is that the caps are too tight on the switch stem. This is very common on cherry clears however this is the first time this has happened to me even though I have a few other boards with clears and change the caps constantly with no problems.

I hope there is some sort of solution besides re soldering in different switches !?

Any ideas or help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks all

There's a little nubbin or bump on the stem of Cherry MX Clears which seems to lead to this problem. I think some people have said they've solved it by wiggling the caps more and not pulling straight up on the caps as much. But it's definitely worth trying to swap in new tops. I'm not sure where to get new Cherry MX tops but the Gateron tops seem ok. I haven't really had the chance to play with mine too much though.

I can't remember but do GON keyboards have the cutouts for switch top removal? If so you could swap the stems and tops for something else.

GON keyboards do not have the cutouts for switch top removal, because GON doesn't like that adding the cutouts increases the chances for pulling the tops off when swapping caps.

That's a bit ironic considering sed8op8's question )

[HoffmanMyster]

More

So I have mentioned this in a couple threads but the switch tops on my ergo clears are coming off every time I change caps. I have a gon til I got with switches pre modded by gon and about 1/3 maybe 1/4 of the switches have this problem. I can hold the tops down with a small screw driver but it's a pain in the ass. I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem and if maybe the tabs just got weakened by removing the tops to many times during the luning,stickering and spring swap process.

Does anyone know if replacing the switch tops will fix this? Sorry to post this in a couple of threads but the responses I have gotten is that the caps are too tight on the switch stem. This is very common on cherry clears however this is the first time this has happened to me even though I have a few other boards with clears and change the caps constantly with no problems.

I hope there is some sort of solution besides re soldering in different switches !?

Any ideas or help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks all

There's a little nubbin or bump on the stem of Cherry MX Clears which seems to lead to this problem. I think some people have said they've solved it by wiggling the caps more and not pulling straight up on the caps as much. But it's definitely worth trying to swap in new tops. I'm not sure where to get new Cherry MX tops but the Gateron tops seem ok. I haven't really had the chance to play with mine too much though.

I can't remember but do GON keyboards have the cutouts for switch top removal? If so you could swap the stems and tops for something else.

GON keyboards do not have the cutouts for switch top removal, because GON doesn't like that adding the cutouts increases the chances for pulling the tops off when swapping caps.

That's a bit ironic considering sed8op8's question )

It is, and I almost made note of that when I typed it.  )  But just think of how many more tops she would have lost if he had the cutouts! 

[pr0ximity]

So I have mentioned this in a couple threads but the switch tops on my ergo clears are coming off every time I change caps. I have a gon til I got with switches pre modded by gon and about 1/3 maybe 1/4 of the switches have this problem. I can hold the tops down with a small screw driver but it's a pain in the ass. I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem and if maybe the tabs just got weakened by removing the tops to many times during the luning,stickering and spring swap process.

Does anyone know if replacing the switch tops will fix this? Sorry to post this in a couple of threads but the responses I have gotten is that the caps are too tight on the switch stem. This is very common on cherry clears however this is the first time this has happened to me even though I have a few other boards with clears and change the caps constantly with no problems.

I hope there is some sort of solution besides re soldering in different switches !?

Any ideas or help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks all

Sounds like the repeated popping-off has worn the tops in a way that makes it even more likely to come off. I know the tabs are a bit prone to bending; a few of the switches I've modded have had their tabs irreversibly bent (but still able to be clipped together only just) without too much effort.

[Sed8op8]

So I have mentioned this in a couple threads but the switch tops on my ergo clears are coming off every time I change caps. I have a gon til I got with switches pre modded by gon and about 1/3 maybe 1/4 of the switches have this problem. I can hold the tops down with a small screw driver but it's a pain in the ass. I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem and if maybe the tabs just got weakened by removing the tops to many times during the luning,stickering and spring swap process.

Does anyone know if replacing the switch tops will fix this? Sorry to post this in a couple of threads but the responses I have gotten is that the caps are too tight on the switch stem. This is very common on cherry clears however this is the first time this has happened to me even though I have a few other boards with clears and change the caps constantly with no problems.

I hope there is some sort of solution besides re soldering in different switches !?

Any ideas or help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks all

Sounds like the repeated popping-off has worn the tops in a way that makes it even more likely to come off. I know the tabs are a bit prone to bending; a few of the switches I've modded have had their tabs irreversibly bent (but still able to be clipped together only just) without too much effort.

Good thing I like Hyperfuse as its not coming off now unless I really need to change my caps haha

[Heliobb]

Is an mx3000 ? Mechanical switches ?

Thanks 

[davkol]

Probably, although it could be G81-3000 too ("semi-mechanical" MY switches, incompatible stabs and off-center stems on 1.25x modifiers).

[Heliobb]

Probably, although it could be G81-3000 too ("semi-mechanical" MY switches, incompatible stabs and off-center stems on 1.25x modifiers).

Ok thanks

[clacktalk]

what's the best lube for cherry stabs? i have some thick lube from EK, but the stabs that I've come across that feel better than any of my work have had thicker, whiter lube.

this is a very serious post. don't sex innuendo me

[meiosis]

what's the best lube for cherry stabs? i have some thick lube from EK, but the stabs that I've come across that feel better than any of my work have had thicker, whiter lube.

this is a very serious post. don't sex innuendo me

I prefer KY

[CPTBadAss]

Show Image

Is an mx3000 ? Mechanical switches ?

Thanks  :D

If you can get a picture of the back label, that'd be the best way for us to give a definitive answer.

what's the best lube for cherry stabs? i have some thick lube from EK, but the stabs that I've come across that feel better than any of my work have had thicker, whiter lube.

this is a very serious post. don't sex innuendo me

I use the thick krytox grease. Mainly because I've got the really thick grease stuff and the thinner oil stuff. So I mix my own krytox blend but I can also use either or for other things.

[Heliobb]

Show Image

Is an mx3000 ? Mechanical switches ?

Thanks  :D

If you can get a picture of the back label, that'd be the best way for us to give a definitive answer.

I've bought it. I will let you know. :)

[fohat.digs]

what's the best lube for cherry stabs? i have some thick lube from EK, but the stabs that I've come across that feel better than any of my work have had thicker, whiter lube.

I don't use Cherry switches, but I have used the thick lube from EK on many other wire tabs and I think that it works great.

My syringe (some scant partial spoonful amount) is just now running out and I have had it for a couple of years and done at least a couple of dozen boards, but I only use a tiny amount on each. I love the thin curved nozzle and wish they all were like that.