Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[yasuo]

winding tamiya(mini4wd) same with wires for handwiring?

[CPTBadAss]

winding tamiya(mini4wd) same with wires for handwiring?

I'm not an electrical expert but I think that's a no. I would think the electrical fields from the magnetics would mess with the keyboard's function. But I'm not 100% sure; hopefully dorkvader or metalliqaz can chime in since I'm pretty much guessing.

[dorkvader]

winding tamiya(mini4wd) same with wires for handwiring?

not really sure what you're going at here.
is it this: http://www.tamiya.com/english/mini4wd/m4item/m4item.htm

If you want to hand wind your motor, that will work, but it'll take forever. If you want to use wire meant for an electric motor for hand-wiring a keyboard, that'll wortk too, just keep the magnets in the motor core away.

If you have wire set aside for keyboards that you want to use to wire an electric motor instead, it might or might not work. I think they usually use magnet wire. The insulation on it is really thin so you get a lot of copper denisty for more power.

If you are asking about something else, I'll need some clarification, sorry!

[asgeirtj]

I have a non backlit noppoo choc mini.  I want to disable the LED which is under the caps lock.  What's the best way to go on about this?  I tried taping over it but that didn't work too well.  If I break the light cover does the light die with it?  I'm willing to ruin it to get rid of it.

[BlueBär]

I have a non backlit noppoo choc mini.  I want to disable the LED which is under the caps lock.  What's the best way to go on about this?  I tried taping over it but that didn't work too well.  If I break the light cover does the light die with it?  I'm willing to ruin it to get rid of it.

What do you mean by light cover? Cleanest solution would be desoldering it.

[yasuo]

winding tamiya(mini4wd) same with wires for handwiring?

not really sure what you're going at here.
is it this: http://www.tamiya.com/english/mini4wd/m4item/m4item.htm

If you want to hand wind your motor, that will work, but it'll take forever. If you want to use wire meant for an electric motor for hand-wiring a keyboard, that'll wortk too, just keep the magnets in the motor core away.

If you have wire set aside for keyboards that you want to use to wire an electric motor instead, it might or might not work. I think they usually use magnet wire. The insulation on it is really thin so you get a lot of copper denisty for more power.

If you are asking about something else, I'll need some clarification, sorry!

yup, so thin not enough power i think also, but i really curious with this is

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pdcawley/sets/72157632955030051/
___________________________________________
i've buy this is cable, this is recommended or not?


Thanks

[CPTBadAss]

I have a non backlit noppoo choc mini.  I want to disable the LED which is under the caps lock.  What's the best way to go on about this?  I tried taping over it but that didn't work too well.  If I break the light cover does the light die with it?  I'm willing to ruin it to get rid of it.

The best way of getting rid of the LED is to desolder it. If you're not willing to do this, I would try coloring the LED with a Sharpie. I wouldn't recommend breaking the LED.

yup, so thin not enough power i think also, but i really curious with this is
(Attachment Link)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pdcawley/sets/72157632955030051/
___________________________________________
i've buy this is cable, this is recommended or not?

Show Image

Thanks :thumb:

The picture you posted is very thin hookup wire. Probably like 30AWG wire. In my opinion, you should buy 24 to 28 AWG hookup wire and not use that cable. You'll spend a lot of time taking the ends off and the wires seem too short.

[Melvang]

I have a non backlit noppoo choc mini.  I want to disable the LED which is under the caps lock.  What's the best way to go on about this?  I tried taping over it but that didn't work too well.  If I break the light cover does the light die with it?  I'm willing to ruin it to get rid of it.

I would go with black fingernail polish it model paint.  If using model paint go with a high gloss.

[Firebolt1914]

Where can I acquire clear MX switch tops? Are they fairly rare/expensive?

[SpAmRaY]

Where can I acquire clear MX switch tops? Are they fairly rare/expensive?

Besides the various group buys I've only seen there for sale here http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/clear-mx-switch-cover These would be the aboStudio ones which have varied reviews, some like them some don't.

Unless you mean the originals from the nixdorf boards and yes those are typically rare and expensive depending on who is selling.

[frosty]

How does one acquire a G81-3116SDU? Are there also other cherry boards with pbt dyesubs?

[CPTBadAss]

1) How does one acquire a G81-3116SDU?
2) Are there also other cherry boards with pbt dyesubs?

1) You get lucky finding it on ebay, seeing it for sale in classifieds, or stumbling on it through different electronic sellers websites. For example, you can get G81 keyboards from the Staples website. Dunno why you'd want to order from them but it's possible. Then you pay them money and they ship it to you .

2) http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_article_numbers

[yasuo]

btw there's any idea stabs for plate thick 1,5mm++  atleast 2mm )

 

[CPTBadAss]

btw there's any idea stabs for plate thick 1,5mm++  atleast 2mm

AFAIK, you've got two easily found options: Costar and Cherry Plate/PCB. Modify one of those for your usage.

[Melvang]

Will PS2 plug keyboards work from hibernation or does it require a full restart?

[domoaligato]

normally they require a full restart.

[DasHHKBProM]

Is there an easy way to turn "`" into backspace on hhkb 2?

[epzy]

Is there an easy way to turn "`" into backspace on hhkb 2?

DIP switch 3?

[DasHHKBProM]

Is there an easy way to turn "`" into backspace on hhkb 2?

DIP switch 3?

That works well turning "delete" into backspace on hhkb 2.

[intelli78]

U need software remapping, son.

AutoHotKey on Windows, or Karabiner on OSX.

[epzy]

Is there an easy way to turn "`" into backspace on hhkb 2?

DIP switch 3?

That works well turning "delete" into backspace on hhkb 2.

Ah, guess it's different for me. xPPpPpp

AutoHotKey is very easy to use, though.

[DasHHKBProM]

U need software remapping, son.

AutoHotKey on Windows, or Karabiner on OSX.

`::BS
BS::\
\::BS

RWin::Left
RAlt::Right

#z::Run www.google.com
#x::`                                               //perfection ty

[Melvang]

Say I have a programmable keyboard such as GH36 for use as a game pad.  If I set my computers default input to Dvorak would that screw up the layout on the keypad?

[dorkvader]

Say I have a programmable keyboard such as GH36 for use as a game pad.  If I set my computers default input to Dvorak would that screw up the layout on the keypad?

yes.

You can avoid this by having a separate layer on the GH36 for that occasion.

Also, some games will ignore the dvorak language of windows for better or worse. This is why I do hardware dvorak on all my boards.

[Melvang]

Say I have a programmable keyboard such as GH36 for use as a game pad.  If I set my computers default input to Dvorak would that screw up the layout on the keypad?

yes.

You can avoid this by having a separate layer on the GH36 for that occasion.

Also, some games will ignore the dvorak language of windows for better or worse. This is why I do hardware dvorak on all my boards.

Gotcha.  So to have essentially a QWERTY layout on the game pad and dvorak on the keyboard I would need programmable on both?  Or would there be a workaround?  Say I program the GH36 to be dvorak and then I switch the PC input language from QWERTY to Dvorak would the GH36 be qwerty then?

[dustinhxc]

What is the size of the stock black screws on a Realforce PCB?

Epzy mentioned;

diameter 2.20mm
length thread 7.84mm
length total 9.53mm
head diameter 3.83mm

[yasuo]

btw there's any idea stabs for plate thick 1,5mm++  atleast 2mm

AFAIK, you've got two easily found options: Costar and Cherry Plate/PCB. Modify one of those for your usage.

yup ) how dimens holes cherry pcb stbas?

[MOZ]

btw there's any idea stabs for plate thick 1,5mm++  atleast 2mm

AFAIK, you've got two easily found options: Costar and Cherry Plate/PCB. Modify one of those for your usage.

yup ) how dimens holes cherry pcb stbas?

You can use the standard stab holes that everyone uses for designing plates, it works with PCB stabs as well. More here: http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/switches/key/mx.htm

[CommonCurt]

I'm thinking of selling some of the keyboards that I have never really used in the classifieds, but I'm not familiar with shipping rates etc.

Is the flat rate "large Board Game Box" the best option for shipping full size boards (Filco, Ducky)?   It's like $20.

[ComradeSniper]

I'm thinking of selling some of the keyboards that I have never really used in the classifieds, but I'm not familiar with shipping rates etc.

Is the flat rate "large Board Game Box" the best option for shipping full size boards (Filco, Ducky)?   It's like $20.

Should be $16 if you print the label online. If you've already got a keyboard sized box lying around and the keyboard you're shipping isn't very heavy then you might save a couple bucks by using your own box, but otherwise it's just going to end up costing more after you buy the box.

[CommonCurt]

I'm thinking of selling some of the keyboards that I have never really used in the classifieds, but I'm not familiar with shipping rates etc.

Is the flat rate "large Board Game Box" the best option for shipping full size boards (Filco, Ducky)?   It's like $20.

Should be $16 if you print the label online. If you've already got a keyboard sized box lying around and the keyboard you're shipping isn't very heavy then you might save a couple bucks by using your own box, but otherwise it's just going to end up costing more after you buy the box.

Okay  thanks.

It did say it  was $16.something  but if you add insurance it's another  $2.something.   

[yasuo]

why topre stabs better even no clamps at all (exc:spacebar) the stabs on under with  yeah

[BlueBär]

why topre stabs better even no clamps at all (exc:spacebar) the stabs on under with  yeah

Topre has a circular stems and the keycap stems go inside of the switch slider. Because of this, the keycap sits a bit sturdier on the slider which makes stabilization not as necessary.

[yasuo]

why topre stabs better even no clamps at all (exc:spacebar) the stabs on under with  yeah

Topre has a circular stems and the keycap stems go inside of the switch slider. Because of this, the keycap sits a bit sturdier on the slider which makes stabilization not as necessary.

yup right, i ever think so though not sure, i tried on mx with thick thick tape yeah still less stabile )
is alps same as topre?

[BlueBär]

yup right, i ever think so though not sure, i tried on mx with thick thick tape yeah still less stabile )
is alps same as topre?

No: unfortunately Alps stems are not as stabile as Topre stems (the reason is the way the stem is held in position within the switch). Even 1x1 Alps keys tend to wobble a bit.

[rockhawksam]

Hey guys. I lifted a few solder pads when desoldering my kmac. Should I be worried or does it not affect anything?

[nubbinator]

Hey guys. I lifted a few solder pads when desoldering my kmac. Should I be worried or does it not affect anything?

You may have to manually bridge some traces depending on the severity of the pad lifting.  If it's a double sided PCB you're probably fine though.

[rockhawksam]

Hey guys. I lifted a few solder pads when desoldering my kmac. Should I be worried or does it not affect anything?

You may have to manually bridge some traces depending on the severity of the pad lifting.  If it's a double sided PCB you're probably fine though.

Okay! Thanks for the response. What do you mean by double sided PCB though?

[nubbinator]

Hey guys. I lifted a few solder pads when desoldering my kmac. Should I be worried or does it not affect anything?

You may have to manually bridge some traces depending on the severity of the pad lifting.  If it's a double sided PCB you're probably fine though.

Okay! Thanks for the response. What do you mean by double sided PCB though?

Sorry, I meant dual layer.  I seem to remember some of the dual layer boards having identical traces on both sides, though I could be messing things up and they could have different traces on each layer. 

It's not really important though.  If you did mess up some traces, you'll probably have to bridge some with some wire.

[rockhawksam]

Hey guys. I lifted a few solder pads when desoldering my kmac. Should I be worried or does it not affect anything?

You may have to manually bridge some traces depending on the severity of the pad lifting.  If it's a double sided PCB you're probably fine though.

Okay! Thanks for the response. What do you mean by double sided PCB though?

Sorry, I meant dual layer.  I seem to remember some of the dual layer boards having identical traces on both sides, though I could be messing things up and they could have different traces on each layer. 

It's not really important though.  If you did mess up some traces, you'll probably have to bridge some with some wire.

  I have no idea how to do this!

[nubbinator]

look at the traces between where you lifted the pad.  Follow the trace to the next switch.  Get some wire, strip the ends, then lay it flat.  Solder it to the switch leg for the trace route.  Voila, you've bridged a trace.

[rockhawksam]

look at the traces between where you lifted the pad.  Follow the trace to the next switch.  Get some wire, strip the ends, then lay it flat.  Solder it to the switch leg for the trace route.  Voila, you've bridged a trace.

Thanks! Is there any way I can test to see if the trace is even broken before I turn to this? Also, what type of wire? Sorry, I am very inept when it comes to these things!

[dorkvader]

look at the traces between where you lifted the pad.  Follow the trace to the next switch.  Get some wire, strip the ends, then lay it flat.  Solder it to the switch leg for the trace route.  Voila, you've bridged a trace.

Thanks! Is there any way I can test to see if the trace is even broken before I turn to this? Also, what type of wire? Sorry, I am very inept when it comes to these things!

That's okay, we all started somewhere, and I'm glad to help.

While any wire will work, 22-28awg is about the right size. Smaller is harder to work with (I have used 30AWG wire wrap wire though) and larger is also harder to work with (it becomes so large that it gets in the way) I just got some 22AWG solid core hookup wire and it's just about perfect. In the past I have cut up cables for the wire inside but it can be a pain.

You can tell if the trace is broken using a DMM in continuity mode. You can also make something with a battery and an LED that will also work.

Hope this helps!

[intelli78]

You can tell if the trace is broken using a DMM in continuity mode.

I'll add: beware of relying on any "beeping" continuity check modes, they can mislead. Make sure you find a point that actually has 0 ohms of resistance.

[HoffmanMyster]

9995 posts in this thread! Who will be 10000??

[Lastpilot]

10000 is over 9000!

[rowdy]

9995 posts in this thread! Who will be 10000??

Someone will be able to provide an answer very soon

[HoffmanMyster]

9995 posts in this thread! Who will be 10000??

Someone will be able to provide an answer very soon

I wait with baited breath. 

[Lastpilot]

Rowdy you know you want to be the owner of reply #10000

[Lastpilot]

Nvm I got it