Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[Jocelyn]

R2 GB is for Imsto Thick PBT 

Link - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43328.0

Oh THAT R2...hard to judge what R2 we're talking about. For all I know, it couldve been Beast's switch tools.

Can anyone give me their input on my dilemma?

I am wondering if I should get the Dolch ABS keycaps from originative or the thick PBT caps from the R2 GB. I know the differences between ABS and PBT however, I have tried neither as my first keyboard is in the mail. Any help would be appreciated.

Context & reading comprehension, I has it 

[SpAmRaY]

What is this R4 dolch magic?

Who can give me an easy answer on the history of dolch?

Quickie history on Dolch boards. They made the Dolch 65 PAC board which is really nice. I tried one with vintage blues at the Chicago meetup.

R4 = Round 4. There has been 4 rounds of Dolch replica Group Buys. The last one was run by 7Bit. More info on R4 can be found here. Not sure what the difference between all the Rounds are.

I had no idea R4 had anything to do with dolch!

[CPTBadAss]

Context & reading comprehension, I has it 

English might be my main language now but it wasn't my first language.

I had no idea R4 had anything to do with dolch!

R4 just shipped to typically when people say R4, they are referring to the Dolch replica set.

[Jocelyn]

Context & reading comprehension, I has it 

English might be my main language now but it wasn't my first language.

Actually it's more related to memory, but I'm just messing with you anyway

[CPTBadAss]

I know haha, I'm just kidding too ^__^

[SmallFry]

Context & reading comprehension, I has it 

English might be my main language now but it wasn't my first language.

I had no idea R4 had anything to do with dolch!

R4 just shipped to typically when people say R4, they are referring to the Dolch replica set.

R4 included a lot more than just the Dolch themed set also. LOTS of novelties, and a few other base sets.

[IvanIvanovich]

Eh, no. That would be IIPBTR2 sillyhead!

[Moomoo]

Can you change the PS/2 to USB connector on "The Cheat" without problem and What are phantom PCB (remove cherries without soldering/desolder?)

[Sifo]

Can you change the PS/2 to USB connector on "The Cheat" without problem and What are phantom PCB (remove cherries without soldering/desolder?)

1. Yes
2. Yes

[CPTBadAss]

1) Can you change the PS/2 to USB connector on "The Cheat" without problem

2) What are phantom PCB (remove cherries without soldering/desolder?)

1) I don't see why you can't change the PS/2 connector. Just be careful? Or use an adapter.

2) I'm not quite sure what you're asking but there are cut-outs in the Phantom plate which allows you to remove Cherry switches without soldering or desoldering.

[Moomoo]

1) Can you change the PS/2 to USB connector on "The Cheat" without problem

2) What are phantom PCB (remove cherries without soldering/desolder?)

1) I don't see why you can't change the PS/2 connector. Just be careful? Or use an adapter.

2) I'm not quite sure what you're asking but there are cut-outs in the Phantom plate which allows you to remove Cherry switches without soldering or desoldering.

That's pretty sweet, GH communities are freaking geniuses. Just thought I'd ask the question seems legit especially if you want to try new switches without having to spend 19 million hours to switch cherries.

[Photoelectric]

Noob question: PCB-mounted switches can or cannot be mounted on boards with plates?  And the other way around, can plate-mounted switches be attached successfully to boards without a plate?

[Sifo]

Noob question: PCB-mounted switches can or cannot be mounted on boards with plates?  And the other way around, can plate-mounted switches be attached successfully to boards without a plate?

You can put PCB mount switches onto a plate mounted board, given that the PCB has the holes to support the pins. If not, you can easily just break off the pins, which obviously isn't reversible.

Plate mounted switches cannot be attached to boards without plates.

[Jocelyn]

Noob question: PCB-mounted switches can or cannot be mounted on boards with plates?  And the other way around, can plate-mounted switches be attached successfully to boards without a plate?

First question, yes assuming the PCB has the holes for the nubs. If not you can can cut the plastic nubs off.
Second question, no.

[Photoelectric]

Ok, so the reason I ask is for buying Clear switches.  If I get an older batch, it may be PCB-mounted kind.  So I'm okay.  But if I get a new kind, those seem to mostly be for plate-mounting, so I have to be careful which keyboards to look for on the cheap to be converted to clears.  This is all theoretical, as I'll probably just get a Ducky with Clears, but... I hate that it's not TKL, so I'm exploring my options.

[The_Beast]

Well, plate mount switches CAN be mounted to a PCB without a plate. However, you have to alight the switches very carefully since you don't have the pins to use for alignment. If you don't alight them right, you could get binding issues, because the caps would be at an angle.

kmiller used plate mounts on his GH60 prototype, but the alignment was off and it looked terribad


When in doubt, buy PCB mount (Hey it rhymes kinda)

[Sifo]

kmiller

terribad

Hmm...

[SpAmRaY]

For those who have done it,how much work/time is it to clip those legs off say ~100 switches??

[The_Beast]

For those who have done it,how much work/time is it to clip those legs off say ~100 switches??

Shouldn't take long.

Do you HAVE to clip off the legs? BTW, are the stems still in them or are them empty switches?

[linziyi]

Just one related question.... Can I put a plate on the PCB mounted switches? That is, can I put a plate on a board already mounted with PCB mounted switches?

[SpAmRaY]

For those who have done it,how much work/time is it to clip those legs off say ~100 switches??

Shouldn't take long.

Do you HAVE to clip off the legs? BTW, are the stems still in them or are them empty switches?

I got all those clears in the auction and wanted to use them in my phantom but the phantom needs plate mount switches...so yeah I hate to cut all those legs off....they are still in the bag they came in appear to be brand new pcb mount

Just one related question.... Can I put a plate on the PCB mounted switches? That is, can I put a plate on a board already mounted with PCB mounted switches?

not without desoldering and soldering back

[Photoelectric]

If this has been asked before, I apologize.  Are there any TKL keyboards that come stock with MX Clears?  Other than future CM QFRs?

[linziyi]

If this has been asked before, I apologize.  Are there any TKL keyboards that come stock with MX Clears?  Other than future CM QFRs?

The PURE I think, I saw someone posting a picture of it eariler in this thread.

[Photoelectric]

That's not TKL though.  I'm not ready for 60% and similar yet.

[calavera]

Whats a good taobao agent? Bhiner seems to be doing some fishy things lately, I could be wrong though.

[nubbinator]

Whats a good taobao agent? Bhiner seems to be doing some fishy things lately, I could be wrong though.

I too would like to know this after Bhiner majorly messed up my order and tried getting me to pay a ton in shipping to correct it.

[Jocelyn]

Whats a good taobao agent? Bhiner seems to be doing some fishy things lately, I could be wrong though.

Agreed. I've personally never had a problem with them, but I know of at least two people (nubbinator and WFD) who had orders shipped in two separate packages when they could have shipped them together. No idea on other agents =/

Edit - The only reason I went with them in the first place, was due to someone raving about them in the "what did you get in the mail today thread" from awhile ago.

[WhiteFireDragon]

That reminds me, they never even bothered to ship the second part of my order. The split order shouldn't have been a mistake in the first place 

[Moomoo]

Has anyone tried panda clears? (Clear stems - non clicky with black springs) How do they feel?

[CPTBadAss]

For those who have done it,how much work/time is it to clip those legs off say ~100 switches??

Took me less than 10 minutes to clip legs off of 30 switches. Its really not a big deal.

If this has been asked before, I apologize.  Are there any TKL keyboards that come stock with MX Clears?  Other than future CM QFRs?

I think Leopold FC200Rs came in clears since I've seen a few floating around.

Has anyone tried panda clears? (Clear stems - non clicky with black springs) How do they feel?

I think they'd feel like a heavier version of 62g or 65g (Korean spring) ergo-clears. It seems like the same concept as ergo-clears: Put a lighter spring into a switch with a clear stem. But I don't think I've tried them. Maybe the Universal Switch Tester had them but I don't recall what they felt like if they did.

[SpAmRaY]

Whats a good taobao agent? Bhiner seems to be doing some fishy things lately, I could be wrong though.

 

Whats a good taobao agent? Bhiner seems to be doing some fishy things lately, I could be wrong though.

I too would like to know this after Bhiner majorly messed up my order and tried getting me to pay a ton in shipping to correct it.

I'm still trying out Bhiner, seems odd I ordered something, a week later nothing so I messaged them and then the next day the item was ready for second payment....so I'm not sure if it was coincidence or what.

Also I have been trying out MisterTao with the intent of writing up a review on my TaoBao buying experience but right now I'm very unhappy with them, they left out ~$22 worth of stuff out of my order and basically told me, too bad.

[IvanIvanovich]

I don't care for clears much. It's been awhile since I tried them, but I do remember thinking with black springs were the least terrible. Stock was way too heavy, and I seemed to notice reset issues with lighter springs that put me off. Black springs clears with stock clear on the spacebar I thought was the sweetspot.

[CPTBadAss]

I don't care for clears much. It's been awhile since I tried them, but I do remember thinking with black springs were the least terrible. Stock was way too heavy, and I seemed to notice reset issues with lighter springs that put me off. Black springs clears with stock clear on the spacebar I thought was the sweetspot.

The lighter spring (like 55g) ergo-clears board I tried also had reset issues and the modifiers would stick. I've been told lubing helps but I was also put off as well. I think the Black Spring Panda-clears might be nice.

[fateswarm]

No, LED stops the top from coming off. You will have to desolder it first.

I guess only the insane would disassemble them then just to lube them periodically.

Dropping the oil above it will have to do I guess. 

[CPTBadAss]

No, LED stops the top from coming off. You will have to desolder it first.

I guess only the insane would disassemble them then just to lube them periodically.

That scared to mod your board? Soldering and desoldering comes with the hobby

[Photekq]

That scared to mod your board? Soldering and desoldering comes with the hobby

I'm pretty sure that I saw you say that you didn't even have a soldering iron  ) I might be wrong though.

[CPTBadAss]

That scared to mod your board? Soldering and desoldering comes with the hobby

I'm pretty sure that I saw you say that you didn't even have a soldering iron  ) I might be wrong though.

Just bought a Hakko and I've been taking apart boards to build my TKL Alps board. I'm extremely confident in my soldering skills too thank you very much

[Photekq]

Just bought a Hakko and I've been taking apart boards to build my TKL Alps board. I'm extremely confident in my soldering skills too thank you very much

Nice get! What's this TKL alps board? 

[CPTBadAss]

What's this TKL alps board? 

My Wiki has some details but I'm making my own TKL Alps board. Naming it the Tofu101. Check it out in my signature.

[domoaligato]

does anyone know someone that can make custom alps plates?

[Photekq]

My Wiki has some details but I'm making my own TKL Alps board. Naming it the Tofu101. Check it out in my signature.

How the hell did I miss this!? I look forward to seeing it! At a later date I think I'm going make myself a plate that supports alps for the TEK-80 and do a direct wiring teensy job.

[CPTBadAss]

My Wiki has some details but I'm making my own TKL Alps board. Naming it the Tofu101. Check it out in my signature.

How the hell did I miss this!? I look forward to seeing it! At a later date I think I'm going make myself a plate that supports alps for the TEK-80 and do a direct wiring teensy job.

Thanks! I've been keeping it on the DL since I'm not at a place in the project where I'm comfortable with showing off what I've done. I will post a build log when I progress a little more. I will admit the teensy is a bit intimidating since I'm so bad with coding so I avoiding that route. I hope to learn enough at a later point to learn to code a teensy.

does anyone know someone that can make custom alps plates?

The_Beast might be willing to cut you the plate if you can design/draw/model the plate in CAD.

[take]

is there any place besides EK to get keysets for my 87U?

[SeriouSSpotS]

Does any company offer thick-PBT ISO enter keys?

[domoaligato]

The_Beast might be willing to cut you the plate if you can design/draw/model the plate in CAD.

I already asked him via PM a while back and he said he was only doing cherry plates.

[SeriouSSpotS]

Does any company offer thick-PBT ISO enter keys?

[CPTBadAss]

is there any place besides EK to get keysets for my 87U?

Don't think so. But I'm not 100% sure.

Does any company offer thick-PBT ISO enter keys?

You double posted this question and I don't think so. I've never seen a thick-PBT ISO enter. But maybe IvanIvanovitch's R2 Thick PBT buy has an ISO option? That might be your best bet.

The_Beast might be willing to cut you the plate if you can design/draw/model the plate in CAD.

I already asked him via PM a while back and he said he was only doing cherry plates.

He won't cut you a plate if you gave him a drawing? I think what he meant was he was only designing Cherry plate. If you gave him a CAD file/drawing, I'm sure he'd help you cut a plate. I don't think he has a personal vendetta against Alps boards.

[domoaligato]

He won't cut you a plate if you gave him a drawing? I think what he meant was he was only designing Cherry plate. If you gave him a CAD file/drawing, I'm sure he'd help you cut a plate. I don't think he has a personal vendetta against Alps boards.

i will get it in CAD and ask him when it is done.

[SeriouSSpotS]

Does any company offer thick-PBT ISO enter keys?

You double posted this question and I don't think so. I've never seen a thick-PBT ISO enter. But maybe IvanIvanovitch's R2 Thick PBT buy has an ISO option? That might be your best bet.

Thanks for the reply, sorry didn't mean to double post. Tried to delete but couldn't figure out how .

[Photoelectric]

Vintage MX Clear vs "modern" : any noticeable difference, like the smoothness and lightness of vintage MX Black vs recent batches?