Author Topic: Ergodox Setup  (Read 2352 times)

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Offline jtrinh1

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Ergodox Setup
« on: Mon, 27 January 2014, 23:02:22 »
Hey everyone.

I've been doing a lot of research on the optimal workstation for the ergodox without busting the bank. Truthfully, I've really become a keyboard enthusiast learning a lot about ergonomics of keyboards, how to mod an keyboard, types of switch modifications etc. My ergodox is shipping relatively soon, and I'd really like to hear feedback on what I'm going to order before I do it.

Something to keep in mind is that I do not really plan to solder much in the future, and I'd rather not spend a lot of money. So basically the cheap without being useless.

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Soldering Iron
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http://www.amazon.com/Coopertools-SP12-Mini-Lightweight-Solder/dp/B00002N7S9

OR...? (need feedback)

http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Electronics-ST-12-Soldering-Tool/dp/B0002LLWZY

I've been looking around, and I've found that people have bought cheap one from Radioshack and have done well for their first time. I looked into this further and found 25-30 watts are optimal for smd soldering. The tip on this one is also very thin, so I concluded this one would work just fine.

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Solderwick
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http://www.amazon.com/Alpha-AT-31604-60-40-Solder-Ounces/dp/B00030AP48

I've watched soldering videos and heard feedback from other people doing the ergodox that this is the best for what I'm doing.

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Ergonomics
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http://www.amazon.com/Kinesis-Freestyle-V3-Accessory-Black/dp/B003F8MDPY
http://www.amazon.com/Goldtouch-Gel-Filled-Palm-Supports-Black/dp/B0006VLQ6U

In the ergodox thread, I came across by an amazing gentleman name Glodd. He makes fantastic wooden ergodox that is incredible to look at. I don't have enough technical skills to make one of those, but he did post before about him using 3m velcro tape with giant rubber feet to tent the keyboard with great success (detachable too!)

The wrist rest will come more down the line, but it makes it so that the corner of the wrist has some rest.

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Other Stuff
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I have wire cutters, rubber gloves, goggles(not really needed), tweezers, and a sizable workstation.

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Conclusions
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Yes, this is not all cheap together, but mainly I just don't want to purchase anything I won't be using later. If I'm missing or anything, or you have a critique about anything I listed please tell me as I would like to know.

Offline jacobolus

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Re: Ergodox Setup
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 28 January 2014, 02:13:55 »
Your heading says solder wick, but your link is to solder. I’m not a huge expert, but I like 63-37 (“eutectic”) solder, a bit more than 60-40, though either should work just fine. Definitely stick to the leaded stuff.

If you ever are going to desolder switches, one of those solder suckers (like the Soldapullt, etc.) is really handy, though you’ll also maybe want some desoldering wick/braid.

Also, I’d get some small serrated needle-nose pliers. And whatever wire cutters you have will probably be fine, but if you can find some small precision cutters that are close to flush on one side, they make it easier to cut leads close to the board.

Make sure you have a nice bright lamp that you can position near your work and move around. And the SMD diodes on the ergodox are *tiny* so to inspect your solder joints you want to have some kind of magnifier (a 10x jeweler’s loupe is nice for this, but any magnifying glass works fine).

Also, a multimeter with a continuity tester, or at least a voltmeter/ohmmeter, is really handy in case anything goes wrong.

By the way, you probably want to take a look at the Living Soldering Thread, which has some great advice: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42824.0

Also, http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=52851.0
« Last Edit: Tue, 28 January 2014, 02:18:58 by jacobolus »

Offline MOZ

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Re: Ergodox Setup
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 28 January 2014, 02:16:34 »
I would recommend getting a  Yihua 936 at the very least, even if you don't plan to do a lot of soldering.

The wooden ergodox dock (ErgoDock) was made by kurplop with inputs from Glod.

Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: Ergodox Setup
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 28 January 2014, 06:40:07 »
OP I would encourage you to read through the thread linked below, it has a wealth of information on soldering gear.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42824.0


Offline jtrinh1

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Re: Ergodox Setup
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 28 January 2014, 07:49:26 »
Haha thanks everyone for the feedback. I tried to do my homework, but i got lots of wrong answers. Kudos for being positive and linking me to these things!

Offline lkong

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Re: Ergodox Setup
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 10 March 2014, 15:58:07 »
If you have decided diy is your thing maybe a better solder iron like weller
And a multi-meter  ;D