ASCII-F
PCB Top Mount 65TK

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When I picked up an old WYSE ASCII off Craigslist, it reminded me of a keyboard layout I desired a few years ago: a full 65% keyboard with a complete numpad that includes arrow keys, a navigation cluster (PgUp, PgDn, Home, End), and a 2u 0 (zero) key on the numpad.

Taking design cues from some of my favorite keyboards, I kept the bezel quite thin and the overall profile simple and slim.

The Plateless Top Mount provides a soft and 'bouncy' typing experience without being flexible. If soldering plateless is a daunting task for you, we will have options available for hotswap PCBs and plates.

IC form

- enomooshiKey IG
- zenclack IG
- Zenclack Discord

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0. CONTENTS

• DETAILS
• STATUS
• VENDORS & PRICING
• RENDERS
• PHOTOS
• OTHER MEDIA
• FAQ
• SPECIAL THANKS

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1. DETAILS

• Typing angle 7.0°
• Front Height : 17.8mm (after cherry lip), 20mm (before cherry lip)
• Mounting Method : Plateless Top Mount
• PCB : Designed by Freather with Universal USB-C daughteboard - configurable with QMK/VIA
• Solder PCB Layout Option

• Hotswap PCB Layout Option

• Base Kit
  - Top Case
  - Bottom Case
  - Daughter Board with JST Cable
  - Solder PCB
  - Carry Case
  - Microfiber Towel
  - Case screws
  - DB screws
  - Top Mount screws
  
• Case Options
  - Alu Top + Alu Bottom
  - Alu Top + Brass Bottom
  - Alu Top + Copper Bottom (Limited Edition maybe)
• Colors For Alu Top + Alu Bottom
  - Black Top + Silver Bottom
  - E-Beige Top + Silver Bottom
  - E-Beige Top + Black Bottom
  - E-White Top + Black Bottom
  - Silver Top + Black Bottom
• Colors For Alu Top + Brass Bottom/Copper Bottom
  - E-Beige
  - E-White
  - Black
  - Silver
• Weight Unbuilt
  - Alu Top + Alu Bottom = 1.34kg
  - Alu Top + Brass Bottom = 3.46kg
• Plate Options for Hotswap PCB
  - PC
  - FR-4
  - PP
  - Alu
• Optional Alu Wrist Rest : matching anodization or e-coat with top case
• Indicator LED for Caps Lock and Num Lock keys

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2. Status

• Proto v1 was ordered with e-beige top and full brass bottom, along with a matching wrist rest
  - prototype PCB came with no indicator LED
  - Used the fly daughterboard
  - noticed a bit of rattling and pinging
  - rattling was caused by inaccurate PCB size. PCB was too 'tall' and making contacts with top case
  - Modified the PCB in different ways in an effort to remove pinging.
  - Minor adjustments to mounting points and case screw points
• Proto v2 was ordered with new adjustments and new PCB design, Black Top + Silver Bottom
  - change Daughter Board to Universal Daughter Board with USB-C
  - no more rattle and pinging
  - 2 solder PCB plateless build done on twitch channel
• Changes to be made for Proto v2.1
  - move daughterboard closer to the edge by 0.5mm
  - Solder PCB bottom row layout has changed a bit
  - Solder PCB will be in yellow. while Hotswap PCB will stay black
• Update July 29th, 2024
  - Solder PCB color will be changed to 'orange/yellow' to closely match the original PCB color of WYSE ASCII
  - Added Split Backspace option for Hotswap PCB
  - Hotswap PCB color will be changed to 'green'
  
• Update August 26th, 2024
  - Found out that orange pcb will cost significantly more. Solder PCB will be yellow
  - Prototype v3 units have been ordered. These two units, along with the v2 unit will be sent out to some content creators
  - Prototype v3 PCBs have been ordered. This round of PCBs will reflect the latest changes, including the new color for solder and hotswap PCBs.
  

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3. Vendors & Pricing

• Vendors
  -NA: Zenclack
  -EU: TBD
  -ASIA: Keyspensory CN
  -AUS: TBD
  
• Price
  - Alu Top + Alu Bottom = $250
  - Alu Top + Brass Bottom = $450
  - Alu Top + Copper bottom = $500
  - Alu Wrist Rest = $50
  - Extra Solder PCB = TBD
  - Extra Hotswap PCB = TBD
  - Plates = TBD
  

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4. Renders

Actual coating and anodizing may look a bit different from these renders. Please use these renderings as a reference.
renders by mur1_fat


Beige Coating Top + Brass Bottom + GMK Hiney Beige


White Coating Top + Black Ano Bottom + GMK WoB


Silver Ano Top + Brass Bottom + GMK Evil Eye


Black Ano Top + Silver Ano Bottom + GMK ASCII


4 Options for Brass Bottom


5 Options for Alu Bottom


Beige Coating Top + Brass Bottom + GMK Blue Alert R2 (special render by Steven Olver)

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5. Photos

Proto V1 with matching wrist rest


Proto V2 with GMK WoB Hangul


Proto V2 with GMK DMG

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7. OTHER MEDIA

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8. FAQ
coming soon^TM

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9. SPECIAL THANKS

• My lovely wife, for putting up with my numerous hobbies
• Tofumania, for putting my vision into Fusion 360
• Glendel/Zenclack, for having faith in ASCII-F
• Freather, for coming in clutch with PCB design
• TimKeyLess, for getting me into this crazy hobby
• Gok, for letting me use his IC page style
• Lightning & Manoli, for helping me through IC creation

Thank you very much.

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[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=123371][img width=384 height=120]https://i.imgur.com/jYgUgbS.png[/img][/url]

Oo that's a pretty work-versatile layout, and a simple but striking aesthetic to the board. Price is also very appealing. GLwIC! Looks great.

mhm yes. good layout. good price. much good here. good job frankypoo 

Love the variety in layouts we've been getting lately

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

absolutely love the layout, love the aesthetic, love the mount. excited to see this happen!

This is super nice, love the minimalist design language & PCB top mount sound just chef's kiss! Definitely gonna be keeping up with this one, awesome work enomooshiki!

 

...
Do people use Split LeftShift with ANSI?

I know some people use layouts like uk-iso or german-iso with ansi enter instead of iso enter, but still keep the split left shift.

I think your layout picture for the solder pcb is missing the bottom row option shown here: https://imgur.com/9mQVv95

Quote from: Bokehhbob on Fri, 26 July 2024, 14:21:28

Yes on the layout!

Personally think you should add more hotswap layout support.

Split BS and Split LS wouldn’t take that much work to add, considering most hotswap pcbs come with as much layout support as solder PCB’s do now a days I think it would be a good add.

Either way I’ll most likely be in.

Hello Bokehhbob! Fancy seeing you here.

That's something I can look into. HOWEVER, I would highly HIGHLY suggest folks to consider solder PCB over hotswap with ASCII-F.
It was designed to be plateless.. so if you are able to solder (or find someone who can) , you shouldn't think about getting the hotswap.

Do people use Split LeftShift with ANSI?

Personally would get solder and do plateless, I was moreso thinking of the lines of bringing in more people interested in the board. I feel a large part of the community doesn’t solder (either doesn’t know how or want to)


Just my thoughts.

Either way excited for this board. Love the layout and plateless top mount is a chefs kiss!

Love the design. I'm in

I think your layout picture for the solder pcb is missing the bottom row option shown here: https://imgur.com/9mQVv95

haha yes yes, you are correct

the bottom row option shown in the photo will NOT be available in the final PCB design

Very cool concept! I'll also be following this closely. GLWIC

I LOVE this. I have been waiting for this layout for GOD KNOW HOW LONG. I AM IN FOR ONE FOR REAL. LET'S GET THIS GOING!

Small updates on PCBs

- Solder PCB color will be changed to 'orange/yellow' to closely match the original PCB color of WYSE ASCII
- Added Split Backspace option for Hotswap PCB
- Hotswap PCB color will be changed to 'green'

Great work Frank!

Had the pleasure of trying this out the last time I was in Cali. Awesome board and I hope this makes it to GB!

looking great! loving the commitment to plateless.

Numpad gud, plateless gud. Can't wait for this chonker.

Wow, this looks great. Definitely interested. GLWIC

Looks like a good keeb to me GLWIC

So numpad of left is a no go? Have some decency

Sorry about that.

A 65% + numpad which is a format im actualy super keen on as i don't find myself using the f row or num row of full size formats. It had a clean and simple retro aesthetic which  im really digging. the only thing extra i could want is an option for southpaw or the ability to flip to southpaw. But this looks amazing im in sign me up for a beige out of the Aus vendor whoever that ends up being.

A new typing test video is posted which showcases hotswap pcb build with alu plate.

Renders are uploaded.

Really nice work Frank! GLWIC!

I'm not a fan of numpads but I have to say that this board convinced me, really a great job. GLWIC!!!

Only note: I'm not too sure about the engraving on the wrist rest: it seems uncomfortable to me.

Definitely in for at least one of these. I'm a 65% enjoyer and love the compactness of the 2u numpad as well for when I need that near full-size experience.

Design language and inspiration is beautiful as well. A fitting tribute with a lot of careful consideration put into the project. Can't wait for the GB.