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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: phoenix1234 on Sat, 30 November 2013, 22:23:16

Title: My CM QFR Topcases mod thread
Post by: phoenix1234 on Sat, 30 November 2013, 22:23:16
Since I already posted an old thread a few month ago, I merged all of my versions into this thread.

Version 2:
Cooler Master Quick Fire Rapid - Cherry MX Black.
Condition: brand new.

Recently, I just got Limited 62g spring from Originative and Imsto PBT keycap from Ivan.
I decided to buy a new QFR to test.
This time, I take a chance to paint this new QFR fully.

In 2nd version, my intention is to help anyone who is going to mod their own keyboard with low budget, so I use low-cost preparation :

Soldering Iron + tip (8$+1.5$)
Prokit Desoldering Pump (5$)
3m Soldering wire Asahi 60Sn/40Pb (2$)
1 bottle of Bosny paint (Teal colour) (3$)
1 liter of Gasoline to clean existing QFT paint (1$)
1 bar of female pin for removable led (0.5$)

(http://i.imgur.com/YOTXo2r.jpg)
For low-cost setup, I think these would be enough. However, it would great if you have other professional tools like Hakko soldering station, Soldapullt desoldering pump, Kester soldering wire lead-free.
In this experiment, I will use a new CM Quick Fire Rapid to save costs.
+ open the case and desolder all switches :
(http://i.imgur.com/aSSeRaO.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Ajwylkw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/AHNr0Fr.jpg)
+ prepare springs, clean them with isopropyl
[original Cherry MX Black vs Limited Spring 62g from Originative]
(http://i.imgur.com/BgbBCll.jpg)
* The limited spring 62g is close to original Cherry MX Black, it only has one more round than original spring. Technically, it will be lighter. Plus, the original spring is shinier than limited 62 spring. Perhaps, it is because of material differences.
+ open switch, lube stems housing, springs and stems with high viscosity grease (I was told it is Krytox GPL 205)
(http://i.imgur.com/Mnpsgeh.jpg)
+ assemble the switch together after lubed
+ solder the switches back to the pcb
(http://i.imgur.com/Ko2NKFR.jpg)
*even I used low-cost soldering iron, it still works, the solder points are still shinny and clean enough.
(http://i.imgur.com/kBL6LUV.jpg)
+ assemble cable, case, stabilizers
(http://i.imgur.com/NYzemqn.jpg)
+ clean existing paint from QFR and paint the case

(http://i.imgur.com/zfFDacu.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8sUfS9y.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LXLp62G.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gzn5CE9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hC0ANmh.jpg)
+ all together after painted
(http://i.imgur.com/kZ47mof.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FpmcFm2.jpg)
+ removable led mod
Since this keyboard is painted, I don't want to open it when a led is dead accidentally.
I decided to follow a guide to mod the removable led from KBDMania
http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/index.php?mid=best_article&document_srl=6246034&6246034_cpage=1
- female pin
(http://i.imgur.com/hCRINAI.jpg)
- the female pin has quite short legs, I think we have trouble if the plate+pcb are thicker
(http://imgur.com/ynoDUk5,RFyd6Q8,sTmHIqd,3BNgpBU,hCRINAI#3)
- solder points - the pins are just long enough for this plate+pcb but if plate+pcb are thicker, we may need to work around
(http://i.imgur.com/3BNgpBU.jpg)
- front side
(http://i.imgur.com/RFyd6Q8.jpg)
- plug-able led
(http://i.imgur.com/sTmHIqd.jpg)
- led working as expectation
(http://i.imgur.com/ynoDUk5.jpg)

End of version 2 - updated 01/12/2013
------------
Version 1:
Cooler Master Quick Fire Rapid - Cherry MX Black.
Condition: old, a lot of dust and rust on plate.

+buy 02 bottle of paint (Blue River and Apple Green), some fine grained sandpapers, 1 liter of gasoline and 1 liter of alcohol 99%
+disassemble the switches
+clean the old paint with gasoline and alcohol 99%
+clean the rust with sandpaper 400 and 600
+paint the plate with blue river colour.
+replace the switches with Cherry MX blue.
+simplify the roof to cover only the controller
+paint the roof and bottom
+assemble switches
+put Filco Ninja keycaps to it

Total costs: + 15 USD

Definitely, it is not perfect but it is so much fun.

Here are some pictures eventually:
(http://i.imgur.com/BGyqcpX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7kHOnGw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FCdQOWu.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gI8yZfl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/lqyBm1D.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/o7pWxqP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/uNP3anF.jpg)

End of version 1 - updated August 2013
Title: Re: My CM QFR Topcases mod thread
Post by: Photoelectric on Sat, 30 November 2013, 22:28:15
Good work--very clean, and I like your color choices  :thumb:  Thank you for sharing!
Title: Re: My CM QFR Topcases mod thread
Post by: osi on Sat, 30 November 2013, 22:36:15
Good write up.
Title: Re: My CM QFR Topcases mod thread
Post by: phoenix1234 on Sat, 30 November 2013, 23:28:12
Quote from: Photoelectric on Sat, 30 November 2013, 22:28:15
Good work--very clean, and I like your color choices  :thumb:  Thank you for sharing!

Quote from: osi on Sat, 30 November 2013, 22:36:15
Good write up.

Thanks
It's great that you like it.

I just finished the final assembly :
(http://i.imgur.com/FpmcFm2.jpg)
Title: Re: My CM QFR Topcases mod thread
Post by: Photoelectric on Sat, 30 November 2013, 23:30:16
Those are great caps too  :thumb:  Looks good!
Title: Re: My CM QFR Topcases mod thread
Post by: phoenix1234 on Sun, 01 December 2013, 04:50:43
I almost forgot the plug-able led mod that I adapted from KBDMania for my 2nd QFR topcase mod version.
All credits belong to this source: http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/index.php?mid=best_article&document_srl=6246034&6246034_cpage=1

Here they are

- female pin
(http://i.imgur.com/hCRINAI.jpg)
- the female pin has quite short legs, I think we have trouble if the plate+pcb are thicker
(http://imgur.com/ynoDUk5,RFyd6Q8,sTmHIqd,3BNgpBU,hCRINAI#3)
- solder points -  the pins are just long enough for this plate+pcb but if plate+pcb are thicker, we may need to work around
(http://i.imgur.com/3BNgpBU.jpg)
- front side
(http://i.imgur.com/RFyd6Q8.jpg)
- plug-able led
(http://i.imgur.com/sTmHIqd.jpg)
- led working as expectation
(http://i.imgur.com/ynoDUk5.jpg)
Title: Re: My CM QFR Topcases mod thread
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 01 December 2013, 13:09:07
Quote from: phoenix1234 on Sun, 01 December 2013, 04:50:43
I almost forgot the plug-able led mod that I adapted from KBDMania for my 2nd QFR topcase mod version.
All credits belong to this source: http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/index.php?mid=best_article&document_srl=6246034&6246034_cpage=1

Here they are

- female pin
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/hCRINAI.jpg)

- the female pin has quite short legs, I think we have trouble if the plate+pcb are thicker
Show Image
(http://imgur.com/ynoDUk5,RFyd6Q8,sTmHIqd,3BNgpBU,hCRINAI#3)

- solder points -  the pins are just long enough for this plate+pcb but if plate+pcb are thicker, we may need to work around
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/3BNgpBU.jpg)

- front side
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/RFyd6Q8.jpg)

- plug-able led
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/sTmHIqd.jpg)

- led working as expectation
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/ynoDUk5.jpg)


That's a good idea - it's a wonder that we don't see this done more often.
Title: Re: My CM QFR Topcases mod thread
Post by: Photoelectric on Sun, 01 December 2013, 13:10:54
There've been a couple people now who've shared this method as well.  I have a bunch of those housings on the way to me for 2 keyboards.
Title: Re: My CM QFR Topcases mod thread
Post by: audioave10 on Sun, 05 January 2014, 18:20:42
That is one of the BEST color choices I've seen...nice work!
 :cool:
Title: Re: My CM QFR Topcases mod thread
Post by: Travellerr on Wed, 08 January 2014, 16:10:16
Quote from: phoenix1234 on Sat, 30 November 2013, 23:28:12
Quote from: Photoelectric on Sat, 30 November 2013, 22:28:15
Good work--very clean, and I like your color choices  :thumb:  Thank you for sharing!

Quote from: osi on Sat, 30 November 2013, 22:36:15
Good write up.

Thanks
It's great that you like it.

I just finished the final assembly :
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/FpmcFm2.jpg)


Hey I saw the version 1 and 2 you did to modify your QFR, and I just wanted to say it looks excellent and wanted to ask how and or where you go the top casing for the version 1 down on the bottom of your pictures? Because it looks very unique and different, but imo a very good way. I have a QFR in cherry mx blue switches and am in the works for plans and preparations to modding the color of the case, modding the switches swapping out the blues for the A-z keys and replacing with ergo clears, and finally putting some nicer pbt caps and a custom sleeved cable together with it. I just wanted to ask if you created that version 1's top case or were you able to buy it somewhere? Thanks for the post of these pictures and steps to the process you took because it was awesome to see.
Title: Re: My CM QFR Topcases mod thread
Post by: phoenix1234 on Thu, 09 January 2014, 02:48:12
Quote from: Travellerr on Wed, 08 January 2014, 16:10:16
Hey I saw the version 1 and 2 you did to modify your QFR, and I just wanted to say it looks excellent and wanted to ask how and or where you go the top casing for the version 1 down on the bottom of your pictures? Because it looks very unique and different, but imo a very good way. I have a QFR in cherry mx blue switches and am in the works for plans and preparations to modding the color of the case, modding the switches swapping out the blues for the A-z keys and replacing with ergo clears, and finally putting some nicer pbt caps and a custom sleeved cable together with it. I just wanted to ask if you created that version 1's top case or were you able to buy it somewhere? Thanks for the post of these pictures and steps to the process you took because it was awesome to see.

If you have a brand new QFR, I strongly advise you not to follow my first version.

It's because when I had that keyboard, it's in very bad condition: the plate was rusty & dusty, the cover was badly damaged by the owner: a lot of deep scratches, some parts near the bottom were damaged by knife or something (perhaps he attempted to open it unsuccessfully)
Eventually, I have no cut and keep only the part to cover the controller.

Secondly, my first version also has several weaknesses:
- There is no default screw to hold the plate to the bottom cover. I need to customize it.
- There is nothing to hold the piece of plastic on top of the controller. I need to use 2-side tape to hold it.
- Some parts still need more improvements like the bottom.
Title: Re: My CM QFR Topcases mod thread
Post by: phoenix1234 on Thu, 09 January 2014, 07:19:54
Here are 5 weak points of my 1st version:

(http://i.imgur.com/zMt0aUc.jpg)

A: I should cut it cleaner as some Geekhackers suggestion
B: 2-site tape can only keep this piece of plastic on the controller
C1 and C2: CM should have 2 more screws to hold the plate as Filco Majestouch
D: there is only one screw to tight the plate and bottom part, it is not entirely balanced