Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[CPTBadAss]

Everyone talks about getting custom plates, but no one ever says where they got them from (besides The Beast and WFD of course).  Are there sites like ExpressPCB but for plates?

People have machine shops that they're not willing to share publically for various reasons. Some people have a good relationship or know someone there or don't want people flooding the shop with orders which means they can't get their own. Metalliqaz recommended BigBlueSaw.

You can always just PM The_Beast or WFD to get something made. I'm pretty sure they'll help you out.

[jdcarpe]

Everyone talks about getting custom plates, but no one ever says where they got them from (besides The Beast and WFD of course).  Are there sites like ExpressPCB but for plates?

One-off plates I always get from The_Beast. I also found a place local to me with a laser cutter, but the end result was not as good as what I've gotten from the place The_Beast uses.

[CPTBadAss]

Why are you so awesome jdcarpe?

[jdcarpe]

Why are you so awesome jdcarpe?

That's not a simple question, CPT.

[Photekq]

Everyone talks about getting custom plates, but no one ever says where they got them from (besides The Beast and WFD of course).  Are there sites like ExpressPCB but for plates?

I got mine cut by a place called Yorkshire Profiles. £30 each for two prototype plates, insanely fast turnaround and brilliant service overall. The cuts were very clean also and the plate came perfectly flat.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Everyone talks about getting custom plates, but no one ever says where they got them from (besides The Beast and WFD of course).  Are there sites like ExpressPCB but for plates?

Almost all custom plates on here were from group buys. I don't think there are any websites that allows you to just easily order one. Although, there are plenty laser cutting resources, but they're not cheap and require files. I got some of my prototype plates cut from Beast or my local place.

[nubbinator]

Almost all custom plates on here were from group buys. I don't think there are any websites that allows you to just easily order one. Although, there are plenty laser cutting resources, but they're not cheap and require files.

They definitely aren't.  I could do it pretty cheaply if I were to make a bunch of them since I have Industrial Metal Supply and a hackerspace with the right equipment nearby, but just one is expensive.  And I know some shops near me won't even talk to you if you're only looking at running one.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Isn't that exactly what I just said? Getting one costs a lot, that's why most custom plates on here are from group buys.

[Xenderwind]

Isn't that exactly what I just said? Getting one costs a lot, that's why most custom plates on here are from group buys.

I think he meant "they definitely aren't" towards the part that said "they're not cheap"

[nubbinator]

Isn't that exactly what I just said? Getting one costs a lot, that's why most custom plates on here are from group buys.

I was affirming what you said.  They definitely aren't was referencing the fact that they aren't cheap and I don't know of any websites that let you do just one easily.

[Photoelectric]

Poker 2 is programmable and it *SHOULD* support LEDs already since there is suppsoed to be a fully LED supported variant.

The Poker X aka Poker ver 1 has holes with solder pads for LEDs at every switch location, but there are no traces going to the LEDs, other than the 7 that come standard. If you install LEDs in other switches, you will have to manually wire every LED location. Then jumper power for the LEDs off one or more existing LED locations. That's why I charged $25 to do an LED mod to the original Poker.

Thanks!!  So Poker II would be my best bet then (in addition to being programmable and already with a plate)?  In terms of resistors being preinstalled?  I know I'll have to remove the solder covering the LED holes first and solder in LEDs, but do I need to add resistors as well?

[CPTBadAss]

Poker 2 is programmable and it *SHOULD* support LEDs already since there is suppsoed to be a fully LED supported variant.

The Poker X aka Poker ver 1 has holes with solder pads for LEDs at every switch location, but there are no traces going to the LEDs, other than the 7 that come standard. If you install LEDs in other switches, you will have to manually wire every LED location. Then jumper power for the LEDs off one or more existing LED locations. That's why I charged $25 to do an LED mod to the original Poker.

1) I know I'll have to remove the solder covering the LED holes first and solder in LEDs, but do I need to add resistors as well?

Right, that's what I meant by my quote. The SMD resistors *should* already be on the PCB. It doesn't make sense to have two PCBs: one with and one without the SMD resistors.

[WhiteFireDragon]

If you want full LEDs, then poker2 will be the easiest one to do it on. It already has SMD resistors on there.

Refer to THIS post a few pages back. Man this thread moves way too quick.

[CPTBadAss]

Damn I completely forgot about that post. Let me add it to the OP.

[QueenXenon]

I got mine cut by a place called Yorkshire Profiles. £30 each for two prototype plates, insanely fast turnaround and brilliant service overall. The cuts were very clean also and the plate came perfectly flat.

People have machine shops that they're not willing to share publically for various reasons. Some people have a good relationship or know someone there or don't want people flooding the shop with orders which means they can't get their own. Metalliqaz recommended BigBlueSaw.

You can always just PM The_Beast or WFD to get something made. I'm pretty sure they'll help you out.

Big Blue Saw has it's own built in 'drafting application', which since I currently don't have CAD is beneficial.  Is CAD significantly better than BBS's application such that it's worth getting my hands on CAD?

[CPTBadAss]

Big Blue Saw has it's own built in 'drafting application', which since I currently don't have CAD is beneficial.  Is CAD significantly better than BBS's application such that it's worth getting my hands on CAD?

Yes. I wouldn't trust anything but legit CAD software (Solidworks, Inventor, AutoCAD, etc) for drafting.

[jdcarpe]

For 2D CAD drawings, I really like QCAD from RibbonSoft. There is a "community edition" which is free to compile from source. I compiled it on Ubuntu with no problems at all.

[CPTBadAss]

For 2D CAD drawings, I really like QCAD from RibbonSoft. There is a "community edition" which is free to compile from source. I compiled it on Ubuntu with no problems at all.

FWIW, I have Solidworks and AutoCAD. Inventor can be had for free from AutoDesk though.

[boogerlad]

Can anyone provide a link so that I may understand how the wiring works for open(nkro) matrix? I've seen http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42302.msg862665#msg862665 and http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=20898.0 but I'm still not clear with how it works. Where do the diodes go? How to prevent short circuit? How to interface with Teensy?

[Jalberstone]

I got a DK9008G2 PRO PBT with clears about a month ago from mechanicalkeyboards.com, and from the first day I got it, I noticed that there is something wrong with my spacebar. It feels like something is blocking it from hitting the bottom(I know cherry stabilizers don't bottom out but bear with me). Its not as crisp as the spacebar on my ducky shine II and there is a really loud and annoying squeak every time i press the spacebar. I took it off and cleaned the inside and looked at the keyboard and saw that nothing was blocking it. Then I swapped the spacebars on my two boards and then there was no problem on the pro with the shine II spacebar, everything felt crisp and there was no squeak. On my shine II with the pro spacebar, it had the same problems: there was the annoying squeak and it did not feel good to press. I emailed MK yesterday but I haven't heard from them yet. Is there anything I can do?

[Melvang]

I got a DK9008G2 PRO PBT with clears about a month ago from mechanicalkeyboards.com, and from the first day I got it, I noticed that there is something wrong with my spacebar. It feels like something is blocking it from hitting the bottom(I know cherry stabilizers don't bottom out but bear with me). Its not as crisp as the spacebar on my ducky shine II and there is a really loud and annoying squeak every time i press the spacebar. I took it off and cleaned the inside and looked at the keyboard and saw that nothing was blocking it. Then I swapped the spacebars on my two boards and then there was no problem on the pro with the shine II spacebar, everything felt crisp and there was no squeak. On my shine II with the pro spacebar, it had the same problems: there was the annoying squeak and it did not feel good to press. I emailed MK yesterday but I haven't heard from them yet. Is there anything I can do?

Don't take my word but sounds like an issue with the wire.  I don't have any boards with cherry stabilizers so I don't have any experience with them but that is what I would take a close look at.

[keyit]

when soldering SMD diodes, ive seen people remove one side of the pre-applied solder. is it to make the SMD sit flush against the pad? thanks!

EDIT: nvm, found WFD's video that explained it. 

[rowdy]

when soldering SMD diodes, ive seen people remove one side of the pre-applied solder. is it to make the SMD sit flush against the pad? thanks!

EDIT: nvm, found WFD's video that explained it. 

Posting a link would help anyone who searched for this later on

[CPTBadAss]

Can anyone provide a link so that I may understand how the wiring works for open(nkro) matrix? I've seen http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42302.msg862665#msg862665 and http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=20898.0 but I'm still not clear with how it works. Where do the diodes go? How to prevent short circuit? How to interface with Teensy?

I don't know how to answer your questions EXACTLY but these links might help you:

Matt30's Brownfox build log

Matt30's M0110 build log

Soarer's Teensy USB Adapter guide

jdcarpe's Lowpoly/Direct Wire/Prototype Board thread

I got a DK9008G2 PRO PBT with clears about a month ago from mechanicalkeyboards.com, and from the first day I got it, I noticed that there is something wrong with my spacebar. It feels like something is blocking it from hitting the bottom(I know cherry stabilizers don't bottom out but bear with me). Its not as crisp as the spacebar on my ducky shine II and there is a really loud and annoying squeak every time i press the spacebar. I took it off and cleaned the inside and looked at the keyboard and saw that nothing was blocking it. Then I swapped the spacebars on my two boards and then there was no problem on the pro with the shine II spacebar, everything felt crisp and there was no squeak. On my shine II with the pro spacebar, it had the same problems: there was the annoying squeak and it did not feel good to press. I emailed MK yesterday but I haven't heard from them yet. Is there anything I can do?

Sounds like you need to A) Lube you stabilizer and B) Reseat your stabilizer wire.
Don't take my word but sounds like an issue with the wire.  I don't have any boards with cherry stabilizers so I don't have any experience with them but that is what I would take a close look at.

[Narcix]

Where can i find a white keycool 87 with mx blues?

[CPTBadAss]

Where can i find a white keycool 87 with mx blues?

Did you try checking MechanicalKeyboards.com? I know they just started carrying them. You can try QTan's shop too. I think that's where jdcarpe got his.

[BlueBär]

Did you try checking MechanicalKeyboards.com? I know they just started carrying them. You can try QTan's shop too. I think that's where jdcarpe got his.

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=383

Direct Link

[Narcix]

Mmmh...buying it form mk.com would be alot more expensive than buying the grey one from QTan's shop.....
D:

[CPTBadAss]

Did you try checking MechanicalKeyboards.com? I know they just started carrying them. You can try QTan's shop too. I think that's where jdcarpe got his.

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=383

Direct Link

Thanks, I can't get to MK.com at work.

[Melvang]

What was the longest spacebar that was somewhat mass produced enough to be possible to locate on ebay for a decent price with Cherry mount?  The reason I was wondering is because I found this.  It appears to be in the neighborhood of 9.75x or 10x by counting the singles above it.

Edit:  Also do we have a keyswitch ID thread?  I have 3 in other tabs I was wondering about

[CPTBadAss]

1) What was the longest spacebar that was somewhat mass produced
2) enough to be possible to locate on ebay for a decent price with Cherry mount? 
3) Also do we have a keyswitch ID thread?  I have 3 in other tabs I was wondering about

1) I've heard of 15x, not sure how common they are
2) I don't know. Maybe 10x
3) This thread was supposed to be it since Keyswitch IDs are easy but I'm starting to think there might need to be a new thread for that.

[Melvang]

1) What was the longest spacebar that was somewhat mass produced
2) enough to be possible to locate on ebay for a decent price with Cherry mount? 
3) Also do we have a keyswitch ID thread?  I have 3 in other tabs I was wondering about

1) I've heard of 15x, not sure how common they are
2) I don't know. Maybe 10x
3) This thread was supposed to be it since Keyswitch IDs are easy but I'm starting to think there might need to be a new thread for that.

3)b  If you don't mind CPT I could start one.  Although I think I might have identified one of the 3 I have pulled up in different tabs that I found on Ebay.

[oTurtlez]

What was the longest spacebar that was somewhat mass produced enough to be possible to locate on ebay for a decent price with Cherry mount?  The reason I was wondering is because I found this.  It appears to be in the neighborhood of 9.75x or 10x by counting the singles above it.

Edit:  Also do we have a keyswitch ID thread?  I have 3 in other tabs I was wondering about

I had one of these puppies (http://deskthority.net/wiki/File:LeadingEdgeDC2014.png) and that thing had a LONG spacebar. I think that wyse might be longer. Then again, mine was Alps too >.>

[Melvang]

What was the longest spacebar that was somewhat mass produced enough to be possible to locate on ebay for a decent price with Cherry mount?  The reason I was wondering is because I found this.  It appears to be in the neighborhood of 9.75x or 10x by counting the singles above it.

Edit:  Also do we have a keyswitch ID thread?  I have 3 in other tabs I was wondering about

I had one of these puppies (http://deskthority.net/wiki/File:LeadingEdgeDC2014.png) and that thing had a LONG spacebar. I think that wyse might be longer. Then again, mine was Alps too >.>

Nice looking board but yeah I believe that the one I posted is about 1 unit longer.  I got bids in on a couple boards to harvest caps in hopes of converting some to Cherry mounts.  Any idea how difficult this might be?

[CPTBadAss]

3) If you don't mind CPT I could start one.  Although I think I might have identified one of the 3 I have pulled up in different tabs that I found on Ebay.

Nope I don't mind.

Nice looking board but yeah I believe that the one I posted is about 1 unit longer.  I got bids in on a couple boards to harvest caps in hopes of converting some to Cherry mounts.  Any idea how difficult this might be?

Cut stems off, reposition, then use putty/glue to glue stems in the proper location. Ta-da, stem mod. It might be tedious and take some time but the concept is simple.

[boogerlad]

Can anyone provide a link so that I may understand how the wiring works for open(nkro) matrix? I've seen http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42302.msg862665#msg862665 and http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=20898.0 but I'm still not clear with how it works. Where do the diodes go? How to prevent short circuit? How to interface with Teensy?

I don't know how to answer your questions EXACTLY but these links might help you:

Matt30's Brownfox build log

Matt30's M0110 build log

Soarer's Teensy USB Adapter guide

jdcarpe's Lowpoly/Direct Wire/Prototype Board thread

Thank you so much for your assistance. What is the maximum number of rows and columns for a teensy2.0? I know row+column = how many pins are needed, but which pins on the Teensy are valid? Everything except for 2*(vcc, gnd), PD6, and RST? How does the tmk firmware know which pin is mapped to a row/column?

[Melvang]

Can anyone provide a link so that I may understand how the wiring works for open(nkro) matrix? I've seen http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42302.msg862665#msg862665 and http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=20898.0 but I'm still not clear with how it works. Where do the diodes go? How to prevent short circuit? How to interface with Teensy?

I don't know how to answer your questions EXACTLY but these links might help you:

Matt30's Brownfox build log

Matt30's M0110 build log

Soarer's Teensy USB Adapter guide

jdcarpe's Lowpoly/Direct Wire/Prototype Board thread

Thank you so much for your assistance. What is the maximum number of rows and columns for a teensy2.0? I know row+column = how many pins are needed, but which pins on the Teensy are valid? Everything except for 2*(vcc, gnd), PD6, and RST? How does the tmk firmware know which pin is mapped to a row/column?

Hate to tell ya but this is starting to get beyond the scope of Simple Q&A but here or here would be good threads to further pursue this topic.

[CPTBadAss]

What is the maximum number of rows and columns for a teensy2.0? I know row+column = how many pins are needed, but which pins on the Teensy are valid? Everything except for 2*(vcc, gnd), PD6, and RST? How does the tmk firmware know which pin is mapped to a row/column?

Isn't all the Teensy info in the Soarer thread? And you can look up the Hasu TMK firmware thread for more info as well.

[domoaligato]

the teensy 2.0 can use all the pins.
the teensy 1 has 2 pins dedicated to led's
for the pinouts of the teensy 2.0 go here
http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/pinout.html

edit1:
26 pins total

poker layout = 14 cols + 5 rows = 19 pins
75% layout = 15 cols + 6 rows = 21 pins

this is not counting the led's that you can use the remaining pins for with led's

you also need to look at hasu's firmware for more information.
It is the thread that helped me the most with my alps hardwired keyboard.
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=41989.0


edit2: I do not know a way to say this in text on a webpage to show that I am not trying to be a **** with this statement but here is a shot at it.

If you do you know anything about coding or are looking for someone to write the firmware for you, I would suggest that you not continue down this path.

If you have a willingness to learn basic code structure in C programming language then I am sure we will help you get the information you need.

[Photoelectric]

Nyan Cat Set: what profile is it: looks OEM, but dye sub... So unsure.  And is it on pure white PBT or off-white?

[kenmai9]

Why do windowed stepped-caps lock key make people so wet?

[SpAmRaY]

Why do windowed stepped-caps lock key make people so wet?

That is simply, not a simple question.

That question deserves a thread in off-topic. 

[CPTBadAss]

Why do windowed stepped-caps lock key make people so wet?

Like most things on this forum: personal preference. They look nice with an LED underneath.

[CPTBadAss]

Nyan Cat Set: what profile is it: looks OEM, but dye sub... So unsure.  And is it on pure white PBT or off-white?

I don't know anything about this set but I did find a picture from BunnyLake. The set compared to a 3D.

[Photoelectric]

Thank you.  It appears it's thin PBT, DSC profile, so semi-close to Cherry profile.  Also looks pure white from all the photos, at least before the dye.

[BunnyLake]

Nyan Cat Set: what profile is it: looks OEM, but dye sub... So unsure.  And is it on pure white PBT or off-white?

dcs profile good sir

[Narcix]

Dunno if this is the right place to ask, pardon me if it isn't.
if i buy a keyboard and 2 keycaps from qtan's store, will they be shipped in the same package?

[CPTBadAss]

Dunno if this is the right place to ask, pardon me if it isn't.
if i buy a keyboard and 2 keycaps from qtan's store, will they be shipped in the same package?

I honestly don't know but if its literally 2 caps I don't see why not. You can try PMing him or posting in his vendor forum.

[Photekq]

I was looking at the '356mini' photo album on deskthority. I noticed he was using screws on PCB mount cherry stabilisers, as you can see in this photo. Is it normal to do this? Can it be done with them stock, or do I need to modifiy them?
rest of album here : http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/356mini-t5185.html

[MOZ]

This is regarding Cherry MX keychains, do these allow you to remove the switch, or are the switches glued in?