geekhack Community > Keyboards
Filco keyboard - modding project
PixelJockey:
The first keyboard I modded was my old Cool Master Rapid fire. Essentially it's the same pcb as the Filco TKL. I desoldered the switches painted the plate and bought a anodized aluminum case on Aliexpress. The case came with a USB-C daughterboard.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832431251957.html?pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21US%20%24138.70%21US%20%24138.70%21%21%21138.70%21138.70%21%402103010b17200216996833085eb4fb%2112000037490318240%21sh%21US%21758723745%21&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.new_all_items_2007473274157.32617566709&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa
phinix:
--- Quote from: PixelJockey on Wed, 03 July 2024, 10:56:39 ---The first keyboard I modded was my old Cool Master Rapid fire. Essentially it's the same pcb as the Filco TKL. I desoldered the switches painted the plate and bought a anodized aluminum case on Aliexpress. The case came with a USB-C daughterboard.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832431251957.html?pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21US%20%24138.70%21US%20%24138.70%21%21%21138.70%21138.70%21%402103010b17200216996833085eb4fb%2112000037490318240%21sh%21US%21758723745%21&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.new_all_items_2007473274157.32617566709&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa
--- End quote ---
Sounds good, but I wouldn't use that alu case for it.
But that means it is doable! :)
phinix:
That de-soldering is a real pain in the ass!
I have to first solder more.. solder on those pins, as they soldered those switches really neatly, you can barely see the solder on those pins.
So first I'm adding more solder, then using solder sucker to get rid of it. Then of course not always works, I would say 50/50, then I need to re-do the whole process.
Sucker doesn't suck it all, most of the time leaves "solder painted" pin, enough to keep holding the switch in... aaagaggrrrrr >:D >:D >:D
Few hours and I got rid of 18 switches :'(
phinix:
OK... few more hours and its done.
What a ****-job...
I totally ruined just one contact, I mean like seriously ruined. I couldn't pull out one switch as it kept sticking to one hole.
I was so pissed and suddenly I went off and stabbed the f***ing pcb with a soldering iron, straight into that f***ing hole. Then turned it forcefully few times...
So yeah, one connector needs wire-soldering.
Next, my oil kings are 5 pin, so off to the bathroom pick up my nail clipper and gonna clip those puppies.
phinix:
Right. All done :)
I clipped all switches, then mounted them all and soldered to the pcb.
Lubed stabs a bit and mounted HSA Hyperfuse keycaps.
Feels nice, sounds good too - I guess I could do some sound modding later, maybe tape mod plus add some foam at the bottom part of the case.
Next, cable mod. I will look at some USB-C daughterboards and find out if it would be easy to file down the hole in the plastic case.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version