Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[Dubsgalore]

what time does my mail truck come by?

It's being re-routed to Cincinnati Ohio and your packages are being dropped off at my apartment

with my recent bad luck with the mail, i would kinda expect that haha

and i feel your pain with the switch tour...why don't people just read the OP?

[remedyhalopc]

Anyone have a link showing how to make the Filco cable detachable?

[Photekq]

I've always wondered about this picture on EK. What is that full-size keyboard and why does it look like that?

Show Image

Board on left has a cover. The board on the right, however, isn't a board at all! It's the filco keycap holder that comes with their keycap sets.

[kenmai9]

Does anyone else get stuck keys? I'm using an HPE 104 (costar stabilizers I believe) and I just got round 1 PBT set from moose and I have a problem where the keys with stabilizers get stuck if I depress them too hard. Example: http://imgur.com/a/7ERLo
Is this normal? Did I put them on wrong?

Thanks!

[dndlmx]

I've always wondered about this picture on EK. What is that full-size keyboard and why does it look like that?

Show Image

What is the pad thing with buttons? It's not even on EK (I don't think).

[Photekq]

I've always wondered about this picture on EK. What is that full-size keyboard and why does it look like that?

Show Image

What is the pad thing with buttons? It's not even on EK (I don't think).

Filco Neo trackpad.

[Lastpilot]

The board on the right, however, isn't a board at all! It's the filco keycap holder that comes with their keycap sets.

LOL dude that makes sense. I think this is a record for most wrong answers to a simple question? Hahaha.

[Photekq]

The board on the right, however, isn't a board at all! It's the filco keycap holder that comes with their keycap sets.

LOL dude that makes sense. I think this is a record for most wrong answers to a simple question? Hahaha.

It's a confusing picture. At first I thought it was a filco in a box with a hole in it just like everyone else

[dndlmx]

Filco Neo trackpad.

Were they not very popular? I don't see them for sale anywhere.

[Lastpilot]

It's a confusing picture. At first I thought it was a filco in a box with a hole in it just like everyone else

Haha, yeah after close inspection you can kind of tell that there's no way a Filco would fit in a box and have those dimensions [edge is too close to the keycaps]

Found one here:

[The_Beast]

I plan on cutting my fullsized model M down to a 60%. I'm assuming since I have to cut the metal plate, I'll have to remove all the plastic revits, cut the plate, fold the membrane and then bolt mod it. Is this correct?

What type of fasteners are used for a bolt mod?

[linziyi]

The Trope switches have tactile point very high like membrane keyboard right?

[dndlmx]

It's weird to describe but yeah, it's there. The keystrokes register near the top also.

[Melvang]

Would I be safe supporting my plate mounted phantom from the edges of the plate alone or should it really be supported at the 2 points in the middle of the plate as well?

[Photekq]

Would I be safe supporting my plate mounted phantom from the edges of the plate alone or should it really be supported at the 2 points in the middle of the plate as well?

Depends on how you will be supporting it from the edges. If all edges are securely resting on something and it is fixed in place then you don't need the middle points.

[tp4tissue]

Would I be safe supporting my plate mounted phantom from the edges of the plate alone or should it really be supported at the 2 points in the middle of the plate as well?

Depends on how you will be supporting it from the edges. If all edges are securely resting on something and it is fixed in place then you don't need the middle points.

it depends on if the edges are merely propped up vs Clamped.   if it's merely propped up at the edges, supports in the middle would be good, bridges bend in the middle, thats why they put posts underneath.

If it's CLAMPED on the sides, then you're in the clear because that tension should be enough to prevent flexing.

[Melvang]

Awesome thanks for the info guys.  It was going to be clamped/sandwiched between the frame and the top cover.  Which is planned to be steel. 

On an unrelated topic is it wrong that when my wife asked me what I wanted for Fathers Day, I told her I just wanted the OK to buy the material for my keyboard case?

[CPTBadAss]

Anyone have a link showing how to make the Filco cable detachable?

Try this link.

I plan on cutting my fullsized model M down to a 60%. I'm assuming since I have to cut the metal plate, I'll have to remove all the plastic revits, cut the plate, fold the membrane and then bolt mod it. Is this correct?

What type of fasteners are used for a bolt mod?

A list of parts and a guide on how to do a bolt mod can be found here.

Does anyone else get stuck keys? I'm using an HPE 104 (costar stabilizers I believe) and I just got round 1 PBT set from moose and I have a problem where the keys with stabilizers get stuck if I depress them too hard. Example: http://imgur.com/a/7ERLo
Is this normal? Did I put them on wrong?

Thanks!

Your pictures look ok. I have no idea what you did wrong. Did you slide the wire into the insert holes?

On an unrelated topic is it wrong that when my wife asked me what I wanted for Fathers Day, I told her I just wanted the OK to buy the material for my keyboard case?

Nope, seems legit to me.

The Trope switches have tactile point very high like membrane keyboard right?

No, to me, the actuation point felt like it was in the middle. Very much where the Cherry actuation point is.

Filco Neo trackpad.

Were they not very popular? I don't see them for sale anywhere.

I don't know much about them. I've never heard of it until now myself.

[BlueBär]

Can I add LEDs to a KBT Pure that came without LEDs? Also would I have to do it to all keys or can I do it just for the ones I like?

I have added O-rings on my keyboard. Can I dampen the sound even more? Should I try putting something between the stand-offs of the case and the PCB?

[IvanIvanovich]

It's a fairly common problem with costar stabilizer and Cherry profile keycaps combination. Cherry keycap are too shallow inside and thick walled, there is not enough room for the standard size stabilizer wire meant for oem profile keycap to collapse inside so it jams right around the actuation point.

Yes Pure non led use the same PCB and firmware as the led version. It has been confirmed.

[CPTBadAss]

1) Can I add LEDs to a KBT Pure that came without LEDs?
2) Also would I have to do it to all keys or can I do it just for the ones I like?
3) I have added O-rings on my keyboard. Can I dampen the sound even more?
4) Should I try putting something between the stand-offs of the case and the PCB?

1) According to Ivan you can
2) If you can put LEDs into the board, I assume that you can put the LEDs where you please.
3) You could swap the switches out to something like a Red, Black, Brown, or White. Those switches are relatively quiet in my opinion. You can try putting a big mousepad or towel underneath the board. I heard that helps a little as well
4) That won't really make your board quieter. I just did this mod to my FC700R. It's still loud.

[BlueBär]

1) According to Ivan you can
2) If you can put LEDs into the board, I assume that you can put the LEDs where you please.

Thanks! Can you link me to that post? I couldn't really find anything.

[CPTBadAss]

1) According to Ivan you can
2) If you can put LEDs into the board, I assume that you can put the LEDs where you please.

Thanks! Can you link me to that post? I couldn't really find anything.

The post where Ivan said you can? It's above mine.

[therecorder]

Did anyone run into this problem in the past...  My note to Qtang follows:

Qtang,

A while ago, I bought a Vortex KBTalking Pure from you.  It came with an extra set of white print on gray PBT keycaps.  Until now, I have bee using the ABS keycaps that came installed on the keyboard. Now, I am changing them, and I have found that the PBT set has 2 "L" keycaps, and no "E".  Can you please obtain a white print on gray Vortex PBT "E" keycap, and send it to me (as soon as possible).

Thanks,

[BlueBär]

The post where Ivan said you can? It's above mine.

I should get some coffee. Thanks to Ivan as well.

[CPTBadAss]

Did anyone run into this problem in the past...  My note to Qtang follows:

Qtang,

A while ago, I bought a Vortex KBTalking Pure from you.  It came with an extra set of white print on gray PBT keycaps.  Until now, I have bee using the ABS keycaps that came installed on the keyboard. Now, I am changing them, and I have found that the PBT set has 2 "L" keycaps, and no "E".  Can you please obtain a white print on gray Vortex PBT "E" keycap, and send it to me (as soon as possible).

Thanks,

I've never dealt with qtan but it seems like there's an easy fix for a simple misunderstanding. He just swapped caps by accident. Happens a lot in GBs and I'm not surprised it happened with a vendor.

[CPTBadAss]

Double post but it's only because I want to ask a question myself. So over in the Best Buckling Spring Keyboard thread, I was shown some 60% Buckling Spring mods that Hasu and ClickClack have done. In Hasu's Happy Buckling Keyboard thread, he shows that he's using copper tape to fix the traces.

My question is, instead of copper tape, can I use one of those Bare Conductive pens instead of the tape to fix traces?

[damorgue]

Double post but it's only because I want to ask a question myself. So over in the Best Buckling Spring Keyboard thread, I was shown some 60% Buckling Spring mods that Hasu and ClickClack have done. In Hasu's Happy Buckling Keyboard thread, he shows that he's using copper tape to fix the traces.

My question is, instead of copper tape, can I use one of those Bare Conductive pens instead of the tape to fix traces?

I would guess no. mkawa probably has a good idea has he has been researching the films and traces used in BS boards a little for the SSK revival I believe.

I don't think the conductive ink pens crate a very flexible trace. This might work well for PCBs and such, but a thin flexible film will bend a lot more and I would guess that there is a high risk of breaking the circuit. Just my guess though

Edit: I'll happily be proven wrong by someone who knows that stuff because I like the idea.

[Lupizza]

Is it possible to make Cherry white sound more? Like the Cherry Green for example? It's supposed to be clicky but to me it only sounds like a non-clicky tactile switch. :/

[CPTBadAss]

Is it possible to make Cherry white sound more? Like the Cherry Green for example? It's supposed to be clicky but to me it only sounds like a non-clicky tactile switch. :/

If you want louder switches, why not just get a Green or a Blue switch? Whites are just quieter. And you might be the first person to ask for a louder keyboard lol

[Lupizza]

Is it possible to make Cherry white sound more? Like the Cherry Green for example? It's supposed to be clicky but to me it only sounds like a non-clicky tactile switch. :/

If you want louder switches, why not just get a Green or a Blue switch? Whites are just quieter. And you might be the first person to ask for a louder keyboard lol

Yeah I know the greens and blues are louder but now I've already bought one with white switches and since green switches are hard to find here and blue switches are far too light for me I'm looking for a way to make the ones I have louder.

[CPTBadAss]

Yeah I know the greens and blues are louder but now I've already bought one with white switches and since green switches are hard to find here and blue switches are far too light for me I'm looking for a way to make the ones I have louder.

Get 62g or lighter Korean springs. It seems like the lighter springs takes away the muffled click and just makes the Whites feel like Greens and Blues. And it makes them louder. But taking away the muffled click negates the whole point of having Whites in my opinion.

[Lupizza]

[quothavee author=CPTBadAss link=topic=40501.msg925931#msg925931 date=1370984525]

Yeah I know the greens and blues are louder but now I've already bought one with white switches and since green switches are hard to find here and blue switches are far too light for me I'm looking for a way to make the ones I have louder.

Get 62g or lighter Korean springs. It seems like the lighter springs takes away the muffled click and just makes the Whites feel like Greens and Blues. And it makes them louder. But taking away the muffled click negates the whole point of having Whites in my opinion.
[/quote]

I'll have to think this through, perhaps I'm just used to louder switches. Thanks for the advice though.

[IvanIvanovich]

Springs don't matter, they will stay quiet if you don't remove the lubrication from the stems. I suspect this is a byproduct of people handling the internals during switch modding which is why they end up louder than before.

[domoaligato]

I bought a aluminum spacebar from feng.
is there a way to reduce the sound it makes?

[Jocelyn]

I bought a aluminum spacebar from feng.
is there a way to reduce the sound it makes?

Take it off? lol j/k... I'm not sure, but I had one for a few days and disliked it for the same reason.

[kenmai9]

I bought a aluminum spacebar from feng.
is there a way to reduce the sound it makes?

Maybe use O-Rings?

[domoaligato]

I bought a aluminum spacebar from feng.
is there a way to reduce the sound it makes?

Maybe use O-Rings?

just tried that. I have even doubled them. no change.

[dadgh]

I placed an order through the DA cherry switch bot (7bit) for 90 PCB Mounted MX Clears which were in stock and marked as shipped. It's been 2.5 weeks. At what point do I get concerned that my package may not arrive? I had literally no DA presence (new account - 0 posts) when I placed the order.

[SpAmRaY]

I placed an order through the DA cherry switch bot (7bit) for 90 PCB Mounted MX Clears which were in stock and marked as shipped. It's been 2.5 weeks. At what point do I get concerned that my package may not arrive? I had literally no DA presence (new account - 0 posts) when I placed the order.

I would send 7bit a PM or post in the order thread at DT

[CPTBadAss]

I placed an order through the DA cherry switch bot (7bit) for 90 PCB Mounted MX Clears which were in stock and marked as shipped. It's been 2.5 weeks. At what point do I get concerned that my package may not arrive? I had literally no DA presence (new account - 0 posts) when I placed the order.

I've waited up to two months before finding out what happened to my packages. Send him a PM and be patient.

Springs don't matter, they will stay quiet if you don't remove the lubrication from the stems. I suspect this is a byproduct of people handling the internals during switch modding which is why they end up louder than before.

Are you sure? I swapped in springs the other day and they were louder. And that's good to know that Whites are lubed.

[dadgh]

I placed an order through the DA cherry switch bot (7bit) for 90 PCB Mounted MX Clears which were in stock and marked as shipped. It's been 2.5 weeks. At what point do I get concerned that my package may not arrive? I had literally no DA presence (new account - 0 posts) when I placed the order.

I would send 7bit a PM or post in the order thread at DT

okay cool thanks, I just did now

[Lupizza]

Springs don't matter, they will stay quiet if you don't remove the lubrication from the stems. I suspect this is a byproduct of people handling the internals during switch modding which is why they end up louder than before.

Oh all right, thanks for the help. Btw I really hate your avatar. It ruins my nightsurfing.

[Folio]

I just got my brand spankin new Realforce Topre 87U 45g! It feels amazing. However, I found the housing or the frame of the keyboard itself to be rather flimsy. Does anyone else have this issue? The part of the case (top as opposed to bottom) which surrounds the keys can be moved back and forth rather easily like it's loose :/ I cannot pull it off from the entire keyboard however, but it is rather disconcerting since I did pay over $200 for it. So I'd expect good quality craftsmanship. Does this "shakyness" of the keyboard faceplate happen to anyone else's Realforce 87U?

[Tym]

Folio I believe that was a few peoples problem, I think it may be down to a bad bath, I'd reccomend giving the manufature an email

[rowdy]

I just got my brand spankin new Realforce Topre 87U 45g! It feels amazing. However, I found the housing or the frame of the keyboard itself to be rather flimsy. Does anyone else have this issue? The part of the case (top as opposed to bottom) which surrounds the keys can be moved back and forth rather easily like it's loose :/ I cannot pull it off from the entire keyboard however, but it is rather disconcerting since I did pay over $200 for it. So I'd expect good quality craftsmanship. Does this "shakyness" of the keyboard faceplate happen to anyone else's Realforce 87U?

I understand that is quite common for RealForce.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42978.msg872410#msg872410
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=41494.0

[Folio]

Folio I believe that was a few peoples problem, I think it may be down to a bad bath, I'd reccomend giving the manufature an email

I just got my brand spankin new Realforce Topre 87U 45g! It feels amazing. However, I found the housing or the frame of the keyboard itself to be rather flimsy. Does anyone else have this issue? The part of the case (top as opposed to bottom) which surrounds the keys can be moved back and forth rather easily like it's loose :/ I cannot pull it off from the entire keyboard however, but it is rather disconcerting since I did pay over $200 for it. So I'd expect good quality craftsmanship. Does this "shakyness" of the keyboard faceplate happen to anyone else's Realforce 87U?

I understand that is quite common for RealForce.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42978.msg872410#msg872410
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=41494.0

I emailed Elite Keyboards and they answered very promptly saying I could replace it if I wanted, but they cannot guarantee that I will get a solid one. I truly appreciate their offer, but since (apparently) others have the same problem, I feel a bit less inclined to go through the trouble. It doesn't impede the use of the keyboard at all, it's just annoying knowing it's there. Maximum OCD. Thanks for your responses. It made me feel a bit better. I'll just stop being a baby and deal with it I guess.

[Melvang]

Ok here is the connector that I am going to use for my "Top Secret Project".  Desoldering the wires isn't going to be an issue.  However, any suggestions on cleaning up the mess of the combined pins via mountain of solder?


Has anyone ever made or suggested making keycaps out of marble, granite, or any other stone?

Can diodes be soldered to the bottom side of the PCB for the phantom SMD style with the lead just sitting across the pad?

Melvang

Edit:  Sorry about the odd focus.  The only way i have to shoot macro is with my Lensbaby on the wifes Canon 7d using the macro extension tubes

[kmiller8]

However, any suggestions on cleaning up the mess of the combined pins via mountain of solder?

desoldering wick?

[Melvang]

However, any suggestions on cleaning up the mess of the combined pins via mountain of solder?

desoldering wick?

I have a desoldering pump but how well would it work on that mountain?