Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[megaforce]

Hehe, I'm in the process of harvesting switches from this QFR. You caught me at a great time megaforce93

Please tell me you're doing something with the PCB.

He's gonna skin it, mash it, stick it in a stew.

[SpAmRaY]

Hehe, I'm in the process of harvesting switches from this QFR. You caught me at a great time megaforce93

Please tell me you're doing something with the PCB.

He's gonna skin it, mash it, stick it in a stew.

I think he should cut it into small pieces and make QFR keychains.

[CPTBadAss]

The rest of the QFR besides the switches is the property of Missalaire's. I've been treating it like it was made of gold.

[domoaligato]

I want to ergo clear mod my qfr w/mx reds.
I know that after desoldering the old led's I would need to put in new ones.
Could someone please help me find a link to a direct replacement for the existing red led's that are already in my qfr w/mx reds?
preferably from mouser?

[CPTBadAss]

Why can't you use the old LEDs?

[domoaligato]

I thought that they would be a pain in the rear to put back in because I won't know which side is which. I know on a new led the longer lead is the + and the shorter one is the -
I guess this is a simpler question then.
if I am looking at the top of the switch housing at the led.... is the + the left side or the right ?

I could then label it as I take it apart.

[CPTBadAss]

I used this picture to figure out the polarity of the LEDs in my Epsilon and KMAC. A simple Google search would've revealed this.

[domoaligato]

I used this picture to figure out the polarity of the LEDs in my Epsilon and KMAC. A simple Google search would've revealed this.

thank you.

[Photekq]

Does anyone know what kind of connector this is?

[CPTBadAss]

PM TJ. He owns Mimic Cables now. ^__^

[remedyhalopc]

I was at a local thrift store and found a black IBM electric typewriter with a gold label on it that says "IBM Fiftieth Anniversary". I think it's a Selectric III. I'll have more info tonight. I can't find anything on the Internet about a fiftieth anniversary IBM typewriter. Dunno what it's worth but I paid $8 for it.

[CPTBadAss]

If your question is how much the Selectric is worth remedyhalopc, this is the wrong thread for that.

[remedyhalopc]

I'm just looking for more info. I don't particularly care how much it's worth, but if someone knows then cool beans.

[findingthelimit]

this question might not belong here in geekhack, but i'll ask anyways, as the community here is so awesome

does anyone know where i can get really nice cable sleeve extensions for my PSU? i'm sure i've seen someone selling those here, but i'm not sure whether they're for keyboards only.

[CPTBadAss]

does anyone know where i can get really nice cable sleeve extensions for my PSU? i'm sure i've seen someone selling those here, but i'm not sure whether they're for keyboards only.

You mean like this? Picture taken from Pexon's Facebook page. He sells them in his for sale/classifieds thread.

[Melvang]

frozencpu.com sells them as well

[dndlmx]

Yeah whatever, just forget about it.

[Melvang]

There is a "How much is it worth" thread, which would be the proper place for this question

[affect656]

What board is this?

[dndlmx]

There is a "How much is it worth" thread, which would be the proper place for this question

 

What board is this?

Is that some kinda realforce?

[affect656]

There is a "How much is it worth" thread, which would be the proper place for this question

 

What board is this?

Yes, I just can't remember which one

Is that some kinda realforce?

[calavera]

^ looks like realforce hipro.



Question: Is there a keyboard layout program I can use to mock up key cap sets like seen in group buy threads? I'm not talking about the Keyboard color chooser btw.

[affect656]

^ looks like realforce hipro.



Question: Is there a keyboard layout program I can use to mock up key cap sets like seen in group buy threads? I'm not talking about the Keyboard color chooser btw.

That's what it was, thank you.

[CPTBadAss]

I was at a local thrift store and found a black IBM electric typewriter with a gold label on it that says "IBM Fiftieth Anniversary". I think it's a Selectric III. I'll have more info tonight. I can't find anything on the Internet about a fiftieth anniversary IBM typewriter. Dunno what it's worth but I paid $8 for it.

From this thread, rootwyrm provided this answer:

It is.

Question: Is there a keyboard layout program I can use to mock up key cap sets like seen in group buy threads? I'm not talking about the Keyboard color chooser btw.

Maybe the blank layout that Kaporkle has in this thread might help you calavera?

Does anyone know what kind of connector this is?

Show Image

It is a Deutsch DT Series Connector. Answer was posted by TJ in the Mimic Cable thread.

[Photoelectric]

In practice, how much does proper lubrication inhibit wearing in brand new switches without some initial friction?

[Photekq]

Does anyone know what kind of connector this is?

Show Image

It is a Deutsch DT Series Connector. Answer was posted by TJ in the Mimic Cable thread.

Turns out it is in fact a Deutsch DTM Connector. Small difference, I know, but the DTM is smaller than the DT.

Costs about $10 for a male+female plug. They use special wire-ends that can be crimped or soldered. The crimp tool costs loads and if you want pre-crimped wires they'll cost $30 for 4 (2ft).

Apparently soldering it is dodgy too...

[CPTBadAss]

In practice, how much does proper lubrication inhibit wearing in brand new switches without some initial friction?

I don't understand the question. Can you rephrase it?

I think you're asking if lube will inhibit wear in new switches. If that's the case, lube reduces the wear but it will still have wear.

[Photoelectric]

I have brand new MX Clears with some friction.  I'll lube them right away before installing them, and I'm someone who hates friction (hence why I got vintage MX Blacks and my Browns are also super smooth), will they take quite a long time to wear down to smoothness with regular use as opposed to no lubing at all?

[CPTBadAss]

You will probably get quicker results from lubing than waiting for the wear to happen. Unless I misunderstand how vintage switches work, they have had twenty years of usage to put wear on the switch parts which allows the switches to feel smoother.

[domoaligato]

I wonder if a polishing wheel on a dremel tool to the right portion of the stem might speed up this process?

like this maybe? http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXRYP5&P=FR

then lubing afterwards

[CPTBadAss]

Definitely worth a shot but you'll have to figure out where the friction points in the switch are.

[Photoelectric]

I've been thinking about this exact thing (minus the dremel polishing wheel), but I've looked at switch parts under a large magnifying glass, and the roughness is very very fine.  You would need some very small sized tools too.  The friction would be from the side protrusions on the stem and the channels they slide along in the housing.  Also some from the front part of the stem.  I can't see being able to smooth those out successfully without altering or damaging switch parts by smoothing too much.

[meiosis]

I'm a noob.

Do some keycaps come off easier than others? Like My F series keycaps come off  by lightly lifting them, while some of my qwerty keys need to use a lot more force to come off.

Thanks

Yes I have acute OCD


Edit:

Never mind answered my own question, I fail as a physics person.

[CPTBadAss]

Do some keycaps come off easier than others? Like My F series keycaps come off  by lightly lifting them, while some of my qwerty keys need to use a lot more force to come off.

Never had this issue.

[meiosis]

Do some keycaps come off easier than others? Like My F series keycaps come off  by lightly lifting them, while some of my qwerty keys need to use a lot more force to come off.

Never had this issue.

It's because when you use the keys more often the switch and the cap are pressed against each other and finally fill up. Since I never used F8 it was still not completely in .

[Melvang]

Any specific questions I should be asking in my search for a good shop for powder coat?

[CPTBadAss]

Any specific questions I should be asking in my search for a good shop for powder coat?

Talk to jdcarpe. He got his jdcarpurple case powder coated in order to get the colors.

[Dubsgalore]

Is there one place in specific you could learn soldering from, if you don't have a physical class or place to go to and learn, what would it be? youtube? here on GH? any advice on where to start from scratch?

[Photoelectric]

Is there one place in specific you could learn soldering from, if you don't have a physical class or place to go to and learn, what would it be? youtube? here on GH? any advice on where to start from scratch?

Are you in any way affiliated with a university / college?  There are usually Physics and Mechanical Engineering labs that would do soldering, and perhaps others.  You could also practice joining wires together and using heatshrink (perhaps tutorial videos on that on Youtube).     That would get you used to how solder melts, behaves, and the fine work that goes into soldering.  I'd only done wire joints before until my keyboard projects, and for the rest, I watched WhiteFireDragon's video on switch swapping and read the Living Soldering Thread here.  If you have not already seen that video, it's long and very good, and you should watch it in its entirety

[dndlmx]

Yes wfd has excellent videos on his channel, there's also the eevblog guy.

Having good gear helps, there's a tip. I wish I had my fx-888 from the beginning, but learning on a crap iron definitely made me appreciate it more.

[Dubsgalore]

Are you in any way affiliated with a university / college?  There are usually Physics and Mechanical Engineering labs that would do soldering, and perhaps others.  You could also practice joining wires together and using heatshrink (perhaps tutorial videos on that on Youtube).     That would get you used to how solder melts, behaves, and the fine work that goes into soldering.  I'd only done wire joints before until my keyboard projects, and for the rest, I watched WhiteFireDragon's video on switch swapping and read the Living Soldering Thread here.  If you have not already seen that video, it's long and very good, and you should watch it in its entirety

I live very close to a major ivy university but have minor connections and am not very involved with the school at all. no chance of me going there anyways next year haha

I have seen a few of WFD's youtube videos, and i think it would be smart for myself to watch those that apply tomorrow. CPT directed me to the LIving Soldering Thread, so i should read through that as well.

I go to a boarding school, so there are some maintenance guys i might be able to hit up who can help with this, but seeing as it's summer, i don't think they are around. There are some personal goals and plans i have that i want to be able to hit in and around september or so, so i want to get on this as soon as possible.

sounds like tomorrow is going to be a research day haha. thanks!

[domoaligato]

Are you in any way affiliated with a university / college?  There are usually Physics and Mechanical Engineering labs that would do soldering, and perhaps others.  You could also practice joining wires together and using heatshrink (perhaps tutorial videos on that on Youtube).     That would get you used to how solder melts, behaves, and the fine work that goes into soldering.  I'd only done wire joints before until my keyboard projects, and for the rest, I watched WhiteFireDragon's video on switch swapping and read the Living Soldering Thread here.  If you have not already seen that video, it's long and very good, and you should watch it in its entirety

I live very close to a major ivy university but have minor connections and am not very involved with the school at all. no chance of me going there anyways next year haha

I have seen a few of WFD's youtube videos, and i think it would be smart for myself to watch those that apply tomorrow. CPT directed me to the LIving Soldering Thread, so i should read through that as well.

I go to a boarding school, so there are some maintenance guys i might be able to hit up who can help with this, but seeing as it's summer, i don't think they are around. There are some personal goals and plans i have that i want to be able to hit in and around september or so, so i want to get on this as soon as possible.

sounds like tomorrow is going to be a research day haha. thanks!

check out his ergo clear mod video I found it very helpful.

[storsjon]

I have been thinking about purchasing a KBC Poker II. Since there is proof that the keyboard can remap its keys, does this mean I can change the Fn layer's directional key layout? For example, instead of on WASD, is it possible to have the directional keys on ESDF?

[CPTBadAss]

I have been thinking about purchasing a KBC Poker II. Since there is proof that the keyboard can remap its keys, does this mean I can change the Fn layer's directional key layout? For example, instead of on WASD, is it possible to have the directional keys on ESDF?

I haven't looked at the manual but since it's programmable then yes. Check out the manual here and here. More info on the Poker 2 can be found in WFD's review.

[Topre]

No, the Poker II is only reprogrammable on the PN-layer. I don't think you can change the FN-layer.

[CPTBadAss]

But regardless of the layer name you can still reprogram it right?

[Topre]

Somewhat, I think you are limited to the keys on the actual keyboard. For example, I can't program F13~F24 on the keyboard. It's more of a macro layer than a programmable layer.

[CPTBadAss]

I don't understand what F13-F24 are. Why would you need to program what isn't on the board? And if you're saying it's a macro layer, doesn't that imply that you can program keys that aren't on the board since that's what macros are?

[McWilloughby]

Not sure if this is really the right place to ask but here goes:

I'm flying to Hamburg on Sunday, I've never been anywhere on a plane before and my family aren't exactly well travelled or technology minded. Is it a bad idea to put my SLR (only taking one lens) in my hold luggage even if it's in a case (a pretty sturdy kata bag that it's been dropped in a few times and never been hurt)? I could maybe at a push fit it in my hand luggage but would be a tight squeeze.

[CPTBadAss]

Not sure if this is really the right place to ask but here goes:

I'm flying to Hamburg on Sunday, I've never been anywhere on a plane before and my family aren't exactly well travelled or technology minded. Is it a bad idea to put my SLR (only taking one lens) in my hold luggage even if it's in a case (a pretty sturdy kata bag that it's been dropped in a few times and never been hurt)? I could maybe at a push fit it in my hand luggage but would be a tight squeeze.

This is definitely the wrong place to ask this.

Edit: I didn't mean to sound harsh but this thread should be keyboard related.