Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[xondat]

I bought this 75% plate from taobao, hoping to be able to make a handwired keyboard out of it. Now I'm stuck on what stabilizers to use for it. Plate mounted won't work. Any ideas?

You can't handwire with that. You'll need a PCB and PCB mount stabs.

Anyone have any tricks or tips when it comes to trimming the legs on a keyboards worth of LEDs to use in sip sockets?

I've heard solder first, trim afterwards.

Is it possible to buy those GMK trays with the plastic fasteners? What do they cost?

I believe only with keysets, but you could try emailing them and finding out what the MOQ is. Might also be worth asking someone that's bought them with a GB before.

[Halverson]

Anyone know what screws LZ boards use to screw down the plate to the case?

[tofgerl]

I believe only with keysets, but you could try emailing them and finding out what the MOQ is. Might also be worth asking someone that's bought them with a GB before.

There was an aborted IC where the sum of $7 was mentioned, now that I searched... But I don't have the time or energy to run a GB. I'd buy at least 10 if someone did, though...

[LeCado]

What's the cheapest SA keyset?

[isoco]

What are some good ways of reducing key-ratlle? Is there a guide somewhere? I have tried gluing and shimming rattling stabs and loose fitting key-houses and even used tape 

[SpAmRaY]

What's the cheapest SA keyset?

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2076

Also found here

http://www.keyboardco.com/product/double_shot_filco_104_key_usa_keyset.asp

You can also check keyboardco for additional layouts.

Also many have successfully removed the included costar inserts without issue.

What are some good ways of reducing key-ratlle? Is there a guide somewhere? I have tried gluing and shimming rattling stabs and loose fitting key-houses and even used tape 

What keyboard and/or switch/stabilizer type?

[LeCado]

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2076

Also found here

http://www.keyboardco.com/product/double_shot_filco_104_key_usa_keyset.asp

You can also check keyboardco for additional layouts.

Also many have successfully removed the included costar inserts without issue.

Thank you! I'm still searching for the German Filco SA set, since it seems it's out of stock for ages..

[GwenDR]

I want to find a white RGB keyboard, no macro keys, smaller is better, for under $200, that's good quality. Something aesthetically similar to the Year of the Goat. Seems that everything was a limited edition from a couple of years ago, and is no longer available. Any good recommendations?

[asgeirtj]

Anyone know if this is a steel plate for the rs III ? Or that it is at least thicker/sturdier than the stock plate?
https://world.taobao.com/item/523030912258.htm#detail

The rs iii has an aluminum plate, in my experience they are softer than steel plates.

edit: i also see that you can buy a carbon plate for the rs96 on tabao is that a sturdy plate? I don't want the plate to give in at all, I want it to be hard like stock steel plates on most keyboards.

[doom2]

Where does the MIT ortho layout get its name? The only keyboard I've found with a connection to the university is the space cadet keyboard used on old LISP machines.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[JaccoW]

I need a replacement PCB for my Butterfly Pad. Now, there is a replacement available on the Kbd4u.co.kr website, but I have a hard time understanding the ordering process and Google Translate isn't helping too much either.

Are there services on here that can help with this?

[Acerk]

In the past, I've seen people put mattes inside the keyboards to lessen the sound. I have a G80-1800 which is mostly empty space. What kind of material would make for good filler? I have no idea what to begin searching for.

[Sempre]

In the past, I've seen people put mattes inside the keyboards to lessen the sound. I have a G80-1800 which is mostly empty space. What kind of material would make for good filler? I have no idea what to begin searching for.

I've read clay is a good sound dampener

[fohat.digs]

I've read clay is a good sound dampener

Hey, that makes sense. It is pretty dense and would have absolutely no resonance.

[klennkellon]

I'm looking for some nice keycaps for my new keyboard.

What Cherry keyboards should I be looking for if I want those old thick Doubleshots or even the POM keycaps? I'm thinking I might be able to get a full set of keycaps and a keyboard for around the same price as just a keycap set.

[alienman82]

removed.

[BenV62]

being new to this, i want to build my own keyboard. I was looking at a phantom or something bigger than a 60%. How do i know if the board is capable of back lighting on the keys or would these ( https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2229 ) work if it isnt backlighting capable?

[ander]

Keyboards subforum... go to off topic to rant please.

But that's exactly the point we were trying to make about Trump: Having someone as classless and clueless as he in the White House is so disturbing, it affects everything, even keyboard discussions. It's that bad. We can only pray he gets kicked out before he does too much damage, so we can return to thinking about fun, non-disturbing things like keyboards again. If that's not a clear connection to keyboards, I don't know what is.

What's the cheapest SA keyset?

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2076

Also found here

http://www.keyboardco.com/product/double_shot_filco_104_key_usa_keyset.asp

Those are SA sets? I thought SA meant big retro-look alphas smack in the middle of the keys, like these. Not that I know what SA actually means—does anybody? Hey, that's actually a keyboard question.

[SpAmRaY]

What's the cheapest SA keyset?

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2076

Also found here

http://www.keyboardco.com/product/double_shot_filco_104_key_usa_keyset.asp

Those are SA sets? I thought SA meant big retro-look alphas smack in the middle of the keys, like these. Not that I know what SA actually means—does anybody? Hey, that's actually a keyboard question.

SA is a signature plastics keycap profile/family.

www.keycapsdirect.com/key-caps.php

[hking0036]

Keyboards subforum... go to off topic to rant please.

But that's exactly the point we were trying to make about Trump: Having someone as classless and clueless as he in the White House is so disturbing, it affects everything, even keyboard discussions. It's that bad. We can only pray he gets kicked out before he does too much damage, so we can return to thinking about fun, non-disturbing things like keyboards again. If that's not a clear connection to keyboards, I don't know what is.

What's the cheapest SA keyset?

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2076

Also found here

http://www.keyboardco.com/product/double_shot_filco_104_key_usa_keyset.asp

Those are SA sets? I thought SA meant big retro-look alphas smack in the middle of the keys, like these. Not that I know what SA actually means—does anybody? Hey, that's actually a keyboard question.

This is a thread about asking keyboard related questions that don't deserve their own thread, not starting a political debate. Please stop trying to stir the pot.

SA refers to the key profile, the tall caps SP makes. The legending is separate, but it costs extra to get a new legend made for injection molding so most go for default. I'm not sure how this applies to alignment of the legend, so there's a possibility people just favor the centered for the look. SP is making dyesub pbt now where it's just a matter of printing, so SA as a profile should become more diverse over time (hopefully). So, profile is about the shape of caps. DSA is the short variant of sa, dcs is sp cylindrical.

[zutroy]

Can anyone tell me (from experience) whether switch tops can be removed on a Magicforce 68 without desoldering all the switches?

Thanks.

[xondat]

Can anyone tell me (from experience) whether switch tops can be removed on a Magicforce 68 without desoldering all the switches?

Thanks.

My experience is looking at the plate and seeing if there are holes.



There are none. You cannot take the tops of without desoldering.

Plates that allow switch opening will have cutouts like this:

[fublamchu]

How does one fix a Topre stabilizer that makes the key stick if you don't press it directly in the center?

[tofgerl]

Is it possible to get GMK keysets with a different/thicker font?

[iamtootallforthis]

Is it possible to get GMK keysets with a different/thicker font?

No

[Slippin Jimmy]

Why aren't TMX stems more prevalent, considering that they're the best of both worlds?

[SpAmRaY]

Why aren't TMX stems more prevalent, considering that they're the best of both worlds?

In reference to artisan caps?

The biggest reason is it is hard to get the  perfect balance between having a good fit and also longterm stability.

[rizzard]

Hello, I want to buy my first mechanical keyboard and need help with choosing. The one without numeric part i think thats Tkl, idk switches but i like blue sound so blue, RGB, from EU shop im from Czech Rep.(taxes here are awful), around 110£ / 130€ i count with shipping but if shipping will be free i can go around 130£/150€.

[Joey Quinn]

Why aren't TMX stems more prevalent, considering that they're the best of both worlds?

In reference to artisan caps?

The biggest reason is it is hard to get the  perfect balance between having a good fit and also longterm stability.

This is pretty accurate, developing the perfect TMX and producing it requires really tight tolerances for the caps to work well with both MX and Topre. As far as a larger scale production goes the issue comes down to the stem inserts being very expensive to produce due to the complexity of a well designed TMX stem.

[tofgerl]

That said, the first GMK set with TMX stems will sell like ****...

[SpAmRaY]

That said, the first GMK set with TMX stems will sell like ****...

You don't mess with the caps you change the stems on your keyboard because those actually exist.

[alienman82]

removed.

[tofgerl]

That said, the first GMK set with TMX stems will sell like ****...

You don't mess with the caps you change the stems on your keyboard because those actually exist.

Too complicated for most people.

[SpAmRaY]

That said, the first GMK set with TMX stems will sell like ****...

You don't mess with the caps you change the stems on your keyboard because those actually exist.

Too complicated for most people.

You take some screws out carefully separate the layers and pop out the sliders put the new ones in then carefully put it all back together, yeah you have to watch out for the rubber sheet and springs under it but if you are careful it doesn't get much easier.

[elcubismo]

The eternal question: where can I buy non-artisan topre keycaps?

[SpAmRaY]

The eternal question: where can I buy non-artisan topre keycaps?

https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,toprekeys

search ebay.com

try the classifieds here

or r/mechmarket

[Joey Quinn]

That said, the first GMK set with TMX stems will sell like ****...

You don't mess with the caps you change the stems on your keyboard because those actually exist.

yeah the JTK sliders are now like $40 and will work with any mx set.  plus new molds for GMK would be expensive

I've been thinking about this lately. Plastic injection molds don't last forever so GMK already has to pay for new molds and work the swap time into their production schedules. If TMX for injection molding was prototyped by the community so GMK only needs to change the stems in their molds it shouldn't be too much of a change in price because it can be swapped in when the molds are ready to be changed out.

This doesn't change the fact that they don't really need to be making TMX keycaps but I think it'd be possible to defend the idea from a financial standpoint in the long run.

[Joey Quinn]

Will a HASU controller work with an HHKB Pro 1?

[SpAmRaY]

Will a HASU controller work with an HHKB Pro 1?

Looks like there is one specifically for the Pro 1

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=73176.0

and in this OP

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71517.0

[Joey Quinn]

Will a HASU controller work with an HHKB Pro 1?

Looks like there is one specifically for the Pro 1

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=73176.0

and in this OP

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71517.0

Thanks, guess I'll have to find one of those.

[SpAmRaY]

Will a HASU controller work with an HHKB Pro 1?

Looks like there is one specifically for the Pro 1

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=73176.0

and in this OP

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71517.0

Thanks, guess I'll have to find one of those.

You should be able to get one directly from Hasu if you can't find one elsewhere.

[OneNightFriend]

Is there a keyboard that has a layout similar to the VE.A but isn't a split keyboard? Thanks in advance!

[xtrafrood]

Is there a keyboard that has a layout similar to the VE.A but isn't a split keyboard? Thanks in advance!

Put the two halves together! You're welcome

[xbathoryx13]

Hello all!  Long time keyboard enthutiast, first time writer, (as you can read with most likely many spell errors,lol) Where can I purchase Cherry MX Springs in the US?  Preferbaly 150 or 180g? Thee only place I see them online and for sale is at I think Mechanicalkeyboards.com. But they only have up to 85g springs. They did however carry those ones a month or so back made by I think SpIrit. But they seem to not carry them anymore.  . Please let me know guys! Thanks!

[Puddsy]

Wrong subforum

dunno about super heavy springs like that, but might be worth checking the classifieds

[xbathoryx13]

oh my bad, see I am new here, and dont know the tricks of the trade around here and how you post and whatnot. Thanks anyways!

[DALExSNAIL]

Kinda newb question, but im at work and can't search like I would at home.

Building a phantom With tex case and phantom plate from MK.com, what stabs can i use. looks like only costar, but possibly plate mount cherry? Asking for the person making this as Im a super newb and do not build myself.

[SpAmRaY]

Kinda newb question, but im at work and can't search like I would at home.

Building a phantom With tex case and phantom plate from MK.com, what stabs can i use. looks like only costar, but possibly plate mount cherry? Asking for the person making this as Im a super newb and do not build myself.

Plate mounted cherry or costar are the only options with the phantom.

If going with plate mounted cherry you'll want to install those before the switches, costar doesn't matter.

[oatmicro]

Should I lube my Vintage Black switches?

Which Lubricant is the best for linear switches?

Thanks! 

[iamtootallforthis]

Should I lube my Vintage Black switches?

Which Lubricant is the best for linear switches?

Thanks! 

Yes you should.

Thin lube for the rails of the stem. https://techkeys.us/products/krytox-switch-lurbricant