Margo's Mods

[margo baggins]

Imgur - http://margobaggins.imgur.com

A few points about me and my service: I don't play with your boards, I plug them in, I test key registers and I test over the board with a multimeter.

Tell me what you want, we will work out a price - once you have posted me the board send me the money plus however much it cost you to post and I will post it back by exactly the same method and it should then cost the same and thus you would of already covered your return postage.

Why should you choose me to sort your board?:

 - I am cheaper than most paid services
 - I have decent equipment
 - I have extensive experience
 - I am good at communicating and honest
 - I try to turn boards around within 7 days, I've not kept any paid work for longer than 2 weeks, so 2 weeks is kind of worst case scenario
 - 100% transparency, I can provide you with my full details etc. and below at the bottom of this post is where I am currently at with everything and expected dates for postage etc.

HOWEVER!

I am a real person, I work in IT so my workload is subject to change sometimes at the drop of a hat, but, I always keep anybody who's property I have informed, normally before I actually get busy, with a realistic time span for when their board will be done and posted back.

PLEASE BARE IN MIND: My work is not ROHS, I use LEAD SOLDER (60/40)- so please don't lick your boards If you want ROHS compliant electronics I can do this - but this is at request and not my standard practice and carries a $5 premium.

Thanks,
Margo & [CTRL]ALT

More

Keycool 87 switch swap and mod
KBT Oni switch swap and mod
Ducky DK1087 switch swap and mod
Mxmini repair
Poker I fit beast plate
Poker II Switch swap and fit into Poker 1 Accrylic case
Kmac mini switch swap
38GT full build (incl SMD)
GH60 full build and programming etc.
Duck v1.5 full build
LZGH Full build
Ergodox full build (incl SMD)
Ergodox full build (incl SMD)
Ergodox full build (incl SMD)
Ergodox full build (incl SMD)
Ergodox full build (incl SMD)
Ergodox full build (incl SMD)
Ergodox partial repair and finished build
WASD 104 switch swap
WASD 105 switch swap
G80-3700 PCB repair
Filco switch swap
Filco cable swap
Cougar attack LED mod
LZGH Switch repair
Poker II switch swap, lube and LED mod
KMAC Happy strip for case re-anodising
A.87 ps2avr - controller and SMD soldering
GON ISO HHKB
Filco Switch Swap
OTD 360c

I've stripped more donor boards than I care to remember and I have likely done more things than above but that's all I can remember

To do/return List:

To do: (in no specific order)


Build Longweight GON
Build Margo GON
Filco switch clean

Service/cap swap 16x8x4 mixer (gonna take an age!)
Service/cap swap vintage trace and elliot bass head

Done:

More

Build Bunny 360
Build JaccoW Orion
Build Dustin's GON
GK's A.87 - SMD work, diodes, resistors - all SMD work complete - posting 11/04/2014
Ergodox - received 11/4/2014
Skidata - strip all switches and stabs - received 9/4/2014
Leo numpad - swap switches to clears - received 9/4/2014 - stripped 10/4/2014
Goldtouch numpad - remove brown switches - this is mine, so whenever
CM TK - swap 4 switches - recieved 10/04/2014 - posted 11/04/2014
KMAC Happy - Remove plate - Posted 19/03/2014
My monitor - Swap all 40 odd caps for new high quality caps - waiting on parts - DONE Monitor fixed 15/03/2014
Mod WASD 105 browns to clears - done - post back Friday 28.02.2014
ErgoDox - Completed - posted Thursday 12.02.2014
Poker2 switch swap and fit LEDs - This is my board, so to be completed when I find the time!
Post WASD 104 back to USA - Posted Friday 07.02.2014
Post back G80-3700 - Posted Monday 10.02.2014
GH60 repaired - Drop back Monday 10.02.2014

[CPTBadAss]

Are there any previous mods you've worked on that you can show us? Or maybe some previous customers that could chime in? Not that I doubt your abilities, it would just be nice to see your handiwork.

[BunnyLake]

Are there any previous mods you've worked on that you can show us? Or maybe some previous customers that could chime in? Not that I doubt your abilities, it would just be nice to see your handiwork.

he builds all my boards, his work is incredible, and its through his services that we met, and sadly for him, i have pestered him ever since and he has built me up ton of boards

including




if im feeling nice later tonight or tomorrow ill take some apart and show you some of his fantastic solder work

[margo edit: I removed a dead image from this post]

[Photekq]

Jesus.. Those are some really great prices.

[BunnyLake]

Jesus.. Those are some really great prices.

we aim to please

[margo baggins]

Thanks for the vouch Bunnybro,

I have lots of potatos I will get them all uploaded and put in this thread in due course.

[moogle]

margo's mods has a nice ring to it

[Photekq]

Jesus.. Those are some really great prices.

we aim to please

I actually had to do a double take when I first read them. They are ridiculously low.

GL margo, bunny & CAS.

[margo baggins]

38GT Full LED


SMDs on 38GT and some diodes going in




Cougar Attack custom backlight


LED test on poker after fitting beast plate


Fitting beast plate to poker








Other pictures:

[Dubsgalore]

Nice prices, welcome Margo!

let's see some joints! 

Ctrl-Alt-Store really making some improvements as of recent, great work guys

[margo baggins]

Nice prices, welcome Margo!

let's see some joints! 

Ctrl-Alt-Store really making some improvements as of recent, great work guys

Solder joints? I have a dox here I have just built, I will unpackage it and take some pictures as I don't think I have actually ever taken any pictures of that.

[longweight]

I'd trust Margon to assemble my children.

[MOZ]

You are assembling these at minimum wage, great prices for anyone that wants custom keyboards, but lacks the confidence to go ahead and do it themselves.

[Latin00032]

I'd trust Margon to assemble my children.

[meiosis]

Do you have any experience assemblying A87 PCB's? (by OTD)

I have the bare pcb and the normal assorted stuff that needs to be soldered on, but I am not sure if resistors or anything else is included. Do you have switches and LED's on hand? I am curious as to how much they would be in addition as shipping would be cheaper (I believe) >.<

Kind of don't want to ruin my pcb  with my noobiness.

In other words, how much would it be to assemble a pcb with all soldering needed in addittion to switches and LED's

[SpAmRaY]

So awesome seeing more expansion!!

[margo baggins]

Do you have any experience assemblying A87 PCB's? (by OTD)

I have the bare pcb and the normal assorted stuff that needs to be soldered on, but I am not sure if resistors or anything else is included. Do you have switches and LED's on hand? I am curious as to how much they would be in addition as shipping would be cheaper (I believe) >.<

Kind of don't want to ruin my pcb  with my noobiness.

In other words, how much would it be to assemble a pcb with all soldering needed in addittion to switches and LED's

Hello I haven't built one of those before but I can't imagine it being a problem. I keep some LEDs in stock, normally just things I have left over, I prefer to buy in LEDs for each project, but at the moment I have red/white/blue/pink. I don't have any switches OR stabs on hand (at the moment).

If the switches are new and there is no dis assembly of a donor board - and you want full LED, then just $25 and shipping (and the cost of anything I need to buy, ie. LEDs or smd resistors etc. - this would all be discussed prior to me purchasing anything so it's entirely transparent.)

Depends how quickly you want the switches etc as to how much they can cost. Price of LEDs is not much, most expensive colour is pink and they are £19 for 100 (I don't know what that is in $ off the top of my head), but other colours are cheaper.

[sherryton]

It looks like the prices are in USD.  These are the best prices I have seen so far!

[BunnyLake]

It looks like the prices are in USD.  These are the best prices I have seen so far!

US dollars indeed good sir

[MKULTRA]

$10 for switch modding?  Wow thats definitely under minimum wage for some tedious work.

[katushkin]

Would it be possible for you to mod a 104 key US layout keyboard into a 105 key ISO UK layout?

I am looking into getting a keyboard with clears and wasd only sell 87 or 104 key ISO layouts with clears, and the price of buying 105 clear switches and completely changing a 105 key board is daunting.

Edit: After contacting WASD, they aren't getting any more CODE keyboards in stock until August 2014.

[margo baggins]

Hello,

I reckon I could do it, though I have never done it - if you did want this I would buy keyboard first and make sure it's possible, so if you do want it let me know so I can sort out ordering myself a keyboard!

[katushkin]

After more consideration, would it be better to order a 105 key board and then buy 110 clear switches from http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=597 and send them straight to you so you could do a straight swap?

[margo baggins]

After more consideration, would it be better to order a 105 key board and then buy 110 clear switches from http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=597 and send them straight to you so you could do a straight swap?

Yeah man if you want to do that, that would be easy peasy.

[katushkin]

Awesome! I am thinking a wasd V2 with reds, because that's all they have in stock, but are there any boards you would recommend? Or any that would make your job easier? Because I don't want to choose a board that is going to be a pain for you to work with.

[margo baggins]

Awesome! I am thinking a wasd V2 with reds, because that's all they have in stock, but are there any boards you would recommend? Or any that would make your job easier? Because I don't want to choose a board that is going to be a pain for you to work with.

They're all much of a muchness really, none any harder than the other   You choose whichever board you like that most.

[katushkin]

OK sweet, I have PMed you about posting details etc

[divito]

After more consideration, would it be better to order a 105 key board and then buy 110 clear switches from http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=597 and send them straight to you so you could do a straight swap?

That's pretty much exactly in line with what I'm thinking also. Will have to keep this in mind for the future.

Thanks for offering these services!

[Moosecraft]

Very nice finally someone in the EU who does modding

[margo baggins]

Working on a pretty board at the moment

Build log, pictures, fun stuff in the next few days.

[AGmurdercore]

Working on a pretty board at the moment

Build log, pictures, fun stuff in the next few days.

No idea about the others but i personally can't wait

[Latin00032]

Do you do lube switches as well?

[margo baggins]

Do you do lube switches as well?

Can do - but I have no lube stock, so you would have to provide, but other than that yeah no problem.

[margo baggins]

So I've just recently built this It's not mine, it is lovely though.

[AGmurdercore]

Holly sh*t the clear tops are so bad ass, nice job man, the board looks really good!

[margo baggins]

Fun evening building lzgh, well evening, it took me 1.5 hours tops.

40% to play with overnight till I take this all back tomorrow, not mine and lzgh also not mine























My caps not my keyboard

[Pacifist]

Fun evening building lzgh, well evening, it took me 1.5 hours tops.

40% to play with overnight till I take this all back tomorrow, not mine and lzgh also not mine

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My caps not my keyboard

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dayum I never realized how small 40% is

[katushkin]

That is seriously tiny!

Also, I would just like to say thanks to Margo. He has put up with a lot of **** from me in the last couple of months, to-ing and fro-ing with boards and switches and me changing my mind. He is quick to respond, a really nice guy and his work is top notch. Hopefully if shipping allows I can get my board done by the end of February

[margo baggins]

Today I fixed someones broken numpad,

Those pads in the top right are broken, so I made this with the connector:



Then I attached it here:



and it looks like this:

[margo baggins]

Prices slightly revised and updated - have invested a fair amount in my equipment over the last month so is just due to that really. I still think they are very fair.

[margo baggins]

Poker II LED mod and put tactile greys on the numbers and alphas and clears on everything else:

[berserkfan]

Prices slightly revised and updated - have invested a fair amount in my equipment over the last month so is just due to that really. I still think they are very fair.

Fair?

If I lived in the UK, it would be so fair, I would be sending you a new keyboard every week to mod!!!!

(Luckily, I do not live in the UK, and since shipping to and fro would cost me at least a hundred per keyboard, I am not going to go down that slippery path. Whew!)

Poor bunny. I imagine he's bought way more keyboards than he should thanks to your very affordable services.

[margo baggins]

Prices slightly revised and updated - have invested a fair amount in my equipment over the last month so is just due to that really. I still think they are very fair.

Fair?

If I lived in the UK, it would be so fair, I would be sending you a new keyboard every week to mod!!!!

(Luckily, I do not live in the UK, and since shipping to and fro would cost me at least a hundred per keyboard, I am not going to go down that slippery path. Whew!)

Poor bunny. I imagine he's bought way more keyboards than he should thanks to your very affordable services.

Thankyou for your nice words

[BunnyLake]

Prices slightly revised and updated - have invested a fair amount in my equipment over the last month so is just due to that really. I still think they are very fair.

Fair?

If I lived in the UK, it would be so fair, I would be sending you a new keyboard every week to mod!!!!

(Luckily, I do not live in the UK, and since shipping to and fro would cost me at least a hundred per keyboard, I am not going to go down that slippery path. Whew!)

Poor bunny. I imagine he's bought way more keyboards than he should thanks to your very affordable services.

i would like to take a moment to point out that margo is in fact my worker monkey, and as such he gets no payment from me, not even the peanuts he charges

what i can say is i do give him a steady stream of work which he completes for me free of charge, and every time it is completed efficiently, and to the highest standards

margo truly loves his craft, and im sure would gladly do all the work for free, the charge is really just there as a barrier to entry so he doesnt get swamped with so much work he cant keep up

the man is a problem solver and im yet to be able to throw a keyboard or task at him that he hasnt been able to solve

[berserkfan]

It doth appear to me that he's an Energizer Hobbit or Gremlin slave of some sort.

(Cue Oliver Twist and some ****ensian factory environment, complete with a rabbit-toothed ***in supervising)

That said, does he repair keyboards too? Just asking; my brain is cooking up something but my inspiration is still a hodgepodge of potential mods at this point. After all, shipping won't be cheap for me so I gotta think whether a project is worth it.

[Tym]

A little further up the page there are photo's of a keypad repair if that helps?

[berserkfan]

A little further up the page there are photo's of a keypad repair if that helps?

you mean the numpad thing with the black-and-white cable thingy?

it looked a lot like a squid. Not being technically trained I didn't understand the photo at all. The problem I have looks quite different, including what seems to be a destroyed solder pad.

[margo baggins]

A little further up the page there are photo's of a keypad repair if that helps?

you mean the numpad thing with the black-and-white cable thingy?

it looked a lot like a squid. Not being technically trained I didn't understand the photo at all. The problem I have looks quite different, including what seems to be a destroyed solder pad.

I just used wires in place of pads and traces - which pad do you have that is broken? Can you post a picture?

Normally with broken pads it's possible to just run a wire in place, but let me see a picture and I will let you know

Going on a road trip now with my girlfriend but will be back tomorrow after lunch.

[margo baggins]

GH60:











Stripped again, stickered switches, rebuilt:





Diode D03 was pre-soldered the wrong way round, I took it off and replaced with a new one the right way round, different brand to the original, you can tell by the indicator!



Finished and fully working with HHKB Layout:





Gui layout looks like - has hhkb function layer on layer 1:



I have attached to this post the gh60.xml and the layout I used for this board. I used revb_0.2 firmware. I can't seem to get the top right key, the split backspace, to map correctly, don't know if this is due to the firmware or not so if anyone knows any better let me know

[margo baggins]

Dox with blues - I need to bolt up the left hand but its built and fully tested - shipping back on wednesday