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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: GioM on Sat, 11 April 2020, 08:09:26

Title: gk84 pcb, what's wrong with him?
Post by: GioM on Sat, 11 April 2020, 08:09:26

Hi months ago I decided to build my first mk, and after much research I realized that the only pcb that has all the features I want is the gk84.
Now... apparently there are two possibilities to buy it: pcb-only and kit.

I don't know why the kit is so expensive but, I don't like the case so it would be a useless expense.
The pcb-only, apparently, is sold without battery (and I don't think this is a problem, it's ok) and without usb-c module.

I'm a bit newb but, besides that, is there anything else missing? Why?
Where do I buy and how do I mount the usb-c module?

Also, since the only case I see around is the wooden one and another one I don't like I was thinking of printing one through the swillkb builder (and it looks pretty simple but let's go in order :D)

Thanks in advance

Title: Re: gk84 pcb, what's wrong with him?
Post by: suicidal_orange on Sat, 11 April 2020, 18:07:21

Welcome to geekhack :)

I don't know which kit you're looking at but a kit always includes a case, plate and PCB; it may also include switches, stabilisers and sometimes even keycaps - you need all of these (except the plate) to build a working keyboard.  If you need a separate USB C module I would hope it was available on the same site and that it had mounting holes and Swills builder has a 'custom polygon' section for you to add matching ones.

Title: Re: gk84 pcb, what's wrong with him?
Post by: GioM on Sun, 12 April 2020, 09:09:14

Hi thanks for the reply!

I'm trying to buy this
https://it.aliexpress.com/item/4000110533301.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.7be83c00k3Pvhj&mp=1
pcb-only cause i really don't like the case in the kit and the kit it's also too expensive for no reason.
Yeah i know what part do i need, but i'm starting with a good pcb and then searching around for a case and so on.

If you take a look at the reviews, there is a user who has bought the pcb-only and shows many photos of the pcb. And he actually says that it arrived without the usb module and after contacting the seller, he confirmed that it is sold without it.

What do you think?

Ty!

Title: Re: gk84 pcb, what's wrong with him?
Post by: GioM on Tue, 14 April 2020, 16:03:57

Quote from: suicidal_orange on Sat, 11 April 2020, 18:07:21

Welcome to geekhack :)

I don't know which kit you're looking at but a kit always includes a case, plate and PCB; it may also include switches, stabilisers and sometimes even keycaps - you need all of these (except the plate) to build a working keyboard.  If you need a separate USB C module I would hope it was available on the same site and that it had mounting holes and Swills builder has a 'custom polygon' section for you to add matching ones.

I found a usb-c module with JST cables, now where do I attach it?
Here a close up of the pcb that includes the part of interest (from what I understand).

More

(https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/U31f23ea4f7b94fcf98935fd16166b338O.jpg)

Also the battery, where does it go?