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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Rhienfo on Thu, 07 September 2023, 00:28:01
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thinking of buying an old filco for really cheap and modding it for a fun project. But I need to find a pcb for it. Problem is no one really cares for filco so most of the aftermarket stuff is no longer available due to only being sold through year old gbs.
So pretty much the only way to go is through open source stuff. Pcb is needed as I am not willing to go through learning pcb design (I'll leave that to the people who know what they are doing)
Also preferably via as It's just too convenient for me at this point but I understand that filco stuff probably doesn't have via because of it's age.
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The Phantom is the obvious, but good luck finding one, they also do not fit aftermarket aluminum cases. You could probably order up a new one as I think the design is on Github but you could buy something newer for less.
You can also find aftermarket controllers/daughterboards that are VIA compatible, Bpiphany made some, once in a while I come across places still offering them.
You could also just hand wire.
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What exactly do you want to do?
I was lately considering Filco and simply desolder it.
Unless mx black version will be really nice and just gonna keep it as is.
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What exactly do you want to do?
I was lately considering Filco and simply desolder it.
Unless mx black version will be really nice and just gonna keep it as is.
I need via compatibility mainly, i was planning on desoldering the switches, modding the switches (breaking them in, lubing/filming them) then putting it in a replacement plate which can use cherry stabs (if that's feasible). Then getting some vintage wyse caps (and a moogle kit but that will be hard to find) because I heard that the oem filco caps aren't that great.
The Phantom is the obvious, but good luck finding one, they also do not fit aftermarket aluminum cases. You could probably order up a new one as I think the design is on Github but you could buy something newer for less.
You can also find aftermarket controllers/daughterboards that are VIA compatible, Bpiphany made some, once in a while I come across places still offering them.
You could also just hand wire.
Thank you, I think I'll look for the phantom on github and see if there is one, I'll also get a controller that's via compatible.
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The Phantom is the obvious, but good luck finding one, they also do not fit aftermarket aluminum cases.
The Phantom PCB is a bare unpopulated PCB though. It was made to have a Teensy 2.0 as the controller, but it has been discontinued. I've heard that Chinese copies of the Teensy 2.0 might exist though.
There is support for it (https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/tree/master/keyboards/phantom) in QMK firmware, which it had got from TMK which it is a fork of.
The PCB was made for plate-mounted stabs, like the original.
BTW, build instructions: https://deskthority.net/wiki/Phantom_instruction_guide
Bpiphany's controller was a replacement for the Filco's daughterboard, and won't fit the Phantom.
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What exactly do you want to do?
I was lately considering Filco and simply desolder it.
Unless mx black version will be really nice and just gonna keep it as is.
I need via compatibility mainly, i was planning on desoldering the switches, modding the switches (breaking them in, lubing/filming them) then putting it in a replacement plate which can use cherry stabs (if that's feasible). Then getting some vintage wyse caps (and a moogle kit but that will be hard to find) because I heard that the oem filco caps aren't that great.
Well, I don't think you will find one, it was a very old GB and extra stock was sold long time ago.
You could try and find bpiphany's controller for Filco's original pcb and that way gain QMK, but you would stuck with original pcb with costars.
THat is the point were I stuck when tried to achieve same thing. I only wanted to do it cause I like Filco's plastic case :)