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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => DIY Discussions ARCHIVE => Topic started by: bbbbqq on Fri, 16 December 2011, 21:46:38

Title: 10keyless MS 4000
Post by: bbbbqq on Fri, 16 December 2011, 21:46:38

Just modded my old MS4000 into a 10keyless board. A good board made excellent. Not a difficult mod, either.

[size=+2]Disassembly[/size]

• Remove every keycap
• Clean your keyboard. Don't let it look like this:

(http://i.imgur.com/yZJqZh.jpg)

• Unscrew all 21 (!) screws from the bottom
  
• Unscrew the two screws under the spacebar
• Remove the wrist rests (just pull
• There is one screw under each wrist rest, joining the silver plastic to the bottom. Unscrew.
• The center portion with the leds has a small clip joining the silver plastic to the bottom. Slip a screw driver in, give it a twist to unlatch the clip.
• The top plastic and bottom can now be removed.

[size=+2]Inner workings[/size]

• As expected, the board is very simple inside: 2 sheets of plastic with printed traces, and a few sheets of membranes. Take off the membranes and the sheets. You should now have just the top and bottom plastic. Maybe the controller too, it doesn't matter.
• Mark out where you want to cut. I recommend the left edge of the numpad, since it is smooth plastic there.
• Match the top and bottom cover and the right hand wrist rest, maybe fasten a few screws to hold it together
• Cut where you marked it out. A band saw would work best, but a hand saw will as well.
• de-burr. Deburr the **** out of it.

[size=+2]Reassembly[/size]

• Put the sheets of plastic back in, and the left hand membranes.
• On the right hand membrane, mark out where the numpad is, and use a pair of sharp scissors to cut only the rubber sheet. Do not cut the plastic sheet.
  
• Use tape between the plastic sheets where the numpad would have been. You cannot let the two sheets touch where the traces are, or it will register.
• Fold the overhanging part over, and tape it to the bottom of the board.

Result:

(http://i.imgur.com/eb4ech.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZJredh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3esieh.jpg)

Disadvantages:
- Can't use the numpad led anymore
- The feet of the board will be cut off, and you will need to ghetto some feet. I used cardboard and tape.
- Cut edge can be a bit sharp

Idea from http://tlb.org/keyboardchop.html

Title: 10keyless MS 4000
Post by: SmallFry on Fri, 16 December 2011, 22:01:20

Nice job. Lanx also does stuff like this. His projects are quite insane to say the least.

Title: 10keyless MS 4000
Post by: flags on Sat, 17 December 2011, 00:25:45

Inspired me to do the same with an old keyboard I had laying around. Looks good!