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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: FJ_Sanchez on Sun, 30 September 2012, 14:47:25

Title: Can I use ANSI plastic cover for ISO board?
Post by: FJ_Sanchez on Sun, 30 September 2012, 14:47:25

I'm talking about same model keyboards, for example here are the ISO and ANSI version of CM QuickFire Rapid, ISO with browns and ANSI with reds:

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

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/TheProfosist/GeekHack/IMG_2407_zpsb794002b.jpg)

For me they are the same, just not sure if something could change. Do you know if is it easy to get top cover for this keyboard?

Thank you!

Title: Re: Can I use ANSI plate for ISO board?
Post by: Cindori on Sun, 30 September 2012, 14:54:26

Well I would say ofc not. lots of difference in layout, around enter and left shift. an ANSI plate will only have one switch at left shift where ISO will have two.

Title: Re: Can I use ANSI plate for ISO board?
Post by: SmallFry on Sun, 30 September 2012, 14:57:03

I'd have to say not too.

Title: Re: Can I use ANSI plate for ISO board?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sun, 30 September 2012, 15:02:23

While I agree all ISO board should be made to ANSI, it is not really very easy. You would also need to do lot of modification on the pcb which is even more difficult that modify a plate.
What are you wanting to accomplish anyway? Just change the switch type or something? If so you can desolder and resolder and put in whichever case body color... that is not a hard thing.

Title: Re: Can I use ANSI plate for ISO board?
Post by: FJ_Sanchez on Sun, 30 September 2012, 15:17:06

Oops.... that's the problem of having english as non native language... I mean top plastic cover...  :p

Title: Re: Can I use ANSI plastic cover for ISO board?
Post by: WhiteFireDragon on Sun, 30 September 2012, 15:25:40

For the metal plate under the caps, you can't use them interchangeably. But for the plastic cover from the case, they should be identical.

Title: Re: Can I use ANSI plastic cover for ISO board?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sun, 30 September 2012, 15:37:27

Yes case is easy change. Undo screw, pry open and swap the internals.

Title: Re: Can I use ANSI plastic cover for ISO board?
Post by: FJ_Sanchez on Sun, 30 September 2012, 15:54:27

I've found this: http://cmupload.coolermaster-usa.com/safety_emc/Storm/SGK-4000%20series/(SGK-4000-GKCC1-US)%20CE%20Report.pdf

At the end there are some interesting pictures of the inner of the keyboard, I think they should be the same. Do you know if is it easy to get these covers? Custom covers?

Title: Re: Can I use ANSI plastic cover for ISO board?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sun, 30 September 2012, 16:10:42

If you want something different and more custom like these MKC cases (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34470.0)?

Title: Re: Can I use ANSI plastic cover for ISO board?
Post by: FJ_Sanchez on Sun, 30 September 2012, 16:28:30

Cool! And those fit in CM QuickFire Rapid?

Thank you for the info!!

EDIT: I've read in the post there are for the Rapid. That's great!

Title: Re: Can I use ANSI plastic cover for ISO board?
Post by: FJ_Sanchez on Sun, 30 September 2012, 16:44:02

Those acrylic cases look simple enough to make them by myself using laser cutter or CNC for better finishing... I'm even thinking on building my own keyboard from scratch: PCB, switches, firmware, case... Thinking...  :rolleyes: