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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Halverson on Sun, 16 December 2012, 14:33:35

Title: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: Halverson on Sun, 16 December 2012, 14:33:35
I'm not sure if this should be in the keyboard section, but I suppose it is mainly a component of a keyboard.

So basically, I've been working on my KMAC LE for a few days. And today I finally started putting it together. First, I couldn't get the plate over the stabilizers. Thought they were a bit off, so I shaved some plastic off them and it fit on snug.
Now instead of being smart and inserting all the switches, I started putting in the top row and soldering them on. Only to discover that at some point, I couldn't fit the switches in the plate through the holes in the pcb.
Thought maybe it was bent, or I was just dumb as a brick. But upon closer inspection, the plate seems to have been cut all f'ing messed up. One hole is not fully cut, could file it, but that's not the big problem.
Most of the rows  suddenly go higher up, and then back down. And some just go higher and stay that way across the board. No wonder it wouldn't fit over the stabilizers.

So I don't know what I can do. KMAC plates don't seem to just float around. And after soldering and de-soldering, it's not like it's fresh and able to be returned. Just looking for some advice, and to see how I should proceed about this. I've never heard of an issue like this, and it's got me pretty bummed out.

Here are the few iPhone pics I quickly took, and outlined some of the flaws in paint with red marker.
(http://i.imgur.com/uUnAj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GUZPD.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0dKVa.jpg)

And last note, I have looked at theprof's KMAC DIY guide, and his plate is straight and perfect. So I don't think mine is right...at all....sigh
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: ekw808 on Sun, 16 December 2012, 14:37:37
Wow, this is a first.. where did you get your kmac from?
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: Halverson on Sun, 16 December 2012, 14:40:37
Wow, this is a first.. where did you get your kmac from?

The recent ones from Sherryton. The same ones theprof has been building, and they all look beautiful.
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: tjcaustin on Sun, 16 December 2012, 14:40:53
It's like a child cut all of those holes by hand...
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: Halverson on Sun, 16 December 2012, 14:41:17
It's like a child cut all of those holes by hand...

I'm upset, hug me bro
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: boost on Sun, 16 December 2012, 14:43:53
Have you contacted sherryton about this?
Title: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: Halverson on Sun, 16 December 2012, 14:47:06
Have you contacted sherryton about this?

I made this thread then sent him a message.
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: WhiteFireDragon on Sun, 16 December 2012, 14:50:01
Man that is some f'up stuff. It's not practical to align everything with manual filing. It looks like when the holes were cut, it got moved around when on the machine, or the machine was programmed correctly to do the cuts.

Btw, next time you assemble keyboards, put all the switches on the plate first, then get all the switch pins inside the PCB before you solder. I recently had to fix someone else's KMAC that was put together in similar order as yours, and one end of the KMAC was slightly higher than the other end because some of the switches were not flush on the PCB and plate.
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: alaricljs on Sun, 16 December 2012, 14:56:28
Dude, did someone hit the cutting machine repeatedly with a sledge while it was doing that plate?
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: demik on Sun, 16 December 2012, 15:00:51
it's a feature!
Title: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: Halverson on Sun, 16 December 2012, 15:02:34
Man that is some f'up stuff. It's not practical to align everything with manual filing. It looks like when the holes were cut, it got moved around when on the machine, or the machine was programmed correctly to do the cuts.

Btw, next time you assemble keyboards, put all the switches on the plate first, then get all the switch pins inside the PCB before you solder. I recently had to fix someone else's KMAC that was put together in similar order as yours, and one end of the KMAC was slightly higher than the other end because some of the switches were not flush on the PCB and plate.

Ya, it's been a learning experience. Hopefully when this has been resolved ill put it together properly.
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: tjcaustin on Sun, 16 December 2012, 15:06:37
It's like a child cut all of those holes by hand...

I'm upset, hug me bro

(http://kippingitreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/i-know-that-feel-bro.jpg)
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: demik on Sun, 16 December 2012, 15:10:28
check your inbox scarlett wizbro
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: AKIMbO on Sun, 16 December 2012, 15:10:34
I feel for you Halverson.  Doesn't seem like it will be an easy fix.  Hopefully someone can source you a new plate.
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: metalliqaz on Sun, 16 December 2012, 15:13:04
Looks like it was moved while it was being cut.  I have no idea how you could find a replacement, but you could also probably get a different plate made.  Mine has a polycarbonate plate and it feels awesome.
Really sorry to read your story :(  I'm sure Sherry will try to fix it.  Good luck!
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: metalliqaz on Sun, 16 December 2012, 15:14:10
check your inbox scarlett wizbro

So THAT's where my plate went!  :))
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: demik on Sun, 16 December 2012, 15:19:37
check your inbox scarlett wizbro

So THAT's where my plate went!  :))

excuse me?
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: sherryton on Sun, 16 December 2012, 15:25:59
I'll talk to someone as soon as possible.  I believe it's 630 AM there.
Title: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: Halverson on Sun, 16 December 2012, 15:27:35
I'll talk to someone as soon as possible.  I believe it's 630 AM there.

Thanks Sheraton, time to play the waiting game
Title: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: Halverson on Sun, 16 December 2012, 16:35:01
This has been resolved!
But I'll leave the thread so others can view the one and only messed up Kmac plate I've heard of.
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: SmallFry on Sun, 16 December 2012, 16:38:37
Wow, well... good thing it got fixed...
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: sherryton on Sun, 16 December 2012, 16:41:37
This has been resolved!
But I'll leave the thread so others can view the one and only messed up Kmac plate I've heard of.

You are one lucky guy.  You got the most rare plate.  You can probably sell it for $250.
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: TheProfosist on Sun, 16 December 2012, 16:42:05
Dont take this seriously but u could have had the first pcb mount only KMAC LE.
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: dorkvader on Mon, 17 December 2012, 01:13:38
Dont take this seriously but u could have had the first pcb mount only KMAC LE.
Could cut a hole in the middle of plate and have the first cheat-like halfplate kmac le.
(Also not to be taken seriously.)

Glad it got resolved! I'll be building mine after xmas.
Title: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: Halverson on Mon, 17 December 2012, 01:22:09
I think I'm just going to frame it and mount it on my wall.
Title: Re: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: TheProfosist on Mon, 17 December 2012, 01:24:52
I think I'm just going to frame it and mount it on my wall.
Ill take it off your hands for that purpose too and put a quote below it like "The Korea Filed" or something im sure someone can come up with something better.
Title: KMAC LE plate issues (Insert me yelling at the world) Need some halp...
Post by: Halverson on Mon, 17 December 2012, 11:21:58
I think it was 'bring your daughter/son to work day' in Korea. Never again were children allowed to cut keyboard plates.