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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: RougeR on Sat, 09 March 2013, 11:33:05

Title: Project M15 salvage
Post by: RougeR on Sat, 09 March 2013, 11:33:05
Soo as many of you know, i won an m15 a while back cheap, and it arrived broken :(, so i got it even cheaper (300USD)
However i have decided to make the best of this situation and will be defiling modding my m15 to hell and back over the next few months...years w/e

the mod list so far:
- RGB mod via rit dye, you cannot to my knowledge get replacement or find another keyboard with single x ctrl/alt, so i will need some keys from an m2 too practice on...
- 2x trackpoints, on ERDF and UIJK, i may also try to put in left and right clicks beneath the spacebar
- Neaten up where the ball joint was; via moulding plastic around it, or adding corners.
- braided cables. (likely by pexon <3)
- internal USB hub so a trackball and numberpad can be hooked up

possible mods
- entirely new case (likely impossible because of integrated barrels and the prohibitive cost)
- an ANSI-ISO mod if anyone can think of a way of doing it?
- wireless? is this possible? its been done on a model m. do i even want to do it....muh cables

If anyone can supply any help, tips, ideas or encouragement please post here.

also i will need  the following:
spare m2 caps, or an entire keyboard
trackpoints
a good place or way to mould the plastic round the ball joint area

ALSO A guide on how the hell to open one up properly and whats what


here is how my m15 arrived to me:

(http://i.imgur.com/pr97I.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/btldu.jpg)

here is its current condition:

(http://i.imgur.com/yfQIWsW.jpg)
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: guilleguillaume on Sat, 09 March 2013, 15:13:12
Interesting project.

You may find 1x Ctrl keys on keyboards like this one I had:

(http://i.imgur.com/fAUjq.jpg)
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: RougeR on Sat, 09 March 2013, 16:20:16
Quote from: guilleguillaume on Sat, 09 March 2013, 15:13:12
Interesting project.

You may find 1x Ctrl keys on keyboards like this one I had:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/fAUjq.jpg)




thanks, but m2 caps and hence m15 caps are different to model m/f ones, perhaps a stem mod would allow a conversion
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: Findecanor on Sat, 09 March 2013, 16:21:21
Quote from: guilleguillaume on Sat, 09 March 2013, 15:13:12
You may find 1x Ctrl keys on keyboards like this one I had:
Unfortunately, the M15 has keys like the M2, not like the M.
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: esoomenona on Mon, 11 March 2013, 11:02:44
Why not DFC and JKM for the Trackpoints?
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: RougeR on Mon, 11 March 2013, 11:10:07
Quote from: esoomenona on Mon, 11 March 2013, 11:02:44
Why not DFC and JKM for the Trackpoints?

that could also work, its not set in stone..only issue i could see with DFC/JKM is that it is very close to home row...but it is less caps to cut
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: esoomenona on Mon, 11 March 2013, 11:28:33
I think that's what makes it great. Your finger (at least mine) feels right right there.
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: nullstring on Mon, 11 March 2013, 11:31:23
For the record, I think it's crazy to mod something so rare/valuable.
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 11 March 2013, 12:38:16
Quote from: nullstring on Mon, 11 March 2013, 11:31:23
For the record, I think it's crazy to mod something so rare/valuable.

What's to lose? It's already wrecked. If a new case were available for a complete guts transplant ......
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: RougeR on Mon, 11 March 2013, 13:29:40
Quote from: nullstring on Mon, 11 March 2013, 11:31:23
For the record, I think it's crazy to mod something so rare/valuable.
Quote from: fohat.digs on Mon, 11 March 2013, 12:38:16
Quote from: nullstring on Mon, 11 March 2013, 11:31:23
For the record, I think it's crazy to mod something so rare/valuable.

What's to lose? It's already wrecked. If a new case were available for a complete guts transplant ......


its fully functioning as a split keyboard atm, and the joint looks okay, just not perfect.

I would likely not be modding this if it was in mint condition, but the damage has already been done...so i figure in for a penny in for a pound; i have the opportunity to make something totally unique and brilliant.

and yeah if a case could be made i would be tempted to transfer the guts.
Title: Project M15 salvage
Post by: phetto on Mon, 11 March 2013, 13:38:44
Imo the best thing you could do is finding someone and make 2 separate Alu cases for it and add a wireless mod like the one beeing made for the gh60.
That would be pretty sweet
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: RougeR on Mon, 11 March 2013, 13:47:14
Quote from: phetto on Mon, 11 March 2013, 13:38:44
Imo the best thing you could do is finding someone and make 2 separate Alu cases for it and add a wireless mod like the one beeing made for the gh60.
That would be pretty sweet

the cost of making an alu case is just so hard through, as you have to make the barrels as well, but yes it would be sweet with that and wireless...if anyone knows how to do it. do say
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: SmallFry on Mon, 11 March 2013, 13:50:20
Could do a hand matrix with a Logitech K230 controller like the Koreans. Not sure exactly how that would work however. You may want to keep an eye on the Wireless GH60 thread for ideas.
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: phetto on Mon, 11 March 2013, 14:03:36
You could do it without the barrels tho, like cut it out or something and place the intestines inside the alucase somehow, just give it some thought and you could come up with some awesome ideas. On the other hand, cardboard is easy enough.
Title: Re: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: SmallFry on Mon, 11 March 2013, 14:27:23
Quote from: phetto on Mon, 11 March 2013, 14:03:36
You could do it without the barrels tho, like cut it out or something and place the intestines inside the alucase somehow, just give it some thought and you could come up with some awesome ideas. On the other hand, cardboard is easy enough.
You realize this is a buckling spring, right? You need the barrels.
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: phetto on Mon, 11 March 2013, 14:29:45
I know that, but you can cut out the plastic where the barrels are, and use it in the metal case, you got me?
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: SmallFry on Mon, 11 March 2013, 14:33:24
Er. Not really.
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: phetto on Mon, 11 March 2013, 14:37:23
Trust me it works, i just dont know how to explain how i mean in english T_T
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: esoomenona on Mon, 11 March 2013, 14:38:48
Maybe there is some sort of miscommunication of the use of the word barrels. I know what SmallFry is saying, but based on the fact that RougeR hasn't even opened the thing, I'm thinking he means something different when he says "integrated barrels".
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: phetto on Mon, 11 March 2013, 14:43:35
This is just for explaining what I mean.

I made some lines in red to show where you could cut the plastic. after you cut the plastic there, you can still use the barrels as intestines in an aluminum case. Its not harder then that.. :P
 (http://i.imgur.com/1ESFlhK.jpg)
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: esoomenona on Mon, 11 March 2013, 14:46:44
I don't see why that wouldn't work.
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: phetto on Mon, 11 March 2013, 14:49:53
Exactly
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: RougeR on Mon, 11 March 2013, 18:32:54
Quote from: phetto on Mon, 11 March 2013, 14:43:35
This is just for explaining what I mean.

I made some lines in red to show where you could cut the plastic. after you cut the plastic there, you can still use the barrels as intestines in an aluminum case. Its not harder then that.. :P
 
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/1ESFlhK.jpg)



i do, but it wont work, the barrels are part of the top case in model m15s/m2s
you can see the m2/m15 construction in this video at the time i linked
edit - fast forward to 5:21

Title: Project M15 salvage
Post by: graboy on Mon, 11 March 2013, 19:39:37
ANSI to ISO?
Check out this thread on DT:
http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=155 (http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=155)

EDIT:
Ohwait, its a buckling spring board. Nvm ;)
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: wcass on Tue, 12 March 2013, 20:03:56
to make a replacement case, you could use the barrels from an XT. check out the pictures from early August 2012
http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/bringing-the-ibm-pc-xt-into-the-21st-century-t3047.html

Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: RougeR on Mon, 22 April 2013, 17:06:14
well, i got started tonight by trying to taker her apart, i got there....eventually thanks to webwit, but i lost 2 springs in the process (pgup/pgdown)
here are the pics, first thing to do it replace all the springs, some feel a little mushy and i figure since im doing two, why not do them all? its not expensive just time consuming.
any guides? anyone got springs???? model m ones DO fit im told

Quote from: wcass on Tue, 12 March 2013, 20:03:56
to make a replacement case, you could use the barrels from an XT. check out the pictures from early August 2012
http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/bringing-the-ibm-pc-xt-into-the-21st-century-t3047.html



that may just work....looking into it atm

next after that is a custom velcro on foam wrist rest in red among the other mods i listed up top

(http://i.imgur.com/Sc83uRUh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dAIfr5Oh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/px4B6gVh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7lPD9mrh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3P9nSxvh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5HvYvfVh.jpg)

The m15 demanded a blood sacrifice before opening.
(http://i.imgur.com/HfpIsyyh.jpg)
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: RougeR on Thu, 25 April 2013, 12:07:29
MS paint mock up of what i want to do.

(http://i.imgur.com/FM380aV.png)
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: RougeR on Thu, 25 April 2013, 12:24:15
how do i get the ****ing metal back plate off!?!?!!
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: RougeR on Tue, 04 June 2013, 13:13:41
got it off....well soldered through the pins.
heres the guts....now i need a new flippy plate gahhhhh

might do a full respring after all

will be adding mouse buttons to use with the trackpoints below the spacebars.
http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/D2F-01F/SW502-ND/83266

think im using this usb hub as an internal, likely the first mod i will do, then braided cables.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trust-Port-USB2-Mini-HU-4440p/dp/B003D1KZ94/ref=sr_1_11?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1370367079&sr=1-11

(http://i.imgur.com/facNYFOh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/e0Ji9Glh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/wPEABMah.jpg)
Title: Re: Project M15 salvage
Post by: RougeR on Sun, 14 July 2013, 13:49:55
update bolt mod is being done out of necessity, usb hub ordered, new flippy plate/pivot plate on its way...next up is fixing ball joint area and braided cables. i want all this done before the london meet up in septemeber