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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 21 October 2013, 14:34:07

Title: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 21 October 2013, 14:34:07
Any interest in a board to go around to test switches and key caps? Or has there been enough of that to satisfy everyone's curiosity?
Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: JPG on Mon, 21 October 2013, 14:53:57
I would be interested, but would depend on shipping to Canada (if shipping to Canada).
Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: MOZ on Mon, 21 October 2013, 16:36:19
I'd be interested.
Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: Defying on Mon, 21 October 2013, 18:58:03
I'm interested. Missed out on the others.
Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 22 October 2013, 00:06:57
I've long thought it would be cool to design a little dedicated switch tester that is functional, programmable. Maybe like a little 2x5. Big enough for every stock switch and plenty big to use for macros, media keys and things. That way its something you can spend time with and is still potentially good for something after a decision is made.
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Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: hashbaz on Tue, 22 October 2013, 01:09:33
This reminds me I need to get the Ultimate Switch Tester circulating again.
Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: pichu23 on Tue, 22 October 2013, 01:35:44
I'm interested as well.
I've yet to try switches other than the main 4 ones. (except black)
Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: BlueBär on Tue, 22 October 2013, 07:44:10
What about just a plate and the switches + caps, maybe an acrylic case? If we did something like that I could build one and make a Europe tour - I think there would be a lot of interest for that.
Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: MOZ on Tue, 22 October 2013, 08:26:41
I'll chip in with what I have.

I think lets step it up a notch if possible and have acrylic, steel, alu plates along with PCB only, as these are important factors as well.

Multiple switches with various springs swapped. Costar stabs, Cherry plate and PCB mounted stabs with modified cherry stabs as well.

Keycaps separate, so they can switches around or feel on different types of switches.

I think we should have 3 parallel tours, US+Canada/Europe/ROW
Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: BlueBär on Tue, 22 October 2013, 09:12:33
I think lets step it up a notch if possible and have acrylic, steel, alu plates along with PCB only, as these are important factors as well.

Although I like that idea, all that would increase the cost of manufacturing and maybe also shipping the tester since it will need to get bigger. I would do just an alu or steel plate since now most boards come with one (is there a popular board without a successor yet that is not plate mounted? I know there's the KBT Race, but afaik it's out of production). This thing might get lost during shipping so I would like to keep the costs low.

Multiple switches with various springs swapped. Costar stabs, Cherry plate and PCB mounted stabs with modified cherry stabs as well.

What about: Red, black, vintage black, brown, clear, ergo clear (65g and black spring maybe?), blue, green, white, Matias Quiet, Matias Clicky. That could be a neat 3x4 array. Did I miss something major?
Different Stabs would be nice, but because of the reasons above maybe just Costar and Cherry plate mounted.

Keycaps separate, so they can switches around or feel on different types of switches.

I would include a little keycap puller then. If you don't have one spare, just a DIY one should do the job.

I think we should have 3 parallel tours, US+Canada/Europe/ROW

I would like that as well.
Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 22 October 2013, 09:18:23
FWIW, I have a new switch tester (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44312.msg989199#msg989199) that has a plethora of MX switches but there seemed to be little interest in CONUS and more outside of the States. 

I'm a little hesitant to send my tester overseas. But from my own experience, it seems like international mail has been better than USPS in terms of not losing my stuff. If there's enough interest, I could be convinced to help out with the Canada/EU/ROW tour though.

Maybe ray, hashbaz, and myself could coordinate something along with Moz and BlueBar?
Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: MOZ on Tue, 22 October 2013, 09:28:53
I'd be in running a tour that involves atleast some non-US/non-EU members, like myself.

Also, I'd be more than happy to add to the tester what I have available, like acrylic case, some keycaps perhaps, mx blue switch.
Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: BlueBär on Tue, 22 October 2013, 09:37:11
I'ld be happy to organize a EU tour. How would we do this?
Title: Re: [IC] switch and key cap tester board
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 22 October 2013, 09:51:41
Good to see there's some interest but this is a little above and beyond what I was thinking but maybe you guy scan work something out!

If someone wants to take over the OP I'm sure we can ask a mod.