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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: SonicRevolution on Tue, 08 April 2014, 01:10:13

Title: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: SonicRevolution on Tue, 08 April 2014, 01:10:13
(http://i.imgur.com/YkDgP7m.jpg)

When I was starting out keyboard modding, I was really keen on having "color" without breaking the bank on one of those custom aluminum frames.  Now it's become sort of a graveyard keyboard for random cherry switches that've been collecting for various projects.
 
Since I'm pretty greedy about my mechs, I keep almost all of them in storage.  So this just kind of became my goto board I use in my garage when I'm working on projects.  It's loud as heck and not the prettiest.  But somehow, I've developed a soft spot for this board. :)
 
If you can guess what it is, more power to ya... :)
Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: Shayde on Tue, 08 April 2014, 02:12:49
It looks a bit like an old Blackwidow.

It's funky though.  I like it.   :thumb:

What are those clear caps?  They're pretty low profile.
Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: zeroni13 on Tue, 08 April 2014, 05:21:44
Definitely looks like a BlackWidow, the placement of the controller and the macro keys on the left give it away.
Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: False_Dmitry_II on Tue, 08 April 2014, 12:04:14
Also the font on the remaining stock caps.

Do you have anything on the underside of the PCB, just to stop it from scratching the crap out of everything?
Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: SonicRevolution on Tue, 08 April 2014, 12:25:50
Yep!

Geekhackers are ever sharp! :)  Yeah it was an extra blackwidow.  I seem to have a thing for experimenting on blackwidows. Those murky relegendables are something I found on Amazon.  I wanted to make s kind of a fake "optimus prime" look using relegendables.  haha! Unfortunately these dumb regendables were murky.  I did find someone who said he could deliver crystal clear cherry relengendables.

Those whites are dsa from Signature Plastics. 

I dremeled the entire case so the bottom still has the old razer case.   The PCB isn't exposed.   I'll post pics when I get from work! :D

Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: SonicRevolution on Tue, 08 April 2014, 12:30:34
damn it! yeah I forgot those were razer keycaps! :)  I used to have all sorts of keycaps from all over the place.  This is when I realized not ALL cherry mx keycaps were the same. I mean, not abs or pbt, but even caps from Corsair or Razer or filco, they all seem to have different tolerances.  What this means is when I was trying to pull up an noppo choco keycap off this board, it RIPPED the cherry mx switch stem OFF the board! /sigh  of course this helped me to buy a new soldering gun and that's when I learned how desolder and replace switches. woot!

Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: C5Allroad on Tue, 08 April 2014, 15:44:15
That looks really sick! I like it... :eek:
 I might be able to get a widow as a donor board.. I would not mind some blues in my life. The 2012 edition hasn't died in the hands of my friend....
Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 08 April 2014, 17:23:33
Those super low profile relegendables seem to be xkeys keycaps (http://xkeys.com/accessories/Keycaps.php).
Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: SonicRevolution on Tue, 08 April 2014, 18:26:41
Yes! xkeys!  They are pretty fun actually.  I just wish it was clearer! :(
Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: Shayde on Wed, 09 April 2014, 00:20:20
Quote from: HUNTERANGEL121 on Tue, 08 April 2014, 15:44:15
That looks really sick! I like it... :eek:
 I might be able to get a widow as a donor board.. I would not mind some blues in my life. The 2012 edition hasn't died in the hands of my friend....

My 2010 BWU is still ticking along.  Not that it sees much use these days.
Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: berserkfan on Wed, 09 April 2014, 00:25:29
Quote from: SonicRevolution on Tue, 08 April 2014, 12:25:50
Yep!

Geekhackers are ever sharp! :)  Yeah it was an extra blackwidow.  I seem to have a thing for experimenting on blackwidows. Those murky relegendables are something I found on Amazon.  I wanted to make s kind of a fake "optimus prime" look using relegendables.  haha! Unfortunately these dumb regendables were murky.  I did find someone who said he could deliver crystal clear cherry relengendables.

Those whites are dsa from Signature Plastics. 

I dremeled the entire case so the bottom still has the old razer case.   The PCB isn't exposed.   I'll post pics when I get from work! :D

I being that someone, I'm also curious how you got these relegendables. They're murky because they're clearly for illuminated keyboards and you don't want LED to be glaring. Cherry keyboard relegendables are of course clear, because they are for workers in commercial settings.

Looked up the website and they were incredibly expensive. Ivan, any suggestions how I can get them cheaper? Would like a few to play with.
Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: SonicRevolution on Wed, 09 April 2014, 00:57:30

[/quote]
They're murky because they're clearly for illuminated keyboards and you don't want LED to be glaring.
[/quote]

Ahh! That makes sense!  It didn't occur to me! :)  I will be acquiring some clear ones.  I'll put pics when I get them!  :)  Oh BTW, here is the pic of the back of the Red Frankenstein! as promised!

(http://i.imgur.com/JTM7NPp.jpg)
Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: SonicRevolution on Wed, 09 April 2014, 01:14:49
(http://i.imgur.com/MfHyCpo.jpg?1)

Here's a pic of my corsair k70 with red LEDed relegendables.  haha yeah I think the "murky" top prevents the eye blinding! makes sense! :D

Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: berserkfan on Wed, 09 April 2014, 07:17:26
Quote from: SonicRevolution on Wed, 09 April 2014, 01:14:49
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/MfHyCpo.jpg?1)


Here's a pic of my corsair k70 with red LEDed relegendables.  haha yeah I think the "murky" top prevents the eye blinding! makes sense! :D

Sonic, mind telling us where you got these relegendables from and how much they cost? I really want to look into acquiring them also for my illuminated boards.

Let me give you one suggestion. It'll be cheap (I like cheap), but people like damorgue have done it very well with relegendables so my idea is inspired from him.

Get a piece of transparency paper/ clear plastic, print on a laser printer. Do it white / clear letters on black background. Put it inside your relegendable. That way you get your custom legend or font. Do it for all your letters and you have your dream illuminated keyboard font.

That's exactly what I plan to do if I get hold of these relegendables, because I'm that fed up with Deck font.
Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: SonicRevolution on Wed, 09 April 2014, 11:59:36
Quote from: berserkfan on Wed, 09 April 2014, 07:17:26
Quote from: SonicRevolution on Wed, 09 April 2014, 01:14:49
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/MfHyCpo.jpg?1)


Here's a pic of my corsair k70 with red LEDed relegendables.  haha yeah I think the "murky" top prevents the eye blinding! makes sense! :D

Sonic, mind telling us where you got these relegendables from and how much they cost? I really want to look into acquiring them also for my illuminated boards.

Let me give you one suggestion. It'll be cheap (I like cheap), but people like damorgue have done it very well with relegendables so my idea is inspired from him.

Get a piece of transparency paper/ clear plastic, print on a laser printer. Do it white / clear letters on black background. Put it inside your relegendable. That way you get your custom legend or font. Do it for all your letters and you have your dream illuminated keyboard font.

That's exactly what I plan to do if I get hold of these relegendables, because I'm that fed up with Deck font.

There are Xkeys - http://xkeys.com/xkeys.php
 
I got them through Amazon but it looks like they don't sell it any more.  I think you can still get them direct through their site.  The odd thing is their pricing doesn't make sense?  and I bought a batch of 50? i think? for like $25 bucks.  It's buried under their  key accessory section.  Looks like they added new colors too.  All I know is I didn't pay a whole lot for these at all.

The laser printing is a awesome idea.  I wish I had a laser printer though! :(
Title: Re: My Sad Frankenstein Smorg Board!
Post by: berserkfan on Thu, 10 April 2014, 01:45:09
Quote from: SonicRevolution on Wed, 09 April 2014, 11:59:36
Quote from: berserkfan on Wed, 09 April 2014, 07:17:26
Quote from: SonicRevolution on Wed, 09 April 2014, 01:14:49
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/MfHyCpo.jpg?1)


Here's a pic of my corsair k70 with red LEDed relegendables.  haha yeah I think the "murky" top prevents the eye blinding! makes sense! :D

Sonic, mind telling us where you got these relegendables from and how much they cost? I really want to look into acquiring them also for my illuminated boards.

Let me give you one suggestion. It'll be cheap (I like cheap), but people like damorgue have done it very well with relegendables so my idea is inspired from him.

Get a piece of transparency paper/ clear plastic, print on a laser printer. Do it white / clear letters on black background. Put it inside your relegendable. That way you get your custom legend or font. Do it for all your letters and you have your dream illuminated keyboard font.

That's exactly what I plan to do if I get hold of these relegendables, because I'm that fed up with Deck font.

There are Xkeys - http://xkeys.com/xkeys.php
 
I got them through Amazon but it looks like they don't sell it any more.  I think you can still get them direct through their site.  The odd thing is their pricing doesn't make sense?  and I bought a batch of 50? i think? for like $25 bucks.  It's buried under their  key accessory section.  Looks like they added new colors too.  All I know is I didn't pay a whole lot for these at all.

The laser printing is a awesome idea.  I wish I had a laser printer though! :(

An easier idea. Use thin white paper eg 60gsm and just print on it with black or dark inkjet. The white paper will definitely let through plenty of light. My personal size laser printer is not good at transparencies or I would be happy to help you print. But you can certainly cook up your preferred legends, send me the thing, and I"ll print for you on standard white paper and send to you along with the relegendables.