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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 28 May 2014, 14:02:30

Title: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 28 May 2014, 14:02:30
Today's keyboard talk of the day prompt.

Have you done a simple mod like swapping keycaps or a complex mod like soldering your QFR's Frosty Flake? If you haven't tackled a project yet, have you seen other mods that you admire?

What's your favorite keyboard mod?


My personal ones are probably my KMAC and Epsilon. KMAC because it was the first keyboard I built from a kit. And Epsilon because I think there was a lot of involvement with friends. Jdcarpe designed the case and The_Beast cut it for me. Mistakemistake and I soldered it; he cut the stickers for me as well. And then I lubed the switches at mkawa's place. But I haven't done anything too complex yet...

Some projects others have done that I admire:
- ibnteo's Catboard (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38857.0)
- xwhatsit's Beamspring/Capsense project (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58138.0)
- jdcarpe's (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47133.0) and matt3o's (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51427.0) custom boards
- Photekq's TEK-80 (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54422.0)
- wcass' Xtant (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51767.0) keyboard
Title: Re: KOTD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 28 May 2014, 14:10:38
infiniti's cm tester mod

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58029.0
Title: Re: KOTD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: exitfire401 on Wed, 28 May 2014, 14:11:57
My Race 2 mods. All of them.
Title: Re: KOTD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 28 May 2014, 14:16:23
Quote from: exitfire401 on Wed, 28 May 2014, 14:11:57
My Race 2 mods. All of them.

What did you do to them?
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: nubbinator on Wed, 28 May 2014, 21:31:03
My favorite keyboard mod?  By far it has to be the wood cases I've made for my Pure.  I love my spring swaps, my lubing, my fixed up RK-9000, by colorful QFR, and so on, but nothing has so fundamentally changed my enjoyment of a keyboard like building a wooden case for one.  There's just something about the sound and feel of a keyboard in a wooden case that is so much nicer to me.  The suede lining doesn't hurt either.

Edit:  I'd also like to add keycap crafting, be it resin, wood, or metal, as my most fun mods and a stem mod on a caps lock as my biggest PITA mod.  I'd rather lube enough switches for another two 60% keyboards than do another stem mod.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Defect on Wed, 28 May 2014, 21:32:48
Where it all started.

Red escape.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: billnye on Wed, 28 May 2014, 21:34:00
Silencing & lubing my HHKB.

Feels so much better! If you haven't tried it I would definitely suggest doing so. Feels so much smoother. I used thick Krytox lube and 3/16" dental bands.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: esko997 on Wed, 28 May 2014, 21:46:31
Did my first mod today, so not a lot of experience in this department, but hey.

Got my ErgoDox today and was doing some keycap switching and I accidentally pulled the top of a switch off. Ended up cannibalizing a numpad I had and modded me some Ergo Clears!
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: dustinhxc on Wed, 28 May 2014, 21:51:37
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2vayxag.jpg)

Low Profile Aluminum Pure Limited case, hands down. Have one on my Poker X ANSI and on my Ducky Mini ISO. 
Title: Re: KOTD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: exitfire401 on Wed, 28 May 2014, 21:52:25
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Wed, 28 May 2014, 14:16:23
Quote from: exitfire401 on Wed, 28 May 2014, 14:11:57
My Race 2 mods. All of them.

What did you do to them?

Just one Race 2 haha, meant all of the mods. I replaced the browns with clears that I did a 85g gold spring swap on, then stickered and lubed, then found an aluminum case and bought that, then had a plate made.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Photoelectric on Wed, 28 May 2014, 21:54:20
All of my LZ-GH from beginning to the end.  It was incredibly satisfying to restore it from its poor bent shape into the beautiful board I'm typing on now and will probably keep for a long long time.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: tbc on Wed, 28 May 2014, 22:02:44
getting PBT dsa caps ;)
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Larken on Wed, 28 May 2014, 23:54:20
My ergodox, which has suffered most mods of all the boards I have/had.

Practical mods:
Clears with 55g springs, lubed (krytox for stems, victorinox for springs)
Bottom half of trampoline mod. (Silencing)
Dampening mats in the case. (Silencing)
Adding bolts to the bottom plate for bolting in Kinesis V3 lifters.
Stickers (??)

Aesthetic mods:
Countersinking + Drilling of top and bottom plates to get rid of the default bolts for a more flushed surface.
Wooden top and bottom plates (learnt basic wood finishing while doing it - and inadvertently messing up lots of stuff).

Others:
Making braided custom cables (using methods I learnt while making headphone/iem stuff).

I'd have to say that lubing + trampoline is probably the mods with the greatest benefit in terms of typing experience.

Stuff I really enjoyed following (a few off the top of my head; hard to name them all, since there's so many awesome projects on GH):
Probably Acidfire's Axios (if that counts as a mod; its more like a fullblown project)
Kurplop's Ergodox Tray - and his ongoing ergoplop.
Photoelectric's rebuild of the LZ-GH
Also looking forward to reading about the Behemoth Melvang's building (although haven't seen anything about it for a while)

Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Techno Trousers on Thu, 29 May 2014, 00:01:37
The Soarer converter and Fohat Digs' ANSI conversion project for the IBM Model F-122. Without those two great mods, I would never have found my absolute favorite switch in the capacitive buckling spring.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: 1391406 on Thu, 29 May 2014, 00:05:34
Quote from: Techno Trousers on Thu, 29 May 2014, 00:01:37
The Soarer converter and Fohat Digs' ANSI conversion project for the IBM Model F-122. Without those two great mods, I would never have found my absolute favorite switch in the capacitive buckling spring.

I'll second that. My favorite mod thus far.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:08:20
Quote from: Photoelectric on Wed, 28 May 2014, 21:54:20
All of my LZ-GH from beginning to the end.  It was incredibly satisfying to restore it from its poor bent shape into the beautiful board I'm typing on now and will probably keep for a long long time.

That before and after picture was amazing. I remember talking about that bent LZ-GH case for *AGES* because of how bad it was.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:14:37
I recently modded some blue Alps with some rubberdomes instead of the spring to enhance tactility. I also removed the click leaf while I was at it since it only produces unecessary noise. Feels a lot better now, almost like Topre!

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:16:12
Quote from: BlueBär on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:14:37
I recently modded some blue Alps with some rubberdomes instead of the spring to enhance tactility. I also removed the click leaf while I was at it since it only produces unecessary noise. Feels a lot better now, almost like Topre!

Unnecessary noise?? That's the point of the switch!
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: fohat.digs on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:18:53
Quote from: 1391406 on Thu, 29 May 2014, 00:05:34
Quote from: Techno Trousers on Thu, 29 May 2014, 00:01:37
The Soarer converter and Fohat Digs' ANSI conversion project for the IBM Model F-122. Without those two great mods, I would never have found my absolute favorite switch in the capacitive buckling spring.

I'll second that. My favorite mod thus far.


Thanks guys. My part was just hammering and pounding at the work bench.

Soarer's Converter was what really made it happen.

PS - putting blue Alps into a Northgate 101 is my very distant second
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Photekq on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:22:18
My favourite mod so far was the one I did on my NCR G81-3007HAD case.

Stuff used :

NCR G81-3007HAD (no keycaps)
Cherry G80-3000SFD (no keycaps)
Cherry G81-3000SAG keycaps
Sprit's 60g gold springs
Krytox GPL 103/205

Firstly, I retrobrited the 3007 case. Then I took the PCB out of the 3000SFD, which had vintage blues on it. I installed sprits 60g springs, lightly lubricated the blues with GPL 103 and clipped/lubed the stabilisers with GPL 205. I then put the PCB inside the 3007 case and added 3000SAG keycaps. My favourite modded board to type on so far.

Pictures of the finished board here : https://www.flickr.com/photos/115722906@N08/sets/72157642411859693/
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:24:26
Quote from: fohat.digs on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:18:53
Quote from: 1391406 on Thu, 29 May 2014, 00:05:34
Quote from: Techno Trousers on Thu, 29 May 2014, 00:01:37
The Soarer converter and Fohat Digs' ANSI conversion project for the IBM Model F-122. Without those two great mods, I would never have found my absolute favorite switch in the capacitive buckling spring.

I'll second that. My favorite mod thus far.


Thanks guys. My part was just hammering and pounding at the work bench.

Soarer's Converter was what really made it happen.

PS - putting blue Alps into a Northgate 101 is my very distant second


^^ This guy.


He thinks he's just a mechanic or something, when the end result is equal parts form and function. Sounds like an art to me. Artist!
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: ideus on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:40:39
Quote from: BlueBär on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:14:37
I recently modded some blue Alps with some rubberdomes instead of the spring to enhance tactility. I also removed the click leaf while I was at it since it only produces unecessary noise. Feels a lot better now, almost like Topre!

(Attachment Link)

Do you think that a similar mod could be implemented with MX switches? I thought in that once, but I have never given it a try. I have some spare rubber dome keyboard I may be canibilized for the mod. A candidate is my Poker X, which is no sleeping in a box with no use at all.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:43:24
Quote from: Photekq on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:22:18
My favourite mod so far was the one I did on my NCR G81-3007HAD case.

Stuff used :

NCR G81-3007HAD (no keycaps)
Cherry G80-3000SFD (no keycaps)
Cherry G81-3000SAG keycaps
Sprit's 60g gold springs
Krytox GPL 103/205

Firstly, I retrobrited the 3007 case. Then I took the PCB out of the 3000SFD, which had vintage blues on it. I installed sprits 60g springs, lightly lubricated the blues with GPL 103 and clipped/lubed the stabilisers with GPL 205. I then put the PCB inside the 3007 case and added 3000SAG keycaps. My favourite modded board to type on so far.

Pictures of the finished board here : https://www.flickr.com/photos/115722906@N08/sets/72157642411859693/

I can't wait for my Hamburger case to look this good.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Melvang on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:47:22
Quote from: Larken on Wed, 28 May 2014, 23:54:20

Also looking forward to reading about the Behemoth Melvang's building (although haven't seen anything about it for a while)

Still working on it there Larken.  I am rebuilding the parts in SolidWorks after some much needed lessons from Overkill.

My favorite mods I have done are either the HDD activity LED to my Esc key, or the cable I have built for my behemoth build.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:57:59
My favorite so far are my customized Phantom, and my JD40.

On my Phantom, I had a custom case made, laser cut out of 2 layers of 16-gauge stainless steel, with aluminum spacers. I lubed some Red stems using Krytox, and used 65g Korean springs in the switches. Used Cherry plate-mount stabilizers. 86-key ANSI 150 layout. TMK firmware. HyperFuse DCS keycaps.

(http://i.imgur.com/N0lG8iK.jpg)



For my JD40, I also used a laser cut stainless steel case of my own design. Lubed stock MX Reds on this one, but I'll swap those springs for some 65g Koreans soon. Cherry plate-mount stabilizer. TMK firmware. HyperFuse DSA keycaps.

(http://i.imgur.com/Z1r2uGq.jpg)
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 29 May 2014, 09:08:25
jdcarpe, I remember walking into your garage and seeing those JD40 plates. Those plates are so tiny and cute, and I love the whole project. **** it, we're doing a 40% 'cause this is Geekhack and we can :P
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Hypersphere on Thu, 29 May 2014, 09:15:18
Thus far, I have done only simple modifications consisting of reconfigurations accomplished via remapping and exchanging keycaps. My favorite is a reconfiguration of an IBM XT to a quasi-Mac/HHKB layout. However, looking ahead, I am planning a restoration and ANSI mod on an IBM F-122, which will include complete dismantling, refinishing the front plate, rearranging some of the spring-hammer assemblies, and installing a Teensy with Soarer's Converter.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 29 May 2014, 09:45:22
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:16:12
Unnecessary noise?? That's the point of the switch!

No no I mean that click noise when you press down the switch! Has to be some manufacturing error.

Quote from: ideus on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:40:39
Do you think that a similar mod could be implemented with MX switches? I thought in that once, but I have never given it a try. I have some spare rubber dome keyboard I may be canibilized for the mod. A candidate is my Poker X, which is no sleeping in a box with no use at all.

Maybe, but it would be harder as MX switches have less space inside. Apart from that it was supposed to be a joke and it feels extremly afwul, way worse than MY or anything I have tried before, because the rubberdome gets squished and provides no tactility at all.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: 1391406 on Thu, 29 May 2014, 11:02:39
Quote from: fohat.digs on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:18:53
Quote from: 1391406 on Thu, 29 May 2014, 00:05:34
Quote from: Techno Trousers on Thu, 29 May 2014, 00:01:37
The Soarer converter and Fohat Digs' ANSI conversion project for the IBM Model F-122. Without those two great mods, I would never have found my absolute favorite switch in the capacitive buckling spring.

I'll second that. My favorite mod thus far.


Thanks guys. My part was just hammering and pounding at the work bench.

Soarer's Converter was what really made it happen.

Soarer deserves all of the credit for making the keyboard operational, however without the time investment and investigation on your part to convert the F to an ANSI layout, I never would've attempted it.

Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: C5Allroad on Thu, 29 May 2014, 11:20:48
O-rings.... Then removing them
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 29 May 2014, 12:46:18
Quote from: BlueBär on Thu, 29 May 2014, 09:45:22
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:16:12
Unnecessary noise?? That's the point of the switch!

No no I mean that click noise when you press down the switch! Has to be some manufacturing error.

You're a manufacturing error :(
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 29 May 2014, 12:56:18
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Thu, 29 May 2014, 12:46:18
You're a manufacturing error :(

Reported & called the cops.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: mashby on Thu, 29 May 2014, 13:15:43
Most of the mods that I'm looking forward to are on hold pending the GH60, but for now there are two that I really, really love.

1. Lubed MX-Black switches
On my Poker X, I lubed and stickered the switches during the build and love the feel. Adding the Commando 23 key cap set has just made me love them even more.

2. Flipped Spacebar
Looks silly, but I love the feel on my Cherry, Topre and DCS boards. Don't need it with the SA profile, but for pretty much everything else, I flip it.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 29 May 2014, 13:19:59
Crazy kids and their flipped spacebars...

I don't like it. The angle feels so wrong to me. And I think GMK spacebars are round enough. DCS has a bit more angle but nothing unmanageable for me.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: nubbinator on Thu, 29 May 2014, 13:36:10
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Thu, 29 May 2014, 13:19:59
Crazy kids and their flipped spacebars...

I don't like it. The angle feels so wrong to me. And I think GMK spacebars are round enough. DCS has a bit more angle but nothing unmanageable.


I flipped and can't go back.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Jixr on Thu, 29 May 2014, 13:38:27
filling my keyboard cases with modeling clay, adds weight, and really improves the keyboard feel, much more solid, less case flex, and stays put on my desk.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Rafen on Thu, 29 May 2014, 14:04:41
The only major mod that I have done besides switching keycaps and painting cases, would be swapping all the reds on my poker to browns. First time soldering too, so it was really exciting. Sad part is I don't even use the board anymore.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Hypersphere on Thu, 29 May 2014, 14:38:05
Quote from: 1391406 on Thu, 29 May 2014, 11:02:39
Quote from: fohat.digs on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:18:53
Quote from: 1391406 on Thu, 29 May 2014, 00:05:34
Quote from: Techno Trousers on Thu, 29 May 2014, 00:01:37
The Soarer converter and Fohat Digs' ANSI conversion project for the IBM Model F-122. Without those two great mods, I would never have found my absolute favorite switch in the capacitive buckling spring.

I'll second that. My favorite mod thus far.


Thanks guys. My part was just hammering and pounding at the work bench.

Soarer's Converter was what really made it happen.

Soarer deserves all of the credit for making the keyboard operational, however without the time investment and investigation on your part to convert the F to an ANSI layout, I never would've attempted it.
Third that! I'm approaching the F-122 mod slowly, probably starting with my XT and then my AT, but I would not be doing this at all if it were not for the pioneering work and guidance provided by Soarer, Fohat, and others who have helped make it possible to use Model F keyboards in a standard layout with contemporary computers. The capacitive buckling spring has become my favorite switch as well.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Awful on Thu, 29 May 2014, 15:00:25
Quote from: jdcarpe on Thu, 29 May 2014, 08:57:59
My favorite so far are my customized Phantom, and my JD40.

On my Phantom, I had a custom case made, laser cut out of 2 layers of 16-gauge stainless steel, with aluminum spacers. I lubed some Red stems using Krytox, and used 65g Korean springs in the switches. Used Cherry plate-mount stabilizers. 86-key ANSI 150 layout. TMK firmware. HyperFuse DCS keycaps.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/N0lG8iK.jpg)




For my JD40, I also used a laser cut stainless steel case of my own design. Lubed stock MX Reds on this one, but I'll swap those springs for some 65g Koreans soon. Cherry plate-mount stabilizer. TMK firmware. HyperFuse DSA keycaps.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Z1r2uGq.jpg)


Mental boner achieved.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Moosecraft on Thu, 29 May 2014, 15:16:06
Building my LZ-FE
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: tuffy on Thu, 29 May 2014, 15:28:03
I've also joined the flipped spacebar club.  When my fingers are on the home row, the side of my thumbs always used to rest on the spacebar's lower edge.  But when flipped, my thumbs are now flat against the spacebar which is more comfortable.

Swapping in thick, double-shot PBT keycaps would be a close second, though.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: davkol on Thu, 29 May 2014, 16:34:03
I like my keyboards stock... I mean, I've never felt any need to mod my choc mini, except temporarily replacing keycaps or adding o-rings, but I went back to stock POM keycaps without any dampeners eventually.

The ErgoDox is a different story. I started with the Massdrop kit, but since then, I've

Other than that, I can't recall any significant mods I've done except springless Cherry MY.
Title: Re: KTOD - What's your favorite keyboard modifcation that you've done?
Post by: Lastpilot on Thu, 29 May 2014, 16:34:54
One time I put Olivetti on my LZ-S. BAM!