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geekhack Community => geekhack Media => Topic started by: intelli78 on Mon, 02 June 2014, 21:32:58

Title: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: intelli78 on Mon, 02 June 2014, 21:32:58

I have been accumulating parts to build a KMAC II for a while. I finally got everything together this weekend and built the board today.

Parts list:

- KMAC II winkeyless kit (case, plate, PCB, screws, winkey blockers)
- MX clear PCB mount switches
- 62g springs
- Switch stickers
- Krytox 205 grease
- 4x short Cherry pcb mount stabilizers, 1x long (7x) for spacebar
- EK Mechlube stabilizer grease
- Hakko FX888D soldering station
- Kester 44 Rosin Core Solder 63/37 .031
- Wire cutter for clipping stabilizers
- Keycaps
- LEDs (I did not use, but you can)
- O rings (used for spacebar only)


Few photos:


(http://i.imgur.com/F3zPLOb.jpg)

The KMAC is an 87-key board but I made some extras. I ended up bending a few pins when installing switches, so the extras were helpful.

(http://i.imgur.com/mQ0DIbW.jpg)

Red vinyl switch stickers from Techkeys, 62g springs from Originative, and Krytox 205 grease from Amazon. I probably won't bother stickering switches in the future. The benefit is negligible and it adds a lot of time.

(http://i.imgur.com/z57LNKU.jpg)

The finished ergo clears.

(http://i.imgur.com/OwDv60m.jpg)

Plate.

(http://i.imgur.com/yDV4vVH.jpg)

Winkeyless layout.

(http://i.imgur.com/8pC7OIB.jpg)

Titanium colored case.

(http://i.imgur.com/II7JD6U.jpg)

I took stabilizers off an old Cherry board I had. The space bar stabilizer pictured here is a 6.25x, which is wrong for my winkeyless build. I had another MX board, an MX11800, which had a 7x stabilizer that I took (not pictured here).

(http://i.imgur.com/sJjzY6U.jpg)

you can see the 7x stabilizer here. Stabilizers are lubed with EK Mechlube.

(http://i.imgur.com/SZ8d8gz.jpg)

This is a trick I took from a video on Youtube. If you install only about 1/3 of the switches in the plate and then snap on the PCB, it makes things much easier. The switches hold everything together and it's easy to make sure the layers are firmly pressed together.

(http://i.imgur.com/BGJcGn6.jpg)

I used an MX gray for the spacebar, but ended up changing it out for a regular MX clear. The gray spring is too strong and it was throwing off my typing.

(http://i.imgur.com/VB4wjq2.jpg)

Used my Hakko FX888D with stock tip and Kester 44 Rosin Core Solder 63/37 .031

(http://i.imgur.com/kt2q96c.jpg)

Completed build with original Cherry dyesubs!

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

And with doubleshot GMK RGB mods.

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

I ultimately decided to use the fulltouch caps lock configuration. Upside = much better for typing since I remap caps lock to control. Downside = have to use a lasered PBT key with a really faint legend. Sadly no dyesub PBT cherry full touch caps locks exist. I will try to replace this with a doubleshot GMK key.

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: CPTBadAss on Mon, 02 June 2014, 21:35:31

Nice pictures, I love build logs :D

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: Flyersfan1 on Mon, 02 June 2014, 21:35:50

Wow Intelli, fantastic writeup, and a stunning looking KMAC...Congratulations on a great build.  :thumb:

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: Pacifist on Mon, 02 June 2014, 21:47:22

how does thin pbt compare to dyesub pbt to doubleshot abs?

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: Dubsgalore on Mon, 02 June 2014, 22:58:51

Nice you found some dyesubs! :)

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 03 June 2014, 05:37:45

Fantastic huge pictures that just killed my browser :))

The end result is fantastic, especially with those vivid RGB :)

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: Moosecraft on Tue, 03 June 2014, 06:02:50

Very nice board, I really need to get a new 84key layot on a board again. It's the nicest by far :)

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: pexon on Tue, 03 June 2014, 06:11:10

Fantastic job man, brilliant photos too

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: intelli78 on Tue, 03 June 2014, 13:36:13

Thanks for the comments, dudes  :thumb:

Quote from: Pacifist on Mon, 02 June 2014, 21:47:22

how does thin pbt compare to dyesub pbt to doubleshot abs?

The caps lock PBT cap is exactly the same thickness and material as the dyesubs. Same color, texture, and overall feel. And the PBT vs GMK ABS has been discussed endlessly. Personally, the lasered legend on teh caps lock is what bothers me the most.

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: intelli78 on Tue, 03 June 2014, 17:34:16

Full IMGUR gallery here with some more commentary. http://i.imgur.com/jFrGryT.jpg

I decided the lasered PBT cap was actually worse than stepped and swapped it back. Lesser of two evils.

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

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: rockhawksam on Wed, 04 June 2014, 10:31:13

Looks amazing! What board do those cherry dyesbubs come off of? I have your exact same keyboard minus those dyesubs and I have pink stickers instead.

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 04 June 2014, 10:39:23

Looks amazing! ;D Just needs some A-profile RGBs to match the dyesubs.

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: Battou62 on Wed, 04 June 2014, 10:59:59

Those dye subs look amazing. Do want.

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 04 June 2014, 11:31:45

Yeah I like the stepped caps lock more than that lasered cap.

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: osi on Wed, 04 June 2014, 11:51:28

That's a sexy board right there. Normally I don't like RGB mods but I'm digging it here.

Nice work!

Title: Re: KMAC II Build (Titanium w/ Cherry dyesubs)
Post by: intelli78 on Wed, 04 June 2014, 13:13:27

Thanks doods I am very happy with it as well :D

Quote from: rockhawksam on Wed, 04 June 2014, 10:31:13

Looks amazing! What board do those cherry dyesbubs come off of? I have your exact same keyboard minus those dyesubs and I have pink stickers instead.

G80 1000 SAU.