geekhack
geekhack Community => Ergonomics => Topic started by: davkol on Wed, 17 September 2014, 11:18:22
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I've just rebuilt my ErgoDox, so for future reference…
My setup:
- the Massdrop kit and a PVC case from czarek
- 80 PCB-mount switches w/ built-in diodes (simple wires)
- thick Cherry keycaps harvested from a G81 (1.25x modifiers w/ off-center stems)
Why you should use diodes inside switches? It takes up less space than through-hole diodes, it's much easier to solder than SMD (for a noob like me), and finally, you don't have to care about their direction in case of simple wires. There are two tricky parts about them though:
- The three switches with LEDs (in the inner column) would require external diodes, but if you don't need/want lights (you wouldn't be able to open switches without soldering then), it's entirely possible to simply ignore them.
- If you want more than 76 keys, i.e. two 1x keys instead of any 2x in the thumb cluster, you have to open these up to 8 switches, remove the diodes from them, and put normal diodes (SMD or through-hole) on the PCB.
Also, 1.25x G81 modifiers with off-center stems fit just fine into 1.5x positions.
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Interesting observations. I may do the same with all my many parts I have acquired.
Any thoughts about painting the PVC case?
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Thanks for sharing. I ordered a PVC case from czarek and PCBs from MechanicalKeyboards. Once I gather all the parts, will do the same.
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Don't forget that the diodes on the left keyboard need to be pointing in the opposite direction or you would have to reprogram the firmware to flip rows/columns on the left side.
- If you want more than 76 keys, i.e. two 1x keys instead of any 2x in the thumb cluster, you have to open these up to 8 switches, remove the diodes from them, and put normal diodes (SMD or through-hole) on the PCB.
Unfortunately, those other diodes would be under the plate (if you use one). I would solder both diodes for each 2× key in advance in case I would want to change things in the future.
Also, 1.25x G81 modifiers with off-center stems fit just fine into 1.5x positions.
The 1.25× keys will not be the same on the other side, though...
Another interesting thing I noticed with G81 keyboards is that 2× sized thin-walled PBT keys have legs in the corners. If you don't use a plate, then those legs will land on the PCB, and the key won't wobble when bottoming out.
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- If you want more than 76 keys, i.e. two 1x keys instead of any 2x in the thumb cluster, you have to open these up to 8 switches, remove the diodes from them, and put normal diodes (SMD or through-hole) on the PCB.
Unfortunately, those other diodes would be under the plate (if you use one). I would solder both diodes for each 2× key in advance in case I would want to change things in the future.
I don't (because there's none that supports 80 keys), but I always put these diodes on the bottom, not top, i.e. SMDs are unaffected.