geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: hammelgammler on Sat, 11 October 2014, 14:29:26

Title: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: hammelgammler on Sat, 11 October 2014, 14:29:26
Hey geekhack-community,

does anyone know if there's some way to buy/get a PBT spacebar for the Realforce 87U?

I really want that keyboard, but the ABS spacebar prevent me from buying it. If i spend nearly 250€ for a keyboard, it should be perfect... :/

My DasKeyboard Keycaps are just bad to look and type when shining that much, and the ABS Spacebar will shine too after a few years of usage.

Thank you very much!
Title: .
Post by: esoomenona on Sat, 11 October 2014, 15:23:43
.
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: strict on Sat, 11 October 2014, 18:13:56
You could try to find an mx 6u pbt spacebar and pickup a novatouch/mx compatible slider. I'm not sure how the stabilizer setup would have tolook though.
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: dorkvader on Sat, 11 October 2014, 22:17:04
Topre has made PBT spacebars for some of their older keyboards. (The sony NeWS had one, I believe) so it's possible that an old topre board will have a PBT spacebar that will fit, but it's unlikely. It'll also not match the colour at all.
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: Puddsy on Sat, 11 October 2014, 22:42:54
You could try to find an mx 6u pbt spacebar and pickup a novatouch/mx compatible slider. I'm not sure how the stabilizer setup would have tolook though.

Probably your best option
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 12 October 2014, 01:07:43
Why not just put a bit of clear sticky tape over the space bar?
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: aref on Sun, 12 October 2014, 09:36:10
Why not just put a bit of clear sticky tape over the space bar?

Clear tape works fine. And you have options with tape: electrical friction tape or smooth-surface vinyl tape in black or colors; or duct tape, which comes in different colors and designs. Take off the space bar, apply tape, and trim to size.
Title: .
Post by: esoomenona on Sun, 12 October 2014, 09:37:39
.
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 12 October 2014, 16:38:51
If you get a black HHKB, you can grab extra spacebars from EK.

http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,toprekeys&pid=tspacebar_blk

And they are actually in stock!  Although who knows for how long?
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: oscillik on Sun, 12 October 2014, 16:51:52
you can also get the black ABS spacebar from The Keyboard Company (http://www.keyboardco.com/product/topre-space-bar-black.asp) if you're in the UK and don't want to have to pay the import fees.

as for the lack of PBT spacebar on HHKB / Realforce boards...I had read a lot on here about warping issues with PBT and spacebars, however I recently bought the Leopold side printed thick PBT keycaps for my Code keyboard, and the spacebars that come with that set are perfect. So no excuses really.
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: hammelgammler on Sun, 12 October 2014, 17:06:48
Thank you for your answers! :)

Could anyone tell me wether or not the Realforce spacebars shine quickly?
My ABS one from the DasKeyboard Ultimate Model S shined really quick...

I think i will buy another two or three spacebars when ordering the Realforce.
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: hasu on Sun, 12 October 2014, 22:26:17
Depends on your type frequency and sweat or body juice.
I think it is long lasting enough, in perticular if it is a white space bar.
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: tbc on Sun, 12 October 2014, 23:46:30
it seems to shine the same rate as any other stock abs spacebar.

the only stock ones that don't seem to shine easily are backlit ones(which come with uv coatings or something)
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: hammelgammler on Wed, 15 October 2014, 16:58:08
Thank you very much. :)

I just saw a review from "matt3o", it deals with the Leopold FC660C, which is also a Topre Keyboard.

Here's the link: "http://deskthority.net/review-f45/leopold-fc-660c-t5730.html"

Later, he says that ALL keys are PBT, including the spacebar. Quote: "Keys are ALL PBT (spacebar included) and they feel great. Smooth but slightly grainy (like most of the PBT I tried)."

Is that really the case?? I could get a Leopold fairly cheap, so the spacebar could be switched with the one from the RF 55g.
Title: .
Post by: esoomenona on Wed, 15 October 2014, 17:05:04
.
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: hasu on Wed, 15 October 2014, 20:01:18
Elitekeyboars site says "spacebar is ABS".
http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,compact&pid=fc660ceg

And matt3o posted this later in the thread.
"Unfortunately the ABS spacebar presents shines already, ..." This indicates his space bar is also ABS?
http://deskthority.net/review-f45/leopold-fc-660c-t5730-60.html#p160828


Topre can mold PBT space bar but they don't for the market at this time.
As dorkvador said, Old Sony NEWS has PBT one but it doesn't fit modern stabilizer mount of HHKB and Realforce.
(To be exact, it is certainly not ABS, but not sure it is really PBT from my salt water specific gravity test.)
Title: Re: Realforce PBT Spacebar
Post by: keyton on Wed, 15 October 2014, 22:16:48
Looks like Leopold is ABS

http://imgur.com/a/fAi8I