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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: last100yen2 on Tue, 16 June 2015, 15:48:43

Title: removable usb mod for realforce?
Post by: last100yen2 on Tue, 16 June 2015, 15:48:43

I am thinking about modding my realforce so that its USB can be removable.

I want to do this because I have HHKB professional and I use this keyboard daily, but sometimes I like to use my realforce(For gaming)

I found on thread about this, but it did not give me all the information I needs(I am noob at modding keyboard0

Can someone direct me in right direction? Is this hard mod to do?

Title: Re: removable usb mod for realforce?
Post by: suicidal_orange on Tue, 16 June 2015, 16:29:44

A USB cable is just four wires so in simple terms to make it removable all you need to open the case, cut the cable slightly longer than you need (just in case) and solder on a socket with the wires in the right order (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus#Pinouts).  There are many harder things to solder, but a little experience would be helpful.  Either put the socket in a helping hand (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helping_hand_%28tool%29) while you solder it or if you don't have one put it on the end of a cable so you have something to grip.

The hardest part is enlarging the hole in the case to fit the socket into without it looking bad, and keeping the socket in place in said hole as it is repeatedly pushed inwards whenever you plug in a cable. 

Hard is relative, I'm assuming there is a bit of space in the case as if there isn't this might be much harder - open it up and have a look :)

Title: Re: removable usb mod for realforce?
Post by: Xowie on Tue, 16 June 2015, 19:23:05

Quote from: last100yen2 on Tue, 16 June 2015, 15:48:43

I am thinking about modding my realforce so that its USB can be removable.

I want to do this because I have HHKB professional and I use this keyboard daily, but sometimes I like to use my realforce(For gaming)

I found on thread about this, but it did not give me all the information I needs(I am noob at modding keyboard0

Can someone direct me in right direction? Is this hard mod to do?

If you want a different case and are looking to spend a lot of money, you could check out the digilog cases.

Title: Re: removable usb mod for realforce?
Post by: last100yen2 on Tue, 16 June 2015, 21:44:19

I am looking for metal case, but no luck......do you know anyone who are trying to sell it?

Title: Re: removable usb mod for realforce?
Post by: last100yen2 on Wed, 17 June 2015, 07:49:52

Where can I purchase the 4 pin connector that fits realforce?

Title: Re: removable usb mod for realforce?
Post by: azhdar on Wed, 17 June 2015, 08:55:45

Get in touch with pexon :
http://pexonpcs.co.uk/products/realforce-cables

He might be able to do them like he does on the filco :

http://pexonpcs.co.uk/products/filco-keyboard-mods

Title: Re: removable usb mod for realforce?
Post by: suicidal_orange on Wed, 17 June 2015, 19:20:05

Quote from: last100yen2 on Wed, 17 June 2015, 07:49:52

Where can I purchase the 4 pin connector that fits realforce?

Any "where can I buy ..." question gets better answers when you say where you live, and any connector question gets better answers with a pic of the connector you want - it may well be used in many other makes/models :)