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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: blai5000 on Tue, 15 September 2015, 19:36:51

Title: Best options for 75% layout with a floating-key style and Gateron switches?
Post by: blai5000 on Tue, 15 September 2015, 19:36:51
Hi, was wondering what my options are for such a keyboard.  I'm pretty sure the only option would be a custom keyboard, considering that floating keys, 75% layout, and Gateron switches are already non-standard for keyboards individually, so it may be impossible to find all three qualities in a manufactured keyboard....but given the price of customs, I wanted to check in and see my options before budgeting for something expensive.

In the event that I have to get a custom...any recommendations?  I know GONS and winkeyless.kr have the MX-mini replica (centered USB cord) and the b.mini (Esc-key USB cord) respectively, and they only do Cherry-type switches, so I'd have to get my own Gaterons and either learn to solder or find and pay an assembler.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Best options for 75% layout with a floating-key style and Gateron switches?
Post by: blighty on Tue, 15 September 2015, 23:12:02
What are "floating keys"?  I'm a fan of 75% boards, but have no idea what you are referring to....
Title: Re: Best options for 75% layout with a floating-key style and Gateron switches?
Post by: Melvang on Tue, 15 September 2015, 23:18:15
Quote from: blighty on Tue, 15 September 2015, 23:12:02
What are "floating keys"?  I'm a fan of 75% boards, but have no idea what you are referring to....

Where the switch plate is the top of the case.

Best bet here would be to build your own.  Swill has a great cad tool.  Just import from www.keyboard-layout-editor.com, and it gives you cad files for the case style you are looking for.  Though your two options for case, are sandwich style, which is multiple layers to form a solid case, or just top plate, and bottom plate, where you would use spacers. 

I am not personally aware of any 75% boards with this style, unless Gon has one.  Though I don't keep up on cherry stuff that close.
Title: Re: Best options for 75% layout with a floating-key style and Gateron switches?
Post by: blighty on Tue, 15 September 2015, 23:40:23
Quote from: Melvang on Tue, 15 September 2015, 23:18:15
Quote from: blighty on Tue, 15 September 2015, 23:12:02
What are "floating keys"?  I'm a fan of 75% boards, but have no idea what you are referring to....

Where the switch plate is the top of the case.

Best bet here would be to build your own.  Swill has a great cad tool.  Just import from www.keyboard-layout-editor.com, and it gives you cad files for the case style you are looking for.  Though your two options for case, are sandwich style, which is multiple layers to form a solid case, or just top plate, and bottom plate, where you would use spacers. 

I am not personally aware of any 75% boards with this style, unless Gon has one.  Though I don't keep up on cherry stuff that close.

Hmm, I guess I don't pay as much attention to things as I thought (i prefer the case hiding the edges of the caps/switches)... Doesn't winkeyless and GON make/offer "floating" 75% boards with some to all soldering options?  You might have to send them the gateron switches and wait months for the build, but that could be an option.  You'd save time and money buying kits and soldering things together yourself, assuming you have the time to put things together...

TLDR:  Find 75% kit w/case, pcb, stabs, solder together with your own gateron switches and LEDs...
Title: Re: Best options for 75% layout with a floating-key style and Gateron switches?
Post by: digi on Tue, 15 September 2015, 23:44:58
Check out the MK84's breh: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/incoming.php (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/incoming.php)

edit: dont think this has the "floating keys" look you may be looking for. If you're balling on a budget, maybe it is though. :)
Title: Re: Best options for 75% layout with a floating-key style and Gateron switches?
Post by: njbair on Wed, 16 September 2015, 15:16:11
Quote from: blighty on Tue, 15 September 2015, 23:12:02
What are "floating keys"?  I'm a fan of 75% boards, but have no idea what you are referring to....

Like this (just arrived today):

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/710/21447336176_7f801a7bf9_k.jpg)
Varmilo VA87MR (https://flic.kr/p/yFecQd) by Nick Bair (https://www.flickr.com/photos/njbair/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Best options for 75% layout with a floating-key style and Gateron switches?
Post by: Data on Wed, 16 September 2015, 21:04:38
Quote from: njbair on Wed, 16 September 2015, 15:16:11
Quote from: blighty on Tue, 15 September 2015, 23:12:02
What are "floating keys"?  I'm a fan of 75% boards, but have no idea what you are referring to....

Like this (just arrived today):

Show Image
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/710/21447336176_7f801a7bf9_k.jpg)

Varmilo VA87MR (https://flic.kr/p/yFecQd) by Nick Bair (https://www.flickr.com/photos/njbair/), on Flickr

Varmilo Love!
Title: Re: Best options for 75% layout with a floating-key style and Gateron switches?
Post by: blai5000 on Wed, 16 September 2015, 22:34:52
Quote from: njbair on Wed, 16 September 2015, 15:16:11
Quote from: blighty on Tue, 15 September 2015, 23:12:02
What are "floating keys"?  I'm a fan of 75% boards, but have no idea what you are referring to....

Like this (just arrived today):

Show Image
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/710/21447336176_7f801a7bf9_k.jpg)

Varmilo VA87MR (https://flic.kr/p/yFecQd) by Nick Bair (https://www.flickr.com/photos/njbair/), on Flickr

Yeah, I've been looking at that Varmilo that just popped up on MassDrop.  It hits all marks except for the 75% requirement...
Title: Re: Best options for 75% layout with a floating-key style and Gateron switches?
Post by: Melvang on Wed, 16 September 2015, 22:37:48
I wouldn't worry to much about layout.  It is only one size up, and is a standard layout for caps.  75% boards can have some funny sized caps that make it difficult for aftermarket options
Title: Re: Best options for 75% layout with a floating-key style and Gateron switches?
Post by: whentheclouds on Wed, 16 September 2015, 22:47:43
if you're set on 75% it's best to go the korean route. Hoffman the mod has a GON in the style you like:

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3880/14760792914_40426e1c96_b.jpg)

winkeyless and kaliet also make these floating-style 75% housings. the only korean 75% with a full profile case is the Duck Octagon

i don't think any of them offer gateron assembly though, you'll have to order the kits and do everything yourself
Title: Re: Best options for 75% layout with a floating-key style and Gateron switches?
Post by: munch on Sun, 23 June 2019, 18:42:55
sorry for necroing this thread... but I'm looking for a DIY/kit/custom 75% floaty, preferrably all-metal, solid piece - not sandwich/skeleton. does such a thing exist?
I will get my own switches and all so a full custom kit would be ideal, I don't have the means to de-solder a full keyboard currently :p

I saw there's a tric75 but I don't like the acrylic cutouts a whole lot, and availability might be an issue.
other than that, it seems difficult to find.