geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: exia on Fri, 18 December 2009, 13:32:12

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: exia on Fri, 18 December 2009, 13:32:12

just cut off the right side and....?

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 18 December 2009, 13:37:33

Cutting through the circuitry is surprisingly injurious to the keyboard...

If you have a rubber dome/scissor switch keyboard, you might be able to fold the membrane underneath itself, so that it is still present, but out of the way. This may not work with some models as the connection to the controller board is often made above the numpad. With mechanical keyboards, PCBs are used, requiring more intricate solutions.

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: mmgoose on Fri, 18 December 2009, 13:44:49

more work than it's worth. better if you just got a used spacesaver mini or a blemished filco zero.

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: exia on Mon, 28 December 2009, 16:51:04

Quote from: ch_123;143529

If you have a rubber dome/scissor switch keyboard, you might be able to fold the membrane underneath itself, so that it is still present, but out of the way.

has anyone attempted this?

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: msiegel on Mon, 28 December 2009, 17:09:45

Quote from: exia;146012

has anyone attempted this?

i think the guy who made a wooden keyboard case folded the membrane. have to check for the article link in Keyboard Modifications  :)

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 28 December 2009, 18:05:26

Exia, I've always noticed how you never use capital letters. Would you mind doing so? It gets on my nerves.

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: shrap on Mon, 28 December 2009, 18:33:33

I've cut the numpad off on two Microsoft Natural Keyboards following these directions: Keyboard Mods: Chopping the Numeric Keypad off a Microsoft Natural Keyboard (http://tlb.org/keyboardchop.html). It's not difficult, but I had some problems aligning the membrane on the pgup/down/arrow key cluster - since it uses the same membrane as the now-missing keypad, it's easy for it to be misaligned and makes registering keystrokes extremely hard on one of my keyboards.

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: exia on Mon, 28 December 2009, 18:35:42

Quote from: msiegel;146015

i think the guy who made a wooden keyboard case folded the membrane. have to check for the article link in Keyboard Modifications  :)

Link?

Quote from: kishy;146016

On a membrane keyboard you should be able to "snip" that end of the membrane off. You would have to jump the now-disconnected traces to their appropriate spots though (in most cases that would involve small wires and conductive glue).

The comment about "more work than it's worth" though...it's true. Can be done, doesn't mean it should be. Much like my wireless Model M idea.

Is there a keyboard mod tutorial available?

Quote from: microsoft windows;146023

Exia, I've always noticed how you never use capital letters. Would you mind doing so? It gets on my nerves.

My apologies, the shift key on my keyboard was broken. I fixed it now.

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: msiegel on Mon, 28 December 2009, 18:37:48

Quote from: exia;146035

the shift key on my keyboard was broken

:lol: i thought you were just a shift avoider, like me

edit: here's the GH post (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:8039) for the wooden keyboard enclosure; the link to the article is on the front.
a pic of the folded membrane is about 2/3 of the way down the page.

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 28 December 2009, 18:39:28

Responding to the second-last paragraph of your documentation:

(http://blog.fukduk.tv/files/cover/ibm_m15ergo.jpg)
Now this looks even more interesting. I believe it's even an IBM M15.

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: pdw on Mon, 28 December 2009, 20:32:50

This is how you make a tenkeyless, bluetooth WYSE keyboard. (http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_message/33055326#33055326) Article in Dutch, but there are pretty pictures.

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: chimera15 on Mon, 28 December 2009, 20:42:25

Quote from: pdw;146066

This is how you make a tenkeyless, bluetooth WYSE keyboard. (http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_message/33055326#33055326) Article in Dutch, but there are pretty pictures.

He posted this in the Geekhack mod section in english.  Doesn't anyone look at the mod section? lol

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:8028 (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:8028)

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: martinmeijerink on Tue, 29 December 2009, 03:52:48

Quote from: pdw;146066

This is how you make a tenkeyless, bluetooth WYSE keyboard. (http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_message/33055326#33055326) Article in Dutch, but there are pretty pictures.

It's not bluetooth, but some Logitech proprietary 2.4 GHz protocol...

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: microsoft windows on Tue, 29 December 2009, 08:06:41

Quote from: exia;146035

Link?
My apologies, the shift key on my keyboard was broken. I fixed it now.

That could explain it. What kind of keyboard do you have?

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 29 December 2009, 08:09:06

Some Logitech Crappytouch or another. A guy on Newegg said it's the bestest best keyboard ever made!

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: didjamatic on Tue, 29 December 2009, 08:12:05

If you want to cut your keyboard down to a tenkeyless, the most efficient tool to use is the ebay converter tool.

Sell your full size, then buy a tenkeyless.  You don't even need safety glasses. :)

More efficient, but it might not be as fun.

Title: is it easy to convert a normal keyboard to a tenkeyless?
Post by: ricercar on Tue, 29 December 2009, 16:40:07

Quote from: ch_123;146158

A guy on Newegg said it's the bestest best keyboard ever made!

Unfortunately that guy seems to have reviewed every piece of gear in Newegg's catalog.  Which product exactly are we talking about?