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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: dunkaroo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 00:04:40

Title: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: dunkaroo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 00:04:40
NEW updated at end of this message.

[attach=1]

After trying out Plank grid keyboard, I deeply fall in love with the grid layout. Having the thumb to be preform more than hitting the space bar is game changer. But I love Topre switch too much so I decide to mod my HHKB into the grid layout. Bye bye bottom row. 1st I get hasu’s controller for HHKB so I can reprogram the keyboard. Then I got another set of blank key caps     because I need to move each row up expect row 4. End up with from top to bottom row 2, 3, 4, 4 instead of 1, 2, 3, 4. The reason is original row 1 is too high also I touch type and needed the tactic bump to shift up 1 row too.

hasu's controller for HHKB. He is a wicked guy. Big shout out to him. Thanks for helping me out with my programing problem.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=12047.0

My end game would be Topre plank grid layout but there are no custom Topre board yet. Hope to see that happen someday. but I am super happy with my hacked HHKB.

Being able to reprogram the keyboard is where the fun is at. Its deeply personal. I though I would share my layout here too. One notable placement would be my “shift”. Its not on the left and right but the centre bottom row so I can use my left thumb to press. Also the idea of hyper key (command + option + control + shift) to create my own hotkey that won’t shadow other default hotkeys. More detail refer to the classical blog post from Steve Losh “A Modern Space Cadet”

http://stevelosh.com/blog/2012/10/a-modern-space-cadet/

Also the multi function key is amazing too (single key act as different function depends on tap or hold). I set up mine control/(, option/{, shift/[ ….etc.

The reason there is only left side of the bracket is for writing  code. The text editor will auto complete right side of the bracket. Symbol ‘ and “ also get their own key for the same reason. I do “copy” , “paste” and “search current selection in google” a lot too so each function also get their own key. The image attached has most of the set up, didn't list all the modifier on different layer. The red line indicated layer key.

All the larger key all bind to hotkey or macro for automation.
link to my layout

http://i.imgur.com/G5PjCZ5.jpg

Apps that I use to automate my Mac for people who is interest.

Alfred
https://www.alfredapp.com/
Keyboard Maestro
http://www.keyboardmaestro.com/main/

==== UPDATE SESSION ====
1st of all thank you for the reply. I really don't mind those negative comments. People here are all super passionate about keyboard each have their own strong idea of what perfect is. I respect that. I am not here to say this is the best that everyone should do the same. In fact I learn so much from the community here and just wanna give back a little. If this post inspire one or two person to try their own and get out side of the box, I would be really happy. We are all here to push things further together.

After receive the plank keyboard, the idea of reprogramming keyboard made me ask a lot of "what if..." For example "SHIFT" key. I really don't like when my pinky move left or right that's why I decide to try move it to the middle for my thumb to access it and loved it. Spending hours trying different layout, not all of them work but the joy was in the process.

I do decide to make more plate and paint it different color in matt style to remove the glare. I can then dress it up with different color depends on my mood. Thanks  "alexjd99" for the idea.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: beehatch on Sun, 08 May 2016, 00:46:31
I cry for that hhkb
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: appleonama on Sun, 08 May 2016, 00:48:50
I cry for that hhkb

 :'(
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: jaffers on Sun, 08 May 2016, 01:00:26
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: clacktalk on Sun, 08 May 2016, 01:14:22
nice use of the controller! thanks for sharing your masterpiece
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: appleonama on Sun, 08 May 2016, 01:17:41
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE

right?
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: dunkaroo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 01:19:17
haha guess you guys are laughing at my HHKB like a kid without front teeth. I promise I pull its teeth very gently.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: Michael on Sun, 08 May 2016, 01:25:07
(http://i.imgur.com/ZvDQJUq.png)
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: appleonama on Sun, 08 May 2016, 01:25:55
haha guess you guys are laughing at my HHKB like a kid without front teeth. I promise I pull its teeth very gently.
That's rude, never laugh at a child. what kind of mentality is this?
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: dunkaroo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 01:29:29
haha guess you guys are laughing at my HHKB like a kid without front teeth. I promise I pull its teeth very gently.
That's rude, never laugh at a child. what kind of mentality is this?

I did a horrible job framing on my joke. I was implying the key as tooth. :p

Come to think about it, it was a bad one. sorry my bad.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: Glissant on Sun, 08 May 2016, 05:22:48
That's an insane mod, and I love it! I wish you had shown pictures of what you did to the board from start to end though.
I would actually consider trying that layout because it's so interesting, but alas I no longer own a HHKB.


Oh and it's perfectly fine to laugh at anybody if it's funny. Kids aren't exempt from humor just because you think they are sensitive. It's all about the individual in question, and the circumstances surrounding the situation.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: Bucake on Sun, 08 May 2016, 05:40:22
i love it
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: bocahgundul on Sun, 08 May 2016, 06:00:46
I'm sorry bud but WHY!?
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: demik on Sun, 08 May 2016, 06:01:54
What the ****
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: dgneo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 06:06:16
(https://media.giphy.com/media/IKas2uLnDGO9a/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: livingspeedbump on Sun, 08 May 2016, 06:35:24
I can understand loving the Planck and grid layout, but I'm still not sold on the idea of doing that on a standard staggered keyboard.

That being said if it works for you then  :thumb: Excellent use of HASUs controller as well.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: xtrafrood on Sun, 08 May 2016, 07:51:30
This is crazy. But definitely good work with the layout, and the placement of that metal looks spot on regardless of all the missing 'teeth'
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Sun, 08 May 2016, 08:06:14
I can appreciate the layout programming modifications you have made, but I'm confused by your removal of an entire row of keys. Clearly it is to get closer to that "grid" layout by removing the large spacebar, but since you can't then replace that row with 1x keys, all you've done is remove five perfectly functioning keys from an already small keyboard. Aside from taunting the Topre gods, why would you do that?

At any rate, thanks for sharing.  :)
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: demik on Sun, 08 May 2016, 09:13:11
Why didn't you just flip your keyboard upside down?
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: mkeeley on Sun, 08 May 2016, 09:31:34
Oh dear.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: chuckdee on Sun, 08 May 2016, 10:28:00
Show Image
(https://media.giphy.com/media/IKas2uLnDGO9a/giphy.gif)


(http://i.imgur.com/81j4oVQ.gif)

With any other keyboard mod, the reply would have been something along the lines that it was a cool mod.  Why is HHKB so sacrosanct?  Especially with his justifications - he wanted to go with 4 rows, and use his thumbs for something other than the space bar.

Just curious?
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: switchnollie on Sun, 08 May 2016, 11:28:28
That's interesting.

Did you cut off the volcanoes on the bottom row or just put something over them?
E.g. that silver thing being a solid chunk or just a lid so you could use the bottom row if you wanted to go back.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: alienman82 on Sun, 08 May 2016, 12:09:24
removed.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: Corsa1r on Sun, 08 May 2016, 13:15:57
Missing teeth, but at least it has a grill?  Keepin' it classy.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: alexjd99 on Sun, 08 May 2016, 13:39:32
At first I thought this looked horrible, but I'm kinda warming up to it. I think it would look much nicer if you painted the metal black to match the board, and maybe even extend the chin out so it's kind of like a built in wrist rest like this, but paint it black so it matches
(http://i.imgur.com/NZceAm9.jpg)

Still doesn't change that this is blasphemy
(http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/740/373/e20.png)
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: timerwin63 on Sun, 08 May 2016, 14:04:47
I happen to think it looks pretty good. I question the decision, as I already think the HHKB is wasting real estate with its corners, but given the motive, I think the mod is fantastic.

I also happen to like the metal piece as-is. maybe paint it like an accent piece. It would spice up what tends to be (IMO) a PRETTY aesthetically bland board
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: exitfire401 on Sun, 08 May 2016, 14:06:25
I happen to think it looks pretty good. I question the decision, as I already think the HHKB is wasting real estate with its corners, but given the motive, I think the mod is fantastic. I also happen to like the metal piece as-is. maybe paint it blue, white, purple, whatever. It makes for a lovely accent piece on an otherwise (normally) pretty aesthetically bland board.

Sums up my feelings on the looks very well. As i always say with hhkb mods, forget the haters, focus on what works for you. You knew what you wanted, and made it happen. Nice mod!
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: dunkaroo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 20:35:12
That's an insane mod, and I love it! I wish you had shown pictures of what you did to the board from start to end though.
I would actually consider trying that layout because it's so interesting, but alas I no longer own a HHKB.

The mod it self is pretty easy, I just remove the stem and have a plate made to cover it up. It's can turn into original HHKB easy.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: dunkaroo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 20:38:54
I can appreciate the layout programming modifications you have made, but I'm confused by your removal of an entire row of keys. Clearly it is to get closer to that "grid" layout by removing the large spacebar, but since you can't then replace that row with 1x keys, all you've done is remove five perfectly functioning keys from an already small keyboard. Aside from taunting the Topre gods, why would you do that?

At any rate, thanks for sharing.  :)

The idea of the layering from plank keyboard really struck my heart that's why I went this way. I do enjoy 4 row layout. It's not for everyone I do understand. :)
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: dunkaroo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 20:40:23
Why didn't you just flip your keyboard upside down?

I tried, but too much key end up in dead zone. (The bottom left and right side)
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: dunkaroo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 20:44:12
Quote

With any other keyboard mod, the reply would have been something along the lines that it was a cool mod.  Why is HHKB so sacrosanct?  Especially with his justifications - he wanted to go with 4 rows, and use his thumbs for something other than the space bar.

Just curious?

At the end of the day we all want have fun with our keyboard, I decide to make the hardware to work for me not the other way around. Imagine if everyone could reprogram their HHKB, the war for the akward fn key placement wouldn't exist.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: dunkaroo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 20:45:51
That's interesting.

Did you cut off the volcanoes on the bottom row or just put something over them?
E.g. that silver thing being a solid chunk or just a lid so you could use the bottom row if you wanted to go back.

It's just a plate, still trying to find a good way to secure it. But it's totally reverse able.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: dunkaroo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 20:48:28
At first I thought this looked horrible, but I'm kinda warming up to it. I think it would look much nicer if you painted the metal black to match the board, and maybe even extend the chin out so it's kind of like a built in wrist rest like this, but paint it black so it matches

Still doesn't change that this is blasphemy

Thanks for the idea, you are right. I gonna paint it to matt color to tone down the glare. I could even make different color plate to match my mood. I will add this to the update session in the original post for archive purpose.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: appleonama on Sun, 08 May 2016, 21:13:48
I Saint appleonama of PFU, excommunicate you from the Church of Topre

(https://vaticanpage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/955x500xDuits_Luther_burns_the_excommunication_bull_Paul_Thumann_1872-73-955x500.jpg.pagespeed.ic.IceBa2D7c4.jpg)

Please dipose of you HHKB and purchase the correct hardware.

Planck Mechanical Keyboard Kit™ ℠
and pair it with
Tactile zealios switches® ℠
Some say they feel similar to topre but they're wrong.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: dunkaroo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 21:18:21
I Saint appleonama of PFU, excommunicate you from the Church of Topre

Please dipose of you HHKB and purchase the correct hardware.

Planck Mechanical Keyboard Kit™ ℠
and pair it with
Tactile zealios switches® ℠
Some say they feel similar to topre but they're wrong.

There are a lot of interest on custom Topre. I think we need more project like this to push it forward. Who knows many be after this someone get inspired and push another step further and one day we will get there.

I actually thinking buying another HHKB and see if I can cut, rewire and fold the pcb to make a true plank Topre as an experiment.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: dunkaroo on Sun, 08 May 2016, 21:39:40
mock up for the color experiment.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: alienman82 on Sun, 08 May 2016, 22:40:36
removed.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: xtrafrood on Sun, 08 May 2016, 22:44:27
That red imo makes the small metal plate look like an emery board :(
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: 0100010 on Tue, 10 May 2016, 08:20:32
I love how a community of keyboard enthusiasts, get all butt hurt when someone modifies their beloved HHKB.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: Moistgun on Tue, 10 May 2016, 08:52:09
Lol this is great. 

Its not like any permanent change has happened.

OP said its reversible.

Let the man mod!!!  :thumb:
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: xtrafrood on Tue, 10 May 2016, 09:05:22
Ok but, please matte black for the metal filler ;D

Have you put any thought into some kind of acid etching for the metal plate?

For example:

(http://www.theodmgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/metal-promotional-products.jpg)
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: SneakyFrog on Thu, 08 September 2016, 04:11:56
I like to be able to hit multiple keys with my thumb too, this is why I took the JP version:(http://imgur.com/gallery/6Y8bI)
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: mdragonxl on Tue, 15 February 2022, 20:54:44
I love it.
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: oscillik on Tue, 01 March 2022, 13:01:14
Oh no :(
Title: Re: How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)
Post by: granola bar enthusiast on Mon, 11 April 2022, 09:01:14
im sorry if you already wrote this and i just scanned over the thread too quickly but did you completely remove the topre keyswitch from the spacebar and put in a material to make it even with no key there?