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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Erzegovaz on Fri, 20 May 2016, 09:44:22

Title: Keyboard advise price
Post by: Erzegovaz on Fri, 20 May 2016, 09:44:22
Hi guys :D
One man is selling his novatouch 100% work, layout ITA, for 47 euro shipped, with this:
(http://i.imgur.com/VVC6Jwk.jpg?1)
Here u can buy a new novatouch for 110 Euro shipped.

Do u think this is worth?

Other question:
Is it possibile to change the case with something 100% compatible, without pay 10000 euro?
Is is possibile to change layout ITA, to ANSI, with change keycaps? Or it`s impossible for stabs (enter)?
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: Erzegovaz on Sun, 22 May 2016, 04:51:24
nobody knows?
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 22 May 2016, 06:11:28
Difficult to tell what other damage was done to the keyboard.  How did the case crack?  You'd have to hit it pretty hard to do that.

With a new one you'd get a new warranty too, in case something else went wrong with it.

I haven't heard of replacement case tops for the Novatouch, although CM did make replacement case tops for the QFR a while back, so everything's possible.  There is talk of an aluminium case top for the Novatouch, but that would be expensive.

Unlikely that you could change IS to ANSI without replacing most of the keyboard and the controller.
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: Erzegovaz on Sun, 22 May 2016, 07:06:13
yes i see the new CNC case, but 250$ is tooo much :D
Yes i`m agree with you, too hard to estimate the damage... if one day I`ll want a NT, I`ll take new ANSI, not ITA. Why producers still continue to put layout ita...damn =(
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: HeeCh2ei on Sun, 22 May 2016, 07:28:55
It worth it if you want to salvage domes, springs and sliders for sale.
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: Erzegovaz on Sun, 22 May 2016, 10:23:06
It worth it if you want to salvage domes, springs and sliders for sale.
and PCB i think and cable. All without case...:D
But what can i do with those things? Build a custom keyboard? how? XD
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: HeeCh2ei on Sun, 22 May 2016, 10:35:00
It worth it if you want to salvage domes, springs and sliders for sale.
and PCB i think and cable. All without case...:D
But what can i do with those things? Build a custom keyboard? how? XD

You can try to sell it, because commonly, for topre boards there is no way to get some parts besides buying a keyboard and remove parts what you need.
Also, maybe you not need a topcase? NT looks not bad without the top case: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40658.msg2177579#msg2177579
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: Erzegovaz on Sun, 22 May 2016, 12:38:24

Quote
You can try to sell it, because commonly, for topre boards there is no way to get some parts besides buying a keyboard and remove parts what you need.
Also, maybe you not need a topcase? NT looks not bad without the top case: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40658.msg2177579#msg2177579
So the case in made by 2 different parts? Nice, i dont have problem without top case.
I discover that the keyboard owner live in my city, so i can easy take a look and try the keyboard. He told me that the case was broke when he opened the case for clean, so it wasn`t a big punch or something. What should I take a look during our meeting?

---
And I have a friend that work with wood, maybe he can build a case with wood with the perfect size of PCB (just the bottom, top cover too hard to do and too expensive). Is it possibile insert the PCB with Cable in a wood homemade case without problem (elettric, vibration or idk)?
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: TalkingTree on Sun, 22 May 2016, 13:03:52
By the look of it, you can't switch layouts.
Of course, a wooden case is doable and it would do the trick.
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: Erzegovaz on Sun, 22 May 2016, 13:37:41
By the look of it, you can't switch layouts.
Of course, a wooden case is doable and it would do the trick.
Ty, and u know how can I secure the PCB into wood case? Glue ?  :cool:
So i think I`ll swap layout ISO ITA--->ISO UK :D
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: TalkingTree on Sun, 22 May 2016, 13:56:29
how can I secure the PCB into wood case?
I would say standoffs and screws but perhaps your woodworking friend has a better solution.
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: HPE1000 on Sun, 22 May 2016, 14:05:11
If it were me, I would buy it and repair it with JB weld for plastic. Sand it all down and paint it. Assuming it really is the only damage on the keyboard.
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: Erzegovaz on Sun, 22 May 2016, 14:18:00
If it were me, I would buy it and repair it with JB weld for plastic. Sand it all down and paint it. Assuming it really is the only damage on the keyboard.
Yes, this is the other option. But which JB weld? And sandblasting and then color can resist for a long time with sweat and other things?
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: HPE1000 on Sun, 22 May 2016, 14:38:09
If it were me, I would buy it and repair it with JB weld for plastic. Sand it all down and paint it. Assuming it really is the only damage on the keyboard.
Yes, this is the other option. But which JB weld? And sandblasting and then color can resist for a long time with sweat and other things?

Just something like this http://www.amazon.com/J-B-Weld-50133-Structural-Adhesive/dp/B009EU5ZNO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1463945343&sr=8-2&keywords=jb+weld+plastic

All you would need to do after that would be use normal sandpaper and sand down the whole keyboard and then use some nice spraypaint. Unless you have some experience with spray painting I wouldn't really suggest it because if you don't paint it properly the finish wont look great. You have to sand between every few coats and really know how much to put on to have a nice finish. If you have some nice paint and properly put it, and finish it off with a clear coat it will be very durable.

As I said, unless you have experience doing it, I wouldn't really suggest it. So many little things can make the process go south. If the humidity is too high when you painted, the paint wont properly dry and harden. If the coats you put on are too thick, same thing can happen. If your coats are too light, the finish will be rough like sandpaper. Things like that can all ruin the finish.
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: Erzegovaz on Sun, 22 May 2016, 14:51:47
I have UHU epoxide resin bicomponent, i think will be good.
I have some experience with spray painting, there`s no problem.  :thumb:
But maybe the wooden case will be free, if I do it with my friend :D
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Sun, 22 May 2016, 17:20:56
I do find the story about it being damaged while cleaning a little fishy.  If the board is fully operational and you can live with the crack then by all means settle for the deep discount.  If you are going to go through the labor/hassle/cost of repairing or replacing the case then you may as well just buy the board new, or find another used one without damage.  (unless you are the type that just loves to get his hands dirty with a challenging project)
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: xtrafrood on Sun, 22 May 2016, 17:59:46
Clean it right off the table! :confused: I wouldn't buy it but that's just me; I feel that there is more to the story than a cracked case.
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: Erzegovaz on Sat, 28 May 2016, 15:16:14
some news guys...
The price drop down to 30 euros...100% working. I think I`ll take if 100% working under my eyes.
Now i dont have money for build a nice wood case (i must sell my second Leopold before), but then I`m going to do a ipercool project :D

Someone have any tips for try the 100% work? I can connect to my notebook and try all keys, and then? Search weird sound...and?
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: NewbieOneKenobi on Sat, 28 May 2016, 17:54:18
some news guys...
The price drop down to 30 euros...100% working. I think I`ll take if 100% working under my eyes.
Now i dont have money for build a nice wood case (i must sell my second Leopold before), but then I`m going to do a ipercool project :D

Someone have any tips for try the 100% work? I can connect to my notebook and try all keys, and then? Search weird sound...and?

Not much more to be done. Just compare the keys close to the crack to other keys diligently and attentively, but also pay attention to other keys in plausible lines in case something heavy had fallen on the KB. But you need to try every single key anyway.

For the record, the story with the top case cracking when being removed for cleaning isn't all that implausible provided that he simply pressed too hard with his thumb while applying force or something else along these lines. The keyboard is a solid build but not nearly to the point of a Model. It can certainly be damaged by accident like that.

For €30 you want to buy it, if only to know what a Topre feels like. Besides, the keyset alone would probably sell for at least €20. If you purchase it that cheap and with a crack, you won't be as averse to customizing it or experimenting with it as if you'd bought a pukkah NIB piece for the full price (€150 ro so).

Think about sound-dampening mats when you open the case to fix the crack. This keyboard isn't awfully loud, but the rattling isn't too pleasant. Might as well try applying that creative and helpful but time-consuming mod with foam pads inside the switches. There's always a chance of damaging the board, and €30 wasted won't feel as bad as €150 wasted.
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: BucklingSpring on Sat, 28 May 2016, 22:22:12
Run keytest on it (the old aqua test free)
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34670.msg641440#msg641440 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34670.msg641440#msg641440)
Title: Re: Keyboard advise price
Post by: Erzegovaz on Sun, 29 May 2016, 15:40:48
some news guys...
The price drop down to 30 euros...100% working. I think I`ll take if 100% working under my eyes.
Now i dont have money for build a nice wood case (i must sell my second Leopold before), but then I`m going to do a ipercool project :D

Someone have any tips for try the 100% work? I can connect to my notebook and try all keys, and then? Search weird sound...and?

Not much more to be done. Just compare the keys close to the crack to other keys diligently and attentively, but also pay attention to other keys in plausible lines in case something heavy had fallen on the KB. But you need to try every single key anyway.

For the record, the story with the top case cracking when being removed for cleaning isn't all that implausible provided that he simply pressed too hard with his thumb while applying force or something else along these lines. The keyboard is a solid build but not nearly to the point of a Model. It can certainly be damaged by accident like that.

For €30 you want to buy it, if only to know what a Topre feels like. Besides, the keyset alone would probably sell for at least €20. If you purchase it that cheap and with a crack, you won't be as averse to customizing it or experimenting with it as if you'd bought a pukkah NIB piece for the full price (€150 ro so).

Think about sound-dampening mats when you open the case to fix the crack. This keyboard isn't awfully loud, but the rattling isn't too pleasant. Might as well try applying that creative and helpful but time-consuming mod with foam pads inside the switches. There's always a chance of damaging the board, and €30 wasted won't feel as bad as €150 wasted.
Yes I download the aqua test, so I`ll bring with me my notebook and try all keys ;)
I read some topic about silent mod on novatouch like this: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49046.0
But I cant find the right grease model and positioning. Do u have some link for buy in Europe?
And i cant find on ebay (in europe) the right landing pads. Just find this on elitek but the shipping kill me: https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,slpads&pid=sl120_cs
:D
thanks