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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: cactusplants on Sun, 19 February 2017, 21:15:36

Title: Alternatives to a phantom PCB?
Post by: cactusplants on Sun, 19 February 2017, 21:15:36
I've hand-wired my own KB but I feel it needs a proper pcb. Thing is, only can find a phantom on mechkeys website, and It costs more to post it over to the UK than it does to buy the PCB.

Just looking for other alternatives I may be able to go with that won't cost an arm and a leg in for me to get in the UK.
Title: Re: Alternatives to a phantom PCB?
Post by: Puddsy on Sun, 19 February 2017, 22:35:00
could get a KMAC PCB off classifieds for not too much

or try winkeyless.kr
Title: Re: Alternatives to a phantom PCB?
Post by: klennkellon on Sun, 19 February 2017, 23:11:30
could buy a cheap chinese keeb and just desolder all of the switches. some have surprisingly good plates.
Title: Re: Alternatives to a phantom PCB?
Post by: cactusplants on Mon, 20 February 2017, 02:37:41
could get a KMAC PCB off classifieds for not too much

or try winkeyless.kr

Don't think I have enough rep/postcount to go and venture to the classifieds.


Winkeyless looks good. I can't seem to figure out if I can use my teensy 2.0 with their PCB's nor do I know of the postage cost to the UK.
Title: Re: Alternatives to a phantom PCB?
Post by: TalkingTree on Mon, 20 February 2017, 05:25:28
Don't think I have enough rep/postcount to go and venture to the classifieds.
You might need reputation and post count to sell in the classifieds but as a buyer you certainly don't.

I assume you want a TKL keyboard. If your layout is standard (6.25u spacebar and four mods on its right), you could buy some cheap mechanical keyboard on Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/VicTsing-Mechanical-Keyboard-Switches-Typists/dp/B01D41O5P2/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1487589786&sr=8-14&keywords=mechanical+keyboard) and replace the switches with your favourites. The only downside is that you'll have no way to reprogram it.
Ultimately, you can design your own PCB.
Title: Re: Alternatives to a phantom PCB?
Post by: hwood34 on Mon, 20 February 2017, 09:42:16
could get a KMAC PCB off classifieds for not too much

or try winkeyless.kr

Don't think I have enough rep/postcount to go and venture to the classifieds.


Winkeyless looks good. I can't seem to figure out if I can use my teensy 2.0 with their PCB's nor do I know of the postage cost to the UK.

As a buyer, your post count doesn't really matter. As long as you're paying with Paypal as merchandise, there's really no risk on either end. What would you be wanting to do with your Teensy? WKL PCBs are great for their programmability and easy to use software. As for postage, you're probably looking at around $30 or so for EMS from SK
Title: Re: Alternatives to a phantom PCB?
Post by: cactusplants on Mon, 20 February 2017, 11:25:20
Don't think I have enough rep/postcount to go and venture to the classifieds.
You might need reputation and post count to sell in the classifieds but as a buyer you certainly don't.

I assume you want a TKL keyboard. If your layout is standard (6.25u spacebar and four mods on its right), you could buy some cheap mechanical keyboard on Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/VicTsing-Mechanical-Keyboard-Switches-Typists/dp/B01D41O5P2/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1487589786&sr=8-14&keywords=mechanical+keyboard) and replace the switches with your favourites. The only downside is that you'll have no way to reprogram it.
Ultimately, you can design your own PCB.

I would like the ability to reprogram. I was going to make a WTB post in the classifieds asking for a phantom pcb to the UK. But I couldn't find the make a new thread button.

could get a KMAC PCB off classifieds for not too much

or try winkeyless.kr

Don't think I have enough rep/postcount to go and venture to the classifieds.


Winkeyless looks good. I can't seem to figure out if I can use my teensy 2.0 with their PCB's nor do I know of the postage cost to the UK.

As a buyer, your post count doesn't really matter. As long as you're paying with Paypal as merchandise, there's really no risk on either end. What would you be wanting to do with your Teensy? WKL PCBs are great for their programmability and easy to use software. As for postage, you're probably looking at around $30 or so for EMS from SK

I've already built a 60% and hand wired it. But I use the arrows and the numpad quite often, so I'd be looking at either a fullsize or a TKL with extra 5 buttons around the arrowkeys.

My mounting plate doesn't hold my ISO enter nor does it work with stabs so I can't use my space bar without hitting the centerpoint.
Title: Re: Alternatives to a phantom PCB?
Post by: TalkingTree on Mon, 20 February 2017, 14:05:49
I was going to make a WTB post in the classifieds asking for a phantom pcb to the UK. But I couldn't find the make a new thread button.
Right, you need 25 posts to post a classified thread. That shouldn't take you long. Meanwhile you can check mechmarket on reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/).