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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: dantan on Wed, 19 April 2017, 09:44:01

Title: PCB recommendations, CM and Filco TKL compatible
Post by: dantan on Wed, 19 April 2017, 09:44:01

I'm thinking of building a TKL board.

I have a CM casing and plate and cable. I desoldered the original board, so I took out the pcb and controller.

I would like a programmable board, preferably led supported with all the resistors already soldered so I only need to put in the switches and actual LEDs.

Although mine is CM, I prefer the Filco type of lock light layout. That way I can have a backlit board with the lock lights separated from the leds under each keycap. I would rather drill holes in my CM casing than to have leds shared with the lock lights the way Ducky does it.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a compatible PCB/controller setup that I can buy without waiting too long?

I'm also ok with building a board without a plate, but the PCB would have to be designed for risers or feet underneath to support it.

Title: Re: PCB recommendations, CM and Filco TKL compatible
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 19 April 2017, 09:58:00

The only PCB that comes to mind is the phantom (uses teensy as controller) but it doesn't have individual key backlighting.

Also not sure if it works with stock plate or not.

And assuming you've got a QFR case not some other CM product.

Title: Re: PCB recommendations, CM and Filco TKL compatible
Post by: dantan on Wed, 19 April 2017, 20:33:33

Quote from: SpAmRaY on Wed, 19 April 2017, 09:58:00

The only PCB that comes to mind is the phantom (uses teensy as controller) but it doesn't have individual key backlighting.

Also not sure if it works with stock plate or not.

And assuming you've got a QFR case not some other CM product.

Hope for more responses. There are way too many custom PCBs out there!

And yes I have a QFR.

Title: Re: PCB recommendations, CM and Filco TKL compatible
Post by: Delirious on Wed, 19 April 2017, 20:39:41

Keep your original pcb, take a look at this (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Costar_replacement_controllers)

There are a lot of A87 custom pcb's out there, but not a lot of custom Costar pcb's. This post lists the difference (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=81608.msg2191241#msg2191241)

Title: Re: PCB recommendations, CM and Filco TKL compatible
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 19 April 2017, 21:01:19

Yeah you can make the stock QFR programmable with this

https://1upkeyboards.com/qfr-frosty-flake-controller.html

But that still doesn't give you the backlighting you want.

Title: Re: PCB recommendations, CM and Filco TKL compatible
Post by: digisax on Wed, 19 April 2017, 21:12:07

It's not exactly what you're looking for but the B.Mini is a good option too

http://winkeyless.kr/product/b-87-pcb-x2/

Title: Re: PCB recommendations, CM and Filco TKL compatible
Post by: dantan on Thu, 20 April 2017, 09:12:58

Quote from: SpAmRaY on Wed, 19 April 2017, 21:01:19

Yeah you can make the stock QFR programmable with this

https://1upkeyboards.com/qfr-frosty-flake-controller.html

But that still doesn't give you the backlighting you want.

That's the problem, frosty flake is expensive, and it doesn't have backlighting. It isn't even a PCB.

I was hoping with these 60% PCB boards out there, we could have more choices for TKL boards too. But it seems not to be the case.

Title: Re: PCB recommendations, CM and Filco TKL compatible
Post by: SKD on Sat, 22 April 2017, 02:12:03

AFAIK there isn't an 'aftermarket' PCB that fits the QFR case,