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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => DIY Discussions ARCHIVE => Topic started by: aegrotatio on Thu, 29 April 2010, 09:08:03

Title: Full-width caps lock key on Model M
Post by: aegrotatio on Thu, 29 April 2010, 09:08:03

I love my Model M keyboards, but the one nagging problem is the caps lock key.  I want one without a "step" in it.  I've tried putting ALT and some other keys in that spot but they're not quite wide enough.  I need this because I use that as my "CTRL" key.

Has anyone fabricated or found a full-width key to put in the Caps Lock position?

Thanks!

*edit* I changed the dumb title, which should have read "caps lock."

Title: Full-width caps lock key on Model M
Post by: aegrotatio on Fri, 30 April 2010, 09:48:12

I asked Unicomp and they say the stepped caps lock is the only key they sell that will fit in that position.

Has anyone fabricated one?

Title: Full-width caps lock key on Model M
Post by: wellington1869 on Fri, 30 April 2010, 11:28:21

Quote from: ripster;177541

Welly stuck some bondo or something on his.

crayola (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=176447&postcount=5). works well, easy to mold, all different colors. air dry. plenty functional.
No need to mold the entire key, just mold a rectangle to fill in the "step" area, then beat a sheet of clay thin and flat to provide a thin and flat "top" to the length of the key. This holds everything in place and it looks smooth viewed from above. dries hard in 24 hours.

Quote

Take a RIGHT Shift key.  Cut off the stabilizer end. Glue back a piece of the cut key to cover the end.  Now blank.  Consider yourself now leet.

Perfect fit because of the geometry of a keyboard (3/16" steppings).

this definitely sounds more leet if you have the time/tools.

Title: Full-width caps lock key on Model M
Post by: aegrotatio on Fri, 30 April 2010, 13:25:40

Quote from: webwit;177555

Oooooh Unicomp (http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/linux101.html).

There's probably a reason there are no photographs on that page.  Check says there's no key that fits.

I'll try the Crayola but that seems bizarre to me.

I saw that thread but do you have pictures of the Crayola clay mod?

Title: Full-width caps lock key on Model M
Post by: wellington1869 on Fri, 30 April 2010, 13:32:54

Quote from: aegrotatio;177566

I'll try the Crayola but that seems bizarre to me.

I saw that thread but do you have pictures of the Crayola clay mod?

sadly no. it looked decent tho. Although i put in the time to make sure all the surfaces were smooth/straight as I molded it. I used a flat plastic card to press down on each side.  Also I used the gray color, which fit in well with the other gray endurapro keys. Incidentally, you can also paint the clay once its dry.  To match the color if needed -- or, to put a layer of enamel paint on it (make it shiny/harder). All kinds of options. Plus  you get to feel like you're in kindergarten play time. Clay, crayola, finger paint. :)

I ripped the clay off the capslock key when i sold the endurapro. So apparently its fully reversible too :)

Title: Full-width caps lock key on Model M
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 30 April 2010, 15:54:11

Aw F*$%, I ain't got no hands!