How I mod my HHKB to 55% (inspired by plank)

[dunkaroo]

NEW updated at end of this message.



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.

[beehatch]

I cry for that hhkb

[appleonama]

I cry for that hhkb

 

[jaffers]

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE

[clacktalk]

nice use of the controller! thanks for sharing your masterpiece

[appleonama]

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE

right?

[dunkaroo]

haha guess you guys are laughing at my HHKB like a kid without front teeth. I promise I pull its teeth very gently.

[Michael]

[appleonama]

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?

[dunkaroo]

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.

Come to think about it, it was a bad one. sorry my bad.

[Glissant]

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.

[Bucake]

i love it

[bocahgundul]

I'm sorry bud but WHY!?

[demik]

What the ****

[dgneo]

[livingspeedbump]

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  Excellent use of HASUs controller as well.

[xtrafrood]

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'

[HoffmanMyster]

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. 

[demik]

Why didn't you just flip your keyboard upside down?

[mkeeley]

Oh dear.

[chuckdee]

Show Image

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?

[switchnollie]

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.

[alienman82]

removed.

[Corsa1r]

Missing teeth, but at least it has a grill?  Keepin' it classy.

[alexjd99]

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

[timerwin63]

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

[exitfire401]

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!

[dunkaroo]

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.

[dunkaroo]

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.

[dunkaroo]

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)

[dunkaroo]

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.

[dunkaroo]

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.

[dunkaroo]

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.

[appleonama]

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.

[dunkaroo]

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.

[dunkaroo]

mock up for the color experiment.

[alienman82]

removed.

[xtrafrood]

That red imo makes the small metal plate look like an emery board

[0100010]

I love how a community of keyboard enthusiasts, get all butt hurt when someone modifies their beloved HHKB.

[Moistgun]

Lol this is great. 

Its not like any permanent change has happened.

OP said its reversible.

Let the man mod!!! 

[xtrafrood]

Ok but, please matte black for the metal filler

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

For example:

[SneakyFrog]

I like to be able to hit multiple keys with my thumb too, this is why I took the JP version:

[mdragonxl]

I love it.

[oscillik]

Oh no

[granola bar enthusiast]

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?