Should two 1.5x width keys fit in to the space three 1x keys would occupy?

[sypl]

Sorry if this sounds like some crazy newb question, but I'm wondering if two 1.5x width keys placed side by side (assuming regular Cherry spacing between keys according to spec sheets) should be able to occupy the space of three 1x keys exactly. I cut a plate for this but when I try putting the two 1.5x keys side by side they slightly rub against each other. I've tried with two keysets (and two keysets is all I have). I'm wondering if I've cut the plate wrong, or it's just that the size of a 1.5x key is such that it's actually slightly bigger than 1.5x?

I noticed the phantom 7bit layout supposedly has 1.5x keys next to each other, like so: http://deskthority.net/w/images/1/1f/Phantom_7BIT_002.png. Are the phantom keycaps any different at all to make this happen? If not, probably just a problem with the positioning of the holes on my plate, right? 

[Joey Quinn]

What spacing are you using? I need numbers, when my friend and I made our board we used .75in for 1u.

Also the two keys should occupy the same space as three.

[Oobly]

Yup, two 1.5x caps and switches should fit the same space as three 1x caps and switches. I suspect you've got the switch spacing slightly off. 1x spacing is 0.75" or 19.01mm, so for two 1.5x caps side by side you need 2x(0.5+0.25)x0.75"=1.125" or 1 1/8 (28.515mm)  between switch centres.

[Joey Quinn]

Yup, two 1.5x caps and switches should fit the same space as three 1x caps and switches. I suspect you've got the switch spacing slightly off. 1x spacing is 0.75" or 19.01mm, so for two 1.5x caps side by side you need 2x(0.5+0.25)x0.75"=1.125" or 1 1/8 (28.515mm)  between switch centres.

It's actually 19.05mm, I suppose that could have been his issue.

[ideus]

All keyboards have some small gaps in between their caps. three 1u space should allow two 1.5u keys, considering the clearance between them, but not the exact size of the keys. I think the issue with yours may be the stem positions that are defined by the position of the switches, but you should allow enough clearance between the keys to allow them to work.

[Oobly]

Yup, two 1.5x caps and switches should fit the same space as three 1x caps and switches. I suspect you've got the switch spacing slightly off. 1x spacing is 0.75" or 19.01mm, so for two 1.5x caps side by side you need 2x(0.5+0.25)x0.75"=1.125" or 1 1/8 (28.515mm)  between switch centres.

It's actually 19.05mm, I suppose that could have been his issue.

You're right, I just remembered it wrong, so the values in metric would be 2x(0.5+0.25)x19.05=28.575mm.

If you calculated the spacing from the width of the caps instead of the proper switch spacing, that could be the problem. As ideus says, there is a gap between caps, so the switch spacing is always a bit more than the keycap size.

[sypl]

I'm working in inches with .75 spacing. Seems the spacing between my two 1.5x keys is too small at 1.057.

The space between the 1u and 1.5u should be (.5 * .75) * .75 = .9375" yes?

[Oobly]

I'm working in inches with .75 spacing. Seems the spacing between my two 1.5x keys is too small at 1.057.

The space between the 1u and 1.5u should be (.5 * .75) * .75 = .9375" yes?

It should be (0.5+.75)*.75, but yes, .9375" is the gap between centres of the switches.

[Joey Quinn]

If you need to check spacing I still have a spreadsheet from when I designed my board.