TKL Plate for Filco (not-Phantom PCB)

[nearinfinite]

Hi everyone,

tl;dr - I'm trying to find a Filco TKL plate, or someone that has CAD file for Filco MJ plate that optionally takes Cherry plate-mount stabilizers.

I'm trying to build TEX TLK keyboard with an SMK PCB that fits the Filo MJ plate... I bought an old FMJ2 to harvest the plate, but I cannot use Costar stabs with SMK switches, and the Filco plate cannot fit Cherry stabs - so was hoping there's a CAD out there somewhere for this. I tried looking at KLE but I am totally clueless at it...

[Leslieann]

KLE can get key placement, then you need to take that to Swill's case and plate builder.
http://builder.swillkb.com/
This will give you the cad file you need to cut the plate.

The only way to get what you want is with a universal plate (this includes what you will get from Swill's tool) and those do not fit into the Tex or Vortex case because they are flat while the Filco plate has bent edges. On the aftermarket aluminum case those bent edges are what hold the plate in place. It works really, really well, but it means you need a bent edge plate and I have never seen one offered.

That isn't to say what you want is impossible.
If you have a pattern, you could hog out the Filco plate, while this sounds easier at first unless you have some decent metal working skills/equipment it could be a long process, the plate isn't super hard or thick, but it's not soft and thin either. On the other hand, you may just have to expand the existing slots.

Your other choice is with a universal plate (bought or have made), you just need to a new way to prop the pcb up (not recommended!) or make some adapters to replicate the bent edges. I was making adapters on my 3d printer and sold a few sets but at least one person made them out of pencils(?). I haven't made them in a long time, but the thread may give you some ideas. If you can't figure out a solution let me know and we can try to figure something out.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45739.0

One other problem, and I'm working blind on this so it may or may not be an issue, but universal plates allow opening of MX housings without desoldering, this is accomplished by cutting wider openings, which is where Alps and/or SMK switches clamp the plate.
This plate should work, they don't say what it is made for but will fit the switches and looks like a Filco pattern which is kind of the default. This plate ensures the switches and the stabs you want will work, but still has the problem of a lack of bent edges. It's also sold out so the plate builder may be your best bet.

Here is a picture of the Filco plate vs a universal plate to show the problem.

Photo by WhiteFireDragon, from here.

[rich1051414]

Buy a cheap second hand cooler master quickfire rapid.

[Tactile]

I know nothing about SMK switches. You say you cannot use Costar stabilizers. So you're saying this won't work? Or are there different kinds of SMK switches?

[Kevadu]

I am literally using Costar stabs with SMK switches right now.

However you can't use Filco style Costar stabs with them.  A lot of people don't realize there are actually two varieties.  The difference is in how the bend in the wire that fits around the switch is angled with respect to the hooks.  In Filco style it's 90 degrees off and this won't work because SMK switches are a little thicker than MX switches so it will hit the switch body.  But you can find costar stabs where the bend is 180 degrees apart from the hooks and they're perfectly fine.

[Tactile]

Ahhh... OK. Thanks for that clarification.

[tp4tissue]

Buy a cheap second hand cooler master quickfire rapid.

yea. u can.. buhhhhhhhh you gotta drill hole for LED

AND you should probably repaint the plate, it's not stainless.

[rich1051414]

Buy a cheap second hand cooler master quickfire rapid.

yea. u can.. buhhhhhhhh you gotta drill hole for LED

AND you should probably repaint the plate, it's not stainless.

Right now, it is really the only inexpensive way to get a filco plate with the curled lip for custom cases.

No further modifications needed for SMK switches. My SMK 2nd gen board uses a quickfire rapid plate, and I didn't need to enlarge the switch holes.

[nearinfinite]

The only way to get what you want is with a universal plate (this includes what you will get from Swill's tool) and those do not fit into the Tex or Vortex case because they are flat while the Filco plate has bent edges. On the aftermarket aluminum case those bent edges are what hold the plate in place. It works really, really well, but it means you need a bent edge plate and I have never seen one offered.......

Thank you for the comprehensive response! I was going to go this route, but the answer from Kevadu helped me solve the issue (before I went on to butcher the FMJ2 plate...)

I am literally using Costar stabs with SMK switches right now.

However you can't use Filco style Costar stabs with them.  A lot of people don't realize there are actually two varieties.  The difference is in how the bend in the wire that fits around the switch is angled with respect to the hooks.  In Filco style it's 90 degrees off and this won't work because SMK switches are a little thicker than MX switches so it will hit the switch body.  But you can find costar stabs where the bend is 180 degrees apart from the hooks and they're perfectly fine.

Thank you! I feel pretty dumb for not realising this; turns out I had a spare set of 'non-Filco' Costar stabs from about a year ago. Popped them in and they work great! Thanks again.

[kiriiya]

Did anyone end up getting the CAD file? I'm facing a similar problem and if anyone could give me a hand I would greatly appreciate it and devote the rest of my life to repaying the debt.