[Nevermind] How do I edit a CAD for the 6u spacebar hole to be in the center?

[Vozella]

I originally planned to rely on http://builder.swillkb.com/ on all of the plate designing but there isn't an option to put the hole in the middle.
I guess I have to do this myself. May someone tell me how?

Edit: You know what? Nevermind. I'll find some workaround to where I use a 6.25 spacebar instead.

[suicidal_orange]

If you add a 1u key in the correct position on top of the space bar the plate builder will add the extra switch hole.

If you don't know exactly where it needs to be and you're using a PCB you can add a couple of switches overlapping each other and it will come out with a big hole - that's how most "universal" plates work

[Vozella]

If you add a 1u key in the correct position on top of the space bar the plate builder will add the extra switch hole.

If you don't know exactly where it needs to be and you're using a PCB you can add a couple of switches overlapping each other and it will come out with a big hole - that's how most "universal" plates work

Thanks, but is this really okay? Will the switch be stable?

[VinnyCordeiro]

Keep in mind that the most common 6u spacebar's switch stem is off-centered: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Space_bar_dimensions#6_units_.28114mm_wide.2C_3_keymounts.2C_57mm_and_38mm_apart.29

[user 18]

If you add a 1u key in the correct position on top of the space bar the plate builder will add the extra switch hole.

If you don't know exactly where it needs to be and you're using a PCB you can add a couple of switches overlapping each other and it will come out with a big hole - that's how most "universal" plates work

Thanks, but is this really okay? Will the switch be stable?

It should be fine as long as it is soldered into the PCB appropriately. If you're really concerned, you could use a PCB with provision for PCB-mount switches, even just for that one switch. If you get it PCB-mounted as well, you can rest assured that it's not going anywhere 

[suicidal_orange]

If you add a 1u key in the correct position on top of the space bar the plate builder will add the extra switch hole.

If you don't know exactly where it needs to be and you're using a PCB you can add a couple of switches overlapping each other and it will come out with a big hole - that's how most "universal" plates work

Thanks, but is this really okay? Will the switch be stable?

If it's soldered into a PCB it will be as the top and bottom are fully supported, this plate JD designed and LeandreN did a group buy of has a huge hole for the spacebar, mods and shift switches



If you're hand wiring you need to work out where it needs to be so you can get the switch supported on all sides.

[Vozella]

Keep in mind that the most common 6u spacebar's switch stem is off-centered: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Space_bar_dimensions#6_units_.28114mm_wide.2C_3_keymounts.2C_57mm_and_38mm_apart.29

I wanted it in the center so I can flip the spacebar if I need to.

[Vozella]

If you add a 1u key in the correct position on top of the space bar the plate builder will add the extra switch hole.

If you don't know exactly where it needs to be and you're using a PCB you can add a couple of switches overlapping each other and it will come out with a big hole - that's how most "universal" plates work

Thanks, but is this really okay? Will the switch be stable?

It should be fine as long as it is soldered into the PCB appropriately. If you're really concerned, you could use a PCB with provision for PCB-mount switches, even just for that one switch. If you get it PCB-mounted as well, you can rest assured that it's not going anywhere 

Am I supposed to use a PCB? I was told I should hand wire my keyboard instead. Now I'm confused as to which I should do.

[user 18]

If you add a 1u key in the correct position on top of the space bar the plate builder will add the extra switch hole.

If you don't know exactly where it needs to be and you're using a PCB you can add a couple of switches overlapping each other and it will come out with a big hole - that's how most "universal" plates work

Thanks, but is this really okay? Will the switch be stable?

It should be fine as long as it is soldered into the PCB appropriately. If you're really concerned, you could use a PCB with provision for PCB-mount switches, even just for that one switch. If you get it PCB-mounted as well, you can rest assured that it's not going anywhere 

Am I supposed to use a PCB? I was told I should hand wire my keyboard instead. Now I'm confused as to which I should do.

Using a PCB isn't necessary. But you're right that you will have problems with stability if you try to handwire a board that doesn't have the switches supported on all four sides by the plate. You also won't want to include cutouts on the plate to allow you to open the switches without desoldering, because you'll have similar issues.

[VinnyCordeiro]

Keep in mind that the most common 6u spacebar's switch stem is off-centered: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Space_bar_dimensions#6_units_.28114mm_wide.2C_3_keymounts.2C_57mm_and_38mm_apart.29

I wanted it in the center so I can flip the spacebar if I need to.

Not possible to do that directly. If you are going to hand-wire the keyboard it isn't a major problem. If you are going to use a PCB it must support both spacebars positions.

6u spacebars are a pain in the a**.

[Vozella]

If you add a 1u key in the correct position on top of the space bar the plate builder will add the extra switch hole.

If you don't know exactly where it needs to be and you're using a PCB you can add a couple of switches overlapping each other and it will come out with a big hole - that's how most "universal" plates work

Thanks, but is this really okay? Will the switch be stable?

If it's soldered into a PCB it will be as the top and bottom are fully supported, this plate JD designed and LeandreN did a group buy of has a huge hole for the spacebar, mods and shift switches

Show Image

If you're hand wiring you need to work out where it needs to be so you can get the switch supported on all sides.

If you add a 1u key in the correct position on top of the space bar the plate builder will add the extra switch hole.

If you don't know exactly where it needs to be and you're using a PCB you can add a couple of switches overlapping each other and it will come out with a big hole - that's how most "universal" plates work :thumb:

Thanks, but is this really okay? Will the switch be stable?

It should be fine as long as it is soldered into the PCB appropriately. If you're really concerned, you could use a PCB with provision for PCB-mount switches, even just for that one switch. If you get it PCB-mounted as well, you can rest assured that it's not going anywhere  :thumb:

Am I supposed to use a PCB? I was told I should hand wire my keyboard instead. Now I'm confused as to which I should do.

Using a PCB isn't necessary. But you're right that you will have problems with stability if you try to handwire a board that doesn't have the switches supported on all four sides by the plate. You also won't want to include cutouts on the plate to allow you to open the switches without desoldering, because you'll have similar issues.

Keep in mind that the most common 6u spacebar's switch stem is off-centered: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Space_bar_dimensions#6_units_.28114mm_wide.2C_3_keymounts.2C_57mm_and_38mm_apart.29

I wanted it in the center so I can flip the spacebar if I need to.

Not possible to do that directly. If you are going to hand-wire the keyboard it isn't a major problem. If you are going to use a PCB it must support both spacebars positions.

6u spacebars are a pain in the a**.

I don't think I'll be using a PCB. I think I'll be hand wiring this.

[Vozella]

Okay. So I'm going to be handwiring. How do I edit the spacebar hole in the CAD to be in the center?

[Vozella]

You know what? Nevermind. I'll find some workaround to where I use a 6.25 spacebar instead.

[user 18]

Take a look at where the spacebar switch is on the non-flipped spacebar. It's in column 7, looks to be precisely. I'm not an expert, but I would guess that if you were to put a switch hole in column 6, right next to it, you would at least have a spot to put the spacebar. You'd still need to decide before you solder which orientation you want the spacebar, but you won't need to rework your layout.

You can put a cutout there on the cad file by putting a 1u switch in the position you want.

[Vozella]

Take a look at where the spacebar switch is on the non-flipped spacebar. It's in column 7, looks to be precisely. I'm not an expert, but I would guess that if you were to put a switch hole in column 6, right next to it, you would at least have a spot to put the spacebar. You'd still need to decide before you solder which orientation you want the spacebar, but you won't need to rework your layout.

You can put a cutout there on the cad file by putting a 1u switch in the position you want.

Oh. Thank you.