Ever since I joined here I hoped to one day find an original uniform 45g
HHKB Professional 1. I didn't think Id find one from the first year, 2003. Also first Rev, A0.
What can I say, I got lucky. I was able to get a model
PD-KB300NL (White with White Blank Keyset). For more information on models:
http://deskthority.net/wiki/HHKB_ProfessionalThese were made 2003 - 2005 and do not have the bulky USB ports. Also the MiniUSB port is on the right side instead of the middle which I prefer.
Rev A0 has the Green Mold Topre Proprietary Sensor Chip. Pretty cool for a Topre collector.
I wasn't originally going to do a full write up but I figured the least I could do was snap iPhone photos throughout the process and mark notes on here. Sorry I didn't snap every step but you can refer to my older HHKB Pro2 Dental Band post for all steps at removing the case.
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51403.msg1131516#msg1131516So here is my write up of my restore with mostly iPhone photos. I used my Nikon for 1 shot of the Proprietary Sensor Chip and multiple of the finished board.
I was lucky enough to get this board from
jalaj. Thanks again buddy!
Still has original box. Looks very similiar to the HHKB Pro 2 box. Awesome.
Unboxing... Looks awesome! It has yellowed quite a bit and is very dirty though.. (It is 11 years old ya know...
)
Time to remove those white blanks (which have all held up great colorwise except for the spacebar!)
Wow.. It is SO dusty and dirty underneath..
I used some compressed air on the case for now.
Flip the board over, 3 screws to remove. Open up (dont snap off the clips, PS wow all 3 of these clips are still intact awesome.)
Unclip the PCB plug in cable. (I use a small iPhone tool to just press each end out)
Now time to remove the screws from the PCB.
Now remove the screw from the MiniUSB PCB.
Popped off all of the rubber cups (domes) and springs.
Removed all plastic sliders, stab sliders, and stab wires. (Used the plastic back end of my small iPhone screwdriver to pop them out)
Time for some cleaning!
Denture Tabs! I put each different part in a water bottle with warm water and 2 tabs each. Shake for 2 minutes, rinse off, shake dry, dry in sun.
Keycaps, Sliders, Domes, I did the case in the sink.
Awww yes, everything is so clean! No more dust..
At a later date when everything was nice and dry.. Time to Retr0brite the case! Get rid of that Dark Yellow color.
Alright so I would like to thank all of those who recommended Retr0brite to me and talked to me about their methods and experience. I have seen it in the past but never read up into it too much.
I would like to personally thank
Nubs for his method. This is the one I used and it worked PERFECT for me!
I went to Sallys and got some Peroxide 40 Volume Clear Liquid. I got two 32 oz bottles. I wish I got 3 of them, though 2 did work for me. 3 just would have been a touch better for covering the case.
REMEMBER: It is said that using Peroxide will weaken the plastic. Mine feels fine, though this has been said in the past. Lower volume = more time in the sun. Higher volume = less time in the sun.
If you are going to have to touch the liquid use gloves! Think smart.
The inside of my case and bottom were still white/light grey, so I placed the case together since only the outside needed De-Yellowing.
Placed it inside a plastic bin big enough to hold liquid around it. Poured both bottles on it.
I placed 3 rocks on the middle so the case did not float above the liquid. If you need to De-Yellow the middle area you could use a glass sheet or something clear and heavy enough.
My middle slider area was still white/light grey so I did not have to worry about that.
I left it outside in the direct Sunlight for 5 hours. Also I placed the original spacebar in there for about 4 hours which worked great for it.
I was not aiming for stock lightgrey/white color. I was aiming for a Creamy Bone vintage yet custom yet clean shade. It reached that shade perfect.
So then I brought it inside to the Laundry Room sink, rinsed out everything. Rinsed off the Case. Denture Tabbed it one more time just to make sure it was squeaky clean and not Peroxide covered one bit.
Set it outside to dry for a while in the sunlight. Looks awesome!
On to the Krytox Lube from Mkawa (Techkeys was the distributor) also Dental Bands from an eBay seller.
I lubed the slider housings, 2 corner slots of each housing. (Bro Caps posted a photo of where to lube in my other thread, link at top of this page for reference)
Make sure to not let any drip on PCB after putting together, if it does just wipe it off. Otherwise that key will not compute.
Picked out all of the Purple and Orange bands! (Bandz a make her dance, aw yeah..)
The StabZ!
Stabilizers back in, mmm thats NICE. (MN NICE, lol inside midwest joke)
Stabs all back in! I dont think it matters the direction, I looked at my stock sliders in other boards, Realforce, HHKB Pro 2, etc. All are different directions.
I shouldve put them all the same so you could see all the bands! awe well! Shucks..
Put the MiniUSB PCB back in!
Placed all springs back on the PCB. After wiping the PCB and Springs off a tad bit.
cue for Nikon photo... hue hue. Notice the Sensor Chip has the Green Mold, awe yes dats niiiice...
Put all domes back on, they all FEEL great still after 11 years. But some are a tad loud actually. I may get a Realforce donor and swap them some day.
Ok so now I place the Slider housing case on top of the PCB w domes and springs in place. Do it CAREFULLY so no springs move 1 bit or those keys will not function.
Then while pressing it together very firm, I flip it over and with one hand screw all screws back into the PCB! Woo!
Plug the wiring back in, carefully!!! Now careful not to break the 3 TABS while snapping the case back together... Perfect!
Screw the 3 screws back in.. Ok good job.. Looks great with the black sliders on cream bone white case!!
Also for good measure, I snapped an iPhone photo of the Back!
Whats this.. A brand new set of Black Blanks, I think Ill give these a go yes?!
Shes all done mate, on to the goodies! I say we add my favorite little Nocturnal Creatures on here.. One Bonus shot of my newly aquired OJ V2! Love it.. Hope you all enjoyed. This board turned out amazing! It feels and looks awesome!