DZ60 split key spacing

[Zobeid Zuma]

So, I got my DZ60 Version 2 with USB Type C about a week ago.  I set it aside long enough to build a couple of Banana Split 60s, but now I'm looking at it again, and I've found a…  problem.

I tried populating it with switches and keycaps just to see how everything would fit together (no soldering yet), and I'm going for a layout with both split backspace and a split right spacebar (HHKB style), and what I'm finding is that the two extra keys at the extreme right are not positioned as they should be.  They are both shifted slightly left, so that there is effectively no gap between them and the adjacent keys.  The key caps actually rub against one another.  It also makes the right edge of the keyboard look a bit uneven.  So, even if I were to grind the edges of the keycaps a little so they don't touch, it still wouldn't really look right.

Has anybody else run into this?  What can I do about it?  Some while back I built a  couple of DZ60 Version 1 boards with the split backspace and did not have this problem!

[Skryzskruzzle]

I have that exact same problem - my pipe/backslash ( \ | ) and Fn (next to split right shift) can't be... installed properly. It's as if there's a little bump at the right of where the switch ought to sit flush, causing it to sit higher at the right than the left. The resulting problem is what you experience - the keycaps can rub against one another. This problem is also present with my non-stepped capslock switch, except in the other direction.

Fortunately, I managed to "mitigate" this issue slightly (though it's still there) by pushing the switches into the plate and PCB very hard while soldering. They're still sit a little lopsided, but at least the keycaps don't rub against one another unless I really try.

[TalkingTree]

If it's a slight misplacement, you can try and drill or file the hole further right. No guarantee that it'll work but I don't think there's any other way.
Make sure you don't breathe the PCB dust in.

[Zobeid Zuma]

If it's a slight misplacement, you can try and drill or file the hole further right. No guarantee that it'll work but I don't think there's any other way.  Make sure you don't breathe the PCB dust in.

Thanks for the warning.  And I agree, that's the same fix that I was thinking of.  This is definitely something KBDfans needs to be working to correct too, though.

[mushustyles]

Dang I just ordered a DZ60. Can you guys post some photos of the issue?


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[Zobeid Zuma]

Dang I just ordered a DZ60. Can you guys post some photos of the issue?

It turns out there's a spacing problem with the right half of split Backspace, the right half of split right-Shift, and with the stepped Caps Lock.

[madn3ss795]

This is not a PCB problem, but a plate problem. The DZ60 brass plate ( steel/alu doesn't have this issue ) has "soft" corners instead of sharp rectangle shape in some of the switch cutouts ( basically any spots that doesn't allow switch top opening ), which will come in contact with the switch's corner, so you can't fully press the switch down and it'll tilt a few degree left or right instead. My solution was to use a nail clipper to trim the housing on these 2 corners ( which side depends on which edge touches the plate ), then the switch can be pressed down fully.

[Zobeid Zuma]

This is not a PCB problem, but a plate problem.

I had to sit down and do some experimenting, but you are exactly right.  There's nothing wrong with the PCB.  It's all on the plate.

Also BTW, the brass plate I got is missing its center screw hole.  So if you get the brass plate, plan on some modding.

[WheresTheSNES]

Did you end up with a good result?

[Zobeid Zuma]

Did you end up with a good result?

I had to do some filing and cutting on the plate, but it worked Just Fine.