Custom PCB for Filco TKL

[phinix]

I cannot remeber, but there were some custom DIY pcbs for Filco, was it Phantom or something liek that?
WHat kind of options do I have for TKL ISO pcb for Filco?

[HPE1000]

Yeah the phantom is the only one I know of. Still have them in stock here:
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=536

Phantom is a relatively expensive build for what it is. Hasn't aged well tbh.



Actually I forgot about this as well. It even has RGB underglow support. But I don't think I have ever actually seen someone use one so I don't really know.
https://www.lfkeyboards.com/lfk-tkl/

[phinix]

Is this an only option I have?
I'm worried about soldering all the bits and pieces to it. I was hoping for a semi-DIY pcb so I could simply solder new switches and throw it in the chassis...

[Findecanor]

The Phantom has only through-hole soldering, so it is doable with a regular soldering iron without needing a magnifying glass. It takes a Teensy... with the orange light on all the time.

bpiphany who designed the Phantom also designed replacement controller PCBs for several Costar-made keyboards, including the Filco TKL, but I don't know where you could get ready-made ones these days.
I thought he first made and sold them himself. Then 1upkeyboards sold a couple of the models.

[HPE1000]

Phantom wouldn't be hard to solder up but you would need to solder on the diodes and controller as findecanor said. The lfk pcb seems to have everything soldered though, just solder in the switches and it would be ready to go.

Only other problem is the plate though, mechanicalkeyboards.com has plates that would work, but keep in mind that if you are going to put this filco in any of the aftermarket aluminum cases like the tex cases, it wont work. They don't have the bent edges on the plate. If you are going to do that I can elaborate and give you some suggestions, because I went through that recently.


@Findecanor
He still has them in stock from his store, I know someone on reddit ordered from him a month or so ago. http://bathroomepiphanies.com/store/

But OP wants to change the actual physical layout of his board so that wouldn't do much for him, even though those controllers are great.

[Leslieann]

bpiphany who designed the Phantom also designed replacement controller PCBs for several Costar-made keyboards, including the Filco TKL, but I don't know where you could get ready-made ones these days.

This.
It's just as good as a pcb replacement without the hassle or cost.

Only other problem is the plate though, mechanicalkeyboards.com has plates that would work, but keep in mind that if you are going to put this filco in any of the aftermarket aluminum cases like the tex cases, it wont work. They don't have the bent edges on the plate. If you are going to do that I can elaborate and give you some suggestions, because I went through that recently.

That is what these fix.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=100595.0

[Findecanor]

Only other problem is the plate though, mechanicalkeyboards.com has plates that would work, but keep in mind that if you are going to put this filco in any of the aftermarket aluminum cases like the tex cases, it wont work.

I'm sorry I forgot to mention, with the Phantom having the Teensy controller on the underside of the PCB, it won't fit into many aftermarket cases that don't have a cavity there.

[HPE1000]

I think I read OP wrong, idk why I thought that he wanted to change the layout of the board. So yeah- he can just get a phantom or lfk and use the existing plate. lfk is probably the best option for no hassle swap, and you could even get in switch backlighting for a couple dollars more if that interests you.

TBH though, there are so many new boards out there that could be had for around the price of either of these pcbs that it might not really be worth it.

[phinix]

I think I read OP wrong, idk why I thought that he wanted to change the layout of the board. So yeah- he can just get a phantom or lfk and use the existing plate. lfk is probably the best option for no hassle swap, and you could even get in switch backlighting for a couple dollars more if that interests you.

TBH though, there are so many new boards out there that could be had for around the price of either of these pcbs that it might not really be worth it.

Yep, I'm not planning to change the layout.

What I'm looking for is a good quality, aluminium ISO TKL keybaord that I could solder in my Tealios.
I'm awaiting for kbdfans KBD8X Mark2 - looks like affordable DIY kit, compared to other kits you can get nowadays, which go over $300.