Converting Enter button into 2

[tersagun]

Hello folks,

just wondering if it's possible to convert a horizontal Enter (or any other "big") key into 2 separate keys on a Cherry-MX based board? In case there are actually 2 different switches under that Enter key.

I think it is highly unlikely but just giving it a shot ;-)

thanks in advance!

[Findecanor]

No, that is usually not possible. The key switches are most often in the middle (or near the middle) of the key and with a stabilizer bar. To be able to put two keys in the same space, you would have to modify the PCB a bit .. and in most cases also a metal plate.

Of all keyboards with Cherry switches, only on some programmable Point-Of-Sale keyboards and numeric keypads are there double-width keys that fit over two switches instead of one plus a stabilizer ... and these keys are often not used for the main typing area.

On keyboards that use a shaft over a PCB or a membrane, what you are looking for is more common. It is possible to do on the IBM buckling spring keyboards Model F, Model M and variations.

[ch_123]

I'm pretty sure dfj did that once with a Model M, ending up with a layout that looked like the old 3278 boards. Would make it pretty hard to hit the enter though, unless you assigned enter to the left key I guess.

[theferenc]

I did this with the backspace on a Model M. I looked into it on on a Cherry G80, but the PCB itself would actually have to be replaced, just due to how the traces are laid.

At least, that was my assessment. I'm not an EE though, so it might be possibly without laying down a new PCB.

It's a shame only IBM was lazy enough to have unified circuitry, with distinct key layouts.

[Pylon]

It's possible on Model Ms, Unicomps, and before Ripster posts it, Duckies with the Big ReverseL enter key (they use 2 switches).

[tersagun]

Thanks for the informative replies friends!