Half-Plate Mounted Keyboard

[CPTBadAss]

I was browsing through the post your keycaps thread and saw this post from reaper:

I rotate between all my keyboards.  Right now I'm using a half-plate Cheat with Cherry (white legends on black) keycaps.   

Show Image

I think I understand what plate mounted vs PCB mounted is thanks to the DT wiki. But I'm baffled by this half-plate mounted concept. Could someone explain this to me? Maybe post a picture since I'm a visual learner?

[mashby]

+1 for an answer to this question as well. 

[Magna224]

Maybe one of the plates where you can still open up switches? Idk sounds weird though lol.

[wiredPANDA]

I'm curious, as well.  That case looks amazing, too.

[alaricljs]

Half plate is where the Alpha-numeric section has no plate around the switches.

[SmallFry]

I'm curious, as well.  That case looks amazing, too.

The case is a Cheat Korean custom board. The half plate is typically(from what I've heard) for tactile switches to allow the PCB flex add to the switch feel. No idea how nice they work, I know Tsangan has a few.

[tp4tissue]

Hm.... what's the point of this?

[CPTBadAss]

I thought that flex was bad and that's the whole point of a plate. Hence why ppl are in total love with their Pokers after they buy a plate.

Half plate is where the Alpha-numeric section has no plate around the switches.

(Attachment Link)

Thanks for the pic alaricljs!

[SmallFry]

I thought that flex was bad and that's the whole point of a plate. Hence why ppl are in total love with their Pokers after they buy a plate.

Half plate is where the Alpha-numeric section has no plate around the switches.

(Attachment Link)

Thanks for the pic alaricljs!

Don't shoot the messenger! I am not sure why exactly you'd want it to flex. It may have also been pre-phantom plates, so they left it open so they could mod the switches etc. Not sure exactly.

[CPTBadAss]

I thought that flex was bad and that's the whole point of a plate. Hence why ppl are in total love with their Pokers after they buy a plate.

Half plate is where the Alpha-numeric section has no plate around the switches.

(Attachment Link)

Thanks for the pic alaricljs!

Don't shoot the messenger! I am not sure why exactly you'd want it to flex. It may have also been pre-phantom plates, so they left it open so they could mod the switches etc. Not sure exactly.

I guess the only thing to do now is to get one board of each and try them both out ^_^

[alaricljs]

The 'advertising' was all about switch feel.

[absyrd]

I personally enjoy pcb mount because of the way I type. It would seems that a partial plate would reduce flex but still allow a softer bottoming-out on the keys you use the most. Seems pretty ideal for me, but not sure if my guesstimation is the case.

[alaricljs]

Considering The Cheat has a thinner than usual (for a KB) PCB, it was imho not a good idea.

[CPTBadAss]

Just to put all the info into one place for anyone who is curious. I got a response on reaper's opinion on how the half plate feels.

Nice cheat, no PS/2 for you?

Follow up question, what's your opinion on half plates+switch combos? I don't see it very often but I have heard conflicting opinions on them

Sorry for late reply (didn't see it until now).  Half plate feels great with tactile switch (preferrably Cherry MX brown).  It allows for a small amount of movement when you type.  Some will either love it or hate it.  Again, just a matter of personal preference really.  As for me, it allows me to type faster with fewer mistakes and I'm loving it so far.


Here's a pic in case someone's wondering what the heck is a half plate. lol

Show Image

The sound it produces is also different.  Half plate switches seem a bit louder than its counterpart.

This was posted in the Post your keycaps thread. Thanks again for the input reaper!

[IvanIvanovich]

Seemed to me it was more for a purpose of not having the pcb floating around loose in the case, while having as much of pcb mount as possible. On those design of case the plate/pcb assembly is sandwich and secured between the top and bottom case half. So it need some sort of plate for the mounting. Also, not sure since I don't own one but some need plate mount stabilizer too I think... no plate no stabs. Otherwise they would have had to design a totally different for pcb mount option.

[metalliqaz]

My Cheat has a half plate.  I can tell you that it flexes A LOT.  Like when you install keycaps you deform the whole board.  I placed a pad under the PCB to all it all to absorb shock but prevent excessive flex.

Also agree with everything that Lysol just said.

[Acanthophis]

So what about plates which stand out a little only for switches, anyone?


Awesome mockup in Paint:

[metalliqaz]

I don't think you're understanding...

[Acanthophis]

I don't?
People chose half-plate because they wanted the typing feel of PCB mounted switches, but still complain about the flex (kinda), right?
Also, they don't like the "clash" of keycap and plate, correct?
My professionally worked out semi-CAD file would negate almost all of the negative effects mentioned above +(!) adds the feel and sturdiness of a plate.

Don't know if this is feasable, though.

[alaricljs]

The keycap does not strike the plate.

[Acanthophis]

Nevermind me then

[Bry]

The bottom out actually occurs between the top of the switch casing and the underside of the keycap, hence o-ring mods/landing pads.

[jeroplane]

The bottom out actually occurs between the top of the switch casing and the underside of the keycap

Actually it's the bottom of the slider striking the bottom of the switch housing.

[Bry]

Now that I think about it for a second, you're right. When you press the key all the way down, you can still wiggle it around a bit.

[alaricljs]

Depends on the caps.  The ones without cross bracing around the stem it is typically the slider inside the housing.  The ones with the cross bracing it is very hard to see, but by measurement it's a close call.  Given tolerances it could be either.

[Bry]

Depends on the caps.  The ones without cross bracing around the stem it is typically the slider inside the housing.  The ones with the cross bracing it is very hard to see, but by measurement it's a close call.  Given tolerances it could be either.

My filco caps have the cross bracing, and they seem to not touch the top of the switch housing like I originally thought. But it could vary between different keycap styles.

[alaricljs]

I was checking out my imsto PBTs on that regard.  Only ones I have with the bracing.  SP's caps are without the bracing.