Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[HoffmanMyster]

Thought it must be, but you can't see the dye sublimation from the underside ... Pretty amazing how well thought out the M is ... A testimony to the old "built to last" mindset that has unfortunately faded over time and is almost non-existent now-days.

Dyesub is really a bad word for it. The process is more like a Dye Diffusion. The dye comes in on the top of the keycap, and only goes in less than a mm. You can't see it on the bottom at all.

I agree though. The M, despite being a huge cost cutting measure over the F is still built sturdily enough to work after decades. I sometimes wish that things were more expensive and repairable instead of cheaper and disposable, but that seems to be the way we are going.

Computer repair used to be a big thing, but soon, I expect they'll be more disposable. After that, vehicles will be disposable, then housing, then we'll make whole societies disposable.

To be clear, dye sublimation is still the "correct" industry term for the process.  There is technically no sublimation occurring, but it is still the term used to describe the process.

[juguerre]

Just thinking about topre "snappy' feeling...  How RF 55g  compares to other switches? Is there a difference between" old" Fc660c and the "new" one?

[Photekq]

RGB mods from Desko keyboards were not made by BSP, right? I.e., they do not have the banana-like right shift?

Sadly, they were made by BSP. They do have the banana-like right shift

[intelli78]

RGB mods from Desko keyboards were not made by BSP, right? I.e., they do not have the banana-like right shift?

Sadly, they were made by BSP. They do have the banana-like right shift

D:

Did anyone else ever make winkeyless PBT RBG Cherry mods? Does a proper, non-banana set exist at all?

[BlueBär]

The bicolors.

The legends of the italic ones were pretty bad as they had varying thickness. The legends of the bicolors seem to be a lot better. You can find a review here (these are unicoloured but essentially the same): http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56399.msg1273075

1. How RF 55g  compares to other switches?
2. Is there a difference between" old" Fc660c and the "new" one?

1. People generally say that the closest MX switch to Topre are Ergo Clears. Topre has a big bump and smooth travel. Not a Topre expert though.
2. The only difference should be the keycaps.

[intelli78]

Is there a specific date/year that separates vintage MX switches from current ones? I'm mainly talking about browns.

[Photekq]

D:

Did anyone else ever make winkeyless PBT RBG Cherry mods? Does a proper, non-banana set exist at all?

GMK, SP. There are no 'proper' BSP/Cherry dyesubs ones that I know of.

Is there a specific date/year that separates vintage MX switches from current ones? I'm mainly talking about browns.

You should ask sprit about this. He knows a lot about vintage switches + different switch ages

[juguerre]

The bicolors.

The legends of the italic ones were pretty bad as they had varying thickness. The legends of the bicolors seem to be a lot better. You can find a review here (these are unicoloured but essentially the same): http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56399.msg1273075

1. How RF 55g  compares to other switches?
2. Is there a difference between" old" Fc660c and the "new" one?

1. People generally say that the closest MX switch to Topre are Ergo Clears. Topre has a big bump and smooth travel. Not a Topre expert though.
2. The only difference should be the keycaps.

I mean how it compares with other topre switches (HHKB, fc660c, silent o not silent). I ask for this because I read people saying that 45g RF is not the same that 45g in other topre "flavors" (regarding "snappy" feeling).

[combataran]

The bicolors.

The legends of the italic ones were pretty bad as they had varying thickness. The legends of the bicolors seem to be a lot better. You can find a review here (these are unicoloured but essentially the same): http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56399.msg1273075

Looks good, thanks for the link.

[codyeatworld]

Anybody know the size/type of KMAC screws?

I need to replace all of them.

[combataran]

Are there any advantages to using right angle mini connectors compared to straight ones, like different stress points, maybe?

[BlueBär]

Anybody know the size/type of KMAC screws?

I need to replace all of them.

I don't know their length but they're M2 and M3 screws. Also take a look at this topic: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56065.0

Are there any advantages to using right angle mini connectors compared to straight ones, like different stress points, maybe?

Some people use them because they don't stick out as much (for example some people put their mechs on their laptops). I don't know if it makes much of a difference in terms of durability.

[Razor Lotus]

Can I just solder any LEDs to my keyboards with LED slots?

I read that you can't have LEDs with less than 3 forward voltage else they won't work.

Has anyone tried? Primarily red and orange LEDs

[CPTBadAss]

Can I just solder any LEDs to my keyboards with LED slots?

I read that you can't have LEDs with less than 3 forward voltage else they won't work.

Has anyone tried? Primarily red and orange LEDs

I've never calculated any voltages for my LEDs, I've just done swaps. I haven't had issues so far. But check out this thread for some actual information and numbers.

[Melvang]

So I am thinking of making some diode leg bending tools for common widths, while I have the width for the in switch version for cherry. 

Anyone know the width between pads for the Phantom? 

Does the ergo dox use either of these widths?

Would like to use the 2 most common lengths, and these seem like to two most popular builds.

[Pacifist]

How easily does soft anodized alum scratch?

Such as when:

On wood desk
In backpack
Hitting hard carpet
Hitting wood doors/walls
Falling
Pens hit it

[SpAmRaY]

How easily does soft anodized alum scratch?

Such as when:

On wood desk
In backpack
Hitting hard carpet
Hitting wood doors/walls
Falling
Pens hit it

What if you throw it on the ground?

[riotonthebay]

How easily does soft anodized alum scratch?

Such as when:

On wood desk
In backpack
Hitting hard carpet
Hitting wood doors/walls
Falling
Pens hit it

What if you throw it on the ground?

Question: will you be throwing it onto a pile of pens or just onto hard carpet?

[SpAmRaY]

How easily does soft anodized alum scratch?

Such as when:

On wood desk
In backpack
Hitting hard carpet
Hitting wood doors/walls
Falling
Pens hit it

What if you throw it on the ground?

Question: will you be throwing it onto a pile of pens or just onto hard carpet?

I was leaning towards concrete or dirt.

[jdcarpe]

How easily does soft anodized alum scratch?

Such as when:

On wood desk
In backpack
Hitting hard carpet
Hitting wood doors/walls
Falling
Pens hit it

What if you throw it on the ground?

I'm not part of your system.

KMAC to the ground!

[SpAmRaY]

How easily does soft anodized alum scratch?

Such as when:

On wood desk
In backpack
Hitting hard carpet
Hitting wood doors/walls
Falling
Pens hit it

What if you throw it on the ground?

I'm not part of your system.

KMAC to the ground!

See JD knows whats up.

And to be on topic I think the color of the anodizing along with metal type will change the answer.

[Dubsgalore]

Anybody know the size/type of KMAC screws?

I need to replace all of them.

 ) 

[riotonthebay]

How easily does soft anodized alum scratch?

Such as when:

On wood desk
In backpack
Hitting hard carpet
Hitting wood doors/walls
Falling
Pens hit it

What if you throw it on the ground?

I'm not part of your system.

KMAC to the ground!

See JD knows whats up.

And to be on topic I think the color of the anodizing along with metal type will change the answer.

and furthermore, hitting your keyboard against doors and dropping it is never advised. A fair number of dinged cases pop up, so it must not be too hard to do...

[SpAmRaY]

How easily does soft anodized alum scratch?

Such as when:

On wood desk
In backpack
Hitting hard carpet
Hitting wood doors/walls
Falling
Pens hit it

What if you throw it on the ground?

I'm not part of your system.

KMAC to the ground!

See JD knows whats up.

And to be on topic I think the color of the anodizing along with metal type will change the answer.

and furthermore, hitting your keyboard against doors and dropping it is never advised. A fair number of dinged cases pop up, so it must not be too hard to do...

But most of those actually ding the case itself. Hard anodizing might help with scratches but its not going to stop a dent.

Also I may not make Amy sense I'm half asleep.

[jdcarpe]

My advice? Use your keyboard for whatever you want. If you need to smack someone in the mouth with it on your way out of the office after being fired, smack away. You'll probably lose a few keycaps, though.

For defense against zombie bites, I'd recommend a Model M, however. Especially the models with the channel openings in the case, which will allow the blood and bile to run right out from the barrel plate and not accumulate in the keyboard.

[combataran]

Which version PCB is compatible with a KMAC 1.2?

[Pacifist]

Which version PCB is compatible with a KMAC 1.2?

What PCB? KMAC PCB? Its standard TKL isn't it?

[combataran]

Which version PCB is compatible with a KMAC 1.2?

What PCB? KMAC PCB? Its standard TKL isn't it?

Theres the 1.2 and 1.4 kmac pcb. Im not sure which one to get as a backup.

[CPTBadAss]

Which version PCB is compatible with a KMAC 1.2?

Look up a picture of which PCB the 1.2 had then get that one. I don't recall exactly which PCB it has.

[Photekq]

Both PCBs should fit the 1.2 case.

[SpAmRaY]

For the record had this keyboard been soft anodized would it have been messed up?

[epzy]

Why did I watch that video over 15 times?

[combataran]

Both PCBs should fit the 1.2 case.

Where can I find a 1.4 pcb? Originative maybe?

[Photekq]

Where can I find a 1.4 pcb? Originative maybe?

kbdmod.co.kr

[epzy]

Both PCBs should fit the 1.2 case.

Where can I find a 1.4 pcb? Originative maybe?

http://kbdmod.com/product/detail.html?product_no=19&cate_no=4&display_group=1

[CPTBadAss]

How easily does soft anodized alum scratch?

Such as when:

On wood desk
In backpack
Hitting hard carpet
Hitting wood doors/walls
Falling
Pens hit it

I don't advise you to drop or throw your keyboard. And you should probably not drop it on anything. But if you really care to find out, here's a selection of articles on anodization that will answer questions for strength, corrosion resistance, and wear:

The bonding strength and corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy by anodizing treatment in a phosphoric acid modified boric acid/sulfuric acid bath

The Effect of Anodizing to Minimize Friction and
Wear of Aluminum Surfaces

Anodising of Aluminum

Book entitled "Handbook of Aluminum Bonding Technology and Data"

These are *not* my articles, the authors names are all listed in the documents. They're just being provided for you to learn. And I'm not doing a TL:DR.

That being said, anodization is used in the aerospace industry to protect parts but at work, we still have issues with scratches and dings everyday in the factory. Don't be stupid with your keyboard and treat it like you would your phone.

No I'm not drop testing my KMAC for you.

[Razor Lotus]

Can I just solder any LEDs to my keyboards with LED slots?

I read that you can't have LEDs with less than 3 forward voltage else they won't work.

Has anyone tried? Primarily red and orange LEDs

I've never calculated any voltages for my LEDs, I've just done swaps. I haven't had issues so far. But check out this thread for some actual information and numbers.

Did you change them to red or orange LEDs by any chance? They work fine right?

[CPTBadAss]

Can I just solder any LEDs to my keyboards with LED slots?

I read that you can't have LEDs with less than 3 forward voltage else they won't work.

Has anyone tried? Primarily red and orange LEDs

I've never calculated any voltages for my LEDs, I've just done swaps. I haven't had issues so far. But check out this thread for some actual information and numbers.

Did you change them to red or orange LEDs by any chance? They work fine right?

No I didn't swap orange or red LEDs in. I swapped magenta ones in. But I did put an Orange LED in the techkeys business card without issue. Take an LED, put it into your keyboard, see if it works. If it doesn't then it's time to figure out different resistors.

As I already stated, I haven't swapped out any resistors and the swaps I've done have worked fine.

[BlueBär]

No I'm not drop testing my KMAC for you.

No need for that, just use your Kingsaver.

[combataran]

Both PCBs should fit the 1.2 case.

Where can I find a 1.4 pcb? Originative maybe?

http://kbdmod.com/product/detail.html?product_no=19&cate_no=4&display_group=1

Do I need a proxy for this?

[epzy]

Both PCBs should fit the 1.2 case.

Where can I find a 1.4 pcb? Originative maybe?

http://kbdmod.com/product/detail.html?product_no=19&cate_no=4&display_group=1

Do I need a proxy for this?

AFAIK, yes.

[CPTBadAss]

Both PCBs should fit the 1.2 case.

Where can I find a 1.4 pcb? Originative maybe?

http://kbdmod.com/product/detail.html?product_no=19&cate_no=4&display_group=1

Do I need a proxy for this?

Yes.

[Photekq]

Apparently you can email them and they'll help you order if you're outside of Korea. I don't know for sure though.

[combataran]

Apparently you can email them and they'll help you order if you're outside of Korea. I don't know for sure though.

Oh? I'll shoot them an email then.

[domoaligato]

It's not done by default, especially because this wouldn't fit acrylic cases.

Sounds like it will collide with about every aluminium case as well. Added depth below the the top row?

The most protruding part of the module will be the header pins, which will stand 5.5mm out of the mainboard

Can anyone confirm if this will be a issue with the FMJ Design 1 from Round 1?

edit: incase you have no idea what I am talking about... the added width for the led module addition on the gh60 rev.c may cause the gh60 to not fit in some of the cases that people have purchased for there gh60's

[BlueBär]

Can anyone confirm if this will be a issue with the FMJ Design 1 from Round 1?

edit: incase you have no idea what I am talking about... the added width for the led module addition on the gh60 rev.c may cause the gh60 to not fit in some of the cases that people have purchased for there gh60's

It will not get wider but "thicker". Since we don't know exactly yet how much more space is needed this is impossible to say right now, you can only guess (well apart from if a Rev. C has already been built with the addon module, I only know that there was a prototype of the addon module made).

[domoaligato]

Can anyone confirm if this will be a issue with the FMJ Design 1 from Round 1?

edit: incase you have no idea what I am talking about... the added width for the led module addition on the gh60 rev.c may cause the gh60 to not fit in some of the cases that people have purchased for there gh60's

It will not get wider but "thicker". Since we don't know exactly yet how much more space is needed this is impossible to say right now, you can only guess (well apart from if a Rev. C has already been built with the addon module, I only know that there was a prototype of the addon module made).

yeah I meant to say thickness. derp. anyways thanks for the info. I guess I will just have to wait and see.

[juguerre]

Are Realforce and Leopold related? Just watched an image with Leopold-realforce written on a keyboard!

[CommonCurt]

I'm sure I will get more then one answer, but what is the best solder for soldering switches?

[phoenix1234]

I'm sure I will get more then one answer, but what is the best solder to use for switch replacement?

Yes, there are more than one answer but I can nominate two, Kester 44 0.6mm SN63Pb37 (core rosin) and Kester 245 0.6mm SN63Pb37 (no clean).

Are Realforce and Leopold related? Just watched an image with Leopold-realforce written on a keyboard!

Leopold is just a Topre distributor, just like you can see Ducky in Taiwan is also a Topre distributor.