Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[Puddsy]

Don't get me wrong, it's a good set, I just wish the legends were correct.

Don't be picky

That's what I get for hanging out with Photekq and Dubs all the time. sorry

Photekq sniped what I was going to say, go figure.

[CPTBadAss]

The funny thing is we're all here because we're picky. Hence the . Of course you should pick caps based on legends and what not. I like the new legends so I'm buying . I like the subtle remix.

[Puddsy]

to each his own

[swill]

Any custom plates (openable switches) that will fit the WASD v2 for a decent price?

I have a steel universal TKL plate I could part with, PM me.

[CPTBadAss]

Any custom plates (openable switches) that will fit the WASD v2 for a decent price?

I have a steel universal TKL plate I could part with, PM me.

No business in this thread please and thanks.

[whentheclouds]

You can try looking through the Keycap Color archive, keeping in mind that the Cherry doubleshot molds are the same as the GMK molds. So essentially GMK are "new" Cherry caps. Also that archive is a work in progress.

thanks a ton. too bad it hasn't been updated in a while, but very useful information nonetheless. i'm quite surprised that SP is the main manufacturer for a majority of keysets released, compared to GMK/Cherry's 2-3 entries.

[swill]

Any custom plates (openable switches) that will fit the WASD v2 for a decent price?

I have a steel universal TKL plate I could part with, PM me.

No business in this thread please and thanks.

Sorry, I was trying to help him out and I was being lazy cause I am on my phone. My bad...

[BlueBär]

thanks a ton. too bad it hasn't been updated in a while, but very useful information nonetheless. i'm quite surprised that SP is the main manufacturer for a majority of keysets released, compared to GMK/Cherry's 2-3 entries.

I don't think there's a lot missing.

SP produced more group buys because GMK used to have a MOQ of 400, compared to the MOQ of 250 they have now (thanks to IvanIvanovich), and it was way easier to get to SPs MOQ. At least that's what I think is one of the reasons, please correct me if I'm wrong.

[acalora]

does anyone have a list of all GMK produced caps? i'm aware of the existence of Dolch, Charred Orange, and Beige along with various modifier sets, and i'm curious if i missed anything else

I doubt one exists, because GMK makes a lot of OEM stuff for Cherry, since GMK owns the tooling

I'm thinking about grabbing the gmk dolch GB base set. How will those caps work on a filco? I'm just thinking about the costar stabilizers conflicting with the thickness of the caps.

they'll work fine

Ivan's GB right?

the legends are dumb but the set will work on a Filco

Most sets are in "Filco layout" and this one is not an exception

Why do you say the legends are dumb?

ISO mod legends on the mods of an ANSI set, his printscreen and pause legends are incorrect sometimes as well.

Don't get me wrong, it's a good set, I just wish the legends were correct.

What should the mods and print screen and pause keys look like? They look normal to me.

[Puddsy]

See the text on the mods? This is what an ANSI set's mod legends are supposed to look like. CAPSLOCK says Caps Lock, Shifts say SHIFT and Enter says ENTER



See the handbag caps lock? You could only get that legend on FR and IT sets. The lack of text on the SHIFT and Enter keys? Only on ISO sets. TAB is also weird.

[Pacifist]

now that you pointed it out.....

[BlueBär]

now that you pointed it out.....

Time to cancel your order?

[riotonthebay]

now that you pointed it out.....

Time to cancel your order?

A foregone conclusion.

[Smasher816]

Another quick question.

MK the best place to get clears?

[riotonthebay]

Another quick question.

MK the best place to get clears?

To the best of my knowledge, yes. And they're PCB mount if I remember correctly, which is more versatile than plate mount.

[Puddsy]

Another quick question.

MK the best place to get clears?

To the best of my knowledge, yes. And they're PCB mount if I remember correctly, which is more versatile than plate mount.

yes and yes

[Pacifist]

didn't they get both pcb and plate?

[BunnyLake]

didn't they get both pcb and plate?

you found an avatar that accurately depicts your personality

[Pacifist]

didn't they get both pcb and plate?

you found an avatar that accurately depicts your personality

you like to post off topic posts way too much

[hwood34]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-IBM-Numeric-Keypad-Part-1396199-R2-Model-M3-/390862972288?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5b013fa580
rubberdome?

[Pacifist]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-IBM-Numeric-Keypad-Part-1396199-R2-Model-M3-/390862972288?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5b013fa580
rubberdome?

yes

[hwood34]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-IBM-Numeric-Keypad-Part-1396199-R2-Model-M3-/390862972288?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5b013fa580
rubberdome?

yes

disappointment

[acalora]

Show Image

See the text on the mods? This is what an ANSI set's mod legends are supposed to look like. CAPSLOCK says Caps Lock, Shifts say SHIFT and Enter says ENTER

Show Image

See the handbag caps lock? You could only get that legend on FR and IT sets. The lack of text on the SHIFT and Enter keys? Only on ISO sets. TAB is also weird.

Oh that's it. I didn't know that was ISO specifically. Its a shame cause I did want text mods and not symbols, do you think there'll be other chances to get sets like that, like the originative gmk dolch set? Or should I get this GB now?

[Puddsy]

I know that some are planned, but I don't know specifically what sets

[minho]

Any custom plates (openable switches) that will fit the WASD v2 for a decent price?

Not sure what you consider decent price, but if you want one ASAP, I think crabby has one on sale on classifieds (with a keyboard though).

[CPTBadAss]

thanks a ton. too bad it hasn't been updated in a while, but very useful information nonetheless. i'm quite surprised that SP is the main manufacturer for a majority of keysets released, compared to GMK/Cherry's 2-3 entries.

I don't think there's a lot missing.

SP produced more group buys because GMK used to have a MOQ of 400, compared to the MOQ of 250 they have now (thanks to IvanIvanovich), and it was way easier to get to SPs MOQ. At least that's what I think is one of the reasons, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Yup, I think that's why. And I should really get working on updating that archive. Too much on my to-do list, not enough time in a day. I offer you my excuses and sincerest apologies.

[combataran]

Whats the keycap profile on a stock Filco?

And it's difference with the profile on a Realforce for example?

[Pacifist]

Whats the keycap profile on a stock Filco?

oem

[BlueBär]

Whats the keycap profile on a stock Filco?

And it's difference with the profile on a Realforce for example?

The Filco has an OEM profile. OEM profiles are usually a bit higher than original Cherry/GMK/BSP caps. SP caps are lower than OEM but higher than Cherry. I don't know how Realforce caps would be in comparison to them but since RF is Topre I don't think that really matters.

The profile should not affect key travel btw.

[FrostyToast]

Where could I get a backplate for the Ergodox?
AFAIK the ergodox set doesn't come with one and instead uses PCB mounted switches.

[CPTBadAss]

Where could I get a backplate for the Ergodox?
AFAIK the ergodox set doesn't come with one and instead uses PCB mounted switches.

I'm not sure what you mean by backplate. If you mean a plate for the Ergodox, I believe you get one when you buy the case from Massdrop or there's a metal Edox case buy running right now.

If the PCB is designed with the proper holes, which many PCBs are, you can use PCB mounted switches with plates.

[intelli78]

Where could I get a backplate for the Ergodox?
AFAIK the ergodox set doesn't come with one and instead uses PCB mounted switches.

The middle acrylic layer of the Ergodox is essentially a plate. it's acrylic, not metal, but the switches mount on it the same way they'd mount on a regular metal plate.

[intelli78]

If the PCB is designed with the proper holes, which many PCBs are, you can use PCB mounted switches with plates.

It is and you can.

[Melvang]

When doing an in place bolt mod (not fully removing the barrel plate) is it acceptable to just replace the broken rivets or better to do those first and systematically replace the rest?

[FrostyToast]

Sweet, thanks for the info on the ErgoDox!

[whentheclouds]

I don't think there's a lot missing.

SP produced more group buys because GMK used to have a MOQ of 400, compared to the MOQ of 250 they have now (thanks to IvanIvanovich), and it was way easier to get to SPs MOQ. At least that's what I think is one of the reasons, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Yup, I think that's why. And I should really get working on updating that archive. Too much on my to-do list, not enough time in a day. I offer you my excuses and sincerest apologies.

thanks for the explaination. it's intriguing how a difference of 150 is huge (with regards to the MOQ/success of a GB), yet the fact that they get snapped right away in classifieds and personal sales would indicate otherwise. despite the popularity of mechanical/custom keyboards in recent years, i guess at the end of the day, it's still only a niche hobby and will continue to remain so for the foreseeable future. and looking forward to the archive's update, i thought it was quite comprehensive until i realized it doesn't have the more recent sets from groupbuys

while i'm at it, allow me to ask another question: what should i know regarding acrylic vs aluminum cases? and is anodized aluminum always more desirable than regular aluminum?

[CPTBadAss]

What should i know regarding acrylic vs aluminum cases? and is anodized aluminum always more desirable than regular aluminum?

Acrylic: Cheap, flexible, can crack, lightweight
Aluminum: Heavy, it's a metal, expensive

Anodized aluminum is desired for corrosion and wear protection as well as aesthetics.



What's the PayPal goods fee? Is it 3.4% now?

[Pacifist]

What should i know regarding acrylic vs aluminum cases? and is anodized aluminum always more desirable than regular aluminum?

Acrylic: Cheap, flexible, can crack, lightweight
Aluminum: Heavy, it's a metal, expensive

Anodized aluminum is desired for corrosion and wear protection as well as aesthetics.



What's the PayPal goods fee? Is it 3.4% now?

Selling is 2.9% + $0.30 per sale, or less.

Sales within the US2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Discounted rate for eligible merchants and nonprofitsAs low as 2.2% based on volume
International sales3.9% transaction fee plus a fixed fee based on currency received
PayPal Heretm card reader2.7% when you swipe a card or 3.5% plus $0.15 for manually entered transactions

https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/paypal-fees

[BlueBär]

thanks for the explaination. it's intriguing how a difference of 150 is huge (with regards to the MOQ/success of a GB), yet the fact that they get snapped right away in classifieds and personal sales would indicate otherwise. despite the popularity of mechanical/custom keyboards in recent years, i guess at the end of the day, it's still only a niche hobby and will continue to remain so for the foreseeable future. and looking forward to the archive's update, i thought it was quite comprehensive until i realized it doesn't have the more recent sets from groupbuys

while i'm at it, allow me to ask another question: what should i know regarding acrylic vs aluminum cases? and is anodized aluminum always more desirable than regular aluminum?

250 is still much as a MOQ I think. The problem is finding 250 people at once that want to purchase a certain set, without 100% knowing what the end result will look like. Once a set has been produced people see pictures of it and want it too (maybe like 50 at once though).

Acrylic cases have some design limitations if they're layered cases (most acrylic cases are layered), so they might not look as nice. Some Koreans seem to prefer acrylic plates though as according to them the bottom out is not as hard.

I think most aluminium cases are anodized.

[whentheclouds]

thank you for the concise answers. concerning build quality, is acrylic still an upgrade to the plastic used by the majority of retail/commercial (not sure what the correct word is) keyboards?

[CPTBadAss]

thank you for the concise answers. concerning build quality, is acrylic still an upgrade to the plastic used by the majority of retail/commercial (not sure what the correct word is) keyboards?

I don't know. I say this because I don't know what most retail boards are made from. I believe the community has experience with acrylic and polycarbonate so they stick to what they know but this is a guess on my part more than anything else.

[Photekq]

thank you for the concise answers. concerning build quality, is acrylic still an upgrade to the plastic used by the majority of retail/commercial (not sure what the correct word is) keyboards?

I wouldn't say so. Plastic cases are generally pretty high quality. The advantage of acrylic ones is that they can be custom made at a low cost, so they can be made to house custom PCBs, or made in custom colour schemes.

[Pacifist]

Plastic needs to be injection molded, which requires a high MOQ to be cost efficient.

Acrylic needs low MOQ, as does CNC milling

Layered acrylic is cheaper because plastics are cheaper than metals.

Metal can be anodized to get different colors

[The_Beast]

Plastic needs to be injection molded, which requires a high MOQ to be cost efficient.

Acrylic needs low MOQ, as does CNC milling

Layered acrylic is cheaper because plastics are cheaper than metals.

Metal can be anodized to get different colors

Plastic can be processed in many more ways than just injection molding

Acrylic doesn't NEED low MOQ. It the fact that it's a sheet good that can be laser cut/2d process makes it cheap.

CNC milling often requires HIGH MOQ to be cost effective.

Not all plastics are cheap than metal.

Not all metals can be anodized



If you can't accurately answer a questions, just keep quiet in the corner with the pants on your head.

[Puddsy]

thank you for the concise answers. concerning build quality, is acrylic still an upgrade to the plastic used by the majority of retail/commercial (not sure what the correct word is) keyboards?

depends on the case

anything is better than the case on a DK1087, but the case on a Filco or a KUL might be better to most than an acryl case.

[hwood34]

Anyone know what this is?

[Melvang]

(Attachment Link)

Anyone know what this is?

My guess would be a control board for an industrial setting with reed or hall effect switches.

[hwood34]

(Attachment Link)

Anyone know what this is?

My guess would be a control board for an industrial setting with reed or hall effect switches.

Yeah, I though from the caps it would be hall effect but they looked a little different

[HoffmanMyster]

Plastic needs to be injection molded, which requires a high MOQ to be cost efficient.

Acrylic needs low MOQ, as does CNC milling

Layered acrylic is cheaper because plastics are cheaper than metals.

Metal can be anodized to get different colors

Dude.  Acrylic is a plastic.  Also, please read The_Beast's comments a few times, as they are relevant.

[Dubsgalore]

Seriously Pacifist are you high all the time or something?