Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[CPTBadAss]

Hey guys, which one should i get as a first mechanical keyboard 

CM Storm QuickFire Rapid I
Ducky Shine 3 TKL

both with MX Browns !

Canīt decide

What exactly are you looking for in a keyboard? You like backlighting? Do the stabilizers matter to you? Keycaps? PCB quality?

[baslo]

Hey guys, which one should i get as a first mechanical keyboard 

CM Storm QuickFire Rapid I
Ducky Shine 3 TKL

both with MX Browns !

Canīt decide

What exactly are you looking for in a keyboard? You like backlighting? Do the stabilizers matter to you? Keycaps? PCB quality?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68086.0 

[oledome]

Say you bought a keyboard just for its keycaps to go on another, what would you do with the one you just bought?

[danielucf]

So I'm trying to update the firmware on a Leeku 1800 board. I think I have the latest firmware and the bootload program.

So with an update file, what do I actually type to flash the firmware? I have the command prompt open and when I run bootloadhid.exe by itself I only get "usage: bootloadhid.exe [-r] [<intel-hexfile>]" so I imagine I need to tell it the hex file, but I'm unsure how exactly to do that.

I did one attempt where I typed "bootloadhid.exe -r main_140611.hex" and it just told me the specified device was not found.

I'm using the board via USB if that is any help, and I don't want to do something bad that might render the board useless.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[CPTBadAss]

Say you bought a keyboard just for its keycaps to go on another, what would you do with the one you just bought?

Do you want the second board?

Yes = Keep it
No = Sell it

[litesung]

DELETED

[Melvang]

Does Unicomp have tooling to make single unit one piece keys?

Also, has anyone done a GB with them for a few custom legends?

[CPTBadAss]

So I'm trying to update the firmware on a Leeku 1800 board. I think I have the latest firmware and the bootload program.

So with an update file, what do I actually type to flash the firmware? I have the command prompt open and when I run bootloadhid.exe by itself I only get "usage: bootloadhid.exe [-r] [<intel-hexfile>]" so I imagine I need to tell it the hex file, but I'm unsure how exactly to do that.

I did one attempt where I typed "bootloadhid.exe -r main_140611.hex" and it just told me the specified device was not found.

I'm using the board via USB if that is any help, and I don't want to do something bad that might render the board useless.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Does this link help at all? http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/data/7034142

1) Does Unicomp have tooling to make single unit one piece keys?

2) Also, has anyone done a GB with them for a few custom legends?

1) I think so? I've gotten 1 piece caps from them before

2) Yes. Those Geekhack caps and the media caps (pause, forward, play, etc) were from mkawa's work with them.

[sethk_]

Does anyone have a top right acrylic ergodox file I can use to get cut with acrylic? I found one off of GitHub since the ergodox.org one is broken, but that file is 3/4 off screen and I can't zoom out further. I am a noob, so any help is appreciated.

[CPTBadAss]

Does anyone have a picture of imgur gallery of SA row 3 or DSA profile caps on a keyboard with an artisan keycap (HKP, CC, BB, etc) on the escape key?  I'm trying to get a reference or idea on what 1976/Evergreen would look like on a Leopold FC660M with a CC or BB on the escape key.

Thanks!

This is the best I can do.

[danielucf]

Just built my 4th or 5th ErgoDox for someone else and am not getting any functionality out of the keyboard (hitting keys does not yield any input)

Potentially helpful information:
I used the through hole diodes how I normally do when I build and ErgoDox, soldered them onto the bottom side of the PCB like I have seen in a lot of Korean assembled keyboards where they snip off of the top part from the top of the PCB.
Black line side of the diode aligned with the square pad.
I get an Auto Mode Disabled error with the firmware.eep in automatic. Maybe this is the culprit and it isn't copying the firmware correctly?
The teensy LED no longer lights up at all no matter what when plugging it in or pushing the button.
I might have sent the hex file over before the .eep on accident the first time I was trying to flash the firmware.

Edit - I tried to continuity test my diodes and they don't work. Even when not soldered on the board. Is it possible they are bad or more likely I'm doing my continuity test wrong?

[litesung]

DELETED

[hking0036]

Is there anywhere to go to buy old group buys besides classifieds and /r/mechmarket? I'm poking around for a Nuclear Data but I can't post on classifieds 'cause my account isn't 60 days old yet.

[jdcarpe]

Is there anywhere to go to buy old group buys besides classifieds and /r/mechmarket? I'm poking around for a Nuclear Data but I can't post on classifieds 'cause my account isn't 60 days old yet.

No, that's about it. You could always go to the group buy thread, assuming it's not locked, and post in there that you're willing to buy if anyone is selling. It's allowed.

[hking0036]

Is there anywhere to go to buy old group buys besides classifieds and /r/mechmarket? I'm poking around for a Nuclear Data but I can't post on classifieds 'cause my account isn't 60 days old yet.

No, that's about it. You could always go to the group buy thread, assuming it's not locked, and post in there that you're willing to buy if anyone is selling. It's allowed.

Even if it's however old? I really want a nuclear data but I doubt that people would want me posting in that thread tbh.

[jdcarpe]

Is there anywhere to go to buy old group buys besides classifieds and /r/mechmarket? I'm poking around for a Nuclear Data but I can't post on classifieds 'cause my account isn't 60 days old yet.

No, that's about it. You could always go to the group buy thread, assuming it's not locked, and post in there that you're willing to buy if anyone is selling. It's allowed.

Even if it's however old? I really want a nuclear data but I doubt that people would want me posting in that thread tbh.

Yeah, there's no rule against necros. And the thread is usually left open, so that people can post after the buy about shipping issues, wrong keys, etc.

[hking0036]

Is there anywhere to go to buy old group buys besides classifieds and /r/mechmarket? I'm poking around for a Nuclear Data but I can't post on classifieds 'cause my account isn't 60 days old yet.

No, that's about it. You could always go to the group buy thread, assuming it's not locked, and post in there that you're willing to buy if anyone is selling. It's allowed.

Even if it's however old? I really want a nuclear data but I doubt that people would want me posting in that thread tbh.

Yeah, there's no rule against necros. And the thread is usually left open, so that people can post after the buy about shipping issues, wrong keys, etc.

Fair enough, I'm off to go bother some people then.

[noisyturtle]

Anywhere to buy double shot PBT sets right now?

[rowdy]

Anywhere to buy double shot PBT sets right now?

http://www.mechkb.com/vortex-double-shot-pbt-104-key-cap-set
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vortex-Orange-Double-Shot-Thick-PBT-104-Keyset-Cherry-MX-Keycaps-/231099851498?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ce9fe2ea
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1008
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=769

[noisyturtle]

Anywhere to buy double shot PBT sets right now?

http://www.mechkb.com/vortex-double-shot-pbt-104-key-cap-set
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vortex-Orange-Double-Shot-Thick-PBT-104-Keyset-Cherry-MX-Keycaps-/231099851498?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ce9fe2ea
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1008
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=769

I was going to say I hate the Vortex font, but the last two look like they redid the font to be less eye-gouging. Hmmm. No GMK sets though?

[byker]

Anywhere to buy double shot PBT sets right now?

http://www.mechkb.com/vortex-double-shot-pbt-104-key-cap-set
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vortex-Orange-Double-Shot-Thick-PBT-104-Keyset-Cherry-MX-Keycaps-/231099851498?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ce9fe2ea
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1008
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=769

I was going to say I hate the Vortex font, but the last two look like they redid the font to be less eye-gouging. Hmmm. No GMK sets though?

Isnt GMK only abs?

[SpAmRaY]

Anywhere to buy double shot PBT sets right now?

http://www.mechkb.com/vortex-double-shot-pbt-104-key-cap-set
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vortex-Orange-Double-Shot-Thick-PBT-104-Keyset-Cherry-MX-Keycaps-/231099851498?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ce9fe2ea
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1008
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=769

I was going to say I hate the Vortex font, but the last two look like they redid the font to be less eye-gouging. Hmmm. No GMK sets though?

Isnt GMK only abs?

Yes :facepalm:

[Firebolt1914]

Just wondering, does anyone know the mass of a GMK escape key? Approximate mass is fine, I just don't own a scale that is super precise.

[Puddsy]

Just wondering, does anyone know the mass of a GMK escape key? Approximate mass is fine, I just don't own a scale that is super precise.

mass like weight or mass like actual mass

[Melvang]

Just wondering, does anyone know the mass of a GMK escape key? Approximate mass is fine, I just don't own a scale that is super precise.

mass like weight or mass like actual mass

Mass is mass.  Weight is the measure of the amount of effect Earths gravity has on an object, whereas mass is the amount of actual stuff is in an object.  They are used interchangeably a lot of times but, technically they are not the same.

[CPTBadAss]

Just wondering, does anyone know the mass of a GMK escape key? Approximate mass is fine, I just don't own a scale that is super precise.

My cheapo scale measures 1g but it's not very accurate at all. I'd wait for someone with a better scale to try it .

[Firebolt1914]

Maybe a different question: does anyone know the volume of a gmk escape key?

[Ouro]

Looking to order components to assemble my very own step before endgame 60% board.

My layout will be winkeyless. Thinking stickered MX Green switches, blue in switch LEDs, purpleish pink leds for the underglow, clear plate so that PCB is visible from the top. Will ultimately end up with the PBT dye sub miami/odessa set from Ivan's group buy.

Do I have everything I would need (minus the switches) to begin assembling the board?

[Evo_Spec]

Looking to order components to assemble my very own step before endgame 60% board.

My layout will be winkeyless. Thinking stickered MX Green switches, blue in switch LEDs, purpleish pink leds for the underglow, clear plate so that PCB is visible from the top. Will ultimately end up with the PBT dye sub miami/odessa set from Ivan's group buy.

Do I have everything I would need (minus the switches) to begin assembling the board?

Show Image

That looks right to me.

[CPTBadAss]

Looking to order components to assemble my very own step before endgame 60% board.

My layout will be winkeyless. Thinking stickered MX Green switches, blue in switch LEDs, purpleish pink leds for the underglow, clear plate so that PCB is visible from the top. Will ultimately end up with the PBT dye sub miami/odessa set from Ivan's group buy.

Do I have everything I would need (minus the switches) to begin assembling the board?

Show Image

Just missing a USB cable :)

[Melvang]

Looking to order components to assemble my very own step before endgame 60% board.

My layout will be winkeyless. Thinking stickered MX Green switches, blue in switch LEDs, purpleish pink leds for the underglow, clear plate so that PCB is visible from the top. Will ultimately end up with the PBT dye sub miami/odessa set from Ivan's group buy.

Do I have everything I would need (minus the switches) to begin assembling the board?

Show Image

Just missing a USB cable :)

You can get that at about any department store.  If you just need something, for mini get a PS3 charging cord, a teensy based keyboard functions 100% with a 10 foot cord.  For micro, just a cell phone charging cord.

[MGH]

For a matrix layout, does the regular 7x Cherry spacebar have the stems where a 1 by 7 line of switches would have at least 2 stems? So if I desoldered 5 out of seven switches next to each other, could I put a 7x cherry spacebar on the two switches remaining.

[CPTBadAss]

You can get that at about any department store.  If you just need something, for mini get a PS3 charging cord, a teensy based keyboard functions 100% with a 10 foot cord.  For micro, just a cell phone charging cord.

I find most department stores are overpriced with their cables. Monoprice.com is where it's at.

For a matrix layout, does the regular 7x Cherry spacebar have the stems where a 1 by 7 line of switches would have at least 2 stems? So if I desoldered 5 out of seven switches next to each other, could I put a 7x cherry spacebar on the two switches remaining.

Maybe you could do this?. I've never tried it and I wouldn't be able to test until I'm at home. But the pictures in that post lead me to believe that it would work.

[Ouro]

Just missing a USB cable

You can get that at about any department store.  If you just need something, for mini get a PS3 charging cord, a teensy based keyboard functions 100% with a 10 foot cord.  For micro, just a cell phone charging cord.

I'll probably make one myself or just order one from the makers in our community.

[jdcarpe]

For a matrix layout, does the regular 7x Cherry spacebar have the stems where a 1 by 7 line of switches would have at least 2 stems? So if I desoldered 5 out of seven switches next to each other, could I put a 7x cherry spacebar on the two switches remaining.

You would need three switches, one in the center for the switch stem, and two on the outsides for the stabilizer stems. The stabilizer stems of a 7u spacebar align perfectly with the switch centers 3u out from the center.

[asgeirtj]

Concerning elitekeyboards gmk caps and gmk rgby groupbuy caps colors.  Arent the yellows the same, the  green is lime with ek and dark green in gb.  I use this chart
http://deskthority.net/wiki/GMK_colours
any better chart available with pictures? so according to this chart ek green is AE, gb green is N7.  The reds are the same.  the gb blue is v4, and the ek blue is n5.  Is this all correct?  Also, when did ek get those caps?  There was no group buy which ran is it?

[CPTBadAss]

1) Concerning elitekeyboards gmk caps and gmk rgby groupbuy caps colors.  Arent the yellows the same, the  green is lime with ek and dark green in gb.  I use this chart
http://deskthority.net/wiki/GMK_colours 

so according to this chart ek green is AE, gb green is N7.  The reds are the same.  the gb blue is v4, and the ek blue is n5.  Is this all correct? 
2) any better chart available with pictures?
3) Also, when did ek get those caps?  There was no group buy which ran is it?

1) I believe you're analysis is correct.

2) Here's some pictures of the GMK color samples I could find. AFAIK, there's not a very comprehensive shot like the SP ABS or PBT shots that mashby loaded.


From Ivan


From Dubsgalore


Believe it's from Sherry


Believe it's from BroadMonkey?

3) EK had them made for their store/business. There was no GB.


Edit: billnye was nice enough to send me this picture from GMK

[billnye]

good situation

[pr0ximity]

Is there a listing, glossary, or otherwise compilation of popular Korean boards around? I'm looking to plan a build sometime this year and am having trouble wrapping my mind around the options available. Duck, LZ, KMAC, GON, OTD, kbdmania

[CPTBadAss]

Is there a listing, glossary, or otherwise compilation of popular Korean boards around? I'm looking to plan a build sometime this year and am having trouble wrapping my mind around the options available. Duck, LZ, KMAC, GON, OTD, kbdmania

Post your Korean keyboard thread is good. Sherryton used to have a thread where he covered a lot of the boards but I can't find it now.

OTD and KBDmania are Korean community forums. Duck, GON, LZ are builders of their eponymous keyboards. KMAC (Korean Mania Attic Attack) is a board from the OTD community.

[hking0036]

So I finished taking off my keycaps b/c I figured it was time for a cleaning (got it last august, so 5 months give or take). I know I shouldn't use Alcohol since my caps are UV-Printed but are Dishwasher Fluid/Denture tabs still viable? also I CAN drip some alcohol into one of my sticky switches, after something got spilled in them, right? Just make sure it's clear before I put the caps back.

[jdcarpe]

So I finished taking off my keycaps b/c I figured it was time for a cleaning (got it last august, so 5 months give or take). I know I shouldn't use Alcohol since my caps are UV-Printed but are Dishwasher Fluid/Denture tabs still viable? also I CAN drip some alcohol into one of my sticky switches, after something got spilled in them, right? Just make sure it's clear before I put the caps back.

Yes, neither dishwashing liquid nor denture tabs should harm the UV coated pad print on your caps.

And yes, as long as it's 91% alcohol, you should be fine. When you get brave, you can desolder the switch, open it, and clean it properly.

[hking0036]

So I finished taking off my keycaps b/c I figured it was time for a cleaning (got it last august, so 5 months give or take). I know I shouldn't use Alcohol since my caps are UV-Printed but are Dishwasher Fluid/Denture tabs still viable? also I CAN drip some alcohol into one of my sticky switches, after something got spilled in them, right? Just make sure it's clear before I put the caps back.

Yes, neither dishwashing liquid nor denture tabs should harm the UV coated pad print on your caps.

And yes, as long as it's 91% alcohol, you should be fine. When you get brave, you can desolder the switch, open it, and clean it properly.

lol, I'm not brave enough for that yet, I just figured out how to get keys off with stabs under. I need to get the little inserts out and then go to town. Also I was thinking of switching to dvorak when I put it back on just for fun. worth it? I kinda want to try it.

[Melvang]

So I finished taking off my keycaps b/c I figured it was time for a cleaning (got it last august, so 5 months give or take). I know I shouldn't use Alcohol since my caps are UV-Printed but are Dishwasher Fluid/Denture tabs still viable? also I CAN drip some alcohol into one of my sticky switches, after something got spilled in them, right? Just make sure it's clear before I put the caps back.

Yes, neither dishwashing liquid nor denture tabs should harm the UV coated pad print on your caps.

And yes, as long as it's 91% alcohol, you should be fine. When you get brave, you can desolder the switch, open it, and clean it properly.

lol, I'm not brave enough for that yet, I just figured out how to get keys off with stabs under. I need to get the little inserts out and then go to town. Also I was thinking of switching to dvorak when I put it back on just for fun. worth it? I kinda want to try it.

If your caps are anything but a flat profile, or buckling springs, it will look really goofy and feel even worse.

That being said, just put them back in the right spot, bring up a picture of the layout, and switch your keyboard to it in the OS settings.  For 8.1, you can setup a hot key to swap keyboard layouts.

[hking0036]

So I finished taking off my keycaps b/c I figured it was time for a cleaning (got it last august, so 5 months give or take). I know I shouldn't use Alcohol since my caps are UV-Printed but are Dishwasher Fluid/Denture tabs still viable? also I CAN drip some alcohol into one of my sticky switches, after something got spilled in them, right? Just make sure it's clear before I put the caps back.

Yes, neither dishwashing liquid nor denture tabs should harm the UV coated pad print on your caps.

And yes, as long as it's 91% alcohol, you should be fine. When you get brave, you can desolder the switch, open it, and clean it properly.

lol, I'm not brave enough for that yet, I just figured out how to get keys off with stabs under. I need to get the little inserts out and then go to town. Also I was thinking of switching to dvorak when I put it back on just for fun. worth it? I kinda want to try it.

If your caps are anything but a flat profile, or buckling springs, it will look really goofy and feel even worse.

That being said, just put them back in the right spot, bring up a picture of the layout, and switch your keyboard to it in the OS settings.  For 8.1, you can setup a hot key to swap keyboard layouts.

I guess not then It just seemed like a fun thing to try, oh well.

[sethk_]

Wheres the thread that shows how to turn off new replies posted? I just got boned by it.

[Evo_Spec]

Wheres the thread that shows how to turn off new replies posted? I just got boned by it.

Go to: Profile summery > Look and Layout under modify profile tab > then there's a check box labeled "Don't warn on new replies made while posting." > then "change profile" button

[sethk_]

Wheres the thread that shows how to turn off new replies posted? I just got boned by it.

Go to: Profile summery > Look and Layout under modify profile tab > then there's a check box labeled "Don't warn on new replies made while posting." > then "change profile" button

thanks

[Melvang]

Has anyone done a video comparison between two identical F keyboards, one with and one without floss mod?

If so link please?

[demik]

what adapter do i need to plug my hhkb to my ipad?

is it just the camera usb adapter?