Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[Melvang]

Any suggestions for getting ball point pen out of PBT caps?

Denture cleaner doesn't seem to be getting through.

My process is: (1) soap (2) alcohol (3) mineral spirits (4) naptha or acetone [careful!] (5) abrasives - white "Mr Clean" sponge eraser - Scotchbrite scrubber - pencil eraser - electric eraser - sandpaper

Water with 15% in weight backing soda, let the caps in the mix for half an hour, and scrub them gently with scothbrite, clean them and you got it. Solvents and abrasives are not recommended by any means.

Thanks guys.  I know the "Mr. Clean" eraser is a mild abrasive, but that worked fine for the pen ink.  It was just along the front face of the bottom row of caps.  Didn't take much and got rid of the ink.

[ideus]

Any suggestions for getting ball point pen out of PBT caps?

Denture cleaner doesn't seem to be getting through.

My process is: (1) soap (2) alcohol (3) mineral spirits (4) naptha or acetone [careful!] (5) abrasives - white "Mr Clean" sponge eraser - Scotchbrite scrubber - pencil eraser - electric eraser - sandpaper

Water with 15% in weight backing soda, let the caps in the mix for half an hour, and scrub them gently with scothbrite, clean them and you got it. Solvents and abrasives are not recommended by any means.

Thanks guys.  I know the "Mr. Clean" eraser is a mild abrasive, but that worked fine for the pen ink.  It was just along the front face of the bottom row of caps.  Didn't take much and got rid of the ink.

Awesome. Good job then. 

[nmur]

What does it feel like to type on ergo clears mounted in a heavy-ass aluminium board (OTD, LZ, KMAC, etc)? I've tried neither.

What would be the first choice that comes to your mind if I asked you about a full-size aluminium board (with winkeys)?

Do I bring dishonour to my family if I said I feel like selling my hhkb for a full size RF?

[jonathanyu]

What does it feel like to type on ergo clears mounted in a heavy-ass aluminium board (OTD, LZ, KMAC, etc)? I've tried neither.

What would be the first choice that comes to your mind if I asked you about a full-size aluminium board (with winkeys)?

Do I bring dishonour to my family if I said I feel like selling my hhkb for a full size RF?

To me the feel is more depends on the plate than the case. 

The first one came to my mind is LZ-trikx.  I am not sure it has winkey or not.  The second is Cherry MX6.0

[nmur]

What does it feel like to type on ergo clears mounted in a heavy-ass aluminium board (OTD, LZ, KMAC, etc)? I've tried neither.

What would be the first choice that comes to your mind if I asked you about a full-size aluminium board (with winkeys)?

Do I bring dishonour to my family if I said I feel like selling my hhkb for a full size RF?

To me the feel is more depends on the plate than the case. 

The first one came to my mind is LZ-trikx.  I am not sure it has winkey or not.  The second is Cherry MX6.0

hey thanks

Yeah I guess now that I think about it, the case would probably affect the sound more than it would affect the feel.

That LZ-tirks looks pretty nice, albeit not too exciting. I might consider getting a TKL (so many more options) and a seperate numpad or something. This is if I ever hypothetically decided to spend the $$$$

[fohat.digs]

Solvents and abrasives are not recommended by any means.

Solvents and abrasives are the last resort, of course.

The Mr Clean white erasers are pretty good, but they will take the texture off a surface surprisingly fast.

[ideus]

What does it feel like to type on ergo clears mounted in a heavy-ass aluminium board (OTD, LZ, KMAC, etc)? I've tried neither.

What would be the first choice that comes to your mind if I asked you about a full-size aluminium board (with winkeys)?

Do I bring dishonour to my family if I said I feel like selling my hhkb for a full size RF?

I'd say that plate rigidity makes a greater difference in feeling than any other characteristic of the board overall assembly, along with switches of course. If you use a plate made of steel, plastic, acrylic or aluminum, and its thickness will make a difference in typing sound and feeling that are the key aspects of the typing experience.

[CPTBadAss]

1) What does it feel like to type on ergo clears mounted in a heavy-ass aluminium board (OTD, LZ, KMAC, etc)? I've tried neither.

2) What would be the first choice that comes to your mind if I asked you about a full-size aluminium board (with winkeys)?

3) Do I bring dishonour to my family if I said I feel like selling my hhkb for a full size RF?

1) I don't have a good review on ergo-clears but here's one on Zealios which is similar in feeling to me. In addition, here's a plethora of reviews and threads on this topic. I also agree that the feeling depends a lot on the case and keycaps used.


2) In addition to the two options Johnathanyu listed, there was this aftermarket case for Filcos. There's not many options.


3) I don't understand. Do you. If you like full size, get a full size. Why do you care what others think?

[Eugene45]

By any chance an european supplier for http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=78 in small size ?
Looking for the same or something similar in quality ?

Thanks

[CPTBadAss]

By any chance an european supplier for http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=78 in small size ?
Looking for the same or something similar in quality ?

Thanks

lpwl had a ton. Apparently lpwl has sold out but you can ask. That's all I can think of though. I'd try asking DT too just in case. This forum is definitely CONUS skewed.

[ika]

Anyone know how to get a replacement spring for a Topre spacebar? Apparently the previous owner for my Realforce lost it or something, because I don't have a spring under my spacebar. Also apparently I need the spring to make the PBT spacebars return properly. Not sure if Topre sells replacements or where I can fashion a replacement with roughly the same weight.

[CPTBadAss]

Anyone know how to get a replacement spring for a Topre spacebar? Apparently the previous owner for my Realforce lost it or something, because I don't have a spring under my spacebar. Also apparently I need the spring to make the PBT spacebars return properly. Not sure if Topre sells replacements or where I can fashion a replacement with roughly the same weight.

Classifieds is probably your best bet. I'm not aware of any vendors that sell those springs as a spare part.

[ideus]

Anyone know how to get a replacement spring for a Topre spacebar? Apparently the previous owner for my Realforce lost it or something, because I don't have a spring under my spacebar. Also apparently I need the spring to make the PBT spacebars return properly. Not sure if Topre sells replacements or where I can fashion a replacement with roughly the same weight.

Classifieds is probably your best bet. I'm not aware of any vendors that sell those springs as a spare part.

Unfortunately, the lack of options to replace a single faulty part is the price to pay for using non discrete keyboards . Have you tried the classifieds, or the free stuff threads?.

[ika]

Anyone know how to get a replacement spring for a Topre spacebar? Apparently the previous owner for my Realforce lost it or something, because I don't have a spring under my spacebar. Also apparently I need the spring to make the PBT spacebars return properly. Not sure if Topre sells replacements or where I can fashion a replacement with roughly the same weight.

Classifieds is probably your best bet. I'm not aware of any vendors that sell those springs as a spare part.

Unfortunately, the lack of options to replace a single faulty part is the price to pay for using non discrete keyboards . Have you tried the classifieds, or the free stuff threads?.

Haven't tried Classifieds yet but from a few google searches I see this question asked a lot with no concrete answers. I've just been reaching out to see what my options are. Spamray mentioned springs from an old foam and foil keyboard, anyone got one to try out?

[Joey Quinn]

If I'm looking for cool Alps caps what boards should I look for? ANSI really isn't an issue because none of my layouts are standard.

[Blaise170]

If I'm looking for cool Alps caps what boards should I look for? ANSI really isn't an issue because none of my layouts are standard.

APC and Clicker.

[CPTBadAss]

Spamray mentioned springs from an old foam and foil keyboard, anyone got one to try out?

Please use the classifieds to try and get a spring. I don't want this to be a place to circumvent the classfifieds.

If I'm looking for cool Alps caps what boards should I look for? ANSI really isn't an issue because none of my layouts are standard.

I forget the model but Toshiba laptops have Dolch-alike Alps caps.

I like Wang 724, 725 the dye-sub caps.

The Apple AEK/AEK2 and Dell AT101 caps are surprisingly good.

My favorite caps are still the ones I found in Classifieds. They're Taiwanese layout Acer 6131 caps.

[swimmingbird]

Is there an alternate controller for the RF 87u that allows you to reprogram the keys like Hasu's one for the HHKB?

[SpAmRaY]

Is there an alternate controller for the RF 87u that allows you to reprogram the keys like Hasu's one for the HHKB?

Hasu is working on one that might eventually lead to something. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=76040.0

[swimmingbird]

Is there an alternate controller for the RF 87u that allows you to reprogram the keys like Hasu's one for the HHKB?

Hasu is working on one that might eventually lead to something. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=76040.0

Thanks man!

[quochung1989]

Where do you buy stand-off led? I need some for Phantom.

[SpAmRaY]

Where do you buy stand-off led? I need some for Phantom.

See bottom of this OP -> https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46758.0

[quochung1989]

Where do you buy stand-off led? I need some for Phantom.

See bottom of this OP -> https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46758.0

Thanks ray. I pm'ed jonathanyu.

[alienman82]

removed.

[Blaise170]

Are there any Alps artisans available right now besides the ones that bcredbottle is working on?

I'm pretty sure these are dampened cream alps, but some click.  Any thoughts?

Show Image

Definitely damped, you can see the notches on the sides. They shouldn't click unless someone replaced them with non-damped switches.

[alienman82]

removed.

[pabile]

can i build a custom keyboard without diode? nkro is not a quirement.

[quochung1989]

can i build a custom keyboard without diode? nkro is not a quirement.

If you 're not use diodes, switchs isn't work.

[pabile]

oh! thanks quochung!

[njbair]

can i build a custom keyboard without diode? nkro is not a quirement.

If you 're not use diodes, switchs isn't work.

This is wrong. You can replace diodes with jumper wires and it will work fine, just with ghosting issues.

[njbair]

Is there an alternate controller for the RF 87u that allows you to reprogram the keys like Hasu's one for the HHKB?

Hasu is working on one that might eventually lead to something. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=76040.0

In the meantime, his USB to USB converter will work. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69169.0

[SpAmRaY]

Is there an alternate controller for the RF 87u that allows you to reprogram the keys like Hasu's one for the HHKB?

Hasu is working on one that might eventually lead to something. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=76040.0

In the meantime, his USB to USB converter will work. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69169.0

Had not even considered that. Great idea.

[CPTBadAss]

Are there any Alps artisans available right now besides the ones that bcredbottle is working on?

There's a handful of novelty Alps caps floating around out there but there's nothing easily available or new besides bcredbottle's stuff. Previously, do_og@n had painted some Alps caps and there were some Geekhack and MK.com Alps caps. Oh I think SP has a red escape too.

Been dreaming of nice Alps novelties for years now.

[quochung1989]

can i build a custom keyboard without diode? nkro is not a quirement.

If you 're not use diodes, switchs isn't work.

This is wrong. You can replace diodes with jumper wires and it will work fine, just with ghosting issues.

Ok. thanks for showing me. I don't think this way.

[HoffmanMyster]

Are there any Alps artisans available right now besides the ones that bcredbottle is working on?

There's a handful of novelty Alps caps floating around out there but there's nothing easily available or new besides bcredbottle's stuff. Previously, do_og@n had painted some Alps caps and there were some Geekhack and MK.com Alps caps. Oh I think SP has a red escape too.

Been dreaming of nice Alps novelties for years now.

Nubs has done a lot of work with alps too!

[SpAmRaY]

Anybody know what language these represent?

[nubbinator]

Show Image

Anybody know what language these represent?

Looks like Thai.

Also pretty sure the caps are upside down in the pic.

[Melvang]

Is there anywhere to source new F springs?

[CPTBadAss]

Is there anywhere to source new F springs?

Not that I'm aware of.

Show Image

Anybody know what language these represent?

Looks like Thai.

Also pretty sure the caps are upside down in the pic.

I agree.

[Melvang]

Is there anywhere to source new F springs?

Not that I'm aware of.

Show Image

Anybody know what language these represent?

Looks like Thai.

Also pretty sure the caps are upside down in the pic.

I agree.

Thanks cpt, I just sent a pm to Ellipse.  I am doing a spill restoration project and fount 3/4 of the springs rusty.  The spill managed to get under the barrel plate, both sides of the pcb, and below the mylar sheet.

[alienman82]

removed.

[bcredbottle]

Are there any Alps artisans available right now besides the ones that bcredbottle is working on?

AFAIK it's currently just nubbinator and me. Quality-wise, I'm not really a legit artisan though. Nubs makes sale-quality caps while I'm more of an amateur/weekend warrior. The only thing that's better about my caps is that they'll always be free 

BlueNalgene is working on some artisan Alps so maybe you can PM him; I bet he'd like to hear the interest/encouragement. Hopefully in the future we'll see Alps caps routinely included in artisan sales the way Topre caps are now.

[alienman82]

removed.

[CPTBadAss]

how to use animated gif?

For what? Your avatar or just in a post?

[alienman82]

removed.

[CPTBadAss]

how to use animated gif?

For what? Your avatar or just in a post?

avatar

Make sure the avatar isn't bigger than 150x150 pixels. You might have to scale it to 100x100 pixels.

[alienman82]

removed.

[raymogi]

What's the 2 dipswitches on the 360 Corsa for?

[apolotary]

Desoldered almost all switches off my v60, but it seems like there's still something that sticks top plate to the PCB. What could it be? Cherry-style stabilisers?

[quochung1989]

What PS2 to USB converter should I buy?