Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[1swt2gs]

Relatively speaking are all Bros equal?

As in, would a rustler or something from the Halloween sale be able to be traded with a Grumpkin, Lycan, Zombro be able to be traded 1:1 for a brobot or a reaper?

[ideus]

Relatively speaking are all Bros equal?

As in, would a rustler or something from the Halloween sale be able to be traded with a Grumpkin, Lycan, Zombro be able to be traded 1:1 for a brobot or a reaper?

Isn't this belong into one of the dedicated Bro threads / subforum?

[1swt2gs]

Relatively speaking are all Bros equal?

As in, would a rustler or something from the Halloween sale be able to be traded with a Grumpkin, Lycan, Zombro be able to be traded 1:1 for a brobot or a reaper?

Isn't this belong into one of the dedicated Bro threads / subforum?

Sorry if I posted it in the wrong section! I figured I would post it here as it keycap related and a pretty straight forward question!

[Bomble]

Ugh, I couldn't find a good side by side but maybe this thread is helpful?

Yeah, understandably. Was kind of hoping against likelihood that someone would happen to have a set and a bro that matched with the purple really well. It's a good idea for me to look in that thread though, cheers!

[byker]

Relatively speaking are all Bros equal?

As in, would a rustler or something from the Halloween sale be able to be traded with a Grumpkin, Lycan, Zombro be able to be traded 1:1 for a brobot or a reaper?

Trades are generally determined by what each party wants, so those trades could definitely happen. Generally though, I find most people consider older caps more rare, and may not straight up trade one for a newer cap (although if they want one, they may). When it comes to artisan trades, as long as each side is happy, it was a good trade

[ideus]

Relatively speaking are all Bros equal?

As in, would a rustler or something from the Halloween sale be able to be traded with a Grumpkin, Lycan, Zombro be able to be traded 1:1 for a brobot or a reaper?

Isn't this belong into one of the dedicated Bro threads / subforum?

Sorry if I posted it in the wrong section! I figured I would post it here as it keycap related and a pretty straight forward question!

Do not be sorry, you may have some answers here, it was just to comment that there are threads focus on Bro things, as this thread is in the keyboard subforum.

[1swt2gs]

Relatively speaking are all Bros equal?

As in, would a rustler or something from the Halloween sale be able to be traded with a Grumpkin, Lycan, Zombro be able to be traded 1:1 for a brobot or a reaper?

Trades are generally determined by what each party wants, so those trades could definitely happen. Generally though, I find most people consider older caps more rare, and may not straight up trade one for a newer cap (although if they want one, they may). When it comes to artisan trades, as long as each side is happy, it was a good trade

Relatively speaking are all Bros equal?

As in, would a rustler or something from the Halloween sale be able to be traded with a Grumpkin, Lycan, Zombro be able to be traded 1:1 for a brobot or a reaper?

Isn't this belong into one of the dedicated Bro threads / subforum?

Sorry if I posted it in the wrong section! I figured I would post it here as it keycap related and a pretty straight forward question!

Do not be sorry, you may have some answers here, it was just to comment that there are threads focus on Bro things, as this thread is in the keyboard subforum.

Thanks for the answers! Looking to acquire my first Bro or reaper, and finally have something hopefully worth trading!

[VinnyCordeiro]

When designing custom keyboards, everyone uses a 16MHz crystal. Is there any technical problem to use crystals with different frequencies, like 12MHz or 20MHz? On the firmware side it is just a matter of changing the frequency on the makefile, but I don't know if there is any issue with USB communication.

[alienman82]

removed.

[VinnyCordeiro]

When designing custom keyboards, everyone uses a 16MHz crystal. Is there any technical problem to use crystals with different frequencies, like 12MHz or 20MHz? On the firmware side it is just a matter of changing the frequency on the makefile, but I don't know if there is any issue with USB communication.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's because ATmel ic's are typically used which like to run at 16mhz.  Probably could use different frequencies, but the timing may be affected?

But that is precisely what I want to know. I already saw an old PlayStation-to-USB adapter project that used a 12MHz crystal, so I'm under the impression that it isn't an issue.

It seems that I will need to make an experiment to know that. Better use a through hole crystal.

[dante]

Does the Unicomp 103/104 (non Classic) use a metal backplate?  I haven't/don't want to open mine but I've heard either A) there is no backplate or B) there is one but it is very thin.

Assuming there is one - will this also have all the plastic rivets that will break in time?  If there isn't one - will there be anything to be concerned with 5+ years later?

[CPTBadAss]

Does the Unicomp 103/104 (non Classic) use a metal backplate?  I haven't/don't want to open mine but I've heard either A) there is no backplate or B) there is one but it is very thin.

Assuming there is one - will this also have all the plastic rivets that will break in time?  If there isn't one - will there be anything to be concerned with 5+ years later?

I opened up a Wildcats board because that's what I had laying out that's Unicomp. I don't have a 103 or 104. Yes there was a backplate. You can judge the thickness. Yes there are rivets. Looks like an M as far as I can tell. So everything you have to worry about with an M you'll have to worry about with the Unicomp board.




Don't bump your questions please.

[pabile]

this is the back of din plugs i will be using for an external converter. are the pin assignments correct for model m?

I always refer to this: (remember this is the socket, not the plug)

thanks, fohat! my re-trace seem to match the DIN 45322 guide (see bottom plug; top is for my videcom)

[alienman82]

removed.

[CPTBadAss]

How do I remove ink from abs keys?

Baby wipes, cleaning wipes, and isopropyl alcohol all have worked for me. I've spilled fountain pen ink on my boards more than I care to admit.

[alienman82]

removed.

[VinnyCordeiro]

How do I remove ink from abs keys?

Baby wipes, cleaning wipes, and isopropyl alcohol all have worked for me. I've spilled fountain pen ink on my boards more than I care to admit.

That makes two of us.

[raymogi]

Is it possible to remap the F-row keys on the SSK to the media keys for OS X?

[CPTBadAss]

Is it possible to remap the F-row keys on the SSK to the media keys for OS X?

I think if you throw a Teensy in it, you can.

[raymogi]

Is it possible to remap the F-row keys on the SSK to the media keys for OS X?

I think if you throw a Teensy in it, you can.

So no way to do it with the stock controller huh?

Thanks Cap!

[CPTBadAss]

So no way to do it with the stock controller huh?

Thanks Cap!

No unfortunately I don't think you can do any remapping at all with stock M controllers. I'm 95% sure you'll need to mod it with a Teensy.

[CommonCurt]

So no way to do it with the stock controller huh?

Thanks Cap!

No unfortunately I don't think you can do any remapping at all with stock M controllers. I'm 95% sure you'll need to mod it with a Teensy.

Or one of Phosphorglow's "Universal Model M Controllers"

http://phosphorglow.net/store/products/universal-model-m-usb-controller/

[CPTBadAss]

Or one of Phosphorglow's "Universal Model M Controllers"

http://phosphorglow.net/store/products/universal-model-m-usb-controller/

Show Image

CommonCurt good catch man. I definitely forgot about that!

[raymogi]

So no way to do it with the stock controller huh?

Thanks Cap!

No unfortunately I don't think you can do any remapping at all with stock M controllers. I'm 95% sure you'll need to mod it with a Teensy.

Or one of Phosphorglow's "Universal Model M Controllers"

http://phosphorglow.net/store/products/universal-model-m-usb-controller/

Show Image

Yeah I'm getting that one so I can use custom USB cables too.

[CommonCurt]

So no way to do it with the stock controller huh?

Thanks Cap!

No unfortunately I don't think you can do any remapping at all with stock M controllers. I'm 95% sure you'll need to mod it with a Teensy.

Or one of Phosphorglow's "Universal Model M Controllers"

http://phosphorglow.net/store/products/universal-model-m-usb-controller/

Show Image

Yeah I'm getting that one so I can use custom USB cables too.

Got one in my SSk, and I love it  :thumb:

[alienman82]

removed.

[heedpantsnow]

I'm shipping a keyboard to Singapore.  I have 2x of the ~9x13x2.5 inch USPS Priority boxes.  Can I stagger/nest them to fit the board, and send it using normal USPS First Class?  Or do I have to use Priority if I'm using Priority boxes?

[trees]

I'm shipping a keyboard to Singapore.  I have 2x of the ~9x13x2.5 inch USPS Priority boxes.  Can I stagger/nest them to fit the board, and send it using normal USPS First Class?  Or do I have to use Priority if I'm using Priority boxes?

They will not let you send priority boxes first class. You could wrap them in brown shipping paper, but that has the chance to fall off.

[heedpantsnow]

I'm shipping a keyboard to Singapore.  I have 2x of the ~9x13x2.5 inch USPS Priority boxes.  Can I stagger/nest them to fit the board, and send it using normal USPS First Class?  Or do I have to use Priority if I'm using Priority boxes?

They will not let you send priority boxes first class. You could wrap them in brown shipping paper, but that has the chance to fall off.

OK thank you for the quick answer!

[CPTBadAss]

I'm shipping a keyboard to Singapore.  I have 2x of the ~9x13x2.5 inch USPS Priority boxes.  Can I stagger/nest them to fit the board, and send it using normal USPS First Class?  Or do I have to use Priority if I'm using Priority boxes?

They will not let you send priority boxes first class. You could wrap them in brown shipping paper, but that has the chance to fall off.

You'll run the risk that if they see the priority mail box at all, you or the recipient will get slapped with the fee for trying to dodge paying. I don't know how likely that is but it is a risk.

[E3E]

I'm shipping a keyboard to Singapore.  I have 2x of the ~9x13x2.5 inch USPS Priority boxes.  Can I stagger/nest them to fit the board, and send it using normal USPS First Class?  Or do I have to use Priority if I'm using Priority boxes?

Since I'm a cheap bum, I save a lot of the boxes for packages that I receive, so there's been a few times I've sent out international first class packages with a USPS priority mail box. That said, I did buy a label online for the correct postage, and it was a package pick up (just leaving a note to grab the package off the porch, safe neighborhood), which tbh, has a bit more leeway compared to dropping a package of at the PO.

As long as you buy the correct postage for the box, it should be fine.

[fohat.digs]

I'm shipping a keyboard to Singapore.  I have 2x of the ~9x13x2.5 inch USPS Priority boxes.  Can I stagger/nest them to fit the board, and send it using normal USPS First Class?  Or do I have to use Priority if I'm using Priority boxes?

My Office Depot has a mailing center in the print area. They almost always have the game board boxes. It will be $78 but probably not much more than other postage (well, with the keyboards I use, anyway - little plastic ones may go in the $50 range).

[alienman82]

removed.

[SpAmRaY]

I'm shipping a keyboard to Singapore.  I have 2x of the ~9x13x2.5 inch USPS Priority boxes.  Can I stagger/nest them to fit the board, and send it using normal USPS First Class?  Or do I have to use Priority if I'm using Priority boxes?

My Office Depot has a mailing center in the print area. They almost always have the game board boxes. It will be $78 but probably not much more than other postage (well, with the keyboards I use, anyway - little plastic ones may go in the $50 range).

Depending on size and weight you can easily get closer to $55 using your own box using priority international and definitely cheaper if the weight is low enough to go first class international using your own box. The last model m I shipped to the UK was ~$64 but I put quite a bit of other stuff in that box.

But as others have said I wouldn't even attempt to ship a probity box first class.

[heedpantsnow]

I'm shipping a keyboard to Singapore.  I have 2x of the ~9x13x2.5 inch USPS Priority boxes.  Can I stagger/nest them to fit the board, and send it using normal USPS First Class?  Or do I have to use Priority if I'm using Priority boxes?

They will not let you send priority boxes first class. You could wrap them in brown shipping paper, but that has the chance to fall off.

You'll run the risk that if they see the priority mail box at all, you or the recipient will get slapped with the fee for trying to dodge paying. I don't know how likely that is but it is a risk.

I think I can find another box; my risk tolerance is not very high.

I'm shipping a keyboard to Singapore.  I have 2x of the ~9x13x2.5 inch USPS Priority boxes.  Can I stagger/nest them to fit the board, and send it using normal USPS First Class?  Or do I have to use Priority if I'm using Priority boxes?

Since I'm a cheap bum, I save a lot of the boxes for packages that I receive, so there's been a few times I've sent out international first class packages with a USPS priority mail box. That said, I did buy a label online for the correct postage, and it was a package pick up (just leaving a note to grab the package off the porch, safe neighborhood), which tbh, has a bit more leeway compared to dropping a package of at the PO.

As long as you buy the correct postage for the box, it should be fine.

You are a braver man than me 

I'm shipping a keyboard to Singapore.  I have 2x of the ~9x13x2.5 inch USPS Priority boxes.  Can I stagger/nest them to fit the board, and send it using normal USPS First Class?  Or do I have to use Priority if I'm using Priority boxes?

My Office Depot has a mailing center in the print area. They almost always have the game board boxes. It will be $78 but probably not much more than other postage (well, with the keyboards I use, anyway - little plastic ones may go in the $50 range).

I'm hoping I can get it cheaper/smaller than the ole board game box.

I'm shipping a keyboard to Singapore.  I have 2x of the ~9x13x2.5 inch USPS Priority boxes.  Can I stagger/nest them to fit the board, and send it using normal USPS First Class?  Or do I have to use Priority if I'm using Priority boxes?

They will not let you send priority boxes first class. You could wrap them in brown shipping paper, but that has the chance to fall off.

OK thank you for the quick answer!

You could desolder the switches and remove caps and probably fit everything in a small flat rate box if the case and pcb aren't needed.

lol I don't think so bro

I'm shipping a keyboard to Singapore.  I have 2x of the ~9x13x2.5 inch USPS Priority boxes.  Can I stagger/nest them to fit the board, and send it using normal USPS First Class?  Or do I have to use Priority if I'm using Priority boxes?

My Office Depot has a mailing center in the print area. They almost always have the game board boxes. It will be $78 but probably not much more than other postage (well, with the keyboards I use, anyway - little plastic ones may go in the $50 range).

Depending on size and weight you can easily get closer to $55 using your own box using priority international and definitely cheaper if the weight is low enough to go first class international using your own box. The last model m I shipped to the UK was ~$64 but I put quite a bit of other stuff in that box.

But as others have said I wouldn't even attempt to ship a probity box first class.

I think I will try to find my own box and do first class.  He's paying shipping, so I'll present him with the different options and let him decide.

If I he does decide to do priority, can I use the two priority boxes nested or do I have to use only one?

[SpAmRaY]

If I he does decide to do priority, can I use the two priority boxes nested or do I have to use only one?

So long as its sturdy and well put together it shouldn't matter. But I do agree with fohat the gameboard boxes are the way to go if you want to ship a large keyboard priority. The keyboard I sent that is on its way to you was sent in a gameboard box, so you could possibly re-use it if that is how you decide to go.

[Dernubenfrieken]

Whats a good source for USB cable wire? Preferably on amazon?

Also I'm a bit confused about paracord, is there any specific size or type I need to purchase for custom cables?

[E3E]

Whats a good source for USB cable wire? Preferably on amazon?

Also I'm a bit confused about paracord, is there any specific size or type I need to purchase for custom cables?

Monoprice cables are popular for using as bases for custom cables and I know of some pretty well know cable makers who use monoprice cables.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160814471418

This is generally what you should look out for. I've used this stuff a few times. 550, Type III, though there are wider paracord types and then there's also techflex or PET plastic sleeving that is popular for doing double sleeved cables (usually over the top of paracord).

There's also a bunch of varieties of shrink tubing you can get. I like high ratio shrink tube like 3:1 or 4:1. At those ratios, you can just buy some 1/2" tube and it will hold snug against both the connector and cable without the need for additional shrink tubing.

[myotherteeshirt]

Hi there!

I recently opened a quickfire TK to install zealios switches as well as fix a broken trace - Everything worked perfectly, no chatter as reported by some people, no early actuation either.

Fast forward a week and now my keyboard is going crazy. Some keypresses don't register, and sometimes they appear after a 10 second delay, but only sporadically - so if i typed "the quick brown fox" it may show up as "tquuuuuuuukbfffffffff".

Any idea on what the problem may be or where i can start attempting to diagnose it?

[CPTBadAss]

Hi there!

I recently opened a quickfire TK to install zealios switches as well as fix a broken trace - Everything worked perfectly, no chatter as reported by some people, no early actuation either.

Fast forward a week and now my keyboard is going crazy. Some keypresses don't register, and sometimes they appear after a 10 second delay, but only sporadically - so if i typed "the quick brown fox" it may show up as "tquuuuuuuukbfffffffff".

Any idea on what the problem may be or where i can start attempting to diagnose it?

I'd get a multimeter and check all your soldering connections. Might have a cold soldering joint.

[myotherteeshirt]

I'd get a multimeter and check all your soldering connections. Might have a cold soldering joint.

I'm curious,  how would a cold solder joint affect all the keys on the board?

I'll def do the multimeter thing. Is there a resource somewhere where I can see a circuit diagram of how a keyboard is wired?

I assume the basic wiring is similar for most keyboards?

[CPTBadAss]

I'd get a multimeter and check all your soldering connections. Might have a cold soldering joint.

I'm curious,  how would a cold solder joint affect all the keys on the board?

I'll def do the multimeter thing. Is there a resource somewhere where I can see a circuit diagram of how a keyboard is wired?

I assume the basic wiring is similar for most keyboards?

The soldering might be throwing off how the matrix is being sensed or strobed. I don't know about a circuit diagram nor can I give you a definitive answer as to why your keyboard is chattering. I just know that I've had a similar issue and that's how I solved it.

I've also had the same issue and solved it by putting some drawer liner between the PCB and the bottom of the case. For some reason the PCB acted up when it touched the case.

[tofgerl]

Yeah, when just one thing is connected wrong it can give the weirdest errors.

[cryptokey]

Does GH have a section where people just post images of their builds?

[CPTBadAss]

Does GH have a section where people just post images of their builds?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=113.0 - This is where a lot of pictures go in general.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=117.0 - A lot of build logs go in here.

[myotherteeshirt]

The soldering might be throwing off how the matrix is being sensed or strobed. I don't know about a circuit diagram nor can I give you a definitive answer as to why your keyboard is chattering. I just know that I've had a similar issue and that's how I solved it.

I've also had the same issue and solved it by putting some drawer liner between the PCB and the bottom of the case. For some reason the PCB acted up when it touched the case.

Yeah, when just one thing is connected wrong it can give the weirdest errors.

Ok. I'm pretty sure there were some joints that were less than acceptable, so i'll take a look at that again. I guess it makes sense that if it were set up in a matrix then one bad joint might mess with the signals. One more question though - if you had to put liner between your PCB and case - could it have been a static/grounding issue?

[CPTBadAss]

One more question though - if you had to put liner between your PCB and case - could it have been a static/grounding issue?

I believe it was yes.

[myotherteeshirt]

One more question though - if you had to put liner between your PCB and case - could it have been a static/grounding issue?

I believe it was yes.

Ah. well i may have covered the top of the screw hole with spray paint - the one that the ground wire is screwed on to. I guess thats something i should look into.

[edb5s]

So I found an interesting board on an auction site I frequent: http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Atari-1040ST-PC-Keyboard--Thomson-Monitor-Base-25610947.html

Anyone have any details about this board, specifically what switches it uses?

[Blaise170]

So I found an interesting board on an auction site I frequent: http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Atari-1040ST-PC-Keyboard--Thomson-Monitor-Base-25610947.html

Anyone have any details about this board, specifically what switches it uses?

Dome