Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[Melvang]

On a stock HHKB (Pro 2) does fn + z (or any other key that doesn't actually have a mapping on the function layer) send a z, or another keycode, or nothing?

Trying to figure out if I could add additional bindings via Karabiner to expand the function layer.

I do not have an HHKB, but I doubt it.  Function layers are handled at the keyboards firmware level as function dies not send a scan code to the host computer for any keyboard that I know of.  Not saying you can or cant add the functionality you want, but I very much for it will happen on the computer side of things.

[Cottser]

On a stock HHKB (Pro 2) does fn + z (or any other key that doesn't actually have a mapping on the function layer) send a z, or another keycode, or nothing?

Trying to figure out if I could add additional bindings via Karabiner to expand the function layer.

I do not have an HHKB, but I doubt it.  Function layers are handled at the keyboards firmware level as function dies not send a scan code to the host computer for any keyboard that I know of.  Not saying you can or cant add the functionality you want, but I very much for it will happen on the computer side of things.

Thanks! I'm new to this world and I know the Matias 60 is supposed to provide this functionality but wasn't sure how common/uncommon it was.

[mason]

How to remove Cherry MY switches from the metal plate? I want to use the plate so I don't wanna do too much damage

[jdcarpe]

How to remove Cherry MY switches from the metal plate? I want to use the plate so I don't wanna do too much damage

MY switches don't work like that. Sorry.

[ctm]

I am relatively new to the community. What's the story behind sadster?

[HoffmanMyster]

I am relatively new to the community. What's the story behind sadster?

It's a play on 'hapster', which is a keycap design originating from listster in 2012.  IIRC, he drew it on as a commentary about the novelty cap craze ("look guys, I made a one-of-a-kind keycap!").  It ended up being produced by SP.  Then it was included as a novelty cap in various sets.

The 'sadster' design (I believe) started as the image that would display for a broken attachment here on geekhack.  i3oilermaker decided to run a group buy for the sadster key earlier this year.

[CPTBadAss]

It's a play on 'hapster', which is a keycap design originating from listster in 2012.  IIRC, he drew it on as a commentary about the novelty cap craze ("look guys, I made a one-of-a-kind keycap!").  It ended up being produced by SP.  Then it was included as a novelty cap in various sets.

Rare keycap? That's a smilin'

[ctm]

I am relatively new to the community. What's the story behind sadster?

It's a play on 'hapster', which is a keycap design originating from listster in 2012.  IIRC, he drew it on as a commentary about the novelty cap craze ("look guys, I made a one-of-a-kind keycap!").  It ended up being produced by SP.  Then it was included as a novelty cap in various sets.

The 'sadster' design (I believe) started as the image that would display for a broken attachment here on geekhack.  i3oilermaker decided to run a group buy for the sadster key earlier this year.

Thank you! Great to know. I wish I can get a hapster keycap for ALPS someday

[alienman82]

removed.

[Dernubenfrieken]

Whats good heatshrink for making custom cables? Bit confused about what size/type I need for this, already bought something far too large, just gonna defer to the experts now...

[E3E]

Whats good heatshrink for making custom cables? Bit confused about what size/type I need for this, already bought something far too large, just gonna defer to the experts now...

I'm not an expert per se, but I like making my own cables when I need to because I'm too poor to buy custom cables.

Get 3:1 or 4:1 ratio shrink tube, since it really shrinks up and can get a nice hold on your cable and the connector with just one size: 1/2"

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=3%3A%21+shrink+tube&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X3%3A1+shrink+tube.TRS0&_nkw=3%3A1+shrink+tube&_sacat=0

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=3%3A1+shrink+tube&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X4%3A1+shrink+tube.TRS0&_nkw=4%3A1+shrink+tube&_sacat=0

[mason]

How to remove Cherry MY switches from the metal plate? I want to use the plate so I don't wanna do too much damage

I managed to rip the plastic sheet upward and tear a lot of the switches out at once, but there will be still be annoying little plastic pieces left over.

Ahh that didn't work for me. Right now I'm just pushing the sides through the hole and popping them out

[mason]

I've found the answer. Stick a flathead under the switch and it'll pop off 

[gadzkun]

i want to ask. what is the difference between stainless plate - aluminum plate - acrylic plate/plastic plate.
i want to try order custom keyboard but dont know pros and cons between those plate.

[CPTBadAss]

i want to ask. what is the difference between stainless plate - aluminum plate - acrylic plate/plastic plate.
i want to try order custom keyboard but dont know pros and cons between those plate.

Obvious answer: They're different materials

Helpful answer: They give you a different feel. Stainless is heavy and provides a really noticeable change in feedback. To me the feedback is strongest and works it's way down from here. Aluminum is in the middle, it's still metal but much lighter and changes the feeling a bit less. Polymer plates tend to provide minimum change in feeling, almost like it's PCB mount.

Most true in my opinion but least helpful answer: Pick what you like. It's personal preference.

[gadzkun]

i want to ask. what is the difference between stainless plate - aluminum plate - acrylic plate/plastic plate.
i want to try order custom keyboard but dont know pros and cons between those plate.

Obvious answer: They're different materials

Helpful answer: They give you a different feel. Stainless is heavy and provides a really noticeable change in feedback. To me the feedback is strongest and works it's way down from here. Aluminum is in the middle, it's still metal but much lighter and changes the feeling a bit less. Polymer plates tend to provide minimum change in feeling, almost like it's PCB mount.

Most true in my opinion but least helpful answer: Pick what you like. It's personal preference.

hahaha.
ok now i really like Polymer plate it looks really good with LED.
but sometimes i type really hard when angry especially when playing games(dota).
and im afraid the Polymer plate would break when i type too hard, so.....
will it break when i type too hard? or it just my imagination? xD

[Dernubenfrieken]

i want to ask. what is the difference between stainless plate - aluminum plate - acrylic plate/plastic plate.
i want to try order custom keyboard but dont know pros and cons between those plate.

Obvious answer: They're different materials

Helpful answer: They give you a different feel. Stainless is heavy and provides a really noticeable change in feedback. To me the feedback is strongest and works it's way down from here. Aluminum is in the middle, it's still metal but much lighter and changes the feeling a bit less. Polymer plates tend to provide minimum change in feeling, almost like it's PCB mount.

Most true in my opinion but least helpful answer: Pick what you like. It's personal preference.

hahaha.
ok now i really like Polymer plate it looks really good with LED.
but sometimes i type really hard when angry especially when playing games(dota).
and im afraid the Polymer plate would break when i type too hard, so.....
will it break when i type too hard? or it just my imagination? xD

I think you'd be hard pressed to break anything with your typing. If anything a plastic plate would be good for you because it helps "cushion" you bottoming out.

[asgeirtj]

http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=99

are these spacebars made by vortex?  and they are cherry profile right?

[CPTBadAss]

More

i want to ask. what is the difference between stainless plate - aluminum plate - acrylic plate/plastic plate.
i want to try order custom keyboard but dont know pros and cons between those plate.

Obvious answer: They're different materials

Helpful answer: They give you a different feel. Stainless is heavy and provides a really noticeable change in feedback. To me the feedback is strongest and works it's way down from here. Aluminum is in the middle, it's still metal but much lighter and changes the feeling a bit less. Polymer plates tend to provide minimum change in feeling, almost like it's PCB mount.

Most true in my opinion but least helpful answer: Pick what you like. It's personal preference.

hahaha.
ok now i really like Polymer plate it looks really good with LED.
but sometimes i type really hard when angry especially when playing games(dota).
and im afraid the Polymer plate would break when i type too hard, so.....
will it break when i type too hard? or it just my imagination? xD

will it break when i type too hard?

it just my imagination?

I think you answered your own question.

[pnoozi]

re: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40501.msg1937143#msg1937143

So the white 28/24awg cable didn't work.  Not sure why.  I had to jam it in at a slight angle due to its thickness, so I cut it down about 1mm with a knife and... it still wouldn't work.  Only some keys worked, typed random characters, etc.  A different black 28/28awg cable works just fine!

Not sure if the white cable didn't work because of the bigger power wire (supplying too much power to the board? idk), or didn't work because it was physically too thick and wouldn't fit snugly.

[hasu]

On a stock HHKB (Pro 2) does fn + z (or any other key that doesn't actually have a mapping on the function layer) send a z, or another keycode, or nothing?

Trying to figure out if I could add additional bindings via Karabiner to expand the function layer.

In secret mode it spits out Undo while just 'z' in other modes. To configure secret mode turn on both 1and 2 of DIP switch.


https://github.com/tmk/tmk_keyboard/blob/master/keyboard/hhkb/doc/HHKB_keycodes.txt

[cryptokey]

Does anybody know where I can find a design to make a USB switch with just a switch from the hardware store?

[CPTBadAss]

Does anybody know where I can find a design to make a USB switch with just a switch from the hardware store?

I'm not following this question at all. Could you clarify what you mean?

[fohat.digs]

Does anybody know where I can find a design to make a USB switch with just a switch from the hardware store?

I'm not following this question at all. Could you clarify what you mean?

I'm guessing that he is talking about a straight A-B situation. It can probably can be done but not with only 1 switch.

[captaineleven]

Hey yall

 I have a RK topre clone and the spring under for the E is pinging hella hard and I'm not sure how to go about fixing it. Do I just dismantle the keyboard and pick it out and then lube it? It's the only key that's echoing and it's terrible because E is the most used letter!

[SpAmRaY]

Hey yall

 I have a RK topre clone and the spring under for the E is pinging hella hard and I'm not sure how to go about fixing it. Do I just dismantle the keyboard and pick it out and then lube it? It's the only key that's echoing and it's terrible because E is the most used letter!

You can only lube the area where the stem slides in and out. Capacitive boards aren't like cherry MX.

Not sure that'll fix anything, I've noticed my royal kludge pings to but I haven't tried fixing it yet.

[Dernubenfrieken]

Does anybody know where I can find a design to make a USB switch with just a switch from the hardware store?

I'm not following this question at all. Could you clarify what you mean?

I'm guessing that he is talking about a straight A-B situation. It can probably can be done but not with only 1 switch.

Well couldn't you just cut the power wire?

[njbair]

Does anybody know where I can find a design to make a USB switch with just a switch from the hardware store?

I'm not following this question at all. Could you clarify what you mean?

I'm guessing that he is talking about a straight A-B situation. It can probably can be done but not with only 1 switch.

If you have a 4PDT make-before-break relay, you could control it with a simple toggle switch.

But if you're just talking about a switch, you're not going to find a 4-pole switch at a hardware store.

[captaineleven]

You can only lube the area where the stem slides in and out. Capacitive boards aren't like cherry MX.

Not sure that'll fix anything, I've noticed my royal kludge pings to but I haven't tried fixing it yet.

Hmm ok. I guess I'll keep looking into it. It's just annoying because it's just the one. Thanks for the answer, though!

[gadzkun]

More

i want to ask. what is the difference between stainless plate - aluminum plate - acrylic plate/plastic plate.
i want to try order custom keyboard but dont know pros and cons between those plate.

Obvious answer: They're different materials

Helpful answer: They give you a different feel. Stainless is heavy and provides a really noticeable change in feedback. To me the feedback is strongest and works it's way down from here. Aluminum is in the middle, it's still metal but much lighter and changes the feeling a bit less. Polymer plates tend to provide minimum change in feeling, almost like it's PCB mount.

Most true in my opinion but least helpful answer: Pick what you like. It's personal preference.

hahaha.
ok now i really like Polymer plate it looks really good with LED.
but sometimes i type really hard when angry especially when playing games(dota).
and im afraid the Polymer plate would break when i type too hard, so.....
will it break when i type too hard? or it just my imagination? xD

will it break when i type too hard?

it just my imagination?

I think you answered your own question.

hahaha yay~ now im 100% sure to take polymer plate. ty for the answer

[cryptokey]

Does anybody know where I can find a design to make a USB switch with just a switch from the hardware store?

I'm not following this question at all. Could you clarify what you mean?

I have a toggle switch similar to this:  https://s3-eu5.ixquick.com/cgi-bin/serveimage?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.parts-express.com%2FData%2FDefault%2FImages%2FCatalog%2FOriginal%2F060-335_HR_0.jpg&sp=7588b807fc43f7b767a5ee7953f27c0b 
I was wondering if there is a way that I could turn this into a switch to send input to my computer via USB. 

[jdcarpe]

Does anybody know where I can find a design to make a USB switch with just a switch from the hardware store?

I'm not following this question at all. Could you clarify what you mean?

I have a toggle switch similar to this:  https://s3-eu5.ixquick.com/cgi-bin/serveimage?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.parts-express.com%2FData%2FDefault%2FImages%2FCatalog%2FOriginal%2F060-335_HR_0.jpg&sp=7588b807fc43f7b767a5ee7953f27c0b 
I was wondering if there is a way that I could turn this into a switch to send input to my computer via USB.

Sure, use a microcontroller with that switch on an input. I would use a Teensy or Pro Micro.

[asgeirtj]

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57244.msg1458876#msg1458876

Anyone know what aluminum kustom that this? 

[hwood34]

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57244.msg1458876#msg1458876

Anyone know what aluminum kustom that this?

LZ TrikX

[Vozella]

There are websites like builder.swillkb.com to make plate designs, but how do I design a PCB and how do I make them? I don't even know anything about PCBs.

[bcredbottle]

Other than desoldering every single switch, is there a way to get a Falbatech plate-mounted Ergodox into a litster style case? I have an Ergodox mounted to a Falbatech plate and I really hate this flimsy PVC case it's in. Unfortunately it's the only case compatible with the Falbatech plate.

[kakakowie]

Any idea where I can get a custom aluminium plate with my own design?

[ideus]

Any idea where I can get a custom aluminium plate with my own design?

At your local laser cutting workshop?

[jdcarpe]

Any idea where I can get a custom aluminium plate with my own design?

BigBlueSaw is popular for their water jet cutting service. They have an account here, and they can work up a quote from a file output from swill's plate builder app.

[kakakowie]

At your local laser cutting workshop?

I emailed them and they never got back to me sigh

BigBlueSaw is popular for their water jet cutting service. They have an account here, and they can work up a quote from a file output from swill's plate builder app.

Thanks!

[Blaise170]

There are websites like builder.swillkb.com to make plate designs, but how do I design a PCB and how do I make them? I don't even know anything about PCBs.

You'll need at least some knowledge of electrical work before you start designing your own PCBs. Try out PCBWeb or FreePCB. Custom PCB designs can be expensive to manufacture, especially for a one-off, so you might also need to do a GB in order to recoup some of your costs.

[FoC_Tow]

Probably not a great question,
but where can I find the printable test sheet for keycaps? 

Much thankies in advance, fellow space travelers! <3

[infiniti]

Probably not a great question,
but where can I find the printable test sheet for keycaps? 

Much thankies in advance, fellow space travelers! <3

Here ya go (from: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40501.0#post_HHH):

Q: Where can I find the sheet that people use to check their keycap layouts?

inlikeflynn posted a 11x17" and 8x11" file, which looks like the "official GeekHack one" (Laminated sheets were once sold in a GH Pack sold by Techkeys as shown in mashby's post). Samwisekoi also posted one he made for a sheet of 8x11" and A4 here. Mr. Chunky also has a .pdf.

[Firebolt1914]

Where do people tend to buy/find Cherry corp keyboards in good condition? I'm trying to find a few but I'm having a hard time.

[fohat.digs]

Where do people tend to buy/find Cherry corp keyboards in good condition? I'm trying to find a few but I'm having a hard time.

The G80-11900 is a good one (MX black with small old-style touchpad) that is often available pretty cheap.

[nmur]

Where would I get a 7u cherry stab wire? classifieds? an online store somewhere? Make one myself?

[swimmingbird]

Where would I get a 7u cherry stab wire? classifieds? an online store somewhere? Make one myself?

If you find one by itself (wire only) let me know and maybe we can split shipping

[CPTBadAss]

Other than desoldering every single switch, is there a way to get a Falbatech plate-mounted Ergodox into a litster style case? I have an Ergodox mounted to a Falbatech plate and I really hate this flimsy PVC case it's in. Unfortunately it's the only case compatible with the Falbatech plate.

Only thing I can think of is to design and cut your own.

There are websites like builder.swillkb.com to make plate designs, but how do I design a PCB and how do I make them? I don't even know anything about PCBs.

Typically PCBs are hand traced or designed in KiCAD. Currently, I don't think there's an equivalent of swill's site for PCBs. You can always just handwire the board if you don't want to mess with a PCB.

Where do people tend to buy/find Cherry corp keyboards in good condition? I'm trying to find a few but I'm having a hard time.

eBay has always been my go to.

Where would I get a 7u cherry stab wire? classifieds? an online store somewhere? Make one myself?

Um...I *think* that MK.com might have some for sale now. I'm not 100% sure though. At one point, imsto and GON had them for sale too. Otherwise, the classifieds or DIY.

http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=99

are these spacebars made by vortex?  and they are cherry profile right?

No idea. The brand says "Others" and I can't see the profile from those two pictures.

[alienman82]

removed.

[Fire Brand]

My c on my HHKB refuses to capitalise when I hold any of the shift keys, is there a setting or something I'm missing here every other key capitalises fine, just not c but otherwise works as a normal lower case letter