Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[UsualSuspectXXX]

Are there any HHKB style 60% plates still available somewhere out there.

You can specify an HHKB style bottom row on the new RGB Diffuser case @ Winkeyless. Select B.face and click the checkbox for "Show Layout Options" then the option is under "B.face space row".

I'm sure there's others too, but this was the first one that I could think of.

[FLFisherman]

Is it just me, or does PBT feel better than ABS for those with oily/sweaty fingers? I know PBT resists the oil better (or something along those lines) and ABS has a smoother/slicker feel by default.

How do you clean keycaps? Just dunk them in a water bath? Does the plastic type matter for cleaning method?

I know SA PBT caps aren't out yet, but has there been any more discussion about it? I like the profile, but PBT seems to be what I have to go with.

[UsualSuspectXXX]

Is it just me, or does PBT feel better than ABS for those with oily/sweaty fingers? I know PBT resists the oil better (or something along those lines) and ABS has a smoother/slicker feel by default.

How do you clean keycaps? Just dunk them in a water bath? Does the plastic type matter for cleaning method?

I know SA PBT caps aren't out yet, but has there been any more discussion about it? I like the profile, but PBT seems to be what I have to go with.

For cleaning, PBT vs ABS, won't make a difference. Mix a little soapy water and you should be good.
I tend to agree with you about the feel of PBT being much better than ABS, but I love the SA profile... so I just deal with it.

[klennkellon]

I like PBT, I only want a good set of PBT for ALPS switches! Tai-Ho makes two sets of ABS keycaps for ALPS and I have heard Matias was working on some PBT sets.

Only way to get PBT for ALPS is to buy an Apple Extended Keyboard but not all of the keys work and you have to deal with that strange font that won't match the rest of the keys. Some of the SiG granite keyboards also have good PBT keycaps but they can be very expensive. Plus you will basically have a useless keyboard since it uses a proprietary connector, which you either have to buy a hard to find and expensive adapter or make one yourself.

I recently saw a craigslist posting that had a very yellowed Focus FK-2001 but for some reason all of the keycaps were still perfectly white, extremely odd.

Is it just me, or does PBT feel better than ABS for those with oily/sweaty fingers? I know PBT resists the oil better (or something along those lines) and ABS has a smoother/slicker feel by default.

How do you clean keycaps? Just dunk them in a water bath? Does the plastic type matter for cleaning method?

I know SA PBT caps aren't out yet, but has there been any more discussion about it? I like the profile, but PBT seems to be what I have to go with.

Original Formula Mr. Clean or Denture Tabs work quite well. Mr. Clean makes the keycaps smell like lemon!

For cleaning, PBT vs ABS, won't make a difference. Mix a little soapy water and you should be good.
I tend to agree with you about the feel of PBT being much better than ABS, but I love the SA profile... so I just deal with it.

[Ludovician]

For anyone knowledgeable on Model Ms:

Do they all come with green legends on the Alt keys? I want to get two Alt keys with the black legends but don't want Unicomp ones.

[davkol]

For anyone knowledgeable on Model Ms:

Do they all come with green legends on the Alt keys? I want to get two Alt keys with the black legends but don't want Unicomp ones.

edit: ClickyKeyboards' Lexmark Model M (UK) with a black Alt key.

[Blaise170]

PBT doesn't yellow over time like ABS tends to. The Apple mechs are a good and cheap source of PBT but they are not the only vintage boards that have Alps PBT. I found a Qtronix (now iOne) that has dye sub or lasered PBT Alps. I know other boards with PBT Alps exist as well.

[Melvang]

Just a heads up on alps caps from the AEK II though.  The space bar is ABS and most times are yellow to some degree that it is noticable from the other caps, and the F key row caps are rotated 90°.

[xondat]

How can I switch the springs in my WASD V2?

[CommonCurt]

How can I switch the springs in my WASD V2?

You'll have to de-solder the switches and take them out of the plate to open them up.

[xondat]

How can I switch the springs in my WASD V2?

You'll have to de-solder the switches and take them out of the plate to open them up.

**** that

[hwood34]

How can I switch the springs in my WASD V2?

You'll have to de-solder the switches and take them out of the plate to open them up.

**** that

Unless they're PCB mount or the plate has notches for switch top opening, you'll always have to desolder to be able to open switches

[Steezus]

How can I switch the springs in my WASD V2?

You'll have to de-solder the switches and take them out of the plate to open them up.

**** that

Unless they're PCB mount or the plate has notches for switch top opening, you'll always have to desolder to be able to open switches

I don't think the WASD boards are that high tech to support switch top opening as of now, never had one myself though.

[hwood34]

How can I switch the springs in my WASD V2?

You'll have to de-solder the switches and take them out of the plate to open them up.

**** that

Unless they're PCB mount or the plate has notches for switch top opening, you'll always have to desolder to be able to open switches

I don't think the WASD boards are that high tech to support switch top opening as of now, never had one myself though.

They don't, no stock boards that I've seen do

[CommonCurt]

I don't think the WASD boards are that high tech to support switch top opening as of now, never had one myself though.

They don't, no stock boards that I've seen do

+1 never seen a stock board support switch top removal.

[davkol]

Actually, it's perfectly possible with Alps SKCM (and Matias too, I imagine), but yeah, MX-compatible boards with a plate aren't like that.

[dndlmx]

Are there any HHKB style 60% plates still available somewhere out there.

You can specify an HHKB style bottom row on the new RGB Diffuser case @ Winkeyless. Select B.face and click the checkbox for "Show Layout Options" then the option is under "B.face space row".

I'm sure there's others too, but this was the first one that I could think of.

Thanks I'll check it out.

[xondat]

How can I switch the springs in my WASD V2?

You'll have to de-solder the switches and take them out of the plate to open them up.

**** that

Unless they're PCB mount or the plate has notches for switch top opening, you'll always have to desolder to be able to open switches

That's what I presumed, just wanted to check before disappointment.

[Blaise170]

Anyone know if the V80 Alps has the same mounting points as the V80 MX? If so, is the V80 compatible with TKL aluminum cases? I'm not sure which case but I know I've seen one.

[CommonCurt]

Anyone know if the V80 Alps has the same mounting points as the V80 MX? If so, is the V80 compatible with TKL aluminum cases? I'm not sure which case but I know I've seen one.

Been wondering this myself.  When Mechanicalkeyboards.com gets their new shipment of TEX 80%, you can ask them to see if a V80 PCB will fit into one of the cases.

[alienman82]

removed.

[rowdy]

For anyone knowledgeable on Model Ms:

Do they all come with green legends on the Alt keys? I want to get two Alt keys with the black legends but don't want Unicomp ones.

I have various combinations of dark green, light green and black Alt keys on my Model Ms.

[dndlmx]

Know any DSA sets that come with a " |\ "  1U?
Retro is one, Granite is one...

[fohat.digs]

I have various combinations of dark green, light green and black Alt keys on my Model Ms.

That dark green one looks great. I think all the green ones I have gotten have been the wimpy tone which looks lame.

[Melvang]

What is the dimension for the width of the barrel plate on a 4704 F107?

[fohat.digs]

What is the dimension for the width of the barrel plate on a 4704 F107?

Sorry, but even though ""Great minds crawl in the same sewer"  Uncle Rich" I just carefully boxed up and stored away my F-107 this afternoon after letting HoffmanMyster and r1n3 fondle it last week.

[Melvang]

What is the dimension for the width of the barrel plate on a 4704 F107?

Sorry, but even though ""Great minds crawl in the same sewer"  Uncle Rich" I just carefully boxed up and stored away my F-107 this afternoon after letting HoffmanMyster and r1n3 fondle it last week.

Doesn't need to be exact, hell overall width of the whole keyboard will be fine.  Making a Backer board fr cutting mats and want to be wide enough for anything and the F107 is the widest F I can think of.

[fohat.digs]

Doesn't need to be exact, hell overall width of the whole keyboard will be fine. 

22" x 9" should handle any of the conventional ones.

[Melvang]

Doesn't need to be exact, hell overall width of the whole keyboard will be fine. 

22" x 9" should handle any of the conventional ones.

Thanks fohat

I am making stencils right now, just don't have a F107, have AT, XT, Xtant, Unsaver and 122. 

[fanpeople]

What is the dimension for the width of the barrel plate on a 4704 F107?

Sorry, but even though ""Great minds crawl in the same sewer"  Uncle Rich" I just carefully boxed up and stored away my F-107 this afternoon after letting HoffmanMyster and r1n3 fondle it last week.

Doesn't need to be exact, hell overall width of the whole keyboard will be fine.  Making a Backer board fr cutting mats and want to be wide enough for anything and the F107 is the widest F I can think of.

EDIT: Centimetres dam it, not millimetres

I just measured my barrel plate and got about 55mm x 13 mm.

PS FU imperial measurment

[Melvang]

What is the dimension for the width of the barrel plate on a 4704 F107?

Sorry, but even though ""Great minds crawl in the same sewer"  Uncle Rich" I just carefully boxed up and stored away my F-107 this afternoon after letting HoffmanMyster and r1n3 fondle it last week.

Doesn't need to be exact, hell overall width of the whole keyboard will be fine.  Making a Backer board fr cutting mats and want to be wide enough for anything and the F107 is the widest F I can think of.

I just measured my barrel plate and got about 55mm x 13 mm.

PS FU imperial measurment

You sure that's not cm?  Little over 2 inches by half inch seems a bit small for a full size layout

[fanpeople]

What is the dimension for the width of the barrel plate on a 4704 F107?

Sorry, but even though ""Great minds crawl in the same sewer"  Uncle Rich" I just carefully boxed up and stored away my F-107 this afternoon after letting HoffmanMyster and r1n3 fondle it last week.

Doesn't need to be exact, hell overall width of the whole keyboard will be fine.  Making a Backer board fr cutting mats and want to be wide enough for anything and the F107 is the widest F I can think of.

I just measured my barrel plate and got about 55mm x 13 mm.

PS FU imperial measurment

You sure that's not cm?  Little over 2 inches by half inch seems a bit small for a full size layout

Yeah cm was the intended measurement, I just woke and have not coffeed this morning.

[Melvang]

What is the dimension for the width of the barrel plate on a 4704 F107?

Sorry, but even though ""Great minds crawl in the same sewer"  Uncle Rich" I just carefully boxed up and stored away my F-107 this afternoon after letting HoffmanMyster and r1n3 fondle it last week.

Doesn't need to be exact, hell overall width of the whole keyboard will be fine.  Making a Backer board fr cutting mats and want to be wide enough for anything and the F107 is the widest F I can think of.

I just measured my barrel plate and got about 55mm x 13 mm.

PS FU imperial measurment

You sure that's not cm?  Little over 2 inches by half inch seems a bit small for a full size layout

Yeah cm was the intended measurement, I just woke and have not coffeed this morning.

I feel the pain

[derb2k2]

anyone with a RF 23U know if it has a metal plate? I'd imagine it does and from the graphic it seems like it does but I want to confirm.

[Brammm87]

Anyone know if there are meetups in Belgium/The Netherlands? Have yet to find fellow countrymen here and only know a few that share the hobby.

[SpAmRaY]

anyone with a RF 23U know if it has a metal plate? I'd imagine it does and from the graphic it seems like it does but I want to confirm.

Yes it does.

[klennkellon]

I found a bottle of this Treadmill Track Lubricant and it says its 100% silicone, could I use this to lube my switches?

It's quite runny, I would say it's the consistency of Elmer's glue

[Steezus]

I found a bottle of this Treadmill Track Lubricant and it says its 100% silicone, could I use this to lube my switches?

It's quite runny, I would say it's the consistency of Elmer's glue

Ehhh it's generally not recommended to try any old lube in switches. One reason being that you can't really tell how it will react with the housing of the switches. A bottle of Krytox or the Geekhacker's lube that Zeal sells is pretty cheap, I'd recommend just picking up one of them.

[E3E]

Does anyone know of a good small-scale anodizing shop that can take long-distance orders (ie, mail-in)?

I really want to get my Lightpad anodized to be a nice red color to match my Octagon v1 and my Hammer.

[HoffmanMyster]

Does anyone know of a good small-scale anodizing shop that can take long-distance orders (ie, mail-in)?

I really want to get my Lightpad anodized to be a nice red color to match my Octagon v1 and my Hammer.

I'm investigating a place in my area (for my own needs).  If it goes well and you don't have any leads by that time, I will let you know. 

[Steezus]

Does anyone know of a good small-scale anodizing shop that can take long-distance orders (ie, mail-in)?

I really want to get my Lightpad anodized to be a nice red color to match my Octagon v1 and my Hammer.

I'm investigating a place in my area (for my own needs).  If it goes well and you don't have any leads by that time, I will let you know. 

I too am looking into a local shop for upcoming projects but I still have some more steps to do before I contact a shop. Will let you know if there is any success.

[E3E]

Does anyone know of a good small-scale anodizing shop that can take long-distance orders (ie, mail-in)?

I really want to get my Lightpad anodized to be a nice red color to match my Octagon v1 and my Hammer.

I'm investigating a place in my area (for my own needs).  If it goes well and you don't have any leads by that time, I will let you know. 

Does anyone know of a good small-scale anodizing shop that can take long-distance orders (ie, mail-in)?

I really want to get my Lightpad anodized to be a nice red color to match my Octagon v1 and my Hammer.

I'm investigating a place in my area (for my own needs).  If it goes well and you don't have any leads by that time, I will let you know. 

I too am looking into a local shop for upcoming projects but I still have some more steps to do before I contact a shop. Will let you know if there is any success.

Thanks guys, looking forward to hearing the outcome here! Yeah, finding a local shop might be the most immediately convenient, hmm. It'd be nice if a GB  could be run  for anodizing services, though that's far more complicated than most typical GBs with size variation and all the prep work for each board and such.

[Melvang]

Also keep in mind that color can vary due to unforseen circumstances.  Getting close isn't that hard but color matching is next to impossible.  Even long runs of the same parts can vary color from the beginning to the end of the run.

[E3E]

Also keep in mind that color can vary due to unforseen circumstances.  Getting close isn't that hard but color matching is next to impossible.  Even long runs of the same parts can vary color from the beginning to the end of the run.

I'm certainly not expecting an exact match to the Octagon or the Hammer. I mean, the Octagon itself has a different sheen than the Hammer does. The Hammer is a very vibrant red to an almost dark cherry red in some angles. The Octagon is a more dull of a red that reminds me of a wine red. It's got more pink tones to it and is more flat.

As long as I can get a nice red color that's more on the vibrant end of the spectrum, I'd be happy!

[Brammm87]

I just came across the enabler pcb. I'm slowly starting to think about building my own keyboard and will probably not be using a pcb (depending on the layout I choose). Are these things still recommendable? They look really convenient. Or would hand wiring be better?

[tofgerl]

Probably better than handwired, yes.

[xondat]

Okay, how do I take apart my WASD V2? There aren't screws under the legs.

[Melvang]

I just came across the enabler pcb. I'm slowly starting to think about building my own keyboard and will probably not be using a pcb (depending on the layout I choose). Are these things still recommendable? They look really convenient. Or would hand wiring be better?

Hand wiring is easier unless you want LEDs.  With LEDs the legs are attached to anything fixed, so this gives you something to actually attach them to.  The Enablers are also sized so that the PCBs can be soldered to the switch, LED, resistor, and diode soldered in, and then put the switch in the plate.  Works this way for both MX and Alps.  Obviously, can't do this with the PCB mount stab versions.

[Brammm87]

Okay, how do I take apart my WASD V2? There aren't screws under the legs.

Huh, I just checked on mine, there's none under my legs either.

[Steezus]

Okay, how do I take apart my WASD V2? There aren't screws under the legs.

Huh, I just checked on mine, there's none under my legs either.

Is there a sticker on the back? Perhaps you need to break the sticker in order to open the back so they can tell because it would probably void the warranty.