Do JTK Sliders work for HHKB stab keys without modification?

[snarfarlarkus]

Title, thanks.

[Nonster]

Title, thanks.

You have to either drill the case or clip the stabs ok your shift and enter keys. I have an hhkb with jtk sliders on the way and plan on drilling.

It really just comes down to what you value more, your case or your keycaps.

[snarfarlarkus]

Thanks for your reply. How hard is the drilling in caps or case? Is there a video on it being done?

[Nonster]

I can't tell you from experience because I still haven't performed this mod but have done some research I can share. Here's a pic of the spots you want to drill out.
https://imgur.com/a/hYGz7

You're going to want to mark the case where the holes need to be and drill through with consecutively larger drill bits, 2mm/4.5mm/6mm.

The case is supposed to be very soft plastic so you're going to want to use the lowest power setting to prevent the case from cracking. You should be able to drill through very easily.

If you decided you wanted to mod your keycaps instead you'd just have to partially chop some of the stabilizer stems off of your shift and enter key. I'm drilling the case instead because I like to swap my keycaps around and would like to still have the option to sell/trade them unmodified.

I'll be performing the mod on Friday so I can get back to you then and let you know how it went and share some pics of my experience. 

[tp4tissue]

Make sure you're using a drill press for this and lightly clamp the board. ..



and if you're using  cheepee drill bits,  use boring bit..



If you have a solid machine, use high rpm and advance very slowly, so you get more cuts per distance traveled.

[Cocopah]

Title, thanks.

You have to either drill the case or clip the stabs ok your shift and enter keys. I have an hhkb with jtk sliders on the way and plan on drilling.

It really just comes down to what you value more, your case or your keycaps.

Well actually you don't have to drill. The keys will actuate, but they hit the case. If you can deal with the shortness of travel and the sound you could get by without. If you plan on testing it might be a good idea to give it a shot without drilling. However, if you think you'll never take them out its a good idea to drill.

[Nonster]

Title, thanks.

You have to either drill the case or clip the stabs ok your shift and enter keys. I have an hhkb with jtk sliders on the way and plan on drilling.

It really just comes down to what you value more, your case or your keycaps.

Well actually you don't have to drill. The keys will actuate, but they hit the case. If you can deal with the shortness of travel and the sound you could get by without. If you plan on testing it might be a good idea to give it a shot without drilling. However, if you think you'll never take them out its a good idea to drill.

Thanks, that's good to know. I'll give it a shot before drilling and see how it feels.

[kmba]

Meh I used a hand drill on mine with nice quality bits and it was easy.. but I have lots of experience with power tools. Use a center punch to mark, then drill with progressively larger bits until you reach the goal. Go slow and steady.

[kawasaki161]

You also often have to sand the sliders themselves a bit, as some of them are a bit too wide for the stabilized housings.