Mechanical Keyboards

I just watched Joe Scotto’s new YouTube video, where he walks you through the basics of setting up KiCAD and designing a simple macro pad PCB. I am actually super excited to use this knowledge to design my own stuff now!

• TN Spring/Fpring/Spring Clone
• Alu plate
• Broken in Geon Black
• GMK Dracula 2

Not my video. From the description:

Case: Raw Aluminum Keycaps: Unicomp Red Cyrillic on Brilliant White + Gray Modifiers Layout: HHKB-style split right shift and regular 2-unit wide backspace Configuration: Floss Modded, lubed spacebar wire, lubed keycap stems

My first (or second) experience with non-MX style switches in a keyboard. The IBM Model F is coveted as one of the greats when it comes to "mechanical" switches. This reproduction unit by Ellipse of Model F Labs serves to bring back the magic of the Model F keyboard with a lot of modern enhancements. Suffice it to say, I am very happy with the experience of typing on this board minus one small caveat. My biggest gripe with this board, and consequently any other buckling spring keyboard is the fact that there is simply no way to flip the spacebar. The asymmetrical design of the keycap stem paired with the fact that the spacebar wire attaches directly to only one side of the spacebar keycap makes it so that you are required to use this in its standard spacebar configuration. I find this to be really uncomfortable because my thumb is essentially pressing right against the hard edge of the keycap rather than the smooth edge afforded by a flipped spacebar. This was such an issue that I attempted to model my own keycap and have it resin 3D printed by JLCPCB, but to no avail. The tolerances on buckling-spring stems are really specific which makes the mechanism really difficult to replicate. I dont have the time or money to fine tune this problem. Despite that glaring issue, I still have a great time typing on this board and I find the typing experience to be very pleasant otherwise. The deep clicks are much preferable to the high pitch clicks youd often hear in MX-Style switches. The mechanism is also reasonably smooth if you take the time to lube the keycap stems with Krytox 205g0. You might also notice that there is no coating on this keyboard. When I had originally bought this board from a seller off Mechmarket, the original coating on it was a powder-coated black. I wasn't thrilled with the look and feel of it so I took it upon myself to strip the coating by submerging the pieces in a vat of Klear-Strip for roughly 2 days. Overall, I think the result turned out great and gives a raw look to the design. So far the aluminum hasn't shown any clear sings of tarnishing but I do anticipate it to eventually show some wear. There's still a marginal amount of residue left over from the stripping so the finish isn't perfect, but I think it gives the board a lot of character. Despite there being no "integrated" weight in this board like you see in a lot of premium customs, this still out-weighs my Sharkeneko 1600g to 1470g. The steel inner assembly paired with the thick aluminum chassis makes this a weapon of a keyboard.

cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/7551180

Not sure where to put this in here or DIY. But, finished my TKL build and wanted to show off. I mean I didn't just finish it, but pretty recent. Took a bit longer than I expected and a bit tedious for a perfectionist, but over all not too bad. It works!

Through-hole PCB with FR4 plate and case. Pretty nice looking and quality components. I put MX browns on because I like the smooth feeling of them. Not typing on it now; just admiring! Need to let my soldering hand recuperate.

Is there a good site for ordering a mechanical keyboard?

For the those interested in a budget oriented, easily DIY built, 60% keyboard with USB C instead of the ‘standard’ TRRS cable.

New version fits existing plates (and 3D Designs) and have the same options for OLED & Encoders as before. Sandwich case plates are available in black & white, both with optional ears to tent/tilt.

Shop

Zoom TKL is amazing, but I've never had the chance to play with a F1-8X V2. Does anyone have experience with both? I hear the zoom is a great price/ performance, but the F1-8X seems a bit higher build quality?

I started with a Keychron Q6, then discovered the Melatrix Zoom TKL (I actually got 2 because they're fantastic) now I have my eye on Geon Works F1-8X v2 (which I guess I can't get anymore).

I like that Geon Works is made in S Korea, and that they're anodized instead of powder coated. Does anyone else know of any premium TKLs (preferably from other countries than China)?

1967 Smith Corona Super Sterling....I think my hobby is leaking. :)

I'm currently thinking on modding my Ducky with mill-max sockets. I know there is a lot of soldering involved but seems like a cool project. While looking for people that done the same thing I only found this reddit post. Is there anything better than the mill-max socket these days or should I just go for them?

Thanks!

My hunt for a new keyboard.

TLDR - Loving my new custom GMMK 2. Glorious Panda switches are fantastic.

cross-posted from: https://biglemmowski.win/post/119284

Has anyone else had this problem?

The keycaps that came in with my K6 all keep slowly falling apart - one side of the base that slides onto the switch eventually cracks/chips/splits off.

They did replace two when I requested support (Q and W, and I am not even playing FPS games to use these keys too much) but few months later and now a lot more of them started breaking (Left Shift, Win, B, X, 5, ...).

https://i.imgur.com/3fgPzii.png

Just put this thing together, and am loving it.

Hey all,

So I'm getting to the point in the hobby where I've basically assembled an entire board from scratch, but the one thing I have not done yet it any stabilizer tuning.

I just got a Zoom TKL AE, and the WS Stabs they have are..ok. I want to upgrade them, and I've heard people speak highly of Durock, but was wondering if there were any other recommendations?

These are the ones I'm currently looking at; Hopefully those are the ones people are talking about.

Group buy open now: https://www.jellykey.com/artisan-keycaps/space-odyssey

• Profile keycaps: 1u, 1.5u, 1.75u, 2u & 2.25u
• 4 Design colorway
• 5 Keycap size
• Combo Mysterious Planet Keycap Display Stand
• Price: $55 - $159
• Payment: Paypal

The deadline for participating in this group-buy is 31st August 2023. Kindly note that there will be no re-runs of this group buy. Free shipping for orders of 6 keycaps or more.

You’ll receive a sticker with every keycap, and if your order total exceeds $200, you’ll also receive a special “Universe Box” as a gift.

Thank you for joining us.

I'm getting to the point where I need some storage other than plastic bags for my switches and caps. I've seen some fancy keycap storage like these and these, and some switch storage like these.

Those seem really nice if you are displaying them, but I'm planning on just having them in a drawer somewhere. Does anyone have any suggestions for storing both together?

Basically title: What is the preferred or most efficient way of cleaning light colored key caps?

I'm guessing that putting the whole keyboard in the dishwasher is probably out.

Do you all just pull all the keys and clean them with a towel or something in a mild soap solution?

This would give me a good chance to be disgusted by all the hair and junk that accumulates between the keys too, so there's that.

Thanks for the help, and sorry for the newbie question, but someone's gotta ask them.

If you don't want to follow the Twitter link:

(Neither the build or the photograph is my OC, btw. My source is linked.)

I see they make the extras in MT3, but I cannot find them in Cherry. Do they exist?

Example

If you stare at it long enough, the rest of the world will look like in grayscale. https://imgur.com/gallery/1G2f0S7

Ummmm so wow how have I never discovered this before??? This is the perfect place for me and it just so happens my keyboard died and I need a new one! I run a Mac and am not picky about Bluetooth or hardwired. Everything else you will have to explain it to me like I’ve 5 haha. Thanks I’m advance. Oh and I did read through the post from a bit ago about good budget keyboards and that was useful.

Does anyone know of reputable sellers aside from drop.com?

There's a set I've had my eye on (here), but not sure if I'm actually getting authentic GMK