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Abroham Lincoln
Sep 19, 2011

Note to self: This one's the good one



.Z. posted:

1. Originally? They were to help fix the plastic housing of old switches that can become loose over time by helping to fill in the gaps.
2. Now? They help make a switch have a deeper sound through sound dampening. Which is pretty much what all that crazy extra stuff you see people doing to keyboards is for, gotta achieve that thock thock thock.

I finally got one of those Topre knockoffs and I am so glad to be in thock heaven without having to do a bunch of crazy rear end mods.

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GnarlyCharlie4u
Sep 23, 2007

I have an unhealthy obsession with motorcycles.

Proof

taiyoko posted:

As someone who has managed to buy exactly one (1) mechanical keyboard and is pretty drat happy with it, what does filming switches do?

By filming + lubing I'm hoping to reduce stem wobble and deepen the pitch of the bottom-out and remove pinging from spring return.

Llamadeus
Dec 20, 2005

taiyoko posted:

As someone who has managed to buy exactly one (1) mechanical keyboard and is pretty drat happy with it, what does filming switches do?
A couple of video demonstrations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnxp0MeyGXM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZhEwYqJabw

The effectiveness depends on how well the switch fits together to begin with, but the films themselves are cheap enough that it makes sense to do it if you're already lubing.

Llamadeus fucked around with this message at 02:41 on Sep 4, 2020

Boz0r
Sep 7, 2006
The Rocketship in action.
If anyone is interested, the Glorious Panda switches go on sale later today.

https://www.pcgamingrace.com/blogs/news/introducing-glorious-holy-panda-switches-preorders

GnarlyCharlie4u
Sep 23, 2007

I have an unhealthy obsession with motorcycles.

Proof

Boz0r posted:

If anyone is interested, the Glorious Panda switches go on sale later today.

https://www.pcgamingrace.com/blogs/news/introducing-glorious-holy-panda-switches-preorders

I do appreciate the fact that they withdrew the trademark filing and are renaming them to the better name anyway.

death cob for cutie
Dec 30, 2006

dwarves won't delve no more
too much splatting down on Zot:4
Keyboards have arrived and I'm very excited! One problem, though:



This is a Ducky Shine 7 I specifically got because the housing is dark grey. It looks like the plate between the housing and PCB is bright white, however. Here's an image I stole from reddit that shows a disassembled Shine 7 that makes it a bit more obvious.



Eventually that 808 Boom set is going to end up on this board and it'll look awful with all that white poking through (IMO at least).There's no way to pry this plate off to repaint it without removing the switches, right? My thought is to eventually paint it a grey a few shades lighter than the keyboard, and if I can't remove that plate I'll have to either very carefully hand-paint it or... remove the switches and then resolder them back on. If I have to do that I have plenty of time to practice, at least.

Constellation I
Apr 3, 2005
I'm a sucker, a little fucker.
I think the least painful way of doing this would be get an actual good desoldering iron (which is $$$$).

Or, in keeping with a modern DAW controller theme, you can probably try to design a laser-cut printed overlay and just paste it on.

With enough patience, I guess you could always go with your original plan though but you're probably better off saving the job for when you want to replace those switches.

HappyCapybaraFamily
Sep 16, 2009


Roger Baolong Thunder Dragon has been fascinated by this sophisticated and scientifically beautiful industry since childhood, and has shown his talent in the design and manufacture of watches.
I'm thinking I want a 65% mechanical to replace my 80% not-Topre from Korea. The Drop Alt has the layout I'm considering, but are there any other keyboards with that layout? Must-haves are QMK and hotswap. Nice-to-haves: polycarbonate or acrylic case and plate options, USB Type-C to A connector.

death cob for cutie
Dec 30, 2006

dwarves won't delve no more
too much splatting down on Zot:4
I guess I'm a keyboard guy now.





My only regret is that those two keys on the right span two rows but I suppose that can be fixed someday in the future with another keyboard.

GnarlyCharlie4u
Sep 23, 2007

I have an unhealthy obsession with motorcycles.

Proof

Epsilon Plus posted:

Keyboards have arrived and I'm very excited! One problem, though:



This is a Ducky Shine 7 I specifically got because the housing is dark grey. It looks like the plate between the housing and PCB is bright white, however. Here's an image I stole from reddit that shows a disassembled Shine 7 that makes it a bit more obvious.



Eventually that 808 Boom set is going to end up on this board and it'll look awful with all that white poking through (IMO at least).There's no way to pry this plate off to repaint it without removing the switches, right? My thought is to eventually paint it a grey a few shades lighter than the keyboard, and if I can't remove that plate I'll have to either very carefully hand-paint it or... remove the switches and then resolder them back on. If I have to do that I have plenty of time to practice, at least.

The white makes the backlight super bright. Either just set it to a color that matches your keycaps or deal with it.
Or be like me and immediately disassemble the whole board, trash the switches, paint the plate (or vinyl wrap it), stuff it full of foam or butyl mat, and reassemble with some decent switches.

interrodactyl
Nov 8, 2011

you have no dignity

HappyCapybaraFamily posted:

I'm thinking I want a 65% mechanical to replace my 80% not-Topre from Korea. The Drop Alt has the layout I'm considering, but are there any other keyboards with that layout? Must-haves are QMK and hotswap. Nice-to-haves: polycarbonate or acrylic case and plate options, USB Type-C to A connector.

https://novelkeys.xyz/products/nk65-entry-edition

Highly recommend this when it comes back into stock. Next color should be black IIRC, and should be restocking within the month.

HappyCapybaraFamily
Sep 16, 2009


Roger Baolong Thunder Dragon has been fascinated by this sophisticated and scientifically beautiful industry since childhood, and has shown his talent in the design and manufacture of watches.
I am a fan of NovelKeys, and this was almost perfect. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite have the layout I'm looking for. I don't know why, but I'm not a fan of the six 1U keys to the right of the spacebar.

Looks like another good option for me is the KBDfans KBD67 of some kind. I also like how the case has a raised bit between the arrow keys and the modifier keys. This KBD67 Lite looks pretty good, but lol joining a 2000+ person waitlist for a group buy of maybe 200 units which may ship months from now.

GnarlyCharlie4u
Sep 23, 2007

I have an unhealthy obsession with motorcycles.

Proof

interrodactyl posted:

https://novelkeys.xyz/products/nk65-entry-edition

Highly recommend this when it comes back into stock. Next color should be black IIRC, and should be restocking within the month.

Even better, the Milkshake NK65 is coming out the 18th (group buy tho)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/idai4z/novelkeys_updates_nk65_milkshake_edition_various/

In other news I'm about to have way more sets of stabilizers than I'll have keyboards:
https://thekey.company/products/c3-equalz-x-tkc-screw-in-stabilizers-round-3

I ordered, Tiffany Blue, Cream, Mint, Grey, and Navy with Rose Gold, 24k, Black, and Purple wires.

GnarlyCharlie4u fucked around with this message at 06:25 on Sep 6, 2020

CyberPingu
Sep 15, 2013


If you're not striving to improve, you'll end up going backwards.
Since I shut down my Reddit account does anyone know of a good keyboard/keycap reseller place? I have quite a lot of stuff to offload.

Lord Stimperor
Jun 13, 2018

I'm a lovable meme.

CyberPingu posted:

Since I shut down my Reddit account does anyone know of a good keyboard/keycap reseller place? I have quite a lot of stuff to offload.

Geekhack must have a section for second hand sales.
Also post here.

Lord Stimperor
Jun 13, 2018

I'm a lovable meme.

Speaking of sellers, I'm seeing that EPBT is making a dark-themed PBT Cherry keycap set. The renders look real nice and it'll have plenty of international options. Might be a good alternative to GMK.
https://kbdfans.com/collections/coming-soon/products/ic-epbt-be-the-one

GnarlyCharlie4u
Sep 23, 2007

I have an unhealthy obsession with motorcycles.

Proof

Lord Stimperor posted:

Also post here.

Yeah def give your goonbros first crack. Make a Market thread if you must but at least link here.

Lord Stimperor posted:

Speaking of sellers, I'm seeing that EPBT is making a dark-themed PBT Cherry keycap set. The renders look real nice and it'll have plenty of international options. Might be a good alternative to GMK.
https://kbdfans.com/collections/coming-soon/products/ic-epbt-be-the-one

I've been keeping an eye on this one just because I'm interested in ePBT but I cannot get behind those "be the rainbow" modifiers. Def not my taste.

GnarlyCharlie4u fucked around with this message at 17:37 on Sep 6, 2020

Constellation I
Apr 3, 2005
I'm a sucker, a little fucker.
ePBT keycaps are really really good.

CyberPingu
Sep 15, 2013


If you're not striving to improve, you'll end up going backwards.
So I've got the following if anyone is interested:

GMK Sky Dolch

Redox Wireless with MX Clears

Ergodox Infinity with MX Clears



Basically what's in that photo apart from the actual keyboards at the top. The keysets are still there.

Harry Privates
Oct 10, 2007
Looking at getting a Ducky One 2 with the full 10 keys. The Skyline Double Shot and the Midnight Double Shot are the same keyboards just different colors right?

Looks like the Skyline Double Shot is sold out til October but the Midnight is available soon. Any negatives to getting the Midnight?

Boz0r
Sep 7, 2006
The Rocketship in action.
What's up with a brand called Enjoy PBT doing a shitload of ABS caps?

snackcakes
May 7, 2005

A joint venture of Matsumura Fishworks and Tamaribuchi Heavy Manufacturing Concern

Harry Privates posted:

Looking at getting a Ducky One 2 with the full 10 keys. The Skyline Double Shot and the Midnight Double Shot are the same keyboards just different colors right?

Looks like the Skyline Double Shot is sold out til October but the Midnight is available soon. Any negatives to getting the Midnight?

I think they're about the same. The Skyline was my first choice but the estimated re-stock date kept getting pushed back. After 2 months I canceled and got the Midnight.

Up to you if you feel like waiting an unknown amount of time

HappyCapybaraFamily
Sep 16, 2009


Roger Baolong Thunder Dragon has been fascinated by this sophisticated and scientifically beautiful industry since childhood, and has shown his talent in the design and manufacture of watches.

CyberPingu posted:

So I've got the following if anyone is interested:

GMK Sky Dolch

Redox Wireless with MX Clears

Ergodox Infinity with MX Clears



Basically what's in that photo apart from the actual keyboards at the top. The keysets are still there.

I know it's not for sale, but tell me more about the keyboard in the top left :buddy:

CyberPingu
Sep 15, 2013


If you're not striving to improve, you'll end up going backwards.

HappyCapybaraFamily posted:

I know it's not for sale, but tell me more about the keyboard in the top left :buddy:

The keyboard is the MD Alt high profile. The reason it's not for sale is that I sold it months ago.

The keycap set is still available though.

Stroop There It Is
Mar 11, 2012

:gengar::gengar::gengar::gengar::gengar:
:stroop: :gaysper: :stroop:
:gengar::gengar::gengar::gengar::gengar:

I am very much enjoying my new Varmilo VA87 (67g Zealios on the alphas, Box Whites on the mods, and Box Jades on esc & enter), but the THUNK of the spacebar bottoming out is incredibly loud. Would o-rings help with this? It is specifically when bottoming out, not actuation. I don't think it's rattling, at least I'm not hearing a rattle.

Here it is with the aliexpress keycap set I have been waiting to put on (not super exciting, I know, but hey it's something! Sorry for the bad photo lol).

Stroop There It Is fucked around with this message at 20:08 on Sep 7, 2020

mewse
May 2, 2006

Stroop There It Is posted:

I am very much enjoying my new Varmilo VA87 (67g Zealios on the alphas, Box Whites on the mods, and Box Jades on esc & enter), but the THUNK of the spacebar bottoming out is incredibly loud. Would o-rings help with this? It is specifically when bottoming out, not actuation. I don't think it's rattling, at least I'm not hearing a rattle.

Here it is with the aliexpress keycap set I have been waiting to put on (not super exciting, I know, but hey it's something! Sorry for the bad photo lol).


The thunk of the spacebar isn't usually something people care about, but it's probably amplified by any empty space in the case behind the pcb and you could try putting damping material back there.

HappyCapybaraFamily
Sep 16, 2009


Roger Baolong Thunder Dragon has been fascinated by this sophisticated and scientifically beautiful industry since childhood, and has shown his talent in the design and manufacture of watches.

Keycaps look cool and fun, friend :)

Stroop There It Is
Mar 11, 2012

:gengar::gengar::gengar::gengar::gengar:
:stroop: :gaysper: :stroop:
:gengar::gengar::gengar::gengar::gengar:

mewse posted:

The thunk of the spacebar isn't usually something people care about, but it's probably amplified by any empty space in the case behind the pcb and you could try putting damping material back there.
Good point, I'll look into that! Really my only concern is that it will be annoying when I'm unmuted on Zoom meetings, cuz the mic is definitely gonna pick that up, haha.

HappyCapybaraFamily posted:

Keycaps look cool and fun, friend :)
Thank you!!

trinary
Jul 21, 2003

College Slice
I currently use a pretty basic Coolermaster TKL with Cherry browns but I'm looking for an upgrade. It is rattly as hell, especially the stabilized keys, and it'd be nice to have a metal case that looks better.

I've looked around for parts to build my own, but I'd rather not wait months for things to ship, and following "getting started" links from keyboard subreddits lead me into a labyrinth of dead group buys and unmaintained wiki pages with hundreds of links, and I get annoyed and give up.

I think my ideal is a hot-swappable TKL or 75%, I don't mind the browns but it'd be nice to have the option to replace them without getting a whole new setup. I'd be writing code, words, and playing games on this keyboard, not having separate tilde/backtick and escape keys is a dealbreaker so I think a 65% is out. The Drop CTRL and GMMK (I hate the glorious "race" branding) look like feasible out-of-the-box options but I'm sure there are many others I'm missing. I don't care about lights much, a basic backlight would be fine but not a requirement at all. Where should I look?

GnarlyCharlie4u
Sep 23, 2007

I have an unhealthy obsession with motorcycles.

Proof
I'm gonna do another dumb because I need a place for my 808-Boom Set to live.

https://sneakbox.com/products/disarray

Also there's some really cool interest checks in the pipe now:

KAM Playground https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=108517.0
KAM_Superuser https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=108326.0
KAT Space Dust https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=107942.0


Operator https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=108472.0
Lodestone https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=104704.0

and a couple of good looking but probably impossible to get ones:
Serenity https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=106092.0
Andromeda https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=104056.0

I still plan to buy into the Alpine65 but I would caution anyone else that this GB was off to a rocky start and is probably going to be rough/disappointing. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=106974.0

If you're into 40's then WalletBurner has a gem: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=107506.0

Oh yeah and Saturn-60 recently got built on Twitch. Kind of a lame stream but skip to the end for the goodies:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=106605.0

https://twitch.tv/chongasaurus

At the very least I'm gonna get 2 cases and this FJ60BLX PCB for them. If their Saturn PCB turns out to be good though I'll probably pick one up. I kinda want to build a cover for it and cram in an LCD for that full on retro cyberdeck look. Apparently you can fit a ras-pi in the case, so I could definitely see this being a thing.

e: gently caress I also forgot to mention SA Jadeite is going to GB in less than a week:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=105562.0

trinary posted:

I currently use a pretty basic Coolermaster TKL with Cherry browns but I'm looking for an upgrade. It is rattly as hell, especially the stabilized keys, and it'd be nice to have a metal case that looks better.

I've looked around for parts to build my own, but I'd rather not wait months for things to ship, and following "getting started" links from keyboard subreddits lead me into a labyrinth of dead group buys and unmaintained wiki pages with hundreds of links, and I get annoyed and give up.

I think my ideal is a hot-swappable TKL or 75%, I don't mind the browns but it'd be nice to have the option to replace them without getting a whole new setup. I'd be writing code, words, and playing games on this keyboard, not having separate tilde/backtick and escape keys is a dealbreaker so I think a 65% is out. The Drop CTRL and GMMK (I hate the glorious "race" branding) look like feasible out-of-the-box options but I'm sure there are many others I'm missing. I don't care about lights much, a basic backlight would be fine but not a requirement at all. Where should I look?

I've been really happy with my Durgod and Keychron keyboards as 'starter' boards. They're actually quite good.
Keychron has hot swap available now and Durgod is coming out with a nintendo themed board that is hot swap but the kickstarter is over.

GnarlyCharlie4u fucked around with this message at 04:01 on Sep 9, 2020

interrodactyl
Nov 8, 2011

you have no dignity

trinary posted:

I currently use a pretty basic Coolermaster TKL with Cherry browns but I'm looking for an upgrade. It is rattly as hell, especially the stabilized keys, and it'd be nice to have a metal case that looks better.

I've looked around for parts to build my own, but I'd rather not wait months for things to ship, and following "getting started" links from keyboard subreddits lead me into a labyrinth of dead group buys and unmaintained wiki pages with hundreds of links, and I get annoyed and give up.

I think my ideal is a hot-swappable TKL or 75%, I don't mind the browns but it'd be nice to have the option to replace them without getting a whole new setup. I'd be writing code, words, and playing games on this keyboard, not having separate tilde/backtick and escape keys is a dealbreaker so I think a 65% is out. The Drop CTRL and GMMK (I hate the glorious "race" branding) look like feasible out-of-the-box options but I'm sure there are many others I'm missing. I don't care about lights much, a basic backlight would be fine but not a requirement at all. Where should I look?

Keychron might fit what you want, or if you're interested, you can buy my GMMK White Ice TKL that was used for 2 weeks.

Heck Yes! Loam!
Nov 15, 2004

a rich, friable soil containing a relatively equal mixture of sand and silt and a somewhat smaller proportion of clay.

trinary posted:

I currently use a pretty basic Coolermaster TKL with Cherry browns but I'm looking for an upgrade. It is rattly as hell, especially the stabilized keys, and it'd be nice to have a metal case that looks better.

I've looked around for parts to build my own, but I'd rather not wait months for things to ship, and following "getting started" links from keyboard subreddits lead me into a labyrinth of dead group buys and unmaintained wiki pages with hundreds of links, and I get annoyed and give up.

I think my ideal is a hot-swappable TKL or 75%, I don't mind the browns but it'd be nice to have the option to replace them without getting a whole new setup. I'd be writing code, words, and playing games on this keyboard, not having separate tilde/backtick and escape keys is a dealbreaker so I think a 65% is out. The Drop CTRL and GMMK (I hate the glorious "race" branding) look like feasible out-of-the-box options but I'm sure there are many others I'm missing. I don't care about lights much, a basic backlight would be fine but not a requirement at all. Where should I look?

I'm really happy with the drop alt after some basic mods. The ctrl is pretty much the same thing but tkl.

It's very much worth the price for what you are getting.

LochNessMonster
Feb 3, 2005

I need about three fitty


GnarlyCharlie4u posted:

Also there's some really cool interest checks in the pipe now:

KAM Playground https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=108517.0
KAM_Superuser https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=108326.0

drat, if only they came in a decent profile :negative:

GnarlyCharlie4u
Sep 23, 2007

I have an unhealthy obsession with motorcycles.

Proof
Well playground doesn't make sense to have in a different profile and I assume the point of Superuser is to be able to support COLEMAK and DVORAK and such.

.Z.
Jan 12, 2008

trinary posted:

I currently use a pretty basic Coolermaster TKL with Cherry browns but I'm looking for an upgrade. It is rattly as hell, especially the stabilized keys, and it'd be nice to have a metal case that looks better.

I've looked around for parts to build my own, but I'd rather not wait months for things to ship, and following "getting started" links from keyboard subreddits lead me into a labyrinth of dead group buys and unmaintained wiki pages with hundreds of links, and I get annoyed and give up.

I think my ideal is a hot-swappable TKL or 75%, I don't mind the browns but it'd be nice to have the option to replace them without getting a whole new setup. I'd be writing code, words, and playing games on this keyboard, not having separate tilde/backtick and escape keys is a dealbreaker so I think a 65% is out. The Drop CTRL and GMMK (I hate the glorious "race" branding) look like feasible out-of-the-box options but I'm sure there are many others I'm missing. I don't care about lights much, a basic backlight would be fine but not a requirement at all. Where should I look?

An option that hasn't been mentioned yet would be the Idobao 75. You'd get more case color options that the others: https://www.idobao.net/products/idobao-id80-75-hot-swappable-mechanical-keyboard-kit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdx0DeQf6c8
Cons: No RGB or any backlighting at all for keys. It has less keys than standard 75% layouts I've seen (like the KBD 75%). Plate mount version is currently sold out, though the PCB version is in stock. I'm unfamiliar with the pros and cons of PCB mount vs Plate mount when it comes to hotswap to comment about which to go.
https://www.idobao.net/products/idobao-id80-75-hot-swappable-mechanical-keyboard-kit?variant=33586934907011

Still from what you've said you want, I'd go for the Drop Ctrl if you can afford the extra cost. It's the nicest, has backlighting, and has QMK for customization (GMMK and Keychron K8 are currently not reprogrammable as far as I know).

The Electronaut
May 10, 2009

.Z. posted:

An option that hasn't been mentioned yet would be the Idobao 75. You'd get more case color options that the others: https://www.idobao.net/products/idobao-id80-75-hot-swappable-mechanical-keyboard-kit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdx0DeQf6c8
Cons: No RGB or any backlighting at all for keys. It has less keys than standard 75% layouts I've seen (like the KBD 75%). Plate mount version is currently sold out, though the PCB version is in stock. I'm unfamiliar with the pros and cons of PCB mount vs Plate mount when it comes to hotswap to comment about which to go.
https://www.idobao.net/products/idobao-id80-75-hot-swappable-mechanical-keyboard-kit?variant=33586934907011

Still from what you've said you want, I'd go for the Drop Ctrl if you can afford the extra cost. It's the nicest, has backlighting, and has QMK for customization (GMMK and Keychron K8 are currently not reprogrammable as far as I know).

Plate mount vs PCB mount should just be the number of holes at each switch, 3 vs 5. PCB mount should mean you don't have to cut off the two plastic legs on PCB mount switches. I've heard that keyboard has some ping/noise issues, anyone else read that?

Eugene V. Dubstep
Oct 4, 2013
Probation
Can't post for 8 years!
ty keyboard thread, bought a Varmilo VA88M with Cherry MX Brown switches. My first preference was a somewhat cheaper Leopold, but it looks like they discontinued or at least paused production of versions with an ISO layout.

LochNessMonster
Feb 3, 2005

I need about three fitty


Eugene V. Dubstep posted:

ty keyboard thread, bought a Varmilo VA88M with Cherry MX Brown switches. My first preference was a somewhat cheaper Leopold, but it looks like they discontinued or at least paused production of versions with an ISO layout.

Comgrats on your new addiction!

Taborcarn
Jan 8, 2020

Battle Santa
https://twitter.com/MKeyboards/status/1304432943113424896?s=20


Topres are in stock here, I love the key layout on the FC980C.

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runaway dog
Dec 11, 2005

I rarely go into the field, motherfucker.
So I decided while I was bored that I was gonna bust out one of my old rubber dome membrane keyboards and use it for a while for a laugh, and I gotta say, it's not as bad as I expected. it is a Saitek eclipse 2, it's actually pretty drat tactile (though the bump is super rounded) and quiet and the "switches" activate right at the tactile bump, I've used actual mechanical switches that couldn't that last one right. Though it's also super cheap feeling and a bit mushy go figure.

I also dug out a logitech g15 v1 and it feels like actual poo poo.

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