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IMB trackpoint stem DIY
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 15:42
by araif
I'm searching a way to make a stem for recovered ibm trackpoints that we put on custom keyboards, I was trying to put glue some plastic and add a metallic stem that a pen contained (surely a really diy method, and horrible), the trackpoint is this one
https://imgur.com/a/ih2L5 and is 3x3x2.5mm .
Do you have some clever idea to build something that snap on that trackpoint plastic part and has 1.5/2mm diameter max and is height enough to reach the keyboard caps?
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 15:53
by scottc
I believe that suka has made 3d printed stems that work as you describe. I've also seen metal ones in lowpoly's posts. I'd be very interested in any developments too.
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 16:08
by araif
if you don't laugh I'll show you what I was putting together
https://imgur.com/oJk2odx 
the base is squared and fight tightly the trackpoint plastic part.
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 16:28
by scottc
Looks a bit long to me!
Does it work well?
In case you don't know, you can salvage trackpoints with long stems from a certain buckling rubber sleeve IBM board, the IBM Space Saver 2. I'd probably still prefer an extension like this on a newer model, though.
By the way, here are the posts I mentioned before (but didn't post because my laptop was about to die!):
Suka:
http://deskthority.net/post150334.html#p150334
Lowpoly:
http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/mini ... t7545.html
I was wrong about Lowpoly's pointing stick, it seems like it's an entirely separate project instead of just an adapter. Sorry!
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 16:33
by Halvar
Looks good to me! I wonder if suka's plastic solution is rigid enough, I don't want my trackpoint to move.
Edit: grammar...
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 16:35
by araif
yes that's too long, only because I should still put keycaps and know the correct height, but that's the minor problem, the real deal is the base.
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 16:40
by scottc
Oh, I somehow forgot about CeeSA's excellent solutions for this (that kbdfr just mentioned in another thread):
Re: IMB trackpoint stem DIY
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 18:12
by suka
Halvar wrote:I wonder if suka's plastic solution is rigid enough, I don't want my trackpoint to move...
The extensions I recently build for the HyperMicro work fine here: even without an internal metal pin the slight dampening can be overcome easily with fine-tuned trackpoint firmware settings.
It's more a matter of how much space there is between switch cases and/or how large the cutoffs at the keycap corners are.
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 18:48
by araif
so the solutions there are cnc or 3d print, right?
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 20:39
by suka
This extension for the HyperMicro is the most recent design I was referring to - the other one mentioned above still is my daily driver and also works, but isn't as beautiful or comfortable for the masses I guess.
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 20:41
by Halvar
suka wrote: ↑The extensions I recently build for the HyperMicro work fine here: even without an internal metal pin the slight dampening can be overcome easily with fine-tuned trackpoint firmware settings.
It's more a matter of how much space there is between switch cases and/or how large the cutoffs at the keycap corners are.
...
This extension for the HyperMicro is the most recent design I was referring to - the other one mentioned above still is my daily driver and also works, but isn't as beautiful or comfortable for the masses I guess.
Yes, I meant the one in that picture. That sounds good! I'd like to try one...
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 20:43
by scottc
I'd like to try one too!
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 21:30
by araif
I would like to try those too, but determining a right height could be really difficult for the general usage.. what could be the cost of 3d-printing one of those piece? If we could agree on a set of standard measures those could be mass printed, and hope the cost could drop
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 21:36
by araif
scottc wrote: ↑
In case you don't know, you can salvage trackpoints with long stems from a certain buckling rubber sleeve IBM board, the IBM Space Saver 2. I'd probably still prefer an extension like this on a newer model, though.
I forgot to mention that I looked at those keyboard from ebay and they were a lot more expensive than buying an used thinkpad keyboard with integrated trackpoint (I bought one for 5$). So maybe buying trackpoint keyboard + 3dprinting a stem could still be cheaper than buying one of those used
space saver 2
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 21:41
by scottc
araif wrote: ↑scottc wrote: ↑
In case you don't know, you can salvage trackpoints with long stems from a certain buckling rubber sleeve IBM board, the IBM Space Saver 2. I'd probably still prefer an extension like this on a newer model, though.
I forgot to mention that I looked at those keyboard from ebay and they were a lot more expensive than buying an used thinkpad keyboard with integrated trackpoint (I bought one for 5$). So maybe buying trackpoint keyboard + 3dprinting a stem could still be cheaper than buying one of those used
space saver 2
Yep, I agree with you there. I got one for free but I was lucky. Need more!
Posted: 04 Mar 2015, 22:00
by suka
Since the extensions are really low volume parts shipping will probably be more expensive then having a few printed. I'll try to come up with a sane set of lengths and diameters for the HyperMicro case and upload the models real soon.
In any case, the designs with a hollow stem can easily be shortened or extended further by inserted a metal pin.
Posted: 05 Mar 2015, 01:32
by wlhlm
I'd too be interested in the Trackpoint stem.
Posted: 05 Mar 2015, 03:26
by Redmaus
Trackpoint stem sounds really interesting.
Would like to put one on my SSK if it happens.
Posted: 14 Mar 2015, 00:55
by jou
I'm currently of building an Atreus with a trackpoint and I extended the stem by drilling a hole and putting a nail into it.
- resized-IMG_0397.jpg (195.62 KiB) Viewed 7452 times
The cap even fits the head of the nail exactly.
- resized-IMG_0398.jpg (299.75 KiB) Viewed 7452 times
Now I'm thinking about where to put the mouse buttons…
Posted: 14 Mar 2015, 17:24
by araif
jou wrote: ↑I'm currently of building an Atreus with a trackpoint and I extended the stem by drilling a hole and putting a nail into it.
resized-IMG_0397.jpg
The cap even fits the head of the nail exactly.
resized-IMG_0398.jpg
Now I'm thinking about where to put the mouse buttons…
you nailed it
! (sorry I had to say that..)
Posted: 15 Mar 2015, 22:25
by Redmaus
araif wrote: ↑
you nailed it
! (sorry I had to say that..)
Posted: 18 Mar 2015, 20:24
by jonlorusso
jou wrote: ↑Now I'm thinking about where to put the mouse buttons…
Is it possible to reuse keyboard buttons as mouse buttons (via a separate layer)?
Posted: 18 Mar 2015, 22:19
by jou
jonlorusso wrote: ↑jou wrote: ↑Now I'm thinking about where to put the mouse buttons…
Is it possible to reuse keyboard buttons as mouse buttons (via a separate layer)?
In principle yes, but TMK keyboard which I'm currently using doesn't seem to support that. It doesn't send mouse presses from a keyboard layer if PS/2 mouse support is active. Plus from what I see, press-to-scroll can't be triggered from the keyboard side, only from a actual mouse button press.