Re-Spacebarring My Focus?

Go-Kart · 27 Jun 2021, 17:18

I've been using this FK-9200 for work for the past two weeks and I love it. The switch weighting and tactility are just right for me. Yes, it rattles, but the overall sound has a pleasant Focus thock in my opinion. Obviously the functionality of this board is excellent too, particularly in my line of work.

: PXL_20210627_145040257.jpg (3.97 MiB) Viewed 2942 times

However, that big, stupid in the spacebar doesn't half mess up my flow! My muscle memory wishes my right thumb to hit the spacebar right square in the middle of where the trackball/blocker is. I've been making do, just tucking my thumb in. Unfortunately this slows me down, causes me to twist my hand counter-clockwise, which introduces error when typing.

My question is, without any permanent/irreversible modifications being made to this board/it's caps, is there anything I can buy/do to a spare spacebar to get rid of the gap in the middle of it? I know this is a long shot but I have found myself really enjoying this board and it's functionality. Unfortunately, I can't see it visiting my desk again any time soon for work unless I can improve it's spacebar somehow.

Spoiler:

Polecat · 27 Jun 2021, 20:26

Go-Kart wrote: ↑
27 Jun 2021, 17:18
I've been using this FK-9200 for work for the past two weeks and I love it. The switch weighting and tactility are just right for me. Yes, it rattles, but the overall sound has a pleasant Focus thock in my opinion. Obviously the functionality of this board is excellent too, particularly in my line of work.

However, that big, stupid in the spacebar doesn't half mess up my flow! My muscle memory wishes my right thumb to hit the spacebar right square in the middle of where the trackball/blocker is. I've been making do, just tucking my thumb in. Unfortunately this slows me down, causes me to twist my hand counter-clockwise, which introduces error when typing.

My question is, without any permanent/irreversible modifications being made to this board/it's caps, is there anything I can buy/do to a spare spacebar to get rid of the gap in the middle of it? I know this is a long shot but I have found myself really enjoying this board and it's functionality. Unfortunately, I can't see it visiting my desk again any time soon for work unless I can improve it's spacebar somehow.

Have you looked at using the spacebar from a lower model in that series, say a FK-6200, which has a curved spacebar with no trackball? I think I have one here if photos would help.

Go-Kart · 27 Jun 2021, 22:52

Do you know, I opened up my FK-9200 manual when I was putting it back in it's box after typing this, this afternoon and it has a picture of an FK-8200 in it ...it looks like exactly the same board but without the damn trackball!

So, I need to either, track down and cannibalise an FK-6200 or just track down an simply replace my whole FK-9200 with an FK-8200?

Does anyone know of any other keyboards that are easier to obtain/more worthy of cannibalisation? I realise there likely aren't, due to the odd shape of this spacebar, but it's always worth asking the question just in case!

Sheepless · 06 Jul 2021, 14:12

I've just picked up one of these NOS for almost nothing. My plan, if I decided to use it as my daily driver, was to try 3D printing a more sensible space bar and non-domed blanking plug for the trackball. But it turns out that I don't much like the key feel, so that'll go on the back burner.

Go-Kart · 06 Jul 2021, 19:25

I was pleasantly surprised by the key feel!

If/when you do venture down this road, let me know.

kbdfr · 14 Aug 2021, 17:34

Could this be any help?
https://www.ebay.de/itm/255091657988
Or maybe this?
https://www.ebay.de/itm/294332127673

Go-Kart · 14 Aug 2021, 21:00

I have spotted one those Fujitsus before and wondered. Thing is, the Focus space-bar is absurdly rotund...

Polecat · 14 Aug 2021, 22:15

Here's a quick photo of the spacebar mechanism(s) on my FK-6200 parts donor. Hoping this will help determine if the 6200 spacebar would adapt to the 9200. This is the strangest stabilizer setup I've ever had to put back together. The long, horizontal wire actually goes inside the two short, vertical ones, and it's quite the puzzle to reassemble. (and quite rattly, but that could probably be fixed...)

Polecat · 24 Mar 2022, 04:01

Old thread, but an FK-8200 just popped up on ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125218668998