Recommendations for a chunky board to swap switches

oneirophon · 01 May 2022, 21:40

Hey, everybody! First time posting and I wasn't sure whether to post this in workshop or keyboards, but I'm looking for a decently bulky-cased, beige full-sized board I can swap the switches on for either BOX jades or Zeal Clickiez.

I was going to go for a Cherry board, but then I learned that those are usually mounted with four pins and a jumper wire running between two of them inside the switch. That obviously means the swap would be more complicated than just desoldering the old switches and soldering in the new, but I might be willing to go that route if it's as simple as running the jumper wire under the PCB and not needing to open the switches. Would still be a pain, though.

Most of the other full-sized MX-style boards I could find have very slim/minimalist cases, and I'm looking for a more oldschool form factor.

jsheradin · 02 May 2022, 00:43

A Chicony KB-5181 could be an option if you find one for cheap. There's a bunch of versions but a few came with MX/clones and double shot caps. Build quality isn't exceptional but they're solid enough and certainly nail the old-school look.

I can personally confirm it's a fun chassis with Jades.

Spoiler:

oneirophon · 02 May 2022, 02:15

jsheradin wrote: 02 May 2022, 00:43 A Chicony KB-5181 could be an option if you find one for cheap. There's a bunch of versions but a few came with MX/clones and double shot caps. Build quality isn't exceptional but they're solid enough and certainly nail the old-school look.

I can personally confirm it's a fun chassis with Jades.
Spoiler:
IMG_20210808_180934.jpg
IMG_20210808_183317.jpg

Thanks for the recommendation; I'll keep an eye out!

TNT · 03 May 2022, 16:43

Is this one chunky enough?

That's a Unitek K-156. No idea how common and pricey these are atm tho :/

oneirophon · 05 May 2022, 19:58

TNT wrote: 03 May 2022, 16:43 Is this one chunky enough?

That's a Unitek K-156/157. No idea how common and pricey these are atm tho :/

That's a beautiful chassis! I don't know if they made these in a US layout, but if I came across one, I'd be all over that!

TNT · 07 May 2022, 14:08

oneirophon wrote: 05 May 2022, 19:58
That's a beautiful chassis! I don't know if they made these in a US layout, but if I came across one, I'd be all over that!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 156 seems to be the BAE and the 157 the ISO version of the board (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmT3c3ZvQ1I; viewtopic.php?t=2169, wiki/Unitek_K-156).

No Ansi tho, as it seems...

hellothere · 14 May 2022, 18:05

WYSE for $90, with free shipping in the US. It's easy to make the converter, too. It's a very solid block of metal and plastic. The key caps are extremely nice, although the one I link to needs retr0bright.

Take a peek at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HiO3G_ZV0M. Chyros' review of Box navy in an older, but almost identical, WYSE.