[COMPLETED] Laser Cut Prototyping mini-GB

[matt3o]

Don't forget stabs. I need most / all of the above, plus those. Thanks for the links, I'll do some picking.

good catch, thanks! post updated.

[matt3o]

Does anyone know a source for stabilizers in EU? I can only find them in US.

[Muirium]

Have you always sourced them from WASD?

And as for the other components: who are you ordering those from? I'll try to be convenient.

[Broadmonkey]

I could be in for some nylon spacers and a full set of stabilizers. I have earlier looked for Costar stabilizers in EU, but couldn't find any, so I think WASD is our best bet.

[matt3o]

Have you always sourced them from WASD?

yes. Or other keyboards.

And as for the other components: who are you ordering those from? I'll try to be convenient.

I'll have to place two orders, one from farnell and one from mouser.

I could be in for some nylon spacers and a full set of stabilizers. I have earlier looked for Costar stabilizers in EU, but couldn't find any, so I think WASD is our best bet.

Okay, here's the catch about stabilizers. I have to buy them from WASD and they will probably reach me in 3-4 weeks, meaning that I will receive the plates before the stabs. Unless we can find a source for them in EU I guess it would wiser to buy the stabs individually. Everything else can be found here very fast, so no problem.

[Muirium]

For a fairly generous order I just priced up, WASD wants as much for shipping as for stabs:

Grand Total $14.05
Subtotal $7.50
Shipping & Handling (USPS - First-Class International) $6.55

Fortunately it's not exactly fantastically expensive. But I'm half temped to join Matt3o on this as my caps are coming via him in a while too.

I'm starting out from zero available stabs, by the way. I'm after enough stabs for my 60% plus the Round 4 SPH set, as there's no harm in a few spares.

[matt3o]

I'll take enough stabs to build a dozen keyboards I think, so I'll have plenty of spares.

PS: steel cuts are ready

[Zifle]

I'll take enough stabs to build a dozen keyboards I think, so I'll have plenty of spares.

PS: steel cuts are ready

:OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Muirium]

Lickety split!

By the way, are you still contemplating your Matias switch WhiteFox project, Matt? Stabs were the limiting factor there because there is no source for new ones, as I recall.

[matt3o]

By the way, are you still contemplating your Matias switch WhiteFox project, Matt? Stabs were the limiting factor there because there is no source for new ones, as I recall.

I need to find a Focus fk2001 and they seem impossible to source here in EU. I got an SGI granite though that has similar stabs except for the return key. When the HHFox will be finished I'll look back at the whitefox.

[Muirium]

Having looked through the list, I really do need a bit of everything (besides standoffs). A mini USB socket, the neat stackable feet you used before, heat shrink cables, a good pack of diodes, stabs and even nuts and bolts. Speaking of which, what bolts did you use for your bolt mod? I have this ahead of me on the 122 key:

http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8 ... t6077.html

[matt3o]

Speaking of which, what bolts did you use for your bolt mod?

those were simple M2.

[Muirium]

I'm a bolt noob, obviously, so bear with me! Were they a certain length, and were they self-tapping? I might be confusing wood and metalwork of course…

[Muirium]

Nice Muri,I like combination colour
What feel on SA than Other Keycap family of your experience?

Well, they do feel different. They're tall so your fingers get more leverage on the switch. It's tricky to describe. Like so many things, you've got to try for yourself.

They remind me of Honeywell Hall Effect caps:

Some are the originals, some are the SA replicas. More pictures here:
http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8 ... ml#p125228

[matt3o]

I'm a bolt noob, obviously, so bear with me! Were they a certain length, and were they self-tapping? I might be confusing wood and metalwork of course…

My idea is that the Model M must be bolted with screw+nut, in fact that's what I've done. I used 2M screw + 2M bolt and cut the excess. You can use self-tapping screws with no bolt and a dip of threading paste (which is silicone I guess), but it simply doesn't feel good to me. If the plastic is from a very old keyboard it will be very brittle and threading it might be dangerous.

[Muirium]

Right. Sounds the best way to go. The keyboard in question is from 1990 so I'll play it safe. Could you add the appropriate nuts and bolts to my order? Cheers.

Reading up on the bolt mod (this is my first) I'm seeing stuff about using conic head bolts for the front row of holes, so the outer case fits. Did you encounter this?

http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/repair_model_m.html

[matt3o]

you don't really need to bolt 100% of the plastic rivets. I believe that 50% is more than enough, I rebolted ~70% of them just to be sure and the keyboard is rock solid. The screws/nuts hold the plate very tight and way better than the plastic ones. You can safely skip the whole 1st row. So no need for conic heads.

I'll add some M2 to your order.

[Muirium]

Excellent! Nuts and bolts, please.

[Muirium]

I need to find a Focus fk2001 and they seem impossible to source here in EU.

This any good?
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... ID=EBAY-GB
New, apparently.

[matt3o]

I need to find a Focus fk2001 and they seem impossible to source here in EU.

This any good?
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... ID=EBAY-GB
New, apparently.

thanks for checking but unfortunately it's not the same board (i'd need the one with 1.5u mods)... actually the stabs maybe are similar. I might try to get it anyway.

[Muirium]

Reusing model numbers for different products? Bad, Focus, bad!

[matt3o]

this would be it

[Muirium]

As you've been searching for quite a while, it could be the time to post a wanted for it. Someone might have one spare.

(This is the bit where Matt3o posts a link to the exact [WANTED] he already posted some months ago, that I've completely forgotten about, yet probably commented on!)

[matt3o]

I received a box full of electronics and misc stuff. UBS sockets, cables, wires, screws (cone and pan headed), nuts, grommets, shrinking tubes, standoff.

If you are interested a bag with misc stuff and usb sockets would be €15-20. Without usb €5-10.

[Muirium]

I'm in for a bit of everything but the standoffs I think. Even a grommet could be useful for another project.

[matt3o]

my body is ready

[Muirium]

Pics of everything the cutter sends you, when it arrives!

[matt3o]

I hope they'll be ready by next Mon (crossing all fingers)

[matt3o]

The keyboards are ready and will be shipped to me probably today.

I should get them this Monday or Tuesday!

[Zifle]

:O!