Just Finished! Alps SKCM Brown Winkeyless TKL on a Budget!

[m_raggie]

So the quest for Alps Winkeyless TKL parts had proved too costly or too obscure than originally anticipated so I got creative with the parts I could find.

My plan to create a Winkeyless TKL with Brown Alps (for at least the Alphas and Modifiers) with SGI Granite keycaps began..

Parts used were:
SKCM Browns
SKCM Oranges (since I had a limited amount of Brown and also love Orange Alps)
XD87 PCB
XD87 Plastic Case
Keebmeup 60% WKL FR4 Alps Plate
XD87 TKL Plate (Filed to fit Alps Switches)


First I fitted the 60% Plate, soldered the SKCM Brown switches and made sure the stabilizers were working well

step 1.jpg (211.39 KiB) Viewed 5816 times

Second I cut out the 60% portion of the XD87 TKL Plate and hand filed Cherry MX openings to be just the right size for Alps switches

test fit.png (1.35 MiB) Viewed 5820 times

second plate.jpg (391.8 KiB) Viewed 5820 times

I really wanted to make this Winkeyless so I decided to add some home made blockers to the XD87 case

winkey 1.jpg (213.88 KiB) Viewed 5820 times

winkey 2.jpg (195.55 KiB) Viewed 5820 times

after winkey.jpg (214.17 KiB) Viewed 5816 times

When at the store deciding what to paint the case, I saw a can of 'Granite' spray paint. So in order to compliment the SGI Granite keycaps I chose this color. Here is the finished project.

final 1.png (3.99 MiB) Viewed 5820 times

final 2.png (3.61 MiB) Viewed 5820 times

[Go-Kart]

Looks great! Now, make me one?

I'd love to hear a typing test.

[m_raggie]

Looks great! Now, make me one?

I'd love to hear a typing test.

When I get a chance I'll take one for you

[jason]

looks freaking amazing keycaps are solid choice

[m_raggie]

looks freaking amazing keycaps are solid choice

thanks! The caps were what sparked the idea for this

[Palatino]

Mmm I bet it sounds as good as it looks. Great job!

[inozenz]

how much did you spend on all of these parts?

[m_raggie]

Mmm I bet it sounds as good as it looks. Great job!

It does sound great, as I hoped. I believe the plastic case helps. The high dollar metal cases seems to ruin Alps sound potential.

how much did you spend on all of these parts?

XD87 Case + PCB + Plate = $71
https://kprepublic.com/products/xd87-xd ... 6717488172

Alps 60% Plate = $15-20
https://keebmeup.com/index.php?id_categ ... r=category

Then supply the Alps switch of your choosing. Brown Alps are quite expensive at least $200+ for the 60% portion.

SGI Granite Keycaps were plucked from another keyboard I had. I would guess they are priced around $100? Dell AT101 caps would also have worked well and I believe they are more affordable.

[inozenz]

Thanks for the insight, except for the switches it really is a budged Alps board love it!

[andreas]

Great project, thank you for sharing this.

Enjoy

[m_raggie]

Looks great! Now, make me one?

I'd love to hear a typing test.

I made a half-assed sound test. You get the idea

[KeebMeUp]

glad to hear you're enjoying the FR4 plate!! awesome build!!

[m_raggie]

glad to hear you're enjoying the FR4 plate!! awesome build!!

I would highly recommend the plate to anyone interested, thank you for producing it!

[ppCircle]

My build in cartboard case

[Palatino]

Mmm that sounds good even on my tinny little phone speaker.

[m_raggie]

My build in cartboard case

Your spacebar sounds better than mine, in my opinion. Any particular tweaking you did to it?

I opted to remove the spacebar's barrel on the PCB maybe I should try installing it again.

[Dyto69]

That's an awesome Project, i love the DIY WKL Blocker and the Granite Paint color for the Case. I love how it sounds too

[Easy_Spinach]

glad to hear you're enjoying the FR4 plate!! awesome build!!

hey dingus

[KeebMeUp]

hey dingus

are you done crying yet dingus

also... what is best keeb (asking for a friend)

[ppCircle]

Your spacebar sounds better than mine, in my opinion. Any particular tweaking you did to it?
I simply peeled the foams from the plate, they were damaged.

[KeebMeUp]

i apologize for being a cock juggling thundercunt. please unban me from your discord server.

took long enough!

[Scarpia]

Congrats on the build, you are a gentleman of great taste!

[Easy_Spinach]

topi obviously, duh. Unban fricked and me already you cock juggling thundercunt. smh

Yeah took me long enough to do it! Sorry

yes

[juggling_eggs]

How did you make the blockers? Material, mold, etc. I would love to make some for a tkl as well.