IMB trackpoint stem DIY

araif

04 Mar 2015, 15:42

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?

User avatar
scottc

04 Mar 2015, 15:53

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.

araif

04 Mar 2015, 16:08

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.

User avatar
scottc

04 Mar 2015, 16:28

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!

User avatar
Halvar

04 Mar 2015, 16:33

Looks good to me! I wonder if suka's plastic solution is rigid enough, I don't want my trackpoint to move.

Edit: grammar...
Last edited by Halvar on 04 Mar 2015, 16:37, edited 1 time in total.

araif

04 Mar 2015, 16:35

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.

User avatar
scottc

04 Mar 2015, 16:40

Oh, I somehow forgot about CeeSA's excellent solutions for this (that kbdfr just mentioned in another thread):
kbdfr wrote: CeeSA is the specialist for that kind of mods:
http://deskthority.net/photos-f62/mod-a ... ml#p102984

User avatar
suka
frobiac

04 Mar 2015, 18:12

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.

araif

04 Mar 2015, 18:48

so the solutions there are cnc or 3d print, right?

User avatar
suka
frobiac

04 Mar 2015, 20:39

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.

User avatar
Halvar

04 Mar 2015, 20:41

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...

User avatar
scottc

04 Mar 2015, 20:43

I'd like to try one too!

araif

04 Mar 2015, 21:30

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 8-)

araif

04 Mar 2015, 21:36

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

User avatar
scottc

04 Mar 2015, 21:41

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!

User avatar
suka
frobiac

04 Mar 2015, 22:00

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.

User avatar
wlhlm
~

05 Mar 2015, 01:32

I'd too be interested in the Trackpoint stem.

User avatar
Redmaus
Gotta start somewhere

05 Mar 2015, 03:26

Trackpoint stem sounds really interesting.

Would like to put one on my SSK if it happens.

User avatar
jou

14 Mar 2015, 00:55

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
resized-IMG_0397.jpg (195.62 KiB) Viewed 6554 times
The cap even fits the head of the nail exactly.
resized-IMG_0398.jpg
resized-IMG_0398.jpg (299.75 KiB) Viewed 6554 times
Now I'm thinking about where to put the mouse buttons…

araif

14 Mar 2015, 17:24

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 8-) ! (sorry I had to say that..)

User avatar
Redmaus
Gotta start somewhere

15 Mar 2015, 22:25

araif wrote: you nailed it 8-) ! (sorry I had to say that..)
:lol:

jonlorusso

18 Mar 2015, 20:24

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)?

User avatar
jou

18 Mar 2015, 22:19

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.

Post Reply

Return to “Workshop”