deskthority

@rgleas: You've summed up quite nicely why the HHKB form factor and layout is so highly praised. Add to this the superb Model-F switches, and you have a clear winner. My own favorite layout is also that of the HHKB. Despite continual urging by Muirium and others on DT to try the HHKB, I put this off...

@rgleas: Thanks for the comparative video. Did you use exactly the same setup for the different recordings? (Same placement of mic; same audio settings, etc.). If so (i.e., if the only variable is the keycap set), then the difference in sound seems quite dramatic. To my ear, the new Model F keys are...

@swedishpiehole: Strange dying result with that Right Shift key. Did you wash the keys before dying them? Does RIT recommend any surface treatments before dying? I did wash the keys, even though they were practically new. Clearly there is a mix of some kind of plastic in that one key that does NOT ...

I have a tale of woe. It's short but poignant. I have arrived at my endgame board (I hear you laughing, but it's true — YAS62 with lubed vint black stems in tealio housings and 62g gold SPRiT springs, in case you're curious) <snip><snip> Yeah, sometime ago, I posted something about "nearing endgame...

@troglotype: You are very welcome to the tips. I hope that the suggested modifications work for you. Please note that Hypersphere silencing rings for Topre-switch keyboards will not work on the F62/F77. The rings I used on the Model-F boards were purchased from Amazon: uxcell Nitrile Rubber O-Rings ...

@funkmon: Thanks for writing up your Unicomp adventure. Many of us have been curious about the place. It was reminiscent of a Twilight Zone epidode. Interesting, although depressing here and there.

Finally, I've opened the case on my new F62 to scope it out for a few more modifications. I am considering the following: + Sound-deadening foam in the front and/or back case. + Rubber washers for the case-mounting screws, although if this were done, it might be best to put a rubber gasket all the w...

@zod000: Thanks for your comment about O-rings. I've installed them only on the mods and spacebar, which has attenuated the harsh metallic "clack" of these larger keys. I didn't like the effect on the alphanumeric keys, and so I removed them from these keys. However, I think I will keep them on the ...

@Findecanor: Thanks for bringing me up to date!

Although I favor Topre and IBM buckling spring keyboards, I still have a CM QFR Stealth with Cherry mx greens in my collection. I obviously haven't kept up with developments from CM!

Check out the CoolerMaster QuickFire Rapid TK:

http://us.coolermaster.com/product/Deta ... re-tk.html

@troglotype: Regarding spacebar rattle on the F62, I did several things, and the rattle has disappeared. Not sure which of these items worked or if it is the combination: + Put strips of self-adhesive rubber inside the spacebar. I used strips intended as non-skid feet for the undersides of various t...

@vladafkv: Thanks for your question. No, I did not follow any particular guide for refurbishing my XT keyboard. I suppose I used a combination of intuition and tips gleaned from various posts in the Deskthority (DT) and Geekhack (GH) forums. For programming the Teensy with Soarer's converter, I did ...

@Ellipse: Just curious: 1. Was a split Left Shift a possible option on the F62 and/or F77? I am thinking of the split as the same for the split Right Shift, i.e., Shift+Fn from left to right. This would enable having Fn on the left and/or right of the keyboard. I have my XT set up this way (although...

My first keyboard conversion project was an IBM-XT. I put a Teensy inside along with a flush-mount USB-B connector (I thought this heavy-duty board ought to have a more sustantial connector than a mini or micro USB). Programmed the Teensy with Soarer's converter. This XT is still one of my favorite ...

@Ellipse: In your opinion, which of the following lettered keys are superior for use on the new F62/F77 boards, in terms of aesthetics, sound, and feel (until the new keys are available from the ones you are having made): 1. One-piece from an IBM F-XT or F-122. 2. Two-piece from an F-122. 3. Two-pie...

Did anyone try transplanting their flipper+spring assemblies from XT F or similar keyboards into their modern versions? As i understand it it should be possible. Might give it that extra bit of feel and sound for those still preferring the vintage stuff. Interesting idea. I've not tried this myself...

I have a V60 keyboard from KeyboardParadise with yellow Gateron switches. Very smooth, and to me, the sweet spot in resistance between mx red and black.

@Inxie: I share your affinity for at least some aspects of the IBM-XT keyboard. The XT was my first computer purchase for my lab, and many years later, an XT purchased on eBay for $19 was my first keyboard refurbishing project. However, although I like the form factor, sound and feel of the XT, I do...

@zod000: @tentator: @ellipse: (And anyone who might be interested): My O-rings arrived today. As promised, I am posting with my impressions. First, the following listing in Amazon is in fact $5.39 for 50 rings: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F3481KR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&p...

@Ellipse: @Tentator: (And anyone else who might be interested): I have managed to flash my F62 with QMK and to use QMK to remap the layout with my preferences. This seems to have solved the problem with the spurious keypresses. However, if the problem should reappear, I will post to let people know....

I've managed to flash my F62 with QMK. This seems to have solved the problem with spurious keypresses.

@kmnov2017: Thank you for your reply! I have also heard from tentator, who has sent me some helpful comments.

@jujubii: Glad you found the drop-down menus on the tabs for Base Layer and Layers 1, 2, 3. You need to keep lowering the current threshold until you reach a point where all the keys are actuating correctly. You want the maximum setting for actuating all keys. This will most likely be a number betwe...

Thanks, Ellipse.

Could someone assist me with getting an invitation for access to QMK beta software/firmware for the F62 keyboard? Thanks!

My new F62 keyboard is throwing seemingly random actuations. I have been advised to request an invitation for QMK beta firmware. Could someone assist me with this? Thanks!

Hi Hypersphere! I Flossmodded my standard F62, and I had indeed to make the floss thread shorter for some keys, or let's say the lenght I had to customize per key.. It was a bit time consuming, but I'm super happy with the result now. To remove the thread when it's shorter than the spring I use the...

For those who might be interested in a dust cover for your standard F62, if you should happen to have a medium-sized plexiglass "keyboard roof" from EliteKeyboards (now out of business), these fit perfectly, with the top side resting above the "pencil holder" on the F62 case. The small-sized roofs (...

@Admiral: Fujitsu and Realforce Topre-switch keyboards are worthy contenders as well, and they are currently available as new keyboards. My daily driver for years has been a lubed and silenced HHKB Pro 2 with 45g Topre switches. I recently upgraded this to the new HHKB Pro Hybrid Type-S. I also have...

<snip> Thanks Ellipse again for everything, and thanks for providing me with my first mechanical keyboards. It's too bad these have to be a limited run and no one really makes keyboards like these. I really appreciate the work that has gone into this. Your first mechanical keyboards are two F62s?! ...

@cap:
@clickclack:
@BucklingSprings:
Thanks for your comments. Still don't know why the floss mod went so smoothly on my XT and was so difficult on my F62. However, the springs on my XT feel heavier than those on my F62, but I have not yet measured the actuation force(s) on either keyboard.