Search found 524 matches

by wcass
04 Feb 2019, 01:55
Forum: Workshop
Topic: wcass' Compact SSK: a review, reverse engineer, teardown, geek-out.
Replies: 45
Views: 22976

Re: wcass' Compact SSK: a review, reverse engineer, teardown, geek-out.

I went to the Workshop today to look up DMA's Bluetooth Common Sense and found this. Thanks red for the review. I knew that a lot of folks would not care for the layout. I posted that back in September 2015 under the topic "Post a picture of your ideal keyboard layout!". I couldn't consider myself a...
by wcass
02 Feb 2019, 00:47
Forum: Workshop
Topic: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)
Replies: 2169
Views: 574241

Re: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)

I let them know that i would be happy to work with them anytime. I am also trying to get to more meetups and give folks a "hands-on" with the CSSK. It is very impressive in person. Someone from here did attempt to work with Unicomp - M'er Forever mocked up a modern SSK interpretation, and recall th...
by wcass
02 Feb 2019, 00:25
Forum: Workshop
Topic: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)
Replies: 2169
Views: 574241

Re: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)

Do M barrel frames really work with F flippers? If so, good job I’ve got a few SSK sized spares. Grabbed them before MF was even an idea. Yes, except .... Reinforcement of the space bar stabilizer hold-down extends into the flipper area on some (not all) barrel frames. This is not an issue with the...
by wcass
01 Feb 2019, 04:07
Forum: Workshop
Topic: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)
Replies: 2169
Views: 574241

Re: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)

I let them know that i would be happy to work with them anytime. I am also trying to get to more meetups and give folks a "hands-on" with the CSSK. It is very impressive in person.
by wcass
01 Feb 2019, 02:06
Forum: Workshop
Topic: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)
Replies: 2169
Views: 574241

Re: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)

Model M barrels are the same as Model F barrels - so the barrel frame and case of any Model M can be used. You just need a new pad card, pivot plates, and controller. The discrete barrels of the AT, XT, and 122 allows rearranging the switches into ... pretty much any layout (just like Cherry/Alps) l...
by wcass
31 Jan 2019, 01:47
Forum: Workshop
Topic: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)
Replies: 2169
Views: 574241

Re: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)

I don't think the files were posted yet - and certainly not in this thread.
The last i heard, the print quality was not quite good enough yet to actually ... work.
When the quality is good enough, i have one silver wingnut that i would very much like to mount.
by wcass
24 Jan 2019, 04:59
Forum: Workshop
Topic: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)
Replies: 2169
Views: 574241

Re: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)

Carbon black is commonly used as a filler in plastic. A side effect of this is that the plastic has a capacitive element.
by wcass
13 Jan 2019, 20:05
Forum: Workshop
Topic: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)
Replies: 2169
Views: 574241

Re: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)

Next version of XTant pad card will have pin out so that CY8CKIT-059 can be connected with standard header pins.
by wcass
10 Jan 2019, 20:28
Forum: Workshop
Topic: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)
Replies: 2169
Views: 574241

Re: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)

There was talk about producing new SSK cases. Not sure if these would be "reproductions" or "updated" with GUI/Win keys.
by wcass
10 Jan 2019, 16:37
Forum: Workshop
Topic: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)
Replies: 2169
Views: 574241

Re: (Model MF) Remodeling the Model M (aka.. the Mara)

Hypersphere wrote:
10 Jan 2019, 15:01
.... Would the F-type full-size fit into a standard Model M case?
That is the plan; old case - new internals.
by wcass
08 Jan 2019, 03:12
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: 2018 IBM Collection
Replies: 7
Views: 3207

Re: 2018 IBM Collection

I have been thinking about posting a different version of the FEXT and FSSK; one that uses just 6 rows instead of 8. Fewer rows means less congestion around bolt holes. FSSK would be 6 x 16; FEXT would be 6 x 19. DMA's controller will fix the issue with one different thresholds on each key and would...
by wcass
28 Dec 2018, 01:53
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Model F Restoration - input welcome!
Replies: 12
Views: 3665

mmcdowell wrote: It feels good to use the F again! My backup Model M just doesn't feel the same. Now... if I could only have an ANSI left shift and enter key, I'd be 100% satisfied. Is this a possibility with an F XT?
Sorry, no. The ISO/ANSI convertible feature was first introduced with the AT.
by wcass
18 Dec 2018, 01:34
Forum: Workshop
Topic: 20181214T22000Z: Learn how to make Model F / Beamspring PCBs
Replies: 23
Views: 5211

In all seriousness - it might be a good idea to do a series of capacitance test boards. Say we fabricate 10-15 different designs to test all of these different variables and try and really get a handle on the answers to all of these questions. I had a few "pad design test" boards made a while back....
by wcass
14 Dec 2018, 01:30
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: should we make a new XT layout group buy?
Replies: 28
Views: 6504

An XT has 83 keys, 83 barrels, and 83 flippers. The barrel under the space bar is different though, so should be replaced. You are correct that extra barrels are needed for Backspace, Enter, shifts, and Win keys.
by wcass
13 Dec 2018, 03:03
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: should we make a new XT layout group buy?
Replies: 28
Views: 6504

I have a quantity of curved steel plates from M122s. These could be cut down to make XT plates? I also have large quantities of Model M flippers and springs, as well as stabilizers. M122 plates will not do us any good as they are back plates and we need new top plates. F122 top plates might work - ...
by wcass
13 Dec 2018, 00:32
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: should we make a new XT layout group buy?
Replies: 28
Views: 6504

andrea-i wrote: I'd also be up for using the exact number of barrels that ship with an XT.
If anyone knows anybody able to make curved steel plates for cheap give us a shout!
Many HVAC shops have a slip roller which is used to put a curve on sheet metal. I got lucky and found a shop to do this for free.
by wcass
07 Dec 2018, 17:45
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: should we make a new XT layout group buy?
Replies: 28
Views: 6504

Curving the top plate is easy if your fabricator/machine shop has a slip roller. Controlling the XTant was fiddly because the xwhatsit sets a single threshold for the entire board. DMA's CommonSense controller has per-key threshold and costs much less at just $10. This is the way to go. The XTant la...
by wcass
02 Dec 2018, 04:43
Forum: Final Vote
Topic: Best Project or Innovation
Replies: 32
Views: 104548

With CommonSense, you can do capacitive buckling spring in any layout. I am trying to decide what to do next; classic SSK, tenkey pad, 60%, 40%, or ergonomic.
by wcass
12 Nov 2018, 23:03
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: IBM M58, the 60% Model M, Very SSK or however IBM called it
Replies: 52
Views: 11674

I wonder how much it would cost to get the case/membrane/barrel plate made for something like this? The rest could be sourced from unicomp or an old M for pretty cheap, and a ribbon connector with a teensey works for a controller. Heck, the barrel plate could be sourced from an existing m too if yo...
by wcass
12 Nov 2018, 16:19
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: IBM Model F XT (NO FOAM) !!
Replies: 3
Views: 1554

As JBert said, the foam is there to keep the top-plate/barrel/PCB/bottom-plate sandwich tight so that the flippers don't get trapped. I think it also helps to lessen the sound a little. I don't use any foam in my custom compact F, however it is easy for me to keep my barrels locked in place because ...
by wcass
10 Nov 2018, 03:01
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: IBM M58, the 60% Model M, Very SSK or however IBM called it
Replies: 52
Views: 11674

Regarding the caps lock LED, i copied that and used it on two custom boards. I didn't think the window on the key cap was necessary, and am very happy with the "under lighting" effect. The picture below is without-flash, so it is much more muted than it appears in the picture. Taking pictures of LED...
by wcass
12 Oct 2018, 01:21
Forum: Workshop
Topic: CommonSense: matrix LCR meter with a HID interface
Replies: 572
Views: 207915

Yes, that will do. Again, make sure that this is made 0.8 mm thick. The zip file attached can be send directly to any PCB manufacturer. Shipping will likely be more expensive than the boards themselves.
Shim.png
Shim.png (6.48 KiB) Viewed 15204 times
by wcass
11 Oct 2018, 14:19
Forum: Workshop
Topic: CommonSense: matrix LCR meter with a HID interface
Replies: 572
Views: 207915

Search for for "60 pin 3.94 card edge connector". Your pad card is 0.8 mm thick and all of these edge connectors are designed for 1.6 mm thick PCB, but you can get a 0.8 mm PCB shim made cheaply through OshPark. I have gerbers for that around here somewhere.
by wcass
06 Oct 2018, 16:16
Forum: Workshop
Topic: A Compact SSK
Replies: 14
Views: 3758

Congrats on finishing it up! It really looks nice, and is certainly a unique Model F. Are you completely satisfied with how it turned out? Oh yeah. The top corners are very pleasant quarter hemispheres with 7 mm radius fillet around the top and side edges. The 3 mm bottom plate makes an invisible s...
by wcass
06 Oct 2018, 05:53
Forum: Workshop
Topic: A Compact SSK
Replies: 14
Views: 3758

I finished programming the controller today. All done and it works great. Thanks DMA for the CommonSense.
CSSK.jpg
CSSK.jpg (586.3 KiB) Viewed 3175 times
By the way, the LEDs themselves are white. I use a speedlite gel to change the color. A pack of 20 different color gels is $2 on eBay.
LEDs.jpg
LEDs.jpg (760.04 KiB) Viewed 3175 times
by wcass
06 Oct 2018, 05:29
Forum: Workshop
Topic: CommonSense: matrix LCR meter with a HID interface
Replies: 572
Views: 207915

This has got CommonSense. Works wonderfully. Thanks!
CSSK.jpg
CSSK.jpg (586.3 KiB) Viewed 6928 times
by wcass
16 Sep 2018, 15:54
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: What bothers me about IBM Model M
Replies: 152
Views: 35171

You know, we can make custom Model F keyboards now. The only real limitation is the key caps. The cost is ... not horrible even with relatively low production volume. For example, i started designing the thing pictured below just a year ago. The cost for 5 PCB pad cards was $100, 5 controllers $100,...
by wcass
11 Sep 2018, 05:51
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Spherical Buckling Spring Thread
Replies: 314
Views: 86538

My new Model F needs some new caps.
20180910_233006.jpg
20180910_233006.jpg (283.75 KiB) Viewed 5002 times
by wcass
20 Aug 2018, 04:40
Forum: Workshop
Topic: A Compact SSK
Replies: 14
Views: 3758

The pad card is the PCB that makes up the switch matrix. Each switch has two parts; a signal pad and a sense pad. The pads are arranged with all of the signal pads on columns and all the sense pads on rows (or the other way around). The traditional design rules for the pad card is that all rows and ...
by wcass
18 Aug 2018, 04:20
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Matching IBM Model M Controller with Keyboard
Replies: 6
Views: 1972

There is absolutely no danger in plugging the wrong controller onto the wrong membrane (for IBM/Lexmark/Unicomp anyway) so long as they are all the 16x8 controllers. Beware the 16x12 controllers as the 12 pin connector is the 8 rows combined with the 4 LED pins.

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