Unicomp SSK from Ultra Classic, anyone? - Yes!

[khirin]

Not long ago, I got a dead Unicomp Ultra Classic for parts and spare. It turns out that its controller went bad, no lights, no response. I'm thinking that it will be nice to have a thinner-bezel SSK but I couldn't find any previous references/photos.

I've seen several nice looking chopped SSKs from full IBM Model Ms but none with Unicomp, has it been done before? Can it be done?

Update
12/13/2016 : See my post below.

[PotatoMonkey]

I don't see why the process would be any different. Unicomp internals are more or less identical to IBM internals.

[ohaimark]

Wow. Good job, new guys! If you decide to chop it down, do show some photographs.

[snoopy]

Do it!

[Tangtawan]

that sounds great !

[khirin]

OK guys, thanks for all the encouragements. I went ahead and spent nearly two weekends + holidays to complete it. It is harder than I originally thought. Although I have some experiences in atmega32u4 programming, but never before in my life that I had to reroute the membrane copper traces, or cut and spray paint a keyboard case. Anyway, here it is. Enjoy the pictures

If Unicomp releases an SSK, it may look like this.

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Another angle.

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Screws and feet and in place.

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Side view.

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Detachable cord with micro-usb connector.

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Front view.

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An Arduino Micro as its controller.

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The controller fits snugly and can be taken out easily, just like on the Model M.

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In position.

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DIY SSK Top shell.

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..and its bottom half.

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Asymmetry cuts to preserve critical components.

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...and here too.

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Working with membrane traces

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Very tedious.

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Testing and testing, to make sure it 100% working.

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It is fun to have a hobby like this.

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Works great in my humble workplace.

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Next up, 60% buckling spring keyboard?

[emdude]

Wow, that is incredible. Easily one of the best Model M chop jobs I've seen!

[ohaimark]

That's a home run! Your Unicomp is the first one I've seen that looks good.

If they produced something like that on their own, they'd get so much more business.

[ohaimark]

#DTA7

[andrewjoy]

That is fantastic !

[Zombimuncha]

Wow! Nice Job - I can't even see the seam on the top shell. Do want!

[002]

Really nice and tidy, man -- well done!

[Khers]

Very neat chop job!

[Chyros]

Fuck me, that's amazing! How did you get the seam to disappear so well on the case? =o

[lot_lizard]

Really well done... I shared this with Unicomp. Obviously they would take a different approach on how it was produced, but you really did lay out for them what needs to be adjusted from a technical perspective to their existing designs.

Hopefully they PM you . I much prefer your lines to their previous suggestions

[seebart]

A chop well done, looks great!

[ohaimark]

Fuck me, that's amazing! How did you get the seam to disappear so well on the case? =o

I think he filled it with something and painted the case. Could be wrong, though.

[alienman82]

removed.

[drevyek]

Fabulously done! I love the way youdivided the case up. When I did mine, it was just the two pieces. What did you use to stick the parts together? I had used putty, but it didn't work as well as I had initially hoped. (I used Krazy glue to fill in my seam).

[vometia]

That's incredible. An SSK with a smaller footprint and in a much nicer colour; really neat job too! I'm jealous.

[Ray]

Wow, that's a clean look, really awesome!

I also want more details what you used to make the seams almost disappear, I need to chop an M case for my MF.

[Tangtawan]

very neat job indeed

[Muirium]

Aye. And from a modding newb! There is hope for all of us!

Re: Unicomp. This is exactly what we all want. An SSK we can buy and plot people to, today. No "innovation" required in the layout. IBM got it right the first time. Drop the numpad, and you are done. Make it freakin' so!

[wobbled]

Hilarious how Unicomp have been trying to make a TKL board for years and this guy just makes one out of shit they already have. Impressive stuff, can't even see any marks on the case where it was cut.

[seebart]

Hilarious how Unicomp have been trying to make a TKL board for years...

I don't think they ever really tried. Not sure if they could build one if they wanted to. But this is how to do it like a pro that's for sure.

[dokyun]

+1 Would like to know more detail on your process for this. I'm typing on an identical Unicomp right now that is suddenly looking a lot more attractive cut up...

[webwit]

There's a difference between a custom mod, and the numbers Unicomp think in with their inherited production line machinery and their setup costs. They need something which can be produced by machinery and which sells in big numbers to earn the investment back and make a profit.

[alh84001]

#DTA7

I was just about to add this.

[Muirium]

Indeed. Unicomp won't be chopping plastic. But, as far as design goes, the path is clear enough. The trouble is their will to do something, anything, they weren't already doing ages ago. It takes a special kind of boat to miss the tide that raises all ships.

[supamesican]

AWESOME! I may do this next year, unless unicomp gets smart and puts out one too.