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Recommendations for a chunky board to swap switches
Posted: 01 May 2022, 21:40
by oneirophon
Hey, everybody! First time posting and I wasn't sure whether to post this in workshop or keyboards, but I'm looking for a decently bulky-cased, beige full-sized board I can swap the switches on for either BOX jades or Zeal Clickiez.
I was going to go for a Cherry board, but then I learned that those are usually mounted with four pins and a jumper wire running between two of them inside the switch. That obviously means the swap would be more complicated than just desoldering the old switches and soldering in the new, but I might be willing to go that route if it's as simple as running the jumper wire under the PCB and not needing to open the switches. Would still be a pain, though.
Most of the other full-sized MX-style boards I could find have very slim/minimalist cases, and I'm looking for a more oldschool form factor.
Re: Recommendations for a chunky board to swap switches
Posted: 02 May 2022, 00:43
by jsheradin
A
Chicony KB-5181 could be an option if you find one for cheap. There's a bunch of versions but a few came with MX/clones and double shot caps. Build quality isn't exceptional but they're solid enough and certainly nail the old-school look.
I can personally confirm it's a fun chassis with Jades.
Re: Recommendations for a chunky board to swap switches
Posted: 02 May 2022, 02:15
by oneirophon
jsheradin wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 00:43
A
Chicony KB-5181 could be an option if you find one for cheap. There's a bunch of versions but a few came with MX/clones and double shot caps. Build quality isn't exceptional but they're solid enough and certainly nail the old-school look.
I can personally confirm it's a fun chassis with Jades.
Thanks for the recommendation; I'll keep an eye out!
Re: Recommendations for a chunky board to swap switches
Posted: 03 May 2022, 16:43
by TNT
Is
this one chunky enough?
That's a Unitek K-156. No idea how common and pricey these are atm tho :/
Re: Recommendations for a chunky board to swap switches
Posted: 05 May 2022, 19:58
by oneirophon
TNT wrote: ↑03 May 2022, 16:43
Is
this one chunky enough?
That's a Unitek K-156/157. No idea how common and pricey these are atm tho :/
That's a beautiful chassis! I don't know if they made these in a US layout, but if I came across one, I'd be all over that!
Re: Recommendations for a chunky board to swap switches
Posted: 07 May 2022, 14:08
by TNT
oneirophon wrote: ↑05 May 2022, 19:58
That's a beautiful chassis! I don't know if they made these in a US layout, but if I came across one, I'd be all over that!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 156 seems to be the BAE and the 157 the ISO version of the board (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmT3c3ZvQ1I;
viewtopic.php?t=2169,
wiki/Unitek_K-156).
No Ansi tho, as it seems...
Re: Recommendations for a chunky board to swap switches
Posted: 14 May 2022, 18:05
by hellothere
WYSE for $90, with free shipping in the US. It's easy to make the converter, too. It's a very solid block of metal and plastic. The key caps are extremely nice, although the one I link to needs retr0bright.
Take a peek at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HiO3G_ZV0M. Chyros' review of Box navy in an older, but almost identical, WYSE.