Group Buy Closed. Round 2 is here.PrinsValium has designed a PCB with a programmable controller and a mounting plate that will fit inside a regular Filco tenkeyless keyboard case, which will enable every Filco tenkeyless user to use a full set of good old Cherry keycaps, including Cherry’s original 1.5x wide Ctrl and Alt keys. Detail technical discussion is
here.
Unique features:
[*]Supports vintage Cherry double shot, laser, and dye sub keycaps
[*]1.5x Ctrl and Alt vintage Cherry keycaps (PHANSI and PHISO plate options)
[*]With 1.5x modifiers, you can also use Cherry’s 7x spacebars
[*]Supports centered-stem and offset-stem Capslock (also from vintage Cherry Keyboards)
[*]Also support modern keyboard layout with 1.25x Ctrl and Alt modifiers (PHANSIWIN and PHISOWIN plate options)
[/list]
[*]Supports both Costar and Cherry stabilizers
[*]Supports in-switch LED at Capslock and Scroll Lock locations, as well as Filco style LED locations between PrintScrn-ScrollLock-Break and Insert-Home-PageUp
[*]Plate design allows Cherry MX switch top removal without de-soldering the switch first
[*]Perfect for easy switch lubing, repair, or modding
[*]Excluding switches with in-switch LED
[/list]
[*]Supports 5 extra keys between 6-pack and arrow keys (case modification required)
[*]Supports 6KRO over USB with current Teensy firmware
[*]potentially NKRO over USB in the future with new Teensy firmware
[/list]
[*]All keys can be remapped via firmware source code changes (currently a recompile of source is required)
[*]LED brightness adjustable in firmware source code
[*]Fits inside Filco Tenkeyless cases
[*]PLU cases could also work
[/list]
[*]Community support on Geekhack.org and Deskthority.net
[/list]
Latest PCB design:
Other unique features of this design:
-There are
4 extra holes on the PCB for each switch that should provide each stem/spring replacement without desoldering the switch from the PCB and metal plate.
-
per 7bit’s request, you could do something crazy like this for the front row:
HaveANiceDay started the project originally with PrinsValium, and we are carrying it forward. Here is HaveANiceDay’s original post:
Show Image
"Who was that shape in the shadows? Whose is that face in the mask?"
Ladies and Gentlemen!
I am happy to finally announce a project of mine in co-operation with PrinsValium of the Symmetric Stagger Board fame.
For a long time I have lusted after the Korean custom keyboards, jealous of the ability to use a full set of Cherry double shot and dye sub keycaps without substitutes!
You see, I never cared about their CNC carved Alumin(i)um bodies and I spoke about that on a few occasion. The holy grail, for me, are the keycaps.
Show Image
I reached out to PrinsValium, told him my story and asked if he was interested. Luckily, he shares my views on this and he agreed to [strike]help me out[/strike] do all the work for me.
Now, before you fall asleep I'll go ahead and tell you what you probably have already guessed from the story above:
We are making a PCB with a programmable controller and a mounting plate, which will enable every Filco tenkeyless user to use a full set of good old Cherry keycaps!
Wait, what? Just for the Filco tenkeyless? Why?
It's practically impossible to make one PCB compatible with all the keyboard bodies out there, so we went with this one for a few reasons:
1. The Filco is probably the most popular tenkeyless brand around here.
2. The keyboard body on the Filco is in my opinion beautiful, I actually think it looks better than the Korean custom Alumin(i)um bodies.
3. It costs a lot to make low volumes of keyboard bodies, way more than a whole Filco tenkeyless.
4. I already own one! Yes, the privilege of being project lead.
If you still don't have a good idea what it would look like, it's basically the 86U layout!
Show Image
We would need 1-sized windows keycaps for in between CTRL and ALT, but luckily there are cheap Cherry boards with just the right keycaps available.
FAQWhy "Phantom"?
It's a Phantom behind the Filco mask!
What IS the Phantom?
A "unisex" PCB (fits ANSI and ISO), the Teensy controller and a matching mounting plate.
It fits the Filco tenkeyless and most likely the PLU ML-87(the insides of the case are identical to the Filco).
I don't know how to solder, am I SOL?
If you don't want to or can't do soldering, you can contact alaricljs (located in the USA) or Half-Saint (located in Europe). They are offering their soldering service. You will have to order parts from this group buy and tell us to ship the parts to one of them. You will need to work out the cost and shipping arrangement with them directly.
Why the Filco tenkeyless/PLU ML-87 and not another brand?
1. Filco are probably the most popular around geekhack of all the tenkeyless keyboards.
2. Both of those are compatible with each other, thus increasing the market size.
3. I already own one :P
Is this compatible with the Filco tenkeyless gen1 AND gen2?
Yes.
Can I use ALL of the Cherry doubleshots/dye-subs with the Phantom? Meaning the entire bottom row with the 7-sized spacebar and the off-center capslock?
YES! This is the main reason we are doing this.
But I really like the modern layout my Filco has, can I keep it the way it was?
Sure, PCB is fully compatible with both choices.
What layouts are supported by the PCB?
ANSI and ISO in standard Filco or oldschool Cherry layout.
Also there is support for the shorter shift + FN key, like on the HHKB!
Another option that is available is the UNIX layout.
Can I use it to convert my ANSI Filco tenkeyless to ISO?
Yes, and from ISO to ANSI as well!
Can I re-use my old Filco mounting plate if I just want PCB with the reprogrammable controller?
Yes.
Do I have to buy the switches myself?
Not if you reuse the old ones from the Filco.
Can I use PCB mounting (without the mounting plate)?
No, there are no holes on the PCB that are needed for PCB mounting. There were good design reasons to leave them out, sorry.
What stabilizers are supported by the mounting plate?
Costar(Filco) and Cherry stabilizers.
We still have to look if we can cram both of them on one mounting plate.
Will there be just one mounting plate?
No. Every layout will probably get a matching mounting plate.
What will the PCB look like?
It will have an awesome black finish on both sides with white silkscreen markings for easier switch mounting. The Phantom logo and text will be embedded on the copper layer like on the Filco gen2.
What will the mounting plate look like?
Bare metal which you can spray-paint as you want and if you want :)
Update history:
---
People who are involved in this group buy:
PrinsValium: PCB and plate design
BiNiaRiS: plate ordering, payment collection, US distribution
7bit: payment collection, European distribution
Litster: Organizer, group buy communication
The PCB should be between US$25 to US$40 each. And the plate should be between US$20 to US$30 each. The finally price has yet to be determined. Each order includes 1 PCB, 1 plate, 1 controller.
You will need to source your own diodes and Cherry switches. And you will need to solder them together yourself.I don't know how to solder, am I SOL?If you don't want to or can't do soldering, you can contact alaricljs (located in the USA) or Half-Saint (located in Europe). They are offering their soldering service. You will have to order parts from this group buy and tell us to ship the parts to one of them. You will need to work out the cost and shipping arrangement with them directly.
alaricljs's soldering service thread here: LinkTotal cost per kit should be between US$80 to US$120, depending on how many orders we have for bulk discount, shipping cost (factory to distributors, distributors to you), packaging cost, and paypal fees. As always, you the buyers will be responsible for all custom taxes, if any.
Order instruction:
The ordering system is up, so you can now order all parts you need to build you own Phantom keyboard!
The prices in the list are estimates and might change (most likely they will be cheaper in the end).
Shipping will be from US and Germany.
All prices are in US Dollars $:
Order-ID |qty|price|description
TEENSY | 1| 18|Teensy controller
PHANTOM | 1| 35|Phantom PCB
PHANSI | 1| 35|mount plate ANSI (1.5,1,1.5 units)
PHANSIWIN | 1| 35|mount plate ANSI with WIN keys (1.25 units)
PHISO | 1| 35|mount plate ISO
PHISOWIN | 1| 35|mount plate ISO with WIN keys
PH7BIT | 1| 35|mount plate 7BIT
MXRED | 1| 0.6|MX red plate mount switch
MXBLUE | 1| 0.6|MX blue plate mount switch
MXDARKBLUE | 1| 0.6|MX dark blue plate mount switch
MXBROWN | 1| 0.6|MX brown plate mount switch
MXCLEAR | 1| 0.6|MX clear plate mount switch
MXBLACK | 1| 0.6|MX black plate mount switch
MXGREY | 1| 2|MX grey plate mount switch
MXGREEN | 1| 2|MX green plate mount switch
DIODE | 1| 0.02|n-key rollover diode
STAB200 | 1| 2|MX plate mount stabiliser
STAB400 | 1| 2|MX plate mount stabiliser
STAB625 | 1| 2|MX plate mount stabiliser
STAB700 | 1| 2|MX plate mount stabiliser
STAB1000 | 1| 2|MX plate mount stabiliser
CASE | 1| 60|case for tenkeyless layout
PHANTOMFUN | 1| 2|Phantom function key
PHANTOMMOD100 | 1| 2|Phantom 1 unit modifier key
PHANTOMMOD125 | 1| 2|Phantom 1.25 units modifier key
PHANTOMMOD150 | 1| 3|Phantom 1.5 units modifier key
PHISOREDKIT | 1| 125|Teensy/PCB/ISO plate/MX red with stabs
PHISOCLEARKIT | 1| 125|Teensy/PCB/ISO plate/MX clear with stabs
PHISOBLACKKIT | 1| 125|Teensy/PCB/ISO plate/MX black with stabs
SOLDERING | 1| 200|soldering
Please send a message to Phantom with lines of order-IDs and quantities separated by space.
Don't forget your e-mail address!!!
Example:
TEENSY 1
PHANTOM 1
PHANSI 1
MXRED 100
DIODE 100
STAB200 4
STAB700 1
your email address
A video to demonstrate how to open up a Filco.
[video=youtube;AfPaC8Hvczo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfPaC8Hvczo[/video]
EDIT1: changed order information a little to be more explicit.
EDIT2: Added soldering service information.
EDIT3: 7bit's ordering system information added
EDIT3: PCB layout updated at the top of this post
