this is a continuation of good 63/37 solder wires posted previously.

4. you bang (友邦) 0.6mm (flux % 1.8). one of the recommended brands by mkb community in China. this one flows slightly slower (less flux).



5. QLG (强力) 0.5mm (flux % 1.8-2.2). this one flows nicely also, and it might be the shiniest of all, based on my brief comparisons.



6. kester flux 245 core 50 0.6mm (flux % 1.1).

there are plenty of good alternatives. if you bought the genuine ones, best from their respective official shops, the cn-made 63/37 solder wires in the list work fine, with good outcomes.

qmk buat hal again. it's the times that happens twice a year, a.k.a. breaking changes, i.e. if you chose to upgrade, it will break your qmk installation.

for those who run qmk in msys2, 0.12.52 will break stuff. to revert to 0.12.51, run the following command in msys2: 'git reset --hard 8ba537f' (without quotes) alternatively, just use qmk msys aio installer, https://github.com/qmk/qmk_distro_msys/releases/ (tested and confirmed working for 0.12.52)

qmk 0.12.52 breaks stuff in linux too. however it's much easier to resolve this: just delete all the previously configured python modules in ~/.local/lib/pythonx.x/site-packages/, rerun 'util/qmk_install.sh', 'python3 -m pip install --user qmk', then run 'qmk setup' to check the qmk environment. copy the missing udev rules to the correct directory if necessary (instructions will be given during 'qmk setup')

the proper output with 'qmk setup' will be similar to the following, if it gets fixed:


2 new python modules are now required to run qmk: hid and pyusb (along with their os-specific dependencies). 'util/qmk_install.sh' will take care of everything.

here's a list of frankenswitches, source: https://www.reddit.com/r/switchmodders/

usually, we do this with our spares. also, note that these are just based on personal preferences, and most are just swapping parts then call it a day. tbh if you know the characteristics of the base switches, you can make them with cheaper alternatives.

got the 3-pin g-yellow smd pro. imo, it's just like normal gateron yellow smd, with relatively less stem wobbles, and pre-lubed at factory.

this time i just did a minimal switch tuning (spring lubed with krytox gpl 107; mdi switch filmed), to see how long the factory lube will last, starting today

edit: just found out my qmk code for cx60 didn't have codes for capslock led; fixed.

This post has been edited by horns: Jun 6 2021, 11:06 PM

qmk msys aio installer works fine. 1.4.1 is the latest version number.

the upgrade issue happened to my existing environment based on msys2 setup from https://www.msys2.org/

good news: i fixed my existing msys2 environment to work with the new qmk cli already.

the clue was from my linux environment, i.e. removing old packages from python's site-packages directories in that environment manually. in this case:

1. add export QMK_HOME='/f/path.to.my/qmk_firmware' in my .bashrc;
2. replaced qmk.exe and copied qmk-script.py (from my qmk msys2 aio installation) into mingw64's bin directory in my msys2 environment;
3. deleted qmk_cli and qmk-x.x.x-dist-info from msys2, then rerun 'python3 -m pip install qmk'

somehow, these old qmk packages (qmk_cli, qmk-x.x.x-dist-info) cannot be replaced, and needed manual removals.



now everything works again hehe

sorry i'm not familiar with products from these brands. i heard of rk and ganss, but not 北影 (maybe it's a new brand)

k87 seems to be the better one among the three, but it's also better to double check if it comes with gateron ink like you said, because from what i can see in the options, they are normal gateron, not ink.

right, it's too good to be true. if it's ks-9 (gateron smd, i guess it's 3-pin), then it's correct based on the options offered.

other than that, i guess there is nothing else to check; maybe the working URL to download the functional software for board configurations.

the shop that sells cx60 pcb now starts to offer a kit called star60, https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=645957293029

- keyboard construction: top-mount; from description, you can add o-rings below screw head to have dampening effects;
- case: cnc-machined, anodized aluminum top and bottom pieces;
- plate: cf, brass; layout: 2u-shift 64-key (gk64 style); support for pcb-mount stabs;
- case angle: 6 degree

as of now, the options are as follows:
package 1: case only + cf plate;
package 2: case only + brass plate;
package 3: case + cx60 pcb + cf plate;
package 4: case + cx60 pcb + brass plate.

you should be able to use other 60% pcbs that support 64-key layout (e.g., yd60mq, dz60). the current cx60 pcb has smaller silver solder pads (thinner walls, smaller holes); heat conductivity is lower than those on yd60mq and dz60 (both have larger gold solder pads). it's better to use 63/37 solder wires with higher flux % (2% or more) for better flow with cx60 pcb.

kbd75v3 is plain by today's standards, https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=646548107113 (currently out of stock; maybe they will be available at their international site later)

however, for the price, you get:
- a top-mount 75%;
- plate and case foams (they are poron);
- cherry screw-in stabilizers;
- a hefty build (2kg+)

the stock case screws are now torx. the pcb is black in color (after refresh, new kbd75 rev2 pcb will be black, not white anymore), with qmk firmware of kbd75 rev2, via-enabled by default. the case looks similar to v2, but has minor changes compared to v2. the case angle is 7-degree.

i will put lightly modded sp-star white into mine; stabs changed to everglide's crystal v2; fully foamed. i prefer fully foamed builds; slightly muted but typing sound is clean and singular, and typing feel are solid.

edit: .. and oh by default there is no fn key in the stock layout. just download via and assign it accordingly, https://caniusevia.com/



This post has been edited by horns: Jun 11 2021, 01:40 PM

this epbt set really triggers a lot of people LOL

LOL it's a good set. the gb of r2 is also active now

if you intended to use razer boards long term, you should just learn soldering and desoldering. this way you can fix stuff when they break. alternatively, just get new razer boards.

there are plenty of options that are better than razer boards. however, it's your preference, it's your call.

for more options i think it's better to ask this at mymkb fb page.

uh? how did you break that leopold?

oh. right those can be fixed. yes, leopold is good. i still keep mine hehe

not sure. maybe you should wait for others for suggestions, and ask the same at mymkb fb page as well.

tbh, most prebuilts are less than optimal at stock, unless you tune them accordingly.

there are discussions about wireless boards at mymkb fb page. you might wanna take a look too. use keyword like 'wireless' and search the group posts.

it's for reference purposes LOL

from my limited observations, these old unmodded prebuilts are still better than most new and existing boards out there. although impressive, this also tells us that most manufacturers just don't bother to improve theirs. they just wanna make money

yeah fb lol

if you want, you can join mymkb discord also, https://discord.com/invite/FEUMXhT

these days i stopped checking out many places also.

a good find (supports 5-pin switches; and uses gateron switch sockets). please share the findings after assembly if possible

oh that means about 3 weeks to a month. it's fine. sooner or later it will reach you haha

i guess the current trend for makers are making boards with 2 to 3 connection modes. it's a good news for those who longed for wireless setups.

yes, some how old ones are relatively better.

.. and i think you just choose not to go for customs

--

just picked jwick queen up. this linear switch is with gold-plated 3-stage long spring. (more stages mean heavier preload force)