bit-tech.net

CenMakira · 23rd Feb 2003, 18:06

First off please allow me to point out that this was my first MOD. I was quite under prepared and overly excited. I just found an old keyboard lying around the house and decided to spruce it up a bit. The before and after pics are of different keyboards because i didn't think to take pics. Well here i go.

This is what i started with...

Unscrew the back. This classic Dell had 8 wonderful screws...

And a small clasp holding the wire tight...

Followed by 11 more screws...

After removing the screws, take off the face and back and remove all the keys. A small screwdriver or butter knife is perfect. Here i took the keys off before. Both options work.

-------------------
Well no pic of the painting but quickly said, i sanded the keys down using the 3M scrubbers under water. Left them overnight to dry. The next day i set up a cork board and 100+ bendy straws. I put the key on the end of the long part of the bendy straw and used a tack to hold down the other end of the bent straw. it worked wonders. 2 coat primer, 2 colour.
**Important ** Stay organized for these steps or you will regret it. Organize your keys because they are not all the same shape and will make reassemblying the board easier if you are organized.

Thats what i did 104+ times
--------------------

Thats it without letters, good lighting or a godd camera!

Using a felt tipped pen (Silver) I added in the letters. Sticker sets can be bought but i like the silver touch, plus black letters would have been hard to read.

Mail any questions to Me, CenMakira.

Arcana · 23rd Feb 2003, 20:54

ZapWizard · 23rd Feb 2003, 21:55

Pics are working for me at home, but not at work.
You need to get a better host.

Looks good, the straw thing was a good idea.

For other's info you can use model WET appliques to get a more professional key look.

dolbz · 24th Feb 2003, 16:09

Jus looking at this I thought wouldn't it be great if you didn't have any letters on your keys. Looks stylish and prevents little kids who can't type from playing around too much. not sure about the last bit but i like the thought of a blank keyboard

CenMakira · 24th Feb 2003, 18:50

hmmm
good thought, of course you'd have to know where all the keys were......

or get a laptop for word processing..

ouija · 27th Feb 2003, 20:59

Coulda sworn I already posted here... musta been at work, kinda flakey posting from work...

I've tried to get a keyboard with no markings at all, but painting the keys one colour would be pretty cool

zackerouac · 28th Feb 2003, 21:51

good first mod, welcome to the boards

CenMakira · 28th Feb 2003, 22:10

w00!
thanks! I just bough my first Dremel! I can't wait to bust it open and tear apart my comp. w00t as you can tell from my sig that if i do screw up my computer, its not loss. I'll be getting a better comp before i head off the university anyways..
I predicted that thats going to be the colour scheme for my case later so thats y the colours, and y did i do it so far b4 doing my case? seeing all these 1337 mods on here just insipred me to try something different

Moreland · 28th Feb 2003, 22:55

Quote:

Originally posted by zackerouac
good first mod, welcome to the boards

i echo his sentiments

thanks for sharing this mod with me, not something i would do however personally

CenMakira · 1st Mar 2003, 01:52

Quote:

Originally posted by Moreland

i echo his sentiments thanks for sharing this mod with me, not something i would do however personally

why not?

Moreland · 1st Mar 2003, 22:55

personally it screams tacky to me :/ i like professionalism and good clean mods are what appeal. Black and red is a deffo no no

Anyway thats only my opinion and you asked for it.

CenMakira · 2nd Mar 2003, 02:23

ouch, that hurt...
well eventually it will match my monitor and case so... it won't look bad and stick out so abruptly..

Fowler · 2nd Mar 2003, 22:54

I like the way you have transformed the boring beige colour to black but I would go with silver keys with black formal letters, when I say formal I mean not written in with pen, but then you could argue that it adds originality as its ur handwriting!

Anyway im another who seeks perfection and very neat looking mods,

However, Well done, nice first mod and welcome to the boards!

CenMakira · 3rd Mar 2003, 00:38

thank you for the warm welcome.

/Edit removed non-topic info -ZapWizard

CenMakira · 3rd Mar 2003, 18:58

do i need to post a certain number of times before i can have images in my signature?

:: kna :: · 3rd Mar 2003, 19:20

We don't allow signature images.

http://forums.bit-tech.net/announcement.php?forumid=48

ZapWizard · 4th Mar 2003, 12:44

Cleaned up non-topic posts.
If you have questions about signatures click the link above.

jpr1nd · 7th Mar 2003, 02:57

hey Cen, how long did it take you to that that bendy straw jazz? i hope not long, i took the advice of the guide on rabidhardware: take the keys off, place a plastic sheet (garbage bag, saran wrap, etc.) over the board the keys snap into, snap the keys on and spray away. i used a silver pen on my KB as well after painting it and swapping the LEDs, after a while the marker tend to wear off. try p[utting a clear coat on, or learn to type without the letters.

Gorguruga · 8th Mar 2003, 09:17

Excellent, well presented guide especially for a new-school moda like myself. I think I might duplicate this mod as my first attempt. It's given me some ideas at the very least on how I could attempt a mod within my current capabilities (i hope)! Here's an idea: having a keyboard with each key marking transparent and backlit with LEDs!! I can imagine that one would probably take forever, if it's even possible.

JrRRr · 27th Mar 2003, 22:29

Cool Mod CenMakira! And good info too...

JRR

23rd Feb 2003, 18:06	#1
CenMakira What's a Dremel? Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 19	Kustom Keyboard First off please allow me to point out that this was my first MOD. I was quite under prepared and overly excited. I just found an old keyboard lying around the house and decided to spruce it up a bit. The before and after pics are of different keyboards because i didn't think to take pics. Well here i go. This is what i started with... Unscrew the back. This classic Dell had 8 wonderful screws... And a small clasp holding the wire tight... Followed by 11 more screws... After removing the screws, take off the face and back and remove all the keys. A small screwdriver or butter knife is perfect. Here i took the keys off before. Both options work. ------------------- Well no pic of the painting but quickly said, i sanded the keys down using the 3M scrubbers under water. Left them overnight to dry. The next day i set up a cork board and 100+ bendy straws. I put the key on the end of the long part of the bendy straw and used a tack to hold down the other end of the bent straw. it worked wonders. 2 coat primer, 2 colour. Important Stay organized for these steps or you will regret it. Organize your keys because they are not all the same shape and will make reassemblying the board easier if you are organized. Thats what i did 104+ times -------------------- Thats it without letters, good lighting or a godd camera! Using a felt tipped pen (Silver) I added in the letters. Sticker sets can be bought but i like the silver touch, plus black letters would have been hard to read. Mail any questions to Me, CenMakira.

23rd Feb 2003, 20:54	#2
Arcana Supermodder Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 304	__________________ Project Arcanum - Vengeance (arcade emulation console) XI DINGIR XUL!

23rd Feb 2003, 21:55	#3
ZapWizard Enter the Mod Matrix Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 4,705	Pics are working for me at home, but not at work. You need to get a better host. Looks good, the straw thing was a good idea. For other's info you can use model WET appliques to get a more professional key look. __________________ www.ZapWizard.com ---www.AustinModders.com

24th Feb 2003, 18:50	#5
CenMakira What's a Dremel? Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 19	hmmm good thought, of course you'd have to know where all the keys were...... or get a laptop for word processing.. __________________ P4 3.06GHz, Gigabte SINXP1394, 2x512MB Kingston HyperX PC3500, SkyHawk Jupiter, MSI GeForce4 Ti4200, Lite On 52x24x52, Lite On 16x DVD, 2xSeagate Barracuda 120GB SATA 8MB Cache, AOC 19" 9 GLR .25mm 1600x1200 @ 75Hz, Nexus Fan Controller, Enermax 550W PSU

28th Feb 2003, 21:51	#7
zackerouac bring it Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: cynicism Posts: 867	good first mod, welcome to the boards __________________ fear is the price of imagination - hannibal lector

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24th Feb 2003, 16:09	#4
dolbz Minimodder Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 31	Jus looking at this I thought wouldn't it be great if you didn't have any letters on your keys. Looks stylish and prevents little kids who can't type from playing around too much. not sure about the last bit but i like the thought of a blank keyboard

27th Feb 2003, 20:59	#6
ouija Trust me, I am doctor! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 3,026	Coulda sworn I already posted here... musta been at work, kinda flakey posting from work... I've tried to get a keyboard with no markings at all, but painting the keys one colour would be pretty cool

28th Feb 2003, 22:10	#8
CenMakira What's a Dremel? Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 19	w00! thanks! I just bough my first Dremel! I can't wait to bust it open and tear apart my comp. w00t as you can tell from my sig that if i do screw up my computer, its not loss. I'll be getting a better comp before i head off the university anyways.. I predicted that thats going to be the colour scheme for my case later so thats y the colours, and y did i do it so far b4 doing my case? seeing all these 1337 mods on here just insipred me to try something different __________________ P4 3.06GHz, Gigabte SINXP1394, 2x512MB Kingston HyperX PC3500, SkyHawk Jupiter, MSI GeForce4 Ti4200, Lite On 52x24x52, Lite On 16x DVD, 2xSeagate Barracuda 120GB SATA 8MB Cache, AOC 19" 9 GLR .25mm 1600x1200 @ 75Hz, Nexus Fan Controller, Enermax 550W PSU

1st Mar 2003, 22:55	#11
Moreland banned Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ashby, England Posts: 896	personally it screams tacky to me :/ i like professionalism and good clean mods are what appeal. Black and red is a deffo no no Anyway thats only my opinion and you asked for it.

2nd Mar 2003, 02:23	#12
CenMakira What's a Dremel? Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 19	ouch, that hurt... well eventually it will match my monitor and case so... it won't look bad and stick out so abruptly.. __________________ P4 3.06GHz, Gigabte SINXP1394, 2x512MB Kingston HyperX PC3500, SkyHawk Jupiter, MSI GeForce4 Ti4200, Lite On 52x24x52, Lite On 16x DVD, 2xSeagate Barracuda 120GB SATA 8MB Cache, AOC 19" 9 GLR .25mm 1600x1200 @ 75Hz, Nexus Fan Controller, Enermax 550W PSU

2nd Mar 2003, 22:54	#13
Fowler mmm Cosworth Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Devon Posts: 1,297	I like the way you have transformed the boring beige colour to black but I would go with silver keys with black formal letters, when I say formal I mean not written in with pen, but then you could argue that it adds originality as its ur handwriting! Anyway im another who seeks perfection and very neat looking mods, However, Well done, nice first mod and welcome to the boards!

3rd Mar 2003, 00:38	#14
CenMakira What's a Dremel? Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 19	thank you for the warm welcome. /Edit removed non-topic info -ZapWizard __________________ P4 3.06GHz, Gigabte SINXP1394, 2x512MB Kingston HyperX PC3500, SkyHawk Jupiter, MSI GeForce4 Ti4200, Lite On 52x24x52, Lite On 16x DVD, 2xSeagate Barracuda 120GB SATA 8MB Cache, AOC 19" 9 GLR .25mm 1600x1200 @ 75Hz, Nexus Fan Controller, Enermax 550W PSU

3rd Mar 2003, 18:58	#15
CenMakira What's a Dremel? Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 19	do i need to post a certain number of times before i can have images in my signature? __________________ P4 3.06GHz, Gigabte SINXP1394, 2x512MB Kingston HyperX PC3500, SkyHawk Jupiter, MSI GeForce4 Ti4200, Lite On 52x24x52, Lite On 16x DVD, 2xSeagate Barracuda 120GB SATA 8MB Cache, AOC 19" 9 GLR .25mm 1600x1200 @ 75Hz, Nexus Fan Controller, Enermax 550W PSU

3rd Mar 2003, 19:20	#16
:: kna :: POCOYO! Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Purple Posts: 4,209	We don't allow signature images. http://forums.bit-tech.net/announcement.php?forumid=48

4th Mar 2003, 12:44	#17
ZapWizard Enter the Mod Matrix Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 4,705	Cleaned up non-topic posts. If you have questions about signatures click the link above. __________________ www.ZapWizard.com ---www.AustinModders.com

7th Mar 2003, 02:57	#18
jpr1nd What's a Dremel? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 1	hey Cen, how long did it take you to that that bendy straw jazz? i hope not long, i took the advice of the guide on rabidhardware: take the keys off, place a plastic sheet (garbage bag, saran wrap, etc.) over the board the keys snap into, snap the keys on and spray away. i used a silver pen on my KB as well after painting it and swapping the LEDs, after a while the marker tend to wear off. try p[utting a clear coat on, or learn to type without the letters.

8th Mar 2003, 09:17	#19
Gorguruga Multimodder Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 116	Great Mod! Excellent, well presented guide especially for a new-school moda like myself. I think I might duplicate this mod as my first attempt. It's given me some ideas at the very least on how I could attempt a mod within my current capabilities (i hope)! Here's an idea: having a keyboard with each key marking transparent and backlit with LEDs!! I can imagine that one would probably take forever, if it's even possible. __________________ Gorguruga's Rigor Mortis **P4 60gb HD * 40gb HD * 256 RAM * Win ME * LiteOn CD-RW * SoundBlaster 5.1 with Live Drive * Floppy Drive * Intel MotherBoard * Suntek 300W PSU (with non-functioning fan)***

27th Mar 2003, 22:29	#20
JrRRr Minecraft addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Norway, Sunnhordland Posts: 268	Cool Mod CenMakira! And good info too... JRR

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