This is my Zenith build that I have been working on over the past few months. The Zenith Z-KB2 is my favorite keyboard chassis, having great build quality, N-key rollover, and that great Zenith badge. So when I was lucky enough to stumble into one in a trade from Gainsborough (Thanks again), I knew I had to do something special with it. At first I considered putting blue alps in it, but I only have around 20, and I don't want to destroy a keyboard to get some more. I have always heard good things about click modded orange Alps, especially how they were to sound similar to the bluies. So I found 110 loose ones from Russia of all places. 2 Months in the post later, I could finally get started on the build! So here is my full build log/restoration of my Zenith. Hope you Enjoy
This is the case/pcb that I got from gainsborough. It has a small crack on the right side, and is missing the flip out feet, but neither of those things really bothered me. It also sat better with me that I didn't have to destroy a perfectly good Zenith to get it.
- IMG_0195.JPG (2.24 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
- IMG_0197.JPG (2.07 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
- IMG_0198.JPG (1.7 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
- IMG_0202.JPG (2.28 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
The next step was to clean and Retrobrite The case and badge. It was a little bit too yellowed for my liking. So after cleaning out the local Rite Aid for all their Hydrogen Peroxide, I got started. I know there are better solutions out there, but this was quick and easy to do on a Sunday morning.
- IMG_0207.JPG (1.86 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
- IMG_0208.JPG (1.93 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
- IMG_0209.JPG (2.05 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
Fast forward about two weeks (It was only above freezing one day lol) later, this was the outcome. So it turns out February in New England is not a good time to Retrobrite a keyboard. I am not disappointed with the results, it just took a lot longer.
- IMG_0213.JPG (2.49 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
So fast forward another month, my orange Alps finally come in. I had never click modded Alps switches before, so I really didn't know what I was in for. I used Chyrosran's excellent guide on click modding, and it went pretty well. After 5-6 hours later, I got through them all. If I did that again, I could do it in half the time, but I was careful as to not damage the switches. The little metal tabs went everywhere too lol.
- IMG_0337.JPG (2.34 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
- IMG_0338.JPG (1.87 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
My next step was soldering all the switches in. I hadn't ever soldered a keyboard before, so it was a little bit of a learning curve. After around a dozen horrible solder joints, I started to get better, and got through the entire thing. I had to re-do a couple solders, but I got it working after a while. This is the finished product.
- z1.JPG (203.05 KiB) Viewed 3363 times
The last step was a thorough cleaning of the key caps and a final polish all around. I decided to lube all 15 stabilizers with the Di-Electric grease pictured bellow. I am really happy with the final product. For my first keyboard build I definitely could have done worse. I also have a Typing Demo bellow if anyone is interested. Thanks for tuning in cheers
- IMG_0341.JPG (2.03 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
- IMG_0342.JPG (2.57 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
- IMG_0343.JPG (2.25 MiB) Viewed 3363 times
Deciding between my two Zenith badges that I have. I went with the Orangeish one to symbolize the build.
- z4.JPG (131.83 KiB) Viewed 3363 times
- z5.JPG (153.42 KiB) Viewed 3363 times
- z6.JPG (125.4 KiB) Viewed 3363 times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzmSiAq ... e=youtu.be
so it seems like the perfect time! I'm inspired!