Unicomp SSK from Ultra Classic, anyone? - Yes!

khirin · 01 Dec 2016, 04:07

Not long ago, I got a dead Unicomp Ultra Classic for parts and spare. It turns out that its controller went bad, no lights, no response. I'm thinking that it will be nice to have a thinner-bezel SSK but I couldn't find any previous references/photos.

I've seen several nice looking chopped SSKs from full IBM Model Ms but none with Unicomp, has it been done before? Can it be done?

Update
12/13/2016 : See my post below.

PotatoMonkey · 01 Dec 2016, 04:28

I don't see why the process would be any different. Unicomp internals are more or less identical to IBM internals.

ohaimark · 01 Dec 2016, 04:52

Wow. Good job, new guys! If you decide to chop it down, do show some photographs.

snoopy · 02 Dec 2016, 10:32

Do it!

Tangtawan · 02 Dec 2016, 23:39

that sounds great !

khirin · 13 Dec 2016, 05:00

OK guys, thanks for all the encouragements. I went ahead and spent nearly two weekends + holidays to complete it. It is harder than I originally thought. Although I have some experiences in atmega32u4 programming, but never before in my life that I had to reroute the membrane copper traces, or cut and spray paint a keyboard case. Anyway, here it is. Enjoy the pictures

: If Unicomp releases an SSK, it may look like this.; 20161212_213832.jpg (1.54 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: Another angle.; 20161212_205702.jpg (1.65 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: Screws and feet and in place.; 20161212_205031.jpg (1.58 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: Side view.; 20161212_204812.jpg (1.5 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: Detachable cord with micro-usb connector.; 20161212_204751.jpg (1.66 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: Front view.; 20161212_204617.jpg (1.57 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: An Arduino Micro as its controller.; 20161212_181418.jpg (1.61 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: The controller fits snugly and can be taken out easily, just like on the Model M.; 20161212_165803.jpg (1.16 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: In position.; 20161212_113545.jpg (1.53 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: DIY SSK Top shell.; 20161212_112301.jpg (1.42 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: ..and its bottom half.; 20161212_112325.jpg (1.28 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: Asymmetry cuts to preserve critical components.; 20161204_090738.jpg (1.6 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: ...and here too.; 20161203_134315.jpg (2.2 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: Working with membrane traces; 20161202_203932.jpg (1.74 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: Very tedious.; 20161202_203617.jpg (1.85 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: Testing and testing, to make sure it 100% working.; 20161129_212130.jpg (1.79 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: It is fun to have a hobby like this.; 20161127_113143.jpg (1.75 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

: Works great in my humble workplace.; 20161212_212103.jpg (1.44 MiB) Viewed 9441 times

Next up, 60% buckling spring keyboard?

emdude · 13 Dec 2016, 05:11

Wow, that is incredible. Easily one of the best Model M chop jobs I've seen!

ohaimark · 13 Dec 2016, 09:03

That's a home run! Your Unicomp is the first one I've seen that looks good.

If they produced something like that on their own, they'd get so much more business.

ohaimark · 13 Dec 2016, 09:07

#DTA7

andrewjoy · 13 Dec 2016, 11:10

That is fantastic !

Zombimuncha · 13 Dec 2016, 11:19

Wow! Nice Job - I can't even see the seam on the top shell. Do want!

002 · 13 Dec 2016, 15:13

Really nice and tidy, man -- well done!

Khers · 13 Dec 2016, 15:16

Very neat chop job!

Chyros · 13 Dec 2016, 15:34

Fuck me, that's amazing! How did you get the seam to disappear so well on the case? =o

lot_lizard · 13 Dec 2016, 15:52

Really well done... I shared this with Unicomp. Obviously they would take a different approach on how it was produced, but you really did lay out for them what needs to be adjusted from a technical perspective to their existing designs.

Hopefully they PM you

. I much prefer your lines to their previous suggestions

seebart · 13 Dec 2016, 16:03

A chop well done, looks great!

ohaimark · 13 Dec 2016, 16:57

Chyros wrote: Fuck me, that's amazing! How did you get the seam to disappear so well on the case? =o

I think he filled it with something and painted the case. Could be wrong, though.

alienman82 · 13 Dec 2016, 17:24

removed.

drevyek · 13 Dec 2016, 17:32

Fabulously done! I love the way youdivided the case up. When I did mine, it was just the two pieces. What did you use to stick the parts together? I had used putty, but it didn't work as well as I had initially hoped. (I used Krazy glue to fill in my seam).

vometia · 13 Dec 2016, 17:41

That's incredible. An SSK with a smaller footprint and in a much nicer colour; really neat job too! I'm jealous.

Ray · 13 Dec 2016, 17:51

Wow, that's a clean look, really awesome!

I also want more details what you used to make the seams almost disappear, I need to chop an M case for my MF.

Tangtawan · 13 Dec 2016, 22:30

very neat job indeed

Muirium · 13 Dec 2016, 22:34

Aye. And from a modding newb! There is hope for all of us!

Re: Unicomp. This is exactly what we all want. An SSK we can buy and plot people to, today. No "innovation" required in the layout. IBM got it right the first time. Drop the numpad, and you are done. Make it freakin' so!

wobbled · 13 Dec 2016, 23:08

Hilarious how Unicomp have been trying to make a TKL board for years and this guy just makes one out of shit they already have. Impressive stuff, can't even see any marks on the case where it was cut.

seebart · 13 Dec 2016, 23:22

wobbled wrote: Hilarious how Unicomp have been trying to make a TKL board for years...

I don't think they ever really tried. Not sure if they could build one if they wanted to. But this is how to do it like a pro that's for sure.

dokyun · 13 Dec 2016, 23:30

+1 Would like to know more detail on your process for this. I'm typing on an identical Unicomp right now that is suddenly looking a lot more attractive cut up...

webwit · 13 Dec 2016, 23:36

There's a difference between a custom mod, and the numbers Unicomp think in with their inherited production line machinery and their setup costs. They need something which can be produced by machinery and which sells in big numbers to earn the investment back and make a profit.

alh84001 · 13 Dec 2016, 23:37

ohaimark wrote: #DTA7

I was just about to add this.

Muirium · 13 Dec 2016, 23:39

Indeed. Unicomp won't be chopping plastic. But, as far as design goes, the path is clear enough. The trouble is their will to do something, anything, they weren't already doing ages ago. It takes a special kind of boat to miss the tide that raises all ships.

supamesican · 14 Dec 2016, 01:08

AWESOME! I may do this next year, unless unicomp gets smart and puts out one too.